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The Rumor cover art

The Rumor

Written by: Lesley Kara
Narrated by: Karissa Vacker, Olivia Mackenzie-Smith
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Publisher's Summary

“Keeps you guessing until the final page.” (Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train)

“A rollercoaster ride to the very last sentence.” (Fiona Barton, author of The Widow)

“Everyone will be talking about The Rumor.” (Shari Lapena, author of The Couple Next Door

When a single mother hears a shocking rumor outside her son’s school, she never intends to pass it on. But one casual comment leads to another...and now there’s no going back. Rumor has it that a notorious killer, who committed a brutal crime as a child, has been living a new life under an assumed identity in Joanna’s seaside town. So who is the criminal hidden in their midst? Suspicion falls on everyone.

As Joanna becomes obsessed with the case, her curiosity will expose her son and his father to the supposedly reformed murderer - who may be ready to kill again. She will learn how dangerous one rumor can become...and just how far she must go to protect those she loves. She is going to regret the day she ever said a word. 

Praise for The Rumor 

“A brilliant premise with a killer twist. The Rumor depicts the prejudices and secrets that simmer in a small seaside town to devastating effect.” (Colette McBeth, author of An Act of Silence)

“This mystery has an unusual and resonant theme - how a single rumor can morph into a completely unmanageable, deadly force.... [There’s] psychological acuity throughout and [an] astonishing ending.” (Booklist

©2019 Lesley Kara (P)2019 Random House Audio

What the critics say

“Well-developed characters and a twisty plot will keep readers turning the pages. Those who stay to the very last sentence will be doubly surprised. Kara is off to a promising start.” (Publishers Weekly)

“In this chilling tale of paranoia, suspicion, and accusation, Lesley Kara keeps you guessing until the final page.” (Paula Hawkins, number one New York Times best-selling author of The Girl on the Train)

“A great debut with a slyly clever premise and a roller-coaster ride to the very last sentence.” (Fiona Barton, New York Times best-selling author of The Widow and The Child

What listeners say about The Rumor

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Interesting Thoughts

This book explores the dangers of rumours and the ramifications they can have. I love how the story unfolds. It really kept me guessing up to the end.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Enunciate Much!!!

I have listened to a lot of books on audible & the one narrative pet peeve I have is the ‘over enunciater’ this book sadly had just such a narrator. Put my teeth on edge. The book itself has been a slow read, I’ve had many stops & starts but I’m powering thru-hopefully it gets better because I can only take so much of this listen.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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Pretty good

The voice acting was a bit stilted but expressive. Story starts good but falls apart a bit at the end.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Repetitive

I will say I enjoyed the first part of the book. I did however become aggravated by the writers constant need to repeat herself. It was as though the writer felt that the readers would have too much difficulty to keep up or understand what was happening. It’s for that reason that I am giving the book a low review. The premise and idea were fantastic, the carry out left something to be desired.

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