"When Nick Hansen sees the young woman at the grocery store, his heart stops. She is the spitting image of his college girlfriend, Marissa Minor, who died in a campus house fire twenty years earlier. But when Nick tries to speak to her, she acts skittish and rushes off. The next morning the police show up at Nick's house and show him a photo of the woman from the store. She's been found dead, murdered in a local motel, with Nick's name and address on a piece of paper in her pocket. Convinced there's a connection between the ...
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"When Nick Hansen sees the young woman at the grocery store, his heart stops. She is the spitting image of his college girlfriend, Marissa Minor, who died in a campus house fire twenty years earlier. But when Nick tries to speak to her, she acts skittish and rushes off. The next morning the police show up at Nick's house and show him a photo of the woman from the store. She's been found dead, murdered in a local motel, with Nick's name and address on a piece of paper in her pocket. Convinced there's a connection between the two women, Nick enlists the help of his college friend Laurel Davidson to investigate the events leading up to the night of Marissa's death"--
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Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
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This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear. This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear.
A Romantic, Suspenseful, Family-oriented, Justice-
As a fourteen year old girl, I never expected to enjoy stepping into the shoes of a forty year old man. But as soon as I read the first chapter of the mystery Somebody I Used to Know, I was completely hooked. Ever since Nick Hansen's first love tragically died in a fire twenty years ago, he has been searching hopelessly for answers. Nick sees a woman in the grocery store that looks unmistakably like Marissa, and decides to approach her. As soon as they make eye contact, the girl drops her groceries and runs out of the store. The next morning, police officers arrive at Nick's house. They show him a photo of the grocery store girl asking if Nick knew her. She had been found dead and in her pocket was a slip of paper with "Nick Hansen" written on it.
David Bell does a beautiful job of incorporating numerous characters into the story without it getting messy. Nick and Riley, Nick's dog, are an inseparable team who completed the book. The bond between man and dog is impossible to break, as demonstrated in this novel. Also, the connection between Marissa and Nick, even though Marissa wasn't there, felt real. It was incredibly clear that he was completely and utterly in love with her. "Beautiful memories. Painful memories. What if I were with Marissa?" (pg 57.) As the reader, every time Nick missed about Marissa, I missed her too; even though I never knew her. Andrew, Nick's old stepson, was a great addition to the novel. Andrew brings out the most loving part of Nick. Nick would do anything to protect Andrew, even though they have no legal connection anymore.
This mystery has the most built up plot I've ever read about. I never got bored once in all of the 387 pages of the book. While there are an abundance of elements, the story climbs steadily so that the reader is never confused. This isn't the most realistic book ever, unless you know a variation of murderers, but it works for the world of the story.
David Bell's writing is casual and sophisticated at the same time. Nick is a laid back character who can be serious when needed, and the writing reflects that. "In that moment, I knew what Loretta did. I knew before she even told me" (pg 177.) It feels like Nick is talking to you, or telling a story. The choice to make this take place twenty years after Marissa allegedly died was bold, but genius. It shows that Marissa and Nick's love was true and everlasting. "I managed to tell myself that I'd gotten over losing Marissa. But I hadn't" (pg 7.) Even after a good deal f time, Nick was still head over heels in love with her. This book should be classified as a romance mystery. Even though at the beginning he is just trying to find the connection between the girl in the grocery store and Marissa, his goal is driven by love the entire time. The intended audience for this novel is adults. There were some parts that were intended to be "relatable" that I couldn't relate to because I'm not a grown adult who drinks beer and lives with their dog. This felt refreshing though, because most of the books that I read are from the point of view of a teenage girl.
Somebody I Used to Know is a story about revenge, false identity, justice, persistance, family, friendships, and finding love. Nick never gives up on finding Marissa, but at the same time, he maintains his life as it was before the incident with the girl in the grocery store. This journey has changed his life, and Nick calls it his "most eventful trip to the grocery store ever."
Overall, this mystery is an unforgettable adventure, even for the reader. I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to take the time to memorize the details. By being able to recall past events in the story, you can predict what were the case will go which is exciting. While the novel is 387 pages, I read it in one day because I couldn't put it down. Somebody I Used to Know is a life-changer, and you need to read it.
