Thank you St. Martin’s Press/NetGalley for providing and ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I’ve been on a kick of thrillers lately, always chasing the next twist to uncover the latest whodunit. I was initially drawn in by the lush green cover of Forget Me Not, but it was the premise that truly hooked me – a “cozy” southern thriller set in South Carolina. While it took me a moment to settle into the story, as I progressed, I found myself increasingly immersed in Claire’s journey to uncover the truth about what really happened to her sister.
Forget Me Not
Description
A pulse-pounding new Southern thriller from the author of the runaway bestseller A Flicker in the Dark.
Twenty-two years ago, Claire Campbell’s older sister, Natalie, disappeared shortly after her eighteenth birthday. Days later, her blood was found in a car, a man was arrested, and the case was swiftly closed. In the decades since, Claire has attempted to forget her traumatic past by moving to the city and climbing the ranks as an investigative journalist… until an unexpected call from her father forces her to come back home and face it all anew.
With the entire summer now looming ahead―a summer spent with nothing to do in her childhood home, with her estranged mother―Claire decides on a whim to accept a seasonal job at Galloway Farm, a muscadine vineyard in coastal South Carolina less than an hour away from where she grew up. At first glance, Galloway is an idyllic escape for Claire. A scenic retreat full of slow-paced nostalgia, as well as a place where her sister seemed truly happy in that last summer before she vanished, it feels like the perfect plan to pass the time. However, as soon as Claire starts to settle in, she stumbles across an old diary written by one of the vineyard’s owners, and what at first seems like a story of young rebellion and love turns into something much more sinister as it begins to describe details of various unsolved crimes. As the days stretch on, Claire finds herself becoming more and more secluded as she starts to obsess over the diary’s contents… as well as the lingering feeling that her own sister’s disappearance may be somehow tied to it all.
Galloway was supposed to be a place to help her move forward, but instead, Claire quickly finds herself immersed in her own dark and dangerous past.
Spoiler Free Summary
Claire Campbell is a freelance journalist in New York, constantly chasing stories to escape the ghosts of her past. Years ago, her sister Natalie was brutally murdered by her boyfriend in a small South Carolina town. Now, Claire dedicates her career to uncovering the stories of other women whose voices deserve to be heard – women like her sister.
When Claire’s estranged father calls to tell her that her mother has had an accident and can no longer care for herself, Claire hesitantly agrees to return to South Carolina after 15 long years. A coworker encourages her to confront the demons of her past, and Claire finds herself back at her mother’s house – a place full of grief, guilt, and unresolved tension. Claire’s mother, still burdened by loss and resentment, struggles to welcome her, leaving Claire feeling like an outsider in her own family.
Feeling rejected and unsure of how to reconnect, Claire takes a drive to clear her head and ends up at Galloway Farm – a lush, secluded property where Natalie used to work. When she discovers the farm is closed to the public, a glimmer of fate intervenes. Liam, the young farm keeper, mentions they’re looking for someone to pick grapes for the summer. Unable to resist the chance to feel closer to her sister, Claire takes the job and moves into the guest house, joining Liam and the farm’s owners, Marcia and Mitchell.
As Claire settles in, she uncovers a forgotten diary tucked away in the guest house, hinting that things at Galloway Farm are far from idyllic. As she digs deeper, she becomes increasingly suspicious of the farm’s residents and starts to believe that her sister’s death might not have been as straightforward as it seemed. Secrets from the past resurface, and Claire realizes the danger might be closer than she ever imagined.
Review
Overall Impressions
I’d never read Stacy Willingham before, so I didn’t know what to expect from her writing style. However, as someone who reads a lot of thrillers and mysteries, I know what I want out of them: fast-paced action that keeps me hooked, with twists cleverly woven from the start – the kind that make me feel either brilliantly perceptive for catching on or absolutely stunned when they’re revealed at the end.
With Forget Me Not, I got a bit of both. The initial pacing felt a bit slow, with around 30% of the book dedicated to building up the main plot. Once the mystery finally took off, though, it really grabbed me. After the 60% mark, the story absolutely cooks – twists and reveals hit one after another, making it impossible to put down.
Characters
I really liked Claire as a character. The slow start to the book mirrors Claire’s own life – not in terms of intellect, but in how her world feels stuck. Like everyone else affected by her sister Natalie’s murder, Claire’s life is frozen in time, unable to move forward. Her trauma shapes her future, driving her to become an investigative journalist who sheds light on other women’s stories – making up for the light that couldn’t be shone on her sister’s death.
One of the best things about Claire – and the book in general – is that she doesn’t make stupid, unrealistic decisions. She’s practical, resourceful, and uses technology to her advantage. Unlike many thriller protagonists, Claire actually acts like someone living in 2025. Usually, characters in books like this make me want to scream at their choices, but not Claire – she’s smart, level-headed, and entirely believable.
The side characters are well-drawn too. Liam, Marcia, and Mitchell – Claire’s counterparts at Galloway Farm – all have distinct roles that add depth to the story. Even Claire’s mother, Annalise, serves as an eccentric but essential piece of the puzzle that ties into the plot in a satisfying way.
The only character I could’ve done without is Ryan, Claire’s coworker from New York. He feels a bit like a plot device – more of a way to showcase Claire’s life outside of North Carolina than a fully developed character.
Plot
The pacing of the book felt a bit off for me. The first third was slow, almost dragging, while the final act moved at breakneck speed, leaving me a bit overstimulated. I don’t necessarily mind a fast-paced, action-packed ending – I actually love that kind of intensity – but I think the beginning could have used some trimming to make the build-up smoother.
However, once you get past the 30% mark and become invested in the story, the pacing isn’t really an issue anymore. As I mentioned, I hadn’t read Stacy Willingham before, but after this, I definitely plan to check out more of her work. The plot twists in this mystery are fresh, unexpected, and genuinely gasp-worthy.
I was telling my partner how much I enjoy when the main character in a book is just a step behind me as a reader – it keeps me flipping pages excitedly while they catch up. I thought I had this book figured out early on. While I did spot the bad guy right away (go me!), I missed every single reveal that followed. And let me tell you – there are plenty of them, and each is revealed in a way that feels thrilling and satisfying.
After the 65% mark, the book doesn’t let up – it’s a free-fall to the end, and I loved every second of that final act. The ending itself landed well for me – it was unexpected yet complete, tying up all the storylines, not just Claire’s. I really appreciated that nothing was left ambiguous; I like knowing how things resolve for everyone involved.
Writing Style
The writing style worked well for the tone of this book. There’s no excessive prose or unnecessary world-building – we’re given just enough detail to support the plot, which I really appreciate since the mystery itself is pretty intricately woven. At times, the writing can feel a bit pedantic, with a lot of play-by-play descriptions of what the character is doing, but once I got used to it, I was able to move past it and stay engaged.
One aspect I really enjoyed was how natural and conversational the writing felt. The dialogue, in particular, stood out for being grounded and believable. I think a lot of authors struggle to make dialogue sound authentic, but Stacy Willingham nailed it here. One line that actually made me laugh out loud was, “Have you heard of exposure therapy?” It’s the kind of thing you could easily overhear in a casual conversation, and that realness made the story feel more immersive.
Closing Thoughts
Overall, this was a solid read for me. If you enjoy cozy thrillers set in a slow-paced environment with a turbo-charged act three, this one’s for you. The way the secrets pile up near the end, with one reveal after another, really ties everything together in a satisfying way.
It’s not as psychological as thrillers like The Housemaid – it leans more towards action, making you feel like you’re right there with Claire, playing investigative journalist. If that sounds like your vibe, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up.
Thanks for hanging out and reading my thoughts on Forget Me Not! If you’re into cozy southern thrillers with a slow burn that ramps up to an explosive finale, definitely check this one out. I’ll be keeping an eye on Stacy Willingham’s future releases after this wild ride!
Have you read Forget Me Not or any other thrillers recently that blew your mind? Drop your thoughts in the comments – I’d love to chat!
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