Review: I Know You

I Know You by Annabel Kantaria
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

British author Annabel Kantaria has written what is sure to be one of the most talked about books of the year. I Know You is a suspense novel that features not only rich characters and a brilliant plot but also writing that catapults the reader into the action almost as if an active participant in what unfolds.

Taylor and Jake are an attractive young married couple, recently transplanted from sunny California to the grey skies of Jake’s hometown—Croydon, England. As the novel opens, it is revealed that the couple is in the UK seeking a fresh start after Taylor discovered that Jake was having an affair. England, however, isn’t all that the then pregnant Taylor thought it would be. Her husband is gone for long periods of time with his work, and she is bored, lonely and desperate for friends. She immerses herself in social media, recording and sharing every moment of her life in an effort to feel more connected. When she joins both a walking group and a book club, Taylor begins to build what she hopes will be lifelong relationships. Not all is as it seems, however, and she is about to learn that the old cliche “be careful what you wish for” is far more accurate a warning than she could have ever imagined.

The structure of the novel is that of a first person narrative, though it’s clear from the start that chapters alternate between at least two different perspectives. On one hand, Taylor tells the straight forward tale of what transpired during her pregnancy. She is, however, painted as perhaps an unreliable narrator, which adds to ever-building tension. The second narrator isn’t identified until the denouement, but the writing in those chapters is wicked, gritty and full of anger and resentment. The author moves fluidly between the two voices in an ebb and flow that rocks from comfort to unease and back again.

Within this unusual format, Kantaria develops her characters in a way that makes them easily believable, even if not particularly likable. Through their dialogue and actions we learn that they are all in some way flawed, which is perhaps why they are so engaging. There’s no doll-house facade here, as the true nature of each is portrayed, raw and uncensored. Taylor is obsessive, short tempered and needy. Jake is flirtatious, aloof and lacks self-awareness. Even the more minor characters are exposed as imperfect human beings who are sometimes victims of circumstance and other times just victims. It’s clear that Kantaria understands what makes people tick, and she moves forward manipulating that knowledge, making us squirm as we catch glimpses of ourselves.

My single complaint was in the fact that although Taylor is presented as an American, she uses British terminology and spelling. She calls her friends “mates”, a cooler becomes a “chiller” and in the narration “favorite” is spelled with a u. There are myriad examples of this throughout, and it is these oversights that kept this from being a five star read.

Overall, this is a wonderful book that gains momentum as it moves toward a finish that, while possibly predictable, is nonetheless exciting. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a suspenseful thriller that keeps the pages turning. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a copy of this for review!

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