The Note
Ratings3
Average rating3.8
15
Ratings3
Average rating3.8
It was meant to be a harmless prank.
Growing up, May Hanover was a good girl, always. Well-behaved, top of her class, a compulsive rule-follower. Raised by a first-generation Chinese single mother with high expectations, May didn’t have room to slip up, let alone fail. Her friends didn’t call her the Little Sheriff for nothing.
But even good girls have secrets. And regrets. When it comes to her friendship with Lauren and Kelsey, she’s had her fair share of both. Their bond—forged when May was just twelve years old—has withstood a tragic accident, individual scandals, heartbreak and loss. Now the three friends have reunited for the first time in years for a few days of sun and fun in the Hamptons. But a chance encounter with a pair of strangers leads to a drunken prank that goes horribly awry.
When she finds herself at the center of an urgent police investigation, May begins to wonder whether Lauren and Kelsey are keeping secrets from her, testing the limits of her loyalty to lifelong friends.
What had they gone and done?
The Note is a page-turner of the highest order from one of our greatest contemporary suspense writers.
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Twists, Turns, and the Cancelled Crew
Spoiler Alert: This review contains plot details that some readers might prefer to discover on their own .
So, I started the year super slow, but now I’m finding my groove—and what better way to kick things off than with a gripping thriller? Thrillers always manage to pull me in, and The Note was no exception.
This mystery surrounds a group of three childhood friends—Kelsey, May, and Lauren—known as the “Cancelled Crew.” Each of them has faced public scandal in their lives, ranging from career-ending controversies to, well, a murder accusation. When they decide to take a trip to the Hamptons to escape it all, the question arises: what could possibly go wrong?
As it turns out, plenty. Their getaway takes a dark turn with yet another murder, pulling May, a former prosecutor, back into the world she thought she’d left behind. This time, she’s trying to help a friend who has found themselves accused of murder—again.
I did not see the ending coming. Burke’s ability to set up the final twist was absolutely brilliant. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the story took a sharp and satisfying turn that left me floored.
While I did find myself raising an eyebrow at one plot point (having a witness to the crime represent the accused, which isn’t exactly realistic), the suspense and character depth more than made up for it. This book kept me hooked from start to finish.
This was a page-turner in every sense of the word. Burke’s writing is sharp and engaging, and the three women at the heart of this story were so well-drawn and fascinating that I’d love to see them return in a sequel—or even a series.
For me, this was a solid 4-star read. I’m here for more of Alafair Burke’s work and will be eagerly picking up her next book. If you’re in the mood for an easy, addictive thriller with strong characters and plenty of twists, this one is a must-read!
