The Truth About Gretchen by Alretha Thomas – a Review

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Description:
Gretchen Holloway, in her final year of graduate school, is in the throes of auditioning actors for her thesis film, inspired by a murdered young football star who has haunted her dreams for two years. Gretchen believes making the movie will be cathartic. But instead of freeing her, embarking upon the film production unleashes a sequence of events that lead Gretchen to conclude that she’s the reincarnation of the young man.

Regina Wilson has always wanted to be an actress. When her agent gets her an audition for a role in Gretchen’s film, which eerily mirrors one of the worst events of her life—the unsolved murder of her older brother, Robert—she’s hard-pressed to go through with it. Upon fleeing, she leaves behind a keepsake that features Robert’s photo. Gretchen sees the picture and recognizes Robert from her dreams. She tracks down Regina, and after being rebuffed and called crazy, Gretchen’s unexplainable knowledge of events in Robert’s life eventually convinces Regina that Gretchen is Robert reincarnated.

The two decide to have his case reopened, but their significant others are dead set against it, and the police, who believe that Robert’s death was gang-related, are less than cooperative. However, Gretchen is desperate to get justice for her former self, and Regina wants justice for her brother. The women piece together the final week of Robert’s life. And the deeper they delve into his past; one shocking revelation follows another, leaving them wondering who they can trust and if they’ll live long enough to find Robert’s killer and bring him to justice.

Review:

The Truth About Gretchen begins with Gretchen Holloway hosting auditions for a film she’s making in her last year of graduate school.  She has been haunted for two years by recurring dreams/nightmares of a young man being murdered.  She also has no idea who the guy is.  All she knows is that the need to make a movie based on these dreams is a need like no other.

Regina Wilson has struggled for twenty years with the unsolved murder of her brother.  She lands an audition for the movie Gretchen is making, but, is disturbed at how eerie the events are to her brother’s murder.  She makes her way to the auditions, only to breakdown at the thought of actually going through with the audition.  She leaves in a near panic and has no idea how an item she leaves behind will change her life and the lives of others.

The Truth About Gretchen is another well written story by Alretha Thomas.  Gretchen and Regina are both relatable from the beginning.  However, it’s Regina, at least for me, that pulls you in.  Her steadfast need to find out what really happened the night that her brother was murdered is emotional on one hand and endearing on the other.  Even though both Gretchen and Regina are doubted from the very  beginning of their quest for justice, they know that they won’t allow anyone, or anything,  get in their way.  The story is wrought with intrigue and  mystery, but it is the emotion that makes it a page turner, which is, in my humble opinion, what makes Thomas a standout author.  The secondary characters are well written as well, and you’ll find yourself hoping your inner circle is as supportive as these people are.  As always, I can’t wait for Thomas’ next book………….  Well done, Alretha Thomas!  Very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy supplied for review