A Mystery You’ll Want to Know

By Abbi DiRienzo

In her psychological suspense novel, You Don’t Want to Know, bestselling author Lisa Jackson delivers a gripping story that blends family tragedy, buried secrets, and the unsettling fragility of memory. Set against the moody backdrop of a privately owned island in Washington State, the book follows Ava Garrison, a woman still haunted by the disappearance of her young son two years earlier. While those around her insist she accept his presumed death, Ava becomes convinced she is being manipulated.

Jackson masterfully balances slow-building tension with sharp twists, drawing readers into Ava’s unraveling world as she navigates gaslighting, betrayal, and her own uncertain sanity. The isolated estate, stormy weather, and shadowy figures lurking at the edges of the narrative add a cinematic sense of dread that fans of domestic thrillers will appreciate.

Nicole, a reader of the novel, says the story’s emotional power stayed with her long after the final page. “The theme that stood out to me the most was the resilience of a mother’s love and how far one would go to help their child,” she explained, noting that Ava’s determination gives the thriller a deeply human core.

Despite its dark themes, the novel’s strength lies in its emotional core: a mother’s desperate hope and her refusal to give up, no matter how dangerous the truth may be. For readers who enjoy suspense that keeps them guessing until the final pages, You Don’t Want to Know is a compelling and atmospheric choice, just don’t expect to sleep easily afterward!