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Promise Not to Tell: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 5,570 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A woman’s past and present collide with unexpected results in this hauntingly beautiful debut novel set in rural Vermont.
Forty-one-year-old school nurse Kate Cypher has returned home to rural Vermont to care for her mother who’s afflicted with Alzheimer’s. On the night she arrives, a young girl is murdered—a horrific crime that eerily mirrors another from Kate’s childhood. Three decades earlier, her dirt-poor friend Del—shunned and derided by classmates as “Potato Girl”—was brutally slain. Del’s killer was never found, while the victim has since achieved immortality in local legends and ghost stories. Now, as this new murder investigation draws Kate irresistibly in, her past and present collide in terrifying, unexpected ways. Because nothing is quite what it seems . . . and the grim specters of her youth are far from forgotten.
More than just a murder mystery, Jennifer McMahon’s extraordinary debut novel, Promise Not to Tell, is a story of friendship and family, devotion and betrayal—tautly written, deeply insightful, beautifully evocative, and utterly unforgettable.
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"I really enjoyed this book - the writing style was one that kept me interested in the many different stories, whether it was flashbacks to the protagonists youth when she befriended a not-so-cool neighbor or whether it was the current murder mystery.. The book has a bit of an otherworldy theme - in the form of the ghost of said "not cool" friend, so anyone who is completely closed to that probably won't enjoy."
— Shana (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Deliciously twisty.”
— People -
“McMahon unfurls a whirlwind of suspense…Combining murder mystery and coming-of-age tale with supernatural elements, this taut novel is above all a reflection on the haunting power of memory.”
— Entertainment Weekly
Promise Not to Tell Listener Reviews
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" Another book that just doesn't hold my interest.. "
— Christina, 2/18/2014 -
" Very good story, chilling and heartbreaking. You really feel for the characters and can understand how easy it is to lose innocence. "
— Analisa, 2/16/2014 -
" Okay - I agree with Marla, the Mom was the best character, although I did like Potato Girl. "
— Elise, 2/16/2014 -
" I think this would make a great movie. I rarely like movies better than the book, but as I read the book, I could imagine it as a really scary, suspenseful movie! "
— Sandra, 2/12/2014 -
" I like a really good ghost story. Particularly one that has a murder mystery tied to it. This one also has a coming of age story in it as well. It's a good one. Very well written. "
— Kathleenkennedyhanson, 2/4/2014 -
" This book was really good, it had me on edge the whole book! It was a little sad but still a good book. "
— Donnie, 1/14/2014 -
" Riveting. Excited to read more o her books. "
— Krysta, 1/8/2014 -
" I really liked this book, wanted to keep reading it. BUT, I am not a fan of "super natural" killers. Meaning, I want a flesh and blood killer. I don't want a dead person taking over another person's body. Just seems unrealistic. But the premise, characters, and writing made me read to the end. Worth my time, but just barely. "
— Joy, 1/3/2014 -
" I never really cared about the characters and a lot of the plot seemed contrived. I was expecting better. "
— Purple, 12/18/2013 -
" a bookclub pick - interesting story, very suspenseful and an easy read "
— Katrina, 12/10/2013 -
" This was a fun mystery/ghost story. "
— Nancy, 12/7/2013 -
" I had high hopes for this one but it was just ok. "
— Eliza, 12/6/2013 -
" I loved this book. The suspense kept me turning and even at some point looking over my shoulder late at night. I loved it and thought it was so fun to read. Some language. "
— Jana, 11/20/2013 -
" A very interesting mix of reality and the supernatural... although, at the end, one can still wonder if the supernatural in the story ever really existed. Great story, great mystery. "
— Lisa, 11/20/2013 -
" Great debut novel. Hard to put down. "
— Tracey, 11/7/2013 -
" nothing what you would expect. keeps you engaged "
— Heather, 11/3/2013 -
" This book was an intense and quick read. I couldn't put it down. An interesting story, mystery, ghost story that spans decades. "
— Sadie, 10/11/2013 -
" Incredibly easy, and predictable, read. "
— Emily-Melissa, 9/15/2013 -
" Awesome page turner, I promise you will not want to put down. Read 2 times I liked it so much! "
— Kathleen, 6/27/2013 -
" "I couldn't put this book down. Very descriptive and I got a good visual picture of the Vermont setting and characters. Great character development and author interweaves the past and present to very effectively to tell the story!" "
— Debbie, 5/10/2013 -
" fast read. Mystery. Enjoyed reading it. "
— Missy, 4/6/2013 -
" I thought this was an "ok" story.....a murder mystery/ghost story set in a small town, alternating between the 1970's and the early 2000's. In my opinion, its geared more toward a teen audience, but I enjoyed it. Its a fast read with a little over 200 pages. "
— Claire, 2/10/2013 -
" This was just fun to read, light. Not too scary at all, but entertaining. "
— Phyllis, 11/20/2012 -
" Excellent read. Had a hard time putting it down. "
— Lisa, 9/20/2012 -
" Great mystery novel that keeps you guessing until the end. I was constantly trying to figure out what was going on & who the bad guy really was (I figured out some of it but missed a few vital clues along the way). I can't wait to check out Jennifer McMahon's other books. "
— Shari, 7/17/2012 -
" Title is more compelling than the novel. "
— Wendy, 6/1/2012 -
" Great little story. Goes back and forth between past and present. "
— Adelemarie, 11/15/2011 -
" what a very sad book, but good! "
— Beth, 9/18/2011 -
" This was my least favorite of all of her books-I just did not really like the main character. "
— Erika, 6/12/2011 -
" This was decent-- a real page turner and the characters felt real to me, which I liked. *minor* spoiler-- [spoilers removed] "
— Dora, 5/24/2011 -
" It wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be, but (aside from the beginning) it was mostly well written and interesting. The ending didn't really do it for me. But I enjoyed it at least, and I can see why other people would also. "
— Jennie, 5/16/2011 -
" I really loved this book! It had a suprise twist at the end as well. Im excited to read more of her books "
— Jennifer, 5/6/2011 -
" Just not as good as I had hoped.... I finished it just to see the mystery solved and was totally underwhelmed. Ok but forgettable. "
— Justin, 5/5/2011 -
" This book blended urban legend and small town life together very well. Each page kept your attention, and the McMahon had you wondering--is it super natural or real. "
— Donna, 4/23/2011 -
" Very quick read. Also super creepy and even a little bit laugh out loud funny. Pretty perfect combination. "
— Julietsgomez, 4/20/2011 -
" I really like this book but it is super scary! The story starts off slow but picks up and then gets creepy. If you like ghost stories you will love it. "
— Cberman, 4/5/2011 -
" I thought that this book sounded interesting, but as I started it I just couldn't get into the story. It just isn't for me. "
— Darcy, 3/23/2011
About Jennifer McMahon
Jennifer McMahon is the author of Dismantled, the New York Times bestseller Island of Lost Girls, and the breakout debut novel Promise Not to Tell, among other works. She lives in Vermont with her partner, Drea, and their daughter, Zella.
About the Narrators
Karen White has been narrating audiobooks of all genres since 1999. Honored to be included in AudioFile’s Best Voices, she’s also a four-time Audie Finalist and has earned multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards and Library Journal starred reviews.
Kathleen McInerney won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration in 2011 and was a finalist for the Audie in 2010 and 2015. Her narrations have also earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards. She has performed in New York and around the United States in both classical and contemporary theater. Her credits also include television commercials, daytime drama, radio plays, and a broad range of animation voice-overs.
Caitlin Davies is a New York City–based actor and audiobook narrator who studied acting at the Eugene O’Neill National Institute, the British American Drama Academy, and the Barrow Group. She specializes in audiobooks for teens and young adults.