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A Fatal Affair

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Stars. Lovers. Liars. Killers. This is Hollywood, and everyone has a part to play in a shocking novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author A. R. Torre.

Actress Nora Kemp loves two men. One is Hugh Iverson, a philanthropic movie star who gives Nora security and respectability. The other is Hugh’s twin brother, Trent, a Hollywood bad boy who brings out Nora’s wild side. When Trent and an unidentified woman are found dead on the Iversons’ Beverly Hills property, more than Nora’s and Hugh’s reputations are at stake.

An investigation suggests murder-suicide. But there’s more to the crime than first meets the eye: suspicions of a serial killer with a bizarre motive, Hugh’s unnerved and cautious staff, and a missing mother and son. As two LA detectives sift through the deceptions of the innocent and the guilty—some living and some dead—solving the case becomes a cunning cat-and-mouse game.

Because in a city of illusions, the truth—no matter how dangerous—is so easy to hide.

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 20, 2023

5070 people are currently reading
43465 people want to read

About the author

A.R. Torre

10 books9,916 followers
Hi there—welcome to my little corner of Goodreads! I'm AR Torre, and I write dark, twisty fiction that digs into the messiest parts of human nature. Whether it's psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, or stories about love gone dangerously wrong, my books tend to explore the line between good and evil—and what happens when people cross it.

You might know me from The Girl in 6E series, which follows a reclusive cam girl with violent urges, or my standalone domestic suspense novels that blend complex female leads with secrets, drama, and a few dead bodies. I’m drawn to morally gray characters, layered relationships, and plots that keep you flipping pages late into the night.

Outside of writing, I live in Key West, Florida, where I spend my days plotting murders (on paper), drinking (and roasting) coffee, and soaking up the sunshine. I’m also Alessandra Torre in my other author life, where I write romance.

Thanks for visiting—please follow me here on Goodreads where I read every single review. Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts (good or bad!) on my books. I sincerely appreciate the feedback and support.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,075 reviews
Profile Image for Lit with Leigh.
623 reviews633 followers
June 20, 2023
happy pub day to this Honda civic reliable popcorn thriller!

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.


Writing: 3/5 | Plot: predictable but well-executed | Ending: solid

SYNOPSIS

Twin brothers. One lover. Two dead people. What's going on????

MY OPINION

Shoutout to @mytobereadstash for the buddy read even though I'm notoriously terrible at them and finished the book in a day😂 Follow her on Goodreads and Instagram to see what she thinks (whenever she finishes LOL)

Anyways, this is my first from A.R. Torre. This book was everything Freida McFadden tries to be. Yeah, I said it. While McFadden throws a lot in the pot, she always burns it. This had several moving parts, but Torre kept it toit (tight) and brought it all together at the end. There was no annoying inner monologues (McFadden special), limited closed caption writing, and no gaping plot holes. Yeah, yeetage of disbelief is required, but when is it not? At least there's a police procedural element so it's not silly season citizens gone rogue vibes. This is like a Criminal Minds episode but not as cheesy, if that makes sense.

I don't really have any rich homie qualms. I think if you're new to thrillers, you'll really enjoy this. It has twins, so yes, it's highly predictable (not a spoiler lol). There's tons of POVs, not all of them necessary, but the chapters are short so you don't waste too much time. All in all, if you like Alafair Burke, or Freida but you wish she'd just calm tf down sometimes, I think you'll enjoy this. An easy breezy read for the weekend, daily commute, or when you wanna tune your kiddies out 😂

Short and sweet! That's when you know I'm unbothered 🫣

PROS AND CONS

Pros: well-paced, juicy plot, multiple povs, short chapters, police procedural element, writing flows

Cons: nothing to note, just wasn't mind-blowing and the twin twist is hella predictable
Profile Image for Meredith (Trying to catch up!).
878 reviews14.2k followers
May 26, 2023
Hollywood Lies and Kooky Plotlines

2.5 stars


A Fatal Affair is about a murder connected to Hollywood superstars, a missing child, and a web of lies nearly impossible to decipher.

When Hollywood bad boy Trent Iverson is found shot to death in his equally famous twin brother’s guest house, the cops, the media, and his twin are all equally invested in discovering what led to his death. Even more intriguing is the woman found on the scene stabbed to death.

There are many plotlines, but all are connected. They include the stories of Kerry Pepper, her son, Miles, and her husband Kyle. There are also those related to the main detective on the case. Perhaps the most interesting story belongs to the twins and the woman they were in love with, leading lady Nora Kemp.

There are many POVs-- almost too many to keep track of. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters because there were so many of them. More and more were added as the book progressed. None were fleshed out, and they felt like parodies of the roles they were assigned, e.g., “the Leading Lady,” “The Detective,” “The Leading Man, '' and so on. I found some perspectives more interesting than others, especially the twins, and others superfluous.

The chapters are short and quickly switch perspectives, constantly taking the plot in new directions--the more revealed, the crazier it gets.

To enjoy this book, approach it with fun in mind. It is twisty and easy to read, but the plot is convoluted and over the top--it is not Torre's best work. At the same time, it is entertaining and good mindless reading.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for jessica.
2,658 reviews47.3k followers
March 2, 2023
i would consider this more mystery/thriller “lite.” its not as twisty or shocking or gripping as most mystery/thrillers, but it does do a good job at keeping the reader engaged and constantly saying “huh.”

its an interesting story, but in a subtle kind of way. and i absolutely loved the short chapters. i think AT is successful at utilising them to create a fast pace, quick POV switches, and an “edge of your seat” kind of feeling.

so not exactly the most exciting story AT has written, but it definitely gets the job done! a must read if you enjoy celebrity scandals.

thanks, thomas & mercer, for the ARC!

3.5 stars
Profile Image for Kat.
335 reviews1,162 followers
June 26, 2023
Let me pose two questions that may predict whether or not you like this book:

▪️ Is it a dealbreaker for you if you can see what the major plot twist will be before you’ve even opened the book?

▪️ Can you still enjoy a book and have fun seeing how the story gets you there even if you’re confident of where it will go?

If you’re the first kind of reader, I suspect this won’t be quite as much fun for you. If, like me, you’re the second kind of reader, you may have fun just hopping on this train and seeing where it takes you along the way. If you’re lucky, you’re neither of those and can just roll with whatever happens!

Hugh and Trent Iverson are twins and Hollywood royalty. Hugh is the Oscar-winning star and fiance of beautiful actress Nora Kemp. Trent is the drug and booze-addled bad boy who's been in and out of rehab and scrapes with the law. When Trent and an unknown woman are found dead in a guesthouse on Hugh and Nora’s property, L. A. detectives Farah Anderson and Kevin Mathis are assigned to the case.

Add in a mystery about a “moms gone wrong” Facebook group, a missing child, an old religious children’s show called Story Farm, and a sketchy charity group called Protect the Children that fulfills Make-a-Wish requests for seriously ill children and their families, and you’ve got the ingredients for a pretty whackadoodle but intriguing story!

Did the plot have more holes than a shooting range target? Yes. Did I care? No. I really liked Farah and Kevin, and if nothing else, this played out like a fun episode of any popular TV police procedural/detective show. Some plot aspects are absurd, so just pop your popcorn and don’t take things too seriously. This is my fifth A.R. Torre book and she hasn’t disappointed me yet!

★★★ ½

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley, and author A.R. Torre for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s now available.
Profile Image for Jayme.
1,480 reviews4,180 followers
June 20, 2023
Leading Lady Nora Kemp loves TWO men, Actors Hugh and Trent Iverson, who just happen to be TWIN brothers.

But, Trent has just been found dead in his brother’s guest house, with an unidentified woman, and a Murder-Suicide is suspected.

How does this tie in with a missing mother and her son?

A.R. Torre writes psychological thrillers that are moved straight to the top of my TBR when they get released-I don’t even read the synopsis. I LOVED “The Ghostwriter”, “Every Last Secret” and “The Good Lie”.

I wasn’t as enamored with “A Familiar Stranger” (her last book) and was hoping for a return to form with this one, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for me.

It seems like she is trying her hand at something different, this time, a police procedural.

Although it started out strong with short, snappy chapters from MANY alternating POVs-I lost interest at about the halfway point.

Of course, it didn’t help that the story featured TWINS, because this plot device is a HARD sell for me.

I can’t say that I was surprised by the twists at the end.

But, I will still be watching for whatever is next, and hoping it’s a five star psychological thriller the next time around.

2.5 stars ⭐️ rounded up for this buddy read-did it satisfy DeAnn and Mary Beth? Be sure to watch for their reviews…

AVAILABLE NOW

Thank You to Thomas and Mercer for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review.
Profile Image for Nina (ninjasbooks).
1,478 reviews1,461 followers
December 3, 2023
Loved the bantering and hard-working detectives, alternating between several POVs. The little boy’s perspective worked especially well, I grew to love him just by how innocent and vulnerable he was. The plot was interesting and the twist (that I saw coming) was satisfying. A bit macabre, but I could stomach it.
Profile Image for benedicta.
423 reviews681 followers
May 24, 2024
4.5⭐️ I was in desperate need of a slow burn thriller, it delivered!! 🎭🩸

during a hollywood, spotlight alleged murder-suicide investigation of famous twin actor, Trent, tapes are found of a dozen women tortured to death.

back in Wisconsin, Kyle, husband of Kerry is sure Kerry and their son are missing while on a terminally ill cancer 'make-a-wish' disneyland trip in California.

this leads Kyle to do some research of his own where he finds Kerry's journal that only permits him to read if she's dead.

there is a club of sick, bored mums all over different states with Munchausen syndrome by proxy in a Facebook group 😣😣 suddenly the group is hijacked and the perpetrator has deadly demands.

PS Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a mental illness and a form of child abuse. The caretaker of a child, most often a mother, either makes up fake symptoms or causes real symptoms to make it look like the child is sick.

are these all connected and how??

my second, A.R. Torre novel and I was disappointed. reads like a slow puzzle coming together with a solid plot and mystery and suspense-focused rather than twists-focused like most thrillers.. I couldn't put it down 🖤
Profile Image for Nilufer Ozmekik.
3,006 reviews58.7k followers
June 19, 2023
This is a highly enigmatic, intelligent, complex, and riveting thriller created by the dark side of Alessandra Torre. The plot is similar to her past stimulating and sizzling romances, centering around a woman who falls in love with two brothers. The author develops the saucy concept of identical twins, leaving the reader guessing until the end of the book as to who the real culprit is.

The twists are batsh*t crazy, and the leading man and woman, who are both actors, are excellent at their jobs, making it difficult to determine who is lying or telling the truth.

The plot is surprising: America's sweetheart Nora Kemp is engaged with Oscar winner star, Hugh Iverson, while also having an affair with Hugh's trainwreck-bad boy brother, Trent Iverson, who was a child star in the religious show "Story Farm".

When Trent and an unidentified woman are found dead in the guest house of the Beverly Hills mansion that Hugh and Nora inhabit, detectives initially label it a murder-suicide case. However, the investigation leads to the discovery of a missing mother and her six-year-old cancer patient son, and it becomes unclear whether the cases are connected.

The killer seems to be a skilled individual with a history of killing, leaving the reader wondering if Trent was responsible and if there are other victims.

Prepare to be surprised by the many unpredictable twists in this thrilling book. The twists are smart and will slap you in the face when you least expect it.

The author's writing style is enjoyed, whether in her dark works or her pant-melting, hyperventilating erotic romances. I am looking forward to reading more of Alessandra Torre's future works.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the amazing digital reviewer copy, in exchange for an honest opinion.

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Profile Image for luv2read .
924 reviews950 followers
June 29, 2023
This captivating and intricate story unfolds as a tale within a tale. The book's plotline is truly engrossing, leaving me intrigued and pondering its mysteries. With two untimely deaths and a missing child, it effortlessly grabbed hold of my attention. As the diary entries emerge, the shocking revelations tucked between those pages caught me completely off guard. The multiple points of view used throughout the story added a delightful layer of complexity, leading us to a satisfying conclusion.

**Nancy Peterson did an amazing job narrating this audio.
Profile Image for Kaceey.
1,445 reviews4,392 followers
May 25, 2023
Sure, you may be rich and famous but that doesn’t make you immune to murder!

Hugh and Nora have it all. Wealth and fame beyond their wildest dreams! Adored by their multitudes of fans as Hollywood’s favorite couple.

Hugh has a twin brother Trent, but their similarity ends with looking alike. Polar opposites in fact. Trent is the wild child to Hugh’s straight-lace lifestyle. And presently Trent is in a situation that Hugh can’t get him out of. He’s just been discovered dead (nope, can’t fix that!) on the property along with a woman no one can identify.

What exactly happened here in the star-studded Hollywood Hills? But equally important, will this effect Hugh and Nora’s star status?

A fast, fun thriller with some great twists that surprised me along the way!
I always enjoy reading this author and this latest was no exception!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer

Profile Image for Chelsea Humphrey.
1,487 reviews82.8k followers
May 31, 2023
I can’t quite put my finger on why Torre’s recent releases aren’t sticking the landing for me. I adored The Good Lie and Every Last Secret, but A Familiar Stranger and now A Fatal Affair haven’t scratched the juicy, drama filled itch I seem to associate with her style. I do not mind over the top, unrealistic drama, but I think what is happening here is that these latest books contain SO many characters that do not essentially play into the plot in a meaningful way, making it difficult to keep track of them or care about what happens to them. Also, the plot threads seem chaotic, rather than complementing each other, which makes it difficult to appreciate the twists and turns thrown our way. That said, there is something so compulsive about the author’s writing, so I’ll continue to give her books a try, but I’ll likely wait for release rather than requesting early editions.

*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
Profile Image for Joey R..
353 reviews750 followers
December 14, 2024
2.5 stars— After reading a few non-thrillers to change it up a little bit, I decided to go back and read a book from one of my recent favorites, A.R. Torre. “A Fatal Affair” begins with detectives being called to the home of a celebrity super-couple where the twin brother of the male half of the couple was found dead of an apparent suicide with the body of an unknown tortured female. The detectives are initially hampered by their access to the couple and their home in attempting to investigate the case but eventually begin making progress including identifying the dead body found with the twin. The investigation proceeds from there in attempting to find out what happened and why. Although once again I found Ms. Torre to be a very gifted writer, in my opinion the entire plot was underwhelming and at times, boring. It seemed like the whole plot moved at a snail’s pace, which was completely unlike the three previous novels I read from Torre. I also felt like the motive for the killings and the so-called twist were so ridiculous, that it sucked the life out of the book. If Torre wasn’t such an excellent writer this would be a 1 star, but the interactions between the detective team as well as their realistic work in discovering evidence and interviewing suspects propelled it up to a star. In the end, I just didn’t feel like the “twist” was something that could ever happen in a quintillion years or something this detective team would ever of fallen for. I guess that is what ruined this book for me. I will be back for more of Ms. Torre’s books as she is still one of the best and most consistent writers out there.
Profile Image for Ceecee .
2,648 reviews2,216 followers
July 9, 2023
3.5 rounded up

There’s plenty to keep you interested and entertained, there are some good twists but a couple you do see coming. It’s an easy glide through read, a perfect summer poolside book though not the best AR Torre I’ve read.
Profile Image for Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill.
760 reviews584 followers
July 21, 2023
Yesss!!! I loved this book!!! @alessandratorre4 has done it again!! 👏👏👏 Thank you so much to @thrillerbookloverspromotions @blondethrillerbooklover for having me along on this tour!!! 🥰🥰🥰

OMG 😳… where do I start?! This book was SO MUCH FUN!! Like …in a I just found two murdered people in my pool house fun…😉😳🤷‍♀️😂

A Hollywood “it” couple… a bad boy 😎 twin brother… some crazy stuff is going down in this Beverly Hills home… 😬… there were sooo many secrets!! 🤫😉

I had so many questions!! This cat 🐈‍⬛ and mouse 🐭 game kept me up way too late!! ☕️☕️☕️ Holy book hangover!! Thank you @webreakforbooks and @bookybethw for our buddy read!! 😘😘😘

If you have never picked up a @alessandratorre4 book… I highly suggest it!! Fast paced… fun… again in a thriller way…😉… I have loved every @alessandratorre4 book I have read!! ❤️
Profile Image for Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break).
2,522 reviews2,431 followers
June 19, 2023
EXCERPT: The female victim wasn't beautiful.
Wasn't rich.
Wasn't single.
So how did she end up in a Beverley Hills mansion with Trent Iverson? And why was she dead?

ABOUT 'A FATAL AFFAIR': Stars. Lovers. Liars. Killers. This is Hollywood, and everyone has a part to play in a shocking novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author A. R. Torre.

Actress Nora Kemp loves two men. One is Hugh Iverson, a philanthropic movie star who gives Nora security and respectability. The other is Hugh’s twin brother, Trent, a Hollywood bad boy who brings out Nora’s wild side. When Trent and an unidentified woman are found dead on the Iversons’ Beverly Hills property, more than Nora’s and Hugh’s reputations are at stake.

An investigation suggests murder-suicide. But there’s more to the crime than first meets the eye: suspicions of a serial killer with a bizarre motive, Hugh’s unnerved and cautious staff, and a missing mother and son. As two LA detectives sift through the deceptions of the innocent and the guilty—some living and some dead—solving the case becomes a cunning cat-and-mouse game.

Because in a city of illusions, the truth—no matter how dangerous—is so easy to hide.

MY THOUGHTS: A Fatal Affair has all the ingredients needed to make it a resounding success: the Hollywood setting; a love triangle; a missing woman and her child. Yet, despite my pulse rate elevating once or twice, I found the plot to be quite predictable. I have read other titles by this author which were far superior to this.

On the plus side, this is a quick, easy read with short chapters told from multiple points of view, and a definite 'crazy' element. Don't expect any depth to the characters; what you see is what you get.

If you're looking for a quick and entertaining beach/pool/fireside read, this will fit the bill.

⭐⭐⭐.4

#AFatalAffair #NetGalley

I: @alessandratorre4 @amazonpublishing

T: @ReadAlessandra @AmazonPub

#contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #murdermystery #serialkillerthriller

THE AUTHOR: A.R. Torre is a pseudonym of Alessandra Torre and is her dark alter ego. While Alessandra writes spicy romances, A.R. focuses on twisted stories filled with secrets, suspense, drama, and danger.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of A Fatal Affair by A.R. Torre for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Profile Image for CarolG.
887 reviews453 followers
June 17, 2023
Hugh Iverson is a movie star, engaged to Nora Kemp, also a movie star. Hugh’s twin brother, Trent, is a Hollywood bad boy. Both brothers are easy on the eyes. When Trent and an unidentified woman are found dead on the Iversons’ Beverly Hills property, an investigation suggests murder-suicide. But there’s more to the crime than first meets the eye.

I feel like I tore through this book at breakneck speed every time I picked it up! Although it wasn't a deep, thought-provoking story, I really liked it and it was so easy to read. I had been a little worried because I've enjoyed the author's previous novels and some of the reviews for this one were a bit lukewarm but I soon breathed a sigh of relief. There are a great many characters and the story is told from the viewpoints of most of them - like The Leading Lady, the Detective, the Husband, the Kid, etc. - but the chapters are short and sharp and I soon got everyone straight in my head. It was easier to remember their roles than their names anyway. I liked the detective duo and the police procedural aspects of the investigation. The ending wasn't a total surprise but was well done.

To be brief, this book was a lot of fun despite the circumstances. You should enter the Goodreads Giveaway if it's open to you! There's only a few days left. 3.5 Stars rounded up!



I loved Hugh's assessment of a movie they had watched as "entertainingly mediocre" and I plan to use it in a future review!

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication: June 20, 2023
Profile Image for Matt.
907 reviews186 followers
February 3, 2023
OH THANK GOD! Torre has been one of my absolute favorite thriller authors but last year’s release was a complete dud for me so i am sticking to the theory that she wrote the entire thing drunk, because this is a huge bounce back.
this is more in the vein of The Good Lie, where we follow multiple seemingly random POVs until the connections click into place one by one. this was so fast paced, and Torre really knows how to write a captivatingly bingeable mystery - i flew through this in one night. I’m also a sucker for Hollywood stories so this one was already right up my alley. the only thing keeping it from being a 5-star read for me was that it uses a certain trope that i feel like ALWAYS ends up the same way anytime it’s used in a thriller, which made the ending a bit annoying for me but i do think it was used a smarter way than usual.
Profile Image for Jonetta.
2,517 reviews1,275 followers
August 23, 2023
the setup…
Nora Kemp and Hugh Iverson are Hollywood’s golden couple, engaged to be married and living a glamorous life. That is until Nora discovers his twin brother Trent dead in the guest house on their property, along with an unidentified woman who was obviously tortured and murdered. Meanwhile, Kyle Pepper is frantically trying to contact his wife Kerry and their six-year old son Miles who left their Wisconsin home for a Make a Wish trip to Disneyland but seemed to have disappeared. Beverly Hills Detectives Farah Anderson and Kevin Mathis are investigating the Iverson crime scene, trying to learn the identity of the dead woman, whether this was a murder suicide or something else. That’s difficult when the two people with the most information are highly skilled at playing whatever role they need to at any moment.

the heart of the story…
Even I couldn’t tell when Nora and Hugh were lying or telling the truth, though I had some help as she was one of the characters delivering a point of view. The narratives shift quite seamlessly between Nora, the detectives, Kyle and Miles. I suspected that the two investigations would converge at some point but was clueless as to what they had to do with one another. I didn’t trust Nora but I also wasn’t necessarily convinced she had anything to do with the deaths, though she admitted being involved with both brothers (*!?#). I loved that the detectives were seasoned and quite skilled at sifting through the muck.

the narration…
Wow! If I hadn’t known differently, I would have sworn there were multiple narrators telling this story because Peterson was masterful at that and voice distinctions. I became an instant fan and will strongly consider any book she’s narrating.

the bottom line…
The clues are all there to figure things out and I loved that they were introduced in bits and bites. If you like digging into a good mystery and trying to deduce the resolution, you’ll enjoy this one. Nora is an enigma, really tough to figure out and there are others equally as puzzling. There’s a big reveal I didn’t see coming, though many of my friends did, and some harrowing moments. I enjoyed everything about this one, but especially listening to Nancy Peterson deliver it all.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Profile Image for Brenda ~The Sisters~Book Witch.
967 reviews997 followers
January 17, 2025
3.5 stars

Stars. Lovers. Liars. Killers. They all have a part to play in this Hollywood thriller, where the script is constantly rewritten.

The Plot: Hollywood Drama Meets Deadly Mystery

Two brothers, an actress, and a classic love triangle? Think again. This isn't your typical Hollywood story. When one brother is found dead in suspicious circumstances, the glamorous facade of Tinseltown crumbles. As investigators delve deeper, they uncover a tangled web of secrets: whispers of a serial killer with a chilling motive, and the chilling disappearance of a mother and son.

Buckle up, because this ride is wild but be prepared to suspend your disbelief.

The pace is fast, packed with satisfying twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. However, while the twists are plentiful, some later revelations are hard to buy into.

Lights, Camera... Intrigue!

If you're a fan of Hollywood drama with a deadly edge, this novel is for you. Love, lies, and murder collide in a dazzling display of glitz and glamour, leaving you eager to uncover the truth behind the murders.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
Profile Image for A.R. Torre.
Author 10 books9,916 followers
Read
June 20, 2023
This review is from the author (that's me!):

I had so much fun writing this book. If you like:
🔪 twins
🔪 lifestyles of the rich and famous
🔪 plot twists and turns
🔪 love triangles (let me warn you, this isn't a romance novel)
🔪 fast-paced reads full of intrigue and secrets
... then this book is for you!

THE SETTING:

A 9-1-1 call is made from Hollywood's most famous residents: Hugh Iverson and Nora Kemp. Tinsel Town's favorite couple, this celebrity duo is hiding more than a few Oscars in their home... and the discovery of two dead bodies is just the beginning.

THE CHARACTERS:

Nora Iverson: The famous actress pulled between two stars. Engaged to Hugh Iverson (Hollywood's golden king) but in love with Trent Iverson (Hollywood's reigning bad boy and Hugh's twin brother) - she's a star in her own right, and hiding her own secrets.

Hugh Iverson: Respected and adored, Hugh leads a children's charity when he isn't winning awards and starring in blockbusters.

Trent Iverson: Trent Iverson loves fast cars, wild women, and partying. He raises eyebrows on a frequent basis, and no one is too surprised when his life ends early - though the location (Hugh Iverson's mansion) is a strange one.

THE PLOT:

There are a few storylines in this novel, all of which come together in the end. I don't want to overwhelm you with details, but here's my best attempt at a synopsis:

As detectives try to understand the crime scene at the Iverson mansion, more mysteries start popping up like popcorn. Like the mother and son who travel to Disney on vacation and disappear from their hotel room. Or the Iverson charity employee who jumps into oncoming traffic to hide a secret related to the crimes. There's paparazzi lurking, careers at stake, and lives in danger as detectives struggle to find the answers before anyone else dies. But it's hard to uncover the truth when the suspects are the best liars in the world: actors.

HOW TO READ IT:

This book was published by Amazon's suspense imprint, which means that the ebook AND the audio are both free in KindleUnlimited. You can pop back and forth between reading and listening to the story - or grab the paperback or audio at your favorite retailer.

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/46gFAZO
Amazon UK: amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BG67M282/
Amazon CA: amazon.ca/gp/product/B0BG67M282/
Amazon AU: amazon.com.au/gp/product/B0BG67M282/

THANK YOU!

I hope you enjoy this book! If you do, pretty please with a cherry on top, share a review with your Goodreads friends. Thank you so much for your support and for considering this title.

❤️ - Alessandra (AR) Torre
Profile Image for Sheyla ✎.
1,996 reviews627 followers
December 8, 2023
I was completely immersed in this Hollywood thriller!

A murder has been committed at the mansion of Hugh Iverson, the most famous actor who is engaged to the most beautiful actress, Nora Kemp.

A woman has been murdered on Hugh's property and the culprit of the murder-suicide seems to be none other than Hugh's twin brother, Trent, Hollywood's known bad boy.

Many questions pile up. Who is the woman? Why was the woman there? Why did Trent kill her? What was the woman hiding?

The story is told from several points of view, including The Husband, one of the detectives investigating the case, the Mom (murdered woman), the Kid (child of the deceased woman), Nora (The Leading Lady), the Accomplice, and the Leading Man.

I remember when this book came out some of my book friends didn't love it. Maybe because I went in with low expectations, I found myself enjoying this book so much. I couldn't put it away!

In regards to the characters, I liked the Detective the most. I wish I could see her in another story, I really like her.

Overall, yes, It was easy to guess the outcome and the murder but the ride was a good one.

Alessandra's work is always a hit with this reviewer.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Profile Image for Jen.
1,071 reviews119 followers
February 7, 2023
I liked this book but can see why others didn’t. It was way more of a police procedural than a psychological thriller, but if you like that genre (and are fascinated by twins, like me), I think you’ll like it. The story is told from many different POVs, from the victim to the detectives to the suspects. Despite the changing POVs, it’s very easy to tell who is who.

The storyline was sound and also unique, but I would’ve enjoyed more of a backstory that would’ve helped the reader draw the conclusions on their own. I don’t think this was part of a series but i did feel I missed something that got us to this point. That being said, even if I missed a backstory I thought there were great twists and the author tied all the strings together.

Overall I enjoyed the book but think those who enjoy a police procedural will enjoy it more than those who enjoy a psychological thriller. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kelly (and the Book Boar).
2,780 reviews9,406 followers
August 4, 2025


When I use the term popcorn thriller, THIS is what I’m talking about. Alessandra Torre writes everything from sweet to spicy, but A.R. Torre? Oh, she’s the one who brings my milkshake to the pool (or the deck, as the case was here). This story of famous twins, their entanglement with the same woman, a suspected murder/suicide, a missing child, a police investigation and a pretty effed up upbringing that eventually gets revealed kept me firmly planted in crazy town all day. If you want to escape by way of a stabby, Torre might just be your girl.
Profile Image for Amy.
2,513 reviews1,997 followers
May 10, 2023
This read almost exactly like watching a juicy and dramatic soap opera style show and I mean that in the best way. Sometimes I just want brain candy and this fit the bill for my mood. It’s told via a bunch of different perspectives and while at first glance I thought maybe there were too many, once I settled into the story it actually worked well. There are lots of chapters from one of the detectives working the case so it gave it a strong police procedural feel, so keep that in mind whether you like that style or not. I enjoy it and love the feeling of solving a case alongside a detective so again, that aspect worked for me. There were some really fun twists too, yes they were over the top and you may have to stretch your beliefs a little but they were entertaining. This would be a really fun poolside read, it’s scandalous and fast paced.
Profile Image for Danielle B.
1,207 reviews199 followers
March 8, 2023
Hugh and Trent Iverson are twins and well known actors. When Trent is found dead along with an unknown woman in the guest house of Hugh's Beverly Hills mansion, the police are called and an investigation looks into what happened to these two. Hugh and his fiancée, Nora, are questioned along with the staff. When the investigators dig deep, they discover quite a surprise!

A FATAL AFFAIR was unlike any other book I've read by A.R. Torre. I loved this police procedural novel. I enjoyed trying to figure out what was happening, as it took me on a wild ride. I did have some ideas as to what happened, but in the end, I only partially figured it out and the rest was a surprise. I really liked that the chapters were short, as it made it a quick read. If you are a crime solving lover like me, you will enjoy this book. Thank you, @itsallaboutbooksandmacarons for buddy reading this with me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be shared on my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
Profile Image for Mo Reads {Monique}.
226 reviews108 followers
February 3, 2023

If I’d gone into this one without knowledge of the author, I’d have never guessed this was Torre’s book.
Having read & enjoyed most of her novels, I found the writing style completely different than what I’m used to from her & if I’m honest, it felt more like a debut, rather than work from a seasoned writer.

I felt no connection, no sympathy, & very little interest in regards to this “cast” of characters.

However, it could be me, coming off of a month-long reading challenge, having read fortyleven books in January…🥴 So maybe I’m just discombobulated…
Idk. But this one left me wanting & slightly perplexed..

But mucho appreciation to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Astrid - The Bookish Sweet Tooth.
796 reviews907 followers
April 13, 2023
I don't read many thrillers but for some reason this one jumped at me. What stood out to me from the start was the very short chapters that were headlined with the different characters' roles in the book. This and the changing point of view made this a very quick read that had some twists but overall was predictable (but I feel whenever twins are involved it's kinda always predictable to a certain degree).
The downside of the constantly changing point of view is that you can't really connect to any of the characters.
Regardless, A Fatal Affair was a solid thriller that kept me interested until I finished.
Profile Image for Wobilba.
822 reviews121 followers
June 23, 2023
3.5stars

I didn’t love this as much as some of the A. R. Torre books I’ve read but i still enjoyed this. I wasn’t on the edge of my seat or anything but I enjoyed very twist and turn in this book.
Oh the plot twists 🤯

***************************

well, as a huge Alessandra Torre fan, I have very high expectations about this book *fingerscrossed*
Profile Image for jay.
988 reviews5,731 followers
January 25, 2025
too many characters, too much going on

i mean, i guess it ties in at the end and it sort of makes sense but it’s really not that exciting and there was never a moment where i felt transfixed, glued to the page, anxious to uncover the mysteries before me

it’s also very predictable, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing until it is a bad thing. you read the word twins in the summary and you know you’re in for the most tropey thriller trope of all time. is this a spoiler? i guess, but also, who cares.


bottom line, it’s not the worst thriller i have ever read and at least Torre isn’t horrendously bad at putting words on page like some other popular thriller writers are (if you know you know and if you don’t you’re beyond help anyway), but is this worth reading? hell nah.
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