Author Elle Marr centers Asian-American stories in her books. In STRANGERS WE KNOW, she addresses issues of identity which snake through a twisty thriller.
What if you suffered from a mysterious illness but you were adopted? You realize the only way to get more information is to track down your biological family. You submit your DNA for testing, and you get a match!
But then you get a call from the FBI, and they’ve also matched your DNA to an unidentified serial killer who has eluded law enforcement for decades.
That’s the disturbing situation which surrounds Ivy Hon. When she visits her newly-found cousin in rural Rock Island, Washington, she realizes that in addition to securing her bio family’s health information, she also wants to uncover the serial killer in her family.
But Ivy gets a disturbing welcome, and soon realizes her own life might be in danger.
Marr created a sympathetic character in Ivy, exploring Ivy’s search for identity and belonging. Wanting to understand our origins is something most of us can relate to, especially in the case of adoption. But this need is magnified because of Ivy’s mysterious illness...and her connection to a serial killer.
Ivy’s desire to find her roots is then enmeshed in a twisty-turny thriller—neither Ivy nor readers know who to trust. Who is lying, and what secrets are they hiding? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
If you want an exciting page-turning psychological thriller, this book is definitely for you!