I’m fairly sure I hadn’t previously read anything by Joe Hart, but I was happy to get a copy of Or Else (thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review. 

When they were kids, Andy Drake was friends with a girl named Rachel. As time went on, Rachel got into an emotionally abusive marriage, while Andy became a successful novelist. When Andy’s father needs care, Andy comes back to town to help out and reconnects with Rachel at a neighborhood cookout, where they share a quick kiss. That kiss leads to a full on love affair, despite Rachel being married and having two kids with her husband David.

Andy receives an anonymous note warning him to end the affair Or else. Andy needs to figure out who sent the  note and WTH is going on. There are several possibilities for the note writer: there is a man who walks around with a tiny dog, and no one seems to know much about him. There is also an older woman who likes to sit outside with her binoculars and watch people. And then of course there is David. But then David is dead and Rachel vanishes with her kids. 

For some reason, Andy thinks it’s a swell idea to break into Rachel’s house.  He discovers David’s business wasn’t doing well, and it seems his partner has committed suicide. A visit from a creepy guy, some people to whom David owed money, and the ongoing mystery of Rachel’s whereabouts keep things moving along. 

I liked it! I look forward to reading some more from Joe Hart. Four stars.