Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

Author: Stacy Willingham
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Released: August 26, 2025
Received: Own (BOTM)
Find it on Storygraph | More Thrillers | BOTM

Book Summary:

Claire Campbell’s life changed forever the day her sister went missing. While the police now consider that case closed, it has always felt too hauntingly open-ended for Claire. Perhaps that is why, once given a chance to return home, she has thrown herself headfirst into the mystery once again.

It began with a quick trip to a vineyard, which turned into a temporary job, which soon opened the doors for answers and something much darker.

My Review:

I’ve adored Stacy Willingham’s previous works (especially A Flicker in the Dark), so grabbing her latest novel wasn’t really a question. That said, I’ll be upfront and honest: this was not my favorite of her set, thus far. I appreciate experimentation with something new, but it didn’t resonate with this reader. Not all the way.

The vibes and more ponderous elements of Forget Me Not work well. It’s foreboding and creepy in all the right ways. It begins with Claire, who has created a little life for herself in a busy city. However, something changes to send her back home, and we all know how that can kick up a storm in the world of thrillers.

While the stakes are high in Forget Me Not, the overall story feels more exploratory and is full of exposition. There are layers of history to be dug through, which isn’t always everyone’s cup of tea, to say the least.

Unsurprisingly, the exposition and historical elements (not to mention the shift in perspectives) do have a significant impact on the pacing. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that everything comes to a screeching halt, but the story does drag a bit at times.

That said, I am still happy to have taken the time to read Forget Me Not. It’s not a thriller I feel like I wasted time on (I feel like every thriller reader has a shelf of books that may fit that category). And obviously, I’m still looking forward to what Stacy Willingham comes up with next.

Highlights:

• Domestic Suspense
• Missing Persons
• Family Drama
• Terrifying Isolation Vibes

Like what you see? Leave a tip!

Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat’s Comics | Storygraph | Bookhype | Tumblr | Reedsy | Storylace