Tawni’s Book Nook: That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally – A Twisted Thriller That Keeps You Guessing
Whoa! That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally was a twisted, mind-boggling ride. As my first thriller novel, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying it. It was definitely a page-turner—I kept wanting to read just one more chapter.
From the synopsis alone, you assume the girl found in the ditch is the same girl who went missing from her boyfriend’s car. So, you think you know the ending from the start. But as the story unfolds, the evidence presented keeps you second-guessing everything. It’s one of those books that gives you answers, yet somehow, they don’t completely add up—leaving you questioning everything.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
📚 Unraveling the Mystery in That’s Not My Name:
The story is told from two POVs: Mary, the girl found in the ditch, and Drew, the boyfriend of a missing girl named Lola. Mary has no memory of what happened to her, but her father is certain she’s his daughter and has all the proof to back it up. But is it really that simple?
Meanwhile, Lola is missing without a trace. As a reader, you start to wonder—could Mary actually be Lola? The answer is yes, but that only leads to more questions. Why does Mary’s father seem to have all the answers? And what really happened to Lola?
💭 Piecing Together the Clues – My Thoughts on This Thriller:
One of the most compelling aspects of this book is how it portrays grief. Losing a loved one, whether through tragedy, mystery, or uncertainty, brings about a range of emotions that align with the classic five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Each of these is subtly woven into the narrative—Lola’s friends struggle with denial, refusing to believe she’s gone; their anger at the police department’s inaction fuels their determination; bargaining comes in the form of desperate attempts to piece together clues; depression seeps in when all hope seems lost; and finally, acceptance—though in this case, it comes not in the form of moving on, but in the determination to find answers, no matter what.
If you’re interested in exploring more about grief in storytelling, I previously wrote about how Taylor Swift captures heartbreak and loss in her music. You can check out that blog post here: Taylor Swift’s Heartbreak Songs.
That leads to another major theme of the book: If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. The way Lola’s friends took it upon themselves to do what the police wouldn’t—gathering clues, finding evidence, and ultimately tracking down the serial killer—was both admirable and heartbreaking. Their unwavering dedication proves that sometimes, the people who care the most are the ones who will go the extra mile. In the end, it wasn’t law enforcement that found the kidnapper; it was a group of determined friends who refused to give up.
🔎 A Twisted Journey – My Final Thoughts:
The ending was really good and unexpected. Just when you think you have it figured out, the story takes another turn. If you love thrillers that keep you guessing, this one is definitely worth the read!
👉 Want to check it out for yourself? Read more about That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally on Goodreads!
Have you read That’s Not My Name? What did you think of the twists and turns? Let’s chat in the comments!
💡 Next up in Tawni’s Book Nook: Housebroke by Jaci Burton – Another romance novel!