Before You Knew My Name: 'An exquisitely written, absolutely devastating novel' Red magazine
Winner of Crime Debut and Readers’ Choice Awards—Sisters in Crime
Editors’ Choice/Staff Pick by The New York Times Book Review
“A brave and timely novel.” —Clare Mackintosh, internationally bestselling author of Hostage
This is not just another novel about a dead girl. Two women—one alive, one dead—are brought together in the dark underbelly of New York City to solve a tragic murder.
When she arrived in New York on her eighteenth birthday carrying nothing but $600 cash and a stolen camera, Alice Lee was looking for a fresh start. Now, just one month later, she is the city’s latest Jane Doe. She may be dead but that doesn’t mean her story is over.
Meanwhile, Ruby Jones is also trying to reinvent herself. After travelling halfway around the world, she’s lonelier than ever in the Big Apple. Until she stumbles upon a woman’s body by the Hudson River, and suddenly finds herself unbreakably tied to the unknown dead woman.
Alice is sure Ruby is the key to solving the mystery of her short life and tragic death. Ruby just wants to forget what she saw…but she can’t seem to stop thinking about the young woman she found. If she keeps looking, can she give this unidentified Jane Doe the ending and closure she deserves?
A “heartbreaking, beautiful, and hugely important novel” (Rosie Walsh, New York Times bestselling author), Before You Knew My Name doesn’t just wonder whodunnit—it also asks who was she? And what did she leave behind?
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Community Reviews
It was interesting to read from this point of view, I liked how the story was told. It kept it simple and easy to read, you always knew what was going on. The story was beautifully heartbreaking. I really enjoyed this read.
In a world where AI is taking over original thought with mind numbing repetitive wording, I am so refreshed to pick up a book and still have the ability to get lost in good imagery and story telling. Bless Jacqueline Bublitz for this gift.
I'm still looking for the words to adequately expressed how Ms. Bublitz was able to tell the story of someone who's life was cut short, describe our connection to people after they die and detail the distorted thinking of those who harm. It was gently assertive eloquence.
My cousin chose this book by chance and I must say, it was a good find.
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