SOMEBODY I USED TO KNOW
The breakout author of The Forgotten Girl and Cemetery Girl, “one of the brightest and best crime fiction writers of our time” (Suspense Magazine) delivers a new novel about a man who is haunted by a face from his past….
When Nick Hansen sees the young woman at the grocery store, his heart stops. She is the spitting image of his college girlfriend, Marissa Minor, who died in a campus house fire twenty years earlier. But when Nick tries to speak to her, she acts skittish and rushes off.
The next morning the police arrive at Nick’s house and show him a photo of the woman from the store.
The breakout author of The Forgotten Girl and Cemetery Girl, “one of the brightest and best crime fiction writers of our time” (Suspense Magazine) delivers a new novel about a man who is haunted by a face from his past….
When Nick Hansen sees the young woman at the grocery store, his heart stops. She is the spitting image of his college girlfriend, Marissa Minor, who died in a campus house fire twenty years earlier. But when Nick tries to speak to her, she acts skittish and rushes off.
The next morning the police arrive at Nick’s house and show him a photo of the woman from the store. She’s been found dead, murdered in a local motel, with Nick’s name and address on a piece of paper in her pocket.
Convinced there’s a connection between the two women, Nick enlists the help of his college friend Laurel Davidson to investigate the events leading up to the night of Marissa’s death. But the young woman’s murder is only the beginning…and the truths Nick uncovers may make him wish he never doubted the lies.
- NAL
- Paperback
- July 2015
- 432 Pages
- 9780451474209
Buy the Book
$15.00
About David Bell
David Bell is a bestselling and award-winning author whose work has been translated into six languages. He’s an associate professor of English at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He received an MA in creative writing from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a PhD in American literature and creative writing from the University of Cincinnati.
Praise
“A natural storyteller and a superb writer.”—#1 New York Times Bestselling Author Nelson DeMille
“An absolutely riveting, absorbing read not to be missed.”—New York Times Bestselling Author Lisa Unger
“David Bell writes spellbinding and gripping thrillers that get under your skin and refuse to let go.”—Linwood Barclay, New York Times and #1 international bestselling author of No Safe House
Discussion Questions
Nick is hung up on Marissa twenty years after her presumed death. Do you believe that someone could still have feelings for a college love after so much time? Do we ever forget our first real loves? Do you think part of the reason Nick hasn’t been able to move past his relationship with Marissa is that he has idealized her and/or their relationship since she supposedly died?
Nick gets a great deal of happiness from his relationship with his stepson, Andrew. Do you think Nick has a significant role to play in Andrew’s life?
Nick relies a great deal on Laurel. Do you think they have an equitable relationship in which they both benefit? Or is Nick taking advantage of Laurel?
Do you think the police handled the initial investigation of Marissa’s death appropriately? Or did they make assumptions and overlook obvious clues?
Why do you think Nick and Heather maintain their on-again, off-again relationship? What is each of them getting from the other? Do you trust Heather’s motives for being with Nick?
What do you think of the reason for Marissa’s family disappearing? Do you think her parents did the right thing? How far would you go to protect your child from legal jeopardy?
The Maberrys lost a child and never really received justice for it. Do you empathize with them? Do you understand why they behave the way they do?
Jade has been through a great deal: the pregnancy, the accident, and then the adoption of her child. Do you think she can ever move on from these things and have a normal life?
Roger Kirby plays a pivotal role as a friend of the Minor family. Did you know or suspect he was covering up for them the whole time?
Were you surprised that Marissa was still alive? Do you think she’s gotten off easy over the years, since she was able to have a normal life and raise her own children?
What do you think of Riley, Nick’s dog? Were you surprised that he played such a heroic role at the end of the story?
What do you think is going to happen when Nick travels to see Marissa? Will they be able to resume their relationship after twenty years? What challenges will they face as they try to pick up where they left off?