54 pages • 1 hour read
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Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman is a literary thriller focusing on female friendship that alternates between 2008 and 2018. The story follows Bess, Joni, and Evangeline, whose celebratory trip to Greece ends in tragedy when Evangeline falls to her death. Joni and Bess are initially blamed, leading to intense media scrutiny. Years later, Bess reexamines her past as Joni becomes implicated in another deadly incident. Descriptions of death and references to suicide are present in the story.
Ella Berman's Before We Were Innocent is praised for its engaging prose and complex exploration of friendship and guilt. Critics commend Berman's character development and atmospheric settings. However, some find the pacing uneven and feel the numerous flashbacks disrupt the narrative flow. Overall, it is a compelling read with some structural flaws.
Readers who appreciate Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman are likely fans of psychological thrillers and character-driven narratives. Ideal for readers of The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins and The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, this book appeals to those intrigued by complex relationships and dark, suspenseful plots.
Recommended
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Modern Classic Fiction
Emotions/Behavior: Guilt
Emotions/Behavior: Regret
Life/Time: Coming of Age