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The Girl Before

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The Girl Before

By: Rena Olsen
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
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About this listen

 In this powerful psychological suspense debut, when a woman’s life is shattered, she is faced with a devastating question: What if everything she thought was normal and good and true...wasn’t?

Clara Lawson is torn from her life in an instant. Without warning, her home is invaded by armed men, and she finds herself separated from her beloved husband and daughters. The last thing her husband yells to her is to say nothing.

In chapters that alternate between past and present, the novel slowly unpeels the layers of Clara’s fractured life. We see her growing up, raised with her sisters by the stern Mama and Papa G, becoming a poised and educated young woman, falling desperately in love with the forbidden son of her adoptive parents. We see her now, sequestered in an institution, questioned by men and women who call her a different name—Diana—and who accuse her husband of unspeakable crimes. As recollections of her past collide with new revelations, Clara must question everything she thought she knew, to come to terms with the truth of her history and to summon the strength to navigate her future. Genre Fiction Psychological Thriller & Suspense Fiction Marriage Suspense

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Critic reviews

Praise for The Girl Before

“Gripping...A powerful, moving debut by therapist Olsen in which cruelty is counterbalanced by compassion and love.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Easily the most disturbing and unsettling book I have read this year....As in the best suspense novels, there are mysteries within mysteries, and all is not what it seems—not to Clara, and definitely not to the reader.”—BookPage, A Best Mystery of 2016

“[A] thoughtful look at victims and perpetrators and the difficulties that arise for someone who is both at once....[The Girl Before] moves at the pace of a mystery, but the novel is strongest when it allows Clara to unpack her past and consider who she will be going forward. A moving story of recovery and responsibility.”—Kirkus Reviews

“I couldn't put it down. The novel is compelling, perplexing, and ultimately uplifting! The unusual structure is a perfect match for the magnetic voice of the central character. I predict this daring debut will make Rena Olsen “the girl ahead” among psychological suspense authors.”—Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Upon a Winter’s Night

“A disturbing story, haunting and important.”—Alexandra Burt, author of Remember Mia

“Daring, harrowing and absolutely riveting.”—Sandra Block, author of Little Black Lies
All stars
Most relevant
This audio book was moving and engaging: enhanced by performance I would recommend to all.

brilliant read!

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Had me hooked from the beginning. A really good engrossing novel. Deals with a disturbing subject without going into gory details. Had me in tears towards the end. Would recommend highly.

Wow!

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I am so glad to come across this book. Excellent all round. Thank you so much

My favourite book since ages!

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has you second guessing yourself and your morals, my feelings towards to main character constantly changed, never read a book like this one, really raw stories but it is interesting to hear it in that perspective, recommend this book to everyone.

brilliant story, it was an emotional rollercoaster

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excellent performance
powerful structure and transition
I could not help it...but tears came to my eyes
often...
there is profound evil in the world...but also love...

Very sad but very important story

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