When I Killed You is a psychological thriller by Liam Fialkov that offers multiple possibilities. Alice Avery was reported missing from the bedroom she shared with her older sister, twelve-year-old Monica. The police and FBI investigated the case, and even though her mother Helen was very wealthy, none of her attempts to find Alice bore fruit. Three decades later, Helen asked investigative journalist Stewart McPherson and his protégé Michael Evans to help her solve her daughter’s disappearance. McPherson and Evans plunged into the case, uncovering family secrets that could point to different conclusions. Several possible outcomes are presented at the end of the book.

Liam Fialkov has done what many authors fail to do by providing his readers with alternate possibilities. Just when the reader thinks the mystery has been solved, Fialkov proposes additional theories. The author outlines the concept of parallel universes through two of the characters in his story, and he applies it to the end as he takes the reader farther down the rabbit hole. The novel is narrated from different perspectives, incorporating a running dialogue of present events and Helen’s memories. The secrets readers uncover are like puzzle pieces that fit together until they reach a tragic conclusion. Each time it seems as if a suspect is shown to have nefarious intentions, the reader is forced to examine another avenue. The reader gains intimate knowledge of the characters, and it places them in the middle of the action. When I Killed You is a great choice if you’re drawn to mysteries that may have more than one ending.

When I Killed You by Liam Fialkov introduces Helen Avery, who had been at an outdoor craft fair in Santa Cruz years before and had consulted a fortune teller named Esmeralda. When Helen left the booth, Esmeralda gave her a note with the words, “Your misfortune is a consequence of your actions.” In the present, Helen had a void that never became filled and a pain that never healed. There was no peace for Helen after her daughter Alice vanished thirty years previously. Helen was ready to bid the world farewell, but not until she found answers about what happened to Alice. Helen read an article by Stewart McPherson, who was known for his ability to dig into a story and uncover the facts, and decided that he could help her find the reason behind her daughter's disappearance.

When I Killed You is out of this world. Liam Fialkov took me on a roller coaster ride of pain, trauma, murder, and suspense. The chapters alternated between Helen’s memories and her life in the present day. The chapters flowed into each other, and it was exciting to read about what happened years ago and how the events connected with the present. It was a page-turner, and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were well-developed and authentic. Each of them had a backstory, and I got to know them better. The story is excellently written, and it kept me guessing until the end. The alternative endings in parallel universes at the conclusion of the story were brilliant and intriguing.

When I Killed You by Liam Fialkov intricately weaves a psychological thriller around a shattered family grappling with grief. This story follows the Avery family as they are ripped apart by the abduction of nine-year-old Alice Avery, who never returned home. This heart-wrenching incident becomes the catalyst for their disintegration. Alice’s father, a physics professor, immerses himself in research as he believes that Alice exists in a parallel universe. Her mother Helen grapples with guilt and resentment toward her husband’s drug use that had put them in danger. The remaining children are emotionally deprived. Now, thirty years later, Helen enlists the help of former investigative journalist Stewart McPherson to revisit the cold case, reviewing old evidence and questioning suspects. Yet, the storytelling of 12-year-old Monica, Alice’s elder sister, holds the key to identifying suspects and uncovering the elusive truth.

Alternating between the past and present as narrated by different characters, When I Killed You is a haunting and thought-provoking psychological thriller that navigates the dark corridors of grief, guilt, and fractured family bonds. The author's evocative prose heightens emotions as we engage in intimacy with the role-players, especially while reading Helen's memoirs. Fialkov masterfully constructs the narrative with methodical interviews that gradually piece together the puzzle. Intricately plotted and skillfully written, the book promises readers a roller-coaster ride of suspense and revelation. Its ingenious narrative structure, compelling characters, and intellectual depth, coupled with surprising twists, make it a must-read for both long-time fans of Liam Fialkov and newcomers alike.

Liam Fialkov's When I Killed You is a captivating and original psychological thriller. When Helen Avery's relationship with her scientist husband began to deteriorate, her only light in the darkness was her two lovely girls, nine-year-old Alice and twelve-year-old Monica, until one dreadful night. Helen had put her two girls to bed and retired to her room. Before she fell asleep, Helen heard the faint sound of glass breaking downstairs, followed by Monica's frightened scream. Rushing to her daughters' room, she found Monica on the floor, unconscious after being brutally hit on her head. The window that overlooked the dark yard was wide open, and Alice was gone. The police and FBI investigators never found any trace of Alice, and although nearly thirty years had passed since her disappearance, Helen's pain and devastation remained fresh. With a determination born out of unending love for her little girl, Helen hired an esteemed investigative journalist Stewart McPherson, and his assistant Dr. Michael Evans. They would not rest until they exposed the hidden secrets behind the decades-old enigma.

When I Killed You will capture your attention from the first page. As soon as I was introduced to the characters, I was utterly hooked and wanted to know more about their challenges, aspirations, and who held the dark secret behind Alice's disappearance. I couldn't help but speculate that, despite her young age, Alice knew about her parents' conflict or sensed her sister's jealousy and the only way out was never to come back. Fialkov's deft use of vivid imagery and authentic dialogue to bring the story to life is a further strength. I pictured the silhouette of a man standing in the yard behind Monica and Alice's room, eerily receding into the dark background. This novel goes beyond thrills and suspense. Fialkov's writing reflects the complexities of human emotions and the implications of our choices. I found his exploration of the theory of the multiverse and parallel universes and the likelihood of another you or me out there leading different lives to be intriguing. The well-fleshed-out characters, the immersive setting, and the perfect balance between suspense and action kept me riveted.