Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Tell Me You Trust Me

Tell Me You Trust Me by Elle Owens
2/11/25; 301 pages
Thomas & Mercer

Tell Me You Trust Me by Elle Owens is a highly recommended debut mystery/thriller following a woman's search for her missing husband.

As he was leaving in the morning her husband Ethan implored Marissa to trust him. Now Ethan has disappeared, leaving Marissa and their eighteen-month-old son Logan behind. She contacts the police and her family is there to support and help her, but they are more demeaning to her than comforting. When she turns to the playlist she shared with Ethan, she sees a new song added by Ethan, "Trust Me," and the two begin to communicate through song titles. 

Ethan worked for her father, who subsequently presented her with evidence that Ethan was having an affair. Marissa doesn't know what to believe, after her brother Peter privately pointed out that their father has fabricated videos before. As her parents become increasingly controlling and dismissing of her capabilities, Marissa manages to slowly uncover the incriminating documents Ethan was hiding from her as well as the surveillance devices installed by her family.

Once I started reading Tell Me You Trust Me it was impossible to stop. Communicating through song titles was unique and the mystery was increasingly interesting as the plot unfolded. Following Marissa as she discovers new clues held my complete attention. There are a whole lot of hidden clues and evidence along the way. 
 
Admittedly, you have to suspend some disbelief, which I easily did, and the identity of the antagonists is clear early in the novel. Don't expect any shocking twists. The fast pace along with the amount of clues and evidence she discovers will hold your attention, which makes up for the lack of twists.

Marissa does experience growth in the novel and manages to care for and protect her son through the whole ordeal. It is satisfying to see her finally get a backbone and stand up for herself, however some of her cluelessness can be challenging to understand. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

 

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