54 pages 1 hour read

Ella Berman

Before We Were Innocent

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

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.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

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.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Before We Were Innocent?

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

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Guilt

Emotions/Behavior: Regret

Life/Time: Coming of Age