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Not What She Seems: A Novel Kindle Edition

4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 13,266 ratings

She left home as the local pariah at twenty-two, but when a family tragedy brings her back, she must confront her tortured past—and a new danger in town that no one seems to understand but her.

After years of self-exile, Jacinda “Jac” Brodie is back in Brook Haven, South Carolina. But the small cliffside town no longer feels like home. Jac hasn’t been there since the beloved chief of police fell to his death—and all the whispers said she was to blame.

That chief was Jac’s father.

Racked with guilt, Jac left town with no plans to return. But when her granddad lands in the hospital, she rushes back to her family, bracing herself to confront the past.

Brook Haven feels different now. Wealthy newcomer Faye Arden has transformed the notorious Moor Manor into a quaint country inn. Jac’s convinced something sinister lurks beneath Faye’s perfect exterior, yet the whole town fawns over their charismatic new benefactor. And when Jac discovers one of her granddad’s prized possessions in Faye’s office, she knows she has to be right.

But as Jac continues to dig, she stumbles upon dangerous truths that hit too close to home. With not only her life but also her family’s safety on the line, Jac discovers that maybe some secrets are better left buried.


From the Publisher

SEARCHING FOR TRUTH DISCOVERING LIES.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Not What She Seems

“Endless skeletons in the family closet…” Kirkus Reviews

“Angoe grounds the plot’s surprising twists with lovable, fully realized characters. Lisa Unger fans, take note.” Publishers Weekly

“Jac’s return to her hometown reveals lie after shocking lie. You’re going to want to help her dig up every dirty secret. Not What She Seems is a must-read for thriller lovers.” —Melinda Leigh, #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author

“In a small town, secrets collide with the grief and guilt of our fierce, feisty heroine, Jac Brodie. As her world is falling apart, Jac pieces together a mystery that could change her life as she knows it. With an expertly drawn setting, pulse-pounding pacing, and an explosive climax, Not What She Seems is a magnificent read. This twisty, high-octane thriller instantly hooked me and never let go. I’m now a forever fan of Yasmin Angoe’s stunning writing.” —Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of A Friend in the Dark

“Anthony award–nominated author Yasmin Angoe is an expert at blending fast-paced action, jaw-dropping plot twists, and flawed but likable characters. Her first standalone, Not What She Seems, is a must-read for domestic suspense fans. An excellent tale of cat and mouse, or should I say spider versus fly.” —Kellye Garrett, award-winning author of Missing White Woman

“Angoe not only creates believable characters, she crafts a layered mystery woven through with family secrets, sharp-edged revenge, and unexpected redemption. All that plus it has heart; the climactic scene brought tears to my eyes.” —Jess Lourey, Edgar-nominated author of The Taken Ones

“Yasmin Angoe’s Not What She Seems is a powerful, electric novel that explores the deadly secrets we want to forget, and the lengths people will go to keep them buried. A story of painful homecomings and powerful reckonings, Not What She Seems builds upon Angoe’s stellar library to present readers with her best novel yet.” —Alex Segura, bestselling author of Secret Identity and Alter Ego

“Jacinda Brodie, you have my sword. Never have I fallen deeper in love with characters than I did the Brodies of beautiful, troubled, small-town South Carolina. Yasmin Angoe’s incredible blend of talents—her ability to deliver high-intensity blowups on par with the best action thrillers and her deep character work, which shines through her uniquely voicey prose—make Not What She Seems a total knockout. I laughed, I gasped, and—shockingly—I cried. In an astonishing feat, Angoe combines a dark-as-sin psychological suspense with a heartwarming tale of familial redemption, peppered with laugh-out-loud social commentary. Like me, readers will marvel at her virtuosity while eagerly awaiting her next.” —Ashley Winstead, critically acclaimed author of Midnight Is the Darkest Hour

It Ends with Knight

“Watch your back, Liam Neeson. This avenger is tough.” Kirkus Reviews

“High-stakes action, intrigue, and a professional assassin . . . the thrilling conclusion to Yasmin Angoe’s Nena Knight series has it all.” Woman’s World

“Nena Knight can cover Orphan X’s six o’clock any day! Stolen from her village in Ghana, Knight reinvents herself as an elite assassin capable of all orders of badassery. One of thrillerdom’s rising stars, Yasmin Angoe paints Knight with nuance, strength, and grace. These books burn hot and read fast.” —Gregg Hurwitz, New York Times bestselling author of the Orphan X series

It Ends with Knight finishes this trilogy every bit as heart pounding, soul searching, and explosive as it started. Nena Knight now takes her place alongside crime fiction’s most unforgettable heroines.” —Rachel Howzell Hall, New York Times bestselling author of We Lie Here and These Toxic Things

“Yasmin Angoe returns with both barrels blazing in It Ends with Knight. Nena Knight is such a well-crafted character, and Angoe’s writing is an absolute joy. You need some pretty strong writer mojo to get readers to root for an assassin, and Angoe pulls it off. I truly hope It Ends with Knight is not the end of this wonderful series.” —Tracy Clark, bestselling author and winner of the Sue Grafton Memorial Award

They Come at Knight

An Amazon Best Book of the Month: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

“There’s nothing ho-hum about Nena Knight, the killer at the heart of Yasmin Angoe’s They Come at Knight… In one blistering action scene after another, we get to see how good Nena is at what she does.” New York Times Book Review

“A second round of action-packed, high-casualty intrigue for professional assassin Nena Knight. A lethal tale of an all-but-superhero whose author promises that ‘in this story, there are no heroes.’” Kirkus Reviews

“This action-packed novel drives toward an explosive conclusion. Determined to survive devastating loss and mete out justice, Nena is a heroine readers will embrace.” Publishers Weekly

Her Name Is Knight

“This stunning debut…deftly balances action, interpersonal relationships, issues of trauma, and profound human questions in an unforgettable novel.” Library Journal (starred review)

“A parable of reclaiming personal and tribal identity by seizing power at all costs.” Kirkus Reviews

“Angoe expertly builds tension by shifting between her lead’s past and present lives. Thriller fans will cheer Aninyeh every step of the way.” Publishers Weekly

“An action-packed thriller you can lose yourself in.” —PopSugar

“Memorable characters, drama, heart-pounding danger . . . this suspenseful novel has it all.” Woman’s World

“A crackerjack story with truly memorable characters. I can’t wait to see what Yasmin Angoe comes up with next.” —David Baldacci, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Yasmin Angoe’s debut novel, Her Name Is Knight, is an amazing, action-packed international thriller full of suspense, danger, and even romance. It’s like a John Wick prequel except John is a beautiful African woman with a particular set of skills.” —S. A. Cosby, New York Times bestselling author of Razorblade Tears

“It’s hard to believe that Her Name Is Knight is Yasmin Angoe’s debut novel. This dual-timeline story about a highly trained Miami-based assassin who learns to reclaim her power after having her entire life ripped from her as a teenager in Ghana is equal parts love story, social commentary, and action thriller. Nena Knight will stay with you long after you’ve read the last word, and this is a must-read for fans of Lee Child and S. A. Cosby. I found myself crying in one chapter and cheering in the next. I couldn’t put it down!” —Kellye Garrett, Anthony, Agatha, and Lefty Award–winning author

“This was a book I couldn’t put down. Yasmin Angoe does a brilliant job of inviting you into a world of espionage and revenge while giving her characters depth and backstory that pull the reader in even more. This story has depth, excitement, and heartbreaking loss all intertwined into an awesome debut. The spy thriller genre has a new name to look out for!” —Matthew Farrell, bestselling author of Don’t Ever Forget

“This brave and profoundly gorgeous thriller takes readers to places they’ve never been, to challenges they’ve never faced, and to judgments that leave the strongest in tears. Her Name Is Knight is a stunning and important debut, and Yasmin Angoe is a fantastic new talent.” —Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of Her Perfect Life

Her Name Is Knight is a roundhouse kick of a novel—intense, evocative, and loaded with character and international intrigue. Nena Knight is a protagonist for the ages and one readers will not soon forget. Her Name Is Knight isn’t just thrills and action either—the book lingers with you long after you’ve finished. More, please.” —Alex Segura, acclaimed author of Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall, Secret Identity, and Blackout

From the Publisher

Author Yasmin Angoe combines a fast-paced cat-and-mouse psychological suspense with a character drama that had me riveted until the very end.

Jac Brodie has returned to Brook Haven. She hasn’t been back since her father died, and the cliffside town no longer feels like home. A new resident, Faye Arden, has transformed an old notorious manor into a quaint country inn—and Jac is convinced there is something sinister lurking beneath Faye’s perfect exterior. But Jac seems to be the only one in town who sees it, and because of her history, no one will listen to her. Unwilling to let it go, Jac keeps digging…and unearths secrets that put her and her family in jeopardy.

Angoe writes characters that are so wholly real, and Jac and Faye are just that. She has created an unforgettable tale of redemption and family that lingers long after the last page.

—Megha Parekh, Editor

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CQ36RDG8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas & Mercer (August 1, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 1, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4125 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 390 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 13,266 ratings

About the author

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Yasmin Angoe
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Yasmin Angoe is the author of the critically acclaimed Her Name Is Knight, first book in the Nena Knight trilogy. She is a first-generation Ghanaian American and the recipient of the 2020 Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for Emerging Writers of Color. Her Name Is Knight came in #1 on multiple Amazon Bestseller charts and is an Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller, & Suspense.

Yasmin is a nominee for the Anthony Awards for Best First Book and the AAMBC Awards for Debut Author of the Year. Her work has received numerous recognitions, Best Of lists, and a Library Journal Starred Review. Her book has appeared in Woman’s World Book Club, POPSUGAR, Nerd Daily, the Washington Independent Review of Books, and other platforms. Yasmin is a former educator and received a Kirkus Review calling Her Name Is Knight, “A parable of reclaiming personal and tribal identity by seizing power at all costs".

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
13,266 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the story interesting, solid, and full of unexpected twists and turns. They describe the book as a wonderful, entertaining read that makes them want to keep reading. Readers also mention the characters are compelling and great. They describe the mystery as intense, addictive, and unputdownable. Opinions are mixed on the writing quality, pacing, and suspense. Some find it well-written, while others say it seems lazy.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

243 customers mention "Story quality"190 positive53 negative

Customers find the story interesting, solid, and full of unexpected twists. They say it's a true thriller that keeps them guessing throughout. Readers also mention the book starts out very witty and sharp.

"I was riveted! Loved the story. Well written, engaging, highly recommend!..." Read more

"An enticing read with a great plot and interesting characters especially the 3 Brodie women and their complex family dynamic but who show up for one..." Read more

"...This novel has a solid plot and compelling characters. I only rated it at a 3 due to some of the choices the author had the character make...." Read more

"A pleasure to read. Well defined characters. Real people intriguing plots and sub plots...." Read more

131 customers mention "Readability"117 positive14 negative

Customers find the book wonderful, suspenseful, and entertaining. They say the plot is great and makes them want to keep reading. Readers also mention the book will make a great movie.

"I was riveted! Loved the story. Well written, engaging, highly recommend!..." Read more

"An enticing read with a great plot and interesting characters especially the 3 Brodie women and their complex family dynamic but who show up for one..." Read more

"A pleasure to read. Well defined characters. Real people intriguing plots and sub plots...." Read more

"Well, written and enjoyable. Some interesting twists. The clues gave the story an edge that kept me wanting to read more." Read more

82 customers mention "Character development"60 positive22 negative

Customers find the characters compelling and robust.

"...Loved the story. Well written, engaging, highly recommend! Great character development that had me rooting for Jacinda through the whole book." Read more

"An enticing read with a great plot and interesting characters especially the 3 Brodie women and their complex family dynamic but who show up for one..." Read more

"...Some parts seemed a little out of place and some characters not too believable—a suicidal girl tells her story on a flash drive and hides it in a..." Read more

"...This novel has a solid plot and compelling characters. I only rated it at a 3 due to some of the choices the author had the character make...." Read more

54 customers mention "Interest"51 positive3 negative

Customers find the book interesting, engaging, and addictive. They say it holds their interest for some time. Readers also mention the book is thrilling, entertaining, and keeps them wanting more. They appreciate the different and exciting method of writing.

"I was riveted! Loved the story. Well written, engaging, highly recommend!..." Read more

"...Jac was extremely compelling with the exceptional guilt and the heaviness she held in her and all the shame her town cast on her...." Read more

"While this is a book about past unsolved murders, it had interesting and varied plot lines, it kept my interest throughout, and was a quick read..." Read more

"This was a good book with some twists/turns that kept you interested. There were a few areas that it seemed to be a bit draw...." Read more

14 customers mention "Suspenseful"10 positive4 negative

Customers find the book suspenseful. They say it's fast-paced, action-packed, and evokes emotions from readers. Readers also mention the story is cathartic, riveting, and wonderfully full of twists.

"...Written in the first person, it exposed her raw emotions, both good and bad. I wanted to scream with her and cry for her...." Read more

"...She was relatable and evokes emotions from the reader." Read more

"I enjoyed the mystery but felt the constant swear words belittled the story...." Read more

"...Overall the story was engaging. I would recommend this as a good psychological trillernn" Read more

106 customers mention "Writing quality"61 positive45 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book. Some mention it's well-written, talented, and a good read with few errors. However, others say it's too wordy, repetitive, and seems like lazy writing.

"I was riveted! Loved the story. Well written, engaging, highly recommend!..." Read more

"...Too many false starts, and too many revelations." Read more

"...Still was impressed with writing skills that allowed me to somewhat relate without narrowing it to a specific culture." Read more

"...The detail dragged it out way too long." Read more

37 customers mention "Pacing"16 positive21 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some mention it grips them from start to finish, while others say it's slow at the beginning and takes forever to get through a scene.

"This one started out a little slowly, but I promise, if you stick with it, you won’t regret it!..." Read more

"...and varied plot lines, it kept my interest throughout, and was a quick read because of all that...." Read more

"This book started a little slow for me, but totally made up for it as it went along...." Read more

"This book gripped me from start to finish. Written in the first person, it exposed her raw emotions, both good and bad...." Read more

21 customers mention "Difficulty to put down"13 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book. Some mention it's hard to put down and easy to follow, while others say it's difficult to get involved in and finish.

"...I couldn’t put it down. The characters were so well developed and easy to follow. Great read." Read more

"A little tough to get involved in, initially, but once I was "hooked" was hard to put it down!..." Read more

"Super hard to put down, many twists not seen, A+, will be looking forward to another novel by Y. Angoe.edit" Read more

"...Easy to follow though. I'd recommend this book, if you're thinking about reading it." Read more

Pins and Needles
4 out of 5 stars
Pins and Needles
This is a very slow burn, that ticks up in pace with each flick of the page. The characters are fully flawed and raw. The small-town vibe of Brooke Haven, South Carolina is fully fleshed out. Everyone knows your business and the grapevine is in full use. I love the Brodie family and their roots are deep in Brooke Haven.Jacinda Brodie is in Washington D.C. Knowing her life is about to change with her acceptance into Fellows Program. Her body is buzzing with anticipation as she opens the email. Only to be struck down. How...How did she not get in? When she discovers who inserted the doubt into the board, she saw red and decided to blow up her life. At the same time, she gets a phone call from home hearing the worst news possible. That her grandfather is in the hospital. She has not stepped back into Brooke Haven since she left for college. You as the reader are given a bit of information here and there. She was there the night her father died and everyone believes she had something to do with it. Regardless of all of her feelings she needs to get back to see her grandfather. The town she left, is not the town she returns to.I loved the buildup of suspense to that ending where everything is exposed. I was on pins and needles as I plowed through. The murder house added that extra mystery for me.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2024
I was riveted! Loved the story. Well written, engaging, highly recommend! Great character development that had me rooting for Jacinda through the whole book.
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024
An enticing read with a great plot and interesting characters especially the 3 Brodie women and their complex family dynamic but who show up for one another no matter what due to their deep and intense love for one another. Jac was extremely compelling with the exceptional guilt and the heaviness she held in her and all the shame her town cast on her. She was trying to outrun something so deeply enmeshed within her she couldn’t escape it if she tried. It only created more tension and poorly made choices for herself and the men she had relationships with. When she is finally forced towards having to face her town and that terrible night she is further embroiled in an even worse nightmare one that would lead her into a world of darkness and reveal the answers to her regaining back her life and mending her overwhelmingly terse relationship with her mother.
6 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2024
This story is intended to be a thriller but it takes a very long time to get to the thrill. It is so slow moving that it often put me to sleep. Jacinda, the main character is an outcast who leaves behind the little town she grew up in due to scandal. She is seen by her family and townsfolk as a troublemaker. She returns to her family and hometown when her grandfather, a retired detective with a sideline of investigating cold cases, is found dead. She proceeds to investigate his death, causing more trouble and raising suspicions about pillars of the community. The ending is very suspenseful and exciting. In the end will Jacinta be a hero or a villain? Persevere and you will find out.
20 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2024
A pleasure to read. Well defined characters. Real people intriguing plots and sub plots. Lots of movement as the story goes from now to yesteryear and back weaving a novel that is better than her first three which is saying a whole lot. Redemption and family play large roles in making this one of my top 2 or 3 reads of this year-2024. Just a note, I am retired and read over 150 books a year. Read this and enjoy!
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2024
This novel will keep you guessing…the twists and turns made for a good read. Well written and satisfying as every loose end is tied up.
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2024
This book was so great; it kept me on my toes! I kept thinking I had it figured out and then another twist would happen. The character development is also out of this world. So many emotions while maintaining the suspense. Highly recommend!
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2024
The story starts out very witty and sharp. I found the story relatable to Jacs outlook and comments on her thoughts and actions. Then the last quarter of story just went in a different unbelievable direction for me without the previous quick wit. Still was impressed with writing skills that allowed me to somewhat relate without narrowing it to a specific culture.
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2024
Usually I enjoy reading a book, even if there are some serious holes in the plot, but this time I didn't enjoy it. There were some major problems with the story. There are many plot failures that I could explain, but I will limit this to just two of them.

Spoiler: The main character, Jac, witnesses a murder and calls the police. By the time the police arrive, they find no evidence of the murder; however, the victim goes missing. The police are not concerned about the missing person because a note was left explaining that the victim left town. Any competent law enforcement professional would be skeptical and want to investigate further. In this book, the issue is dropped because of the note left for the police by the murderer.

Spoiler: The murderer coerces a victim commit suicide by threatening to kill not only the victim but also her mother. In this situation, the murderer would have to stay right by the victim until the evil deed is done. In the book, however, the victim writes a very detailed and lengthy description on digital media of why she is forced to commit suicide before she carries out the action. She then hides her essay in an obscure location - inside a unique clock - where it is not found for many years. Why not put it where it will be quickly found? Also, if she had the opportunity to write this long explanation, she would have been able to escape and find help.

As already stated, if I find a book engaging, I like the book in spite of an unrealistic plot. I didn't like this book because of the Jac's childishness. She repeatedly did really stupid things. Jac's character was about as believable as the story line. Also, the ending was implausible.
9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Truths revealed
Reviewed in Canada on August 8, 2024
A southern story involving unsolved deaths, friendships, family and community. The characters are strong and the unveiling of who people really are and how it is done is the intriguing part of the drama.
Booklover
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book - exciting storyline
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2024
I really enjoyed this book - it was fast paced and exciting and exceptionally well written. I will definitely read more from this author.
Thislo
4.0 out of 5 stars OK 'veg out' book. But not sure if I will finish it
Reviewed in Australia on July 29, 2024
Easy to read if you want to veg out and are not feeling critical. I giving it 4 stars for this reason. I'm about 30% through and I probably won't finish it. I'm having one of those 'why am I reading this moments.' It's not badly written, but the style of what I've read seems cliched and I'm not confident it will recover.
Norman D. Ackerman
4.0 out of 5 stars Well written
Reviewed in Canada on August 15, 2024
Well written and a good story. Many twists and turns kept up the suspense. I will probably read this author again.
Lola5
4.0 out of 5 stars Fast moving , well structured novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 15, 2024
Something different for me but thoroughly enjoyable. I read it in one big gulp.
Very well drawn characters, place and theme.
A new writer for me and one I shall follow.

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