Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

The First to Die by Suzanne Trauth follows Connie Tucker, who was deeply attached to her mother. As a child, Connie always accompanied her to the theater for rehearsals. On the day her mother disappeared, Connie was with her once again. Connie was supposed to wait in a room, but, like always, she wandered off to watch the rehearsal. When the power went out, Connie made her way back, not wanting her mother to worry. On her way, Connie witnessed her mother in a heated argument with a man. Her mother made her promise never to speak of it. Later, her father picked her up, but her mother never came home. Struggling after her mother’s disappearance, Connie began acting out, and her father sent her to live with an aunt she barely knew. Fifteen years later, her mother’s body is discovered. Connie returns to her hometown determined to uncover the killer, despite threats urging her to leave. As Connie digs deeper, she uncovers secrets that change everything she thought she knew about her parents.

The First to Die by Suzanne Trauth was fast-paced, yet still gave me enough time to absorb every detail before the next major event unfolded. The story was packed with action from beginning to end, filled with twists and turns that kept me constantly guessing. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages as quickly as possible. I found it nearly impossible to put the book down—I was too afraid I'd miss something important. I formed several theories about who the killer might be, only for each one to fall apart as new clues emerged. The writing style was so engaging that I felt as though I was right beside Connie during her investigation. The characters were realistic and relatable, each with a background that fit seamlessly into the plot. The book was exceptionally written, and the ending was stunning. I never expected to discover the killer's identity and was genuinely shocked by the final reveal.