This is not just another novel about a dead girl.
When she arrived in New York on her 18th birthday carrying nothing but $600 cash and a stolen camera, Alice Lee was looking for a fresh start. Now, just one month later, she is the city’s latest Jane Doe, an unidentified murder victim.
Ruby Jones is also trying to start over; she travelled halfway around the world only to find herself lonelier than ever. Until she finds Alice’s body by the Hudson River.
From this first, devastating encounter, the two women form an unbreakable bond. Alice is sure that Ruby is the key to solving the mystery of her life – and death. And Ruby – struggling to forget what she saw that morning – finds herself unable to let Alice go. Not until she is given the ending she deserves.
Before You Knew My Name doesn’t ask whodunnit. Instead, this powerful, hopeful novel asks: Who was she? And what did she leave behind? The answers might surprise you.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
Before You Knew My Name is a beautifully poignant story about two women whose lives become inextricably linked. Alice arrives in New York City on her eighteenth birthday with $600 cash in her pocket. Ruby, a mid-thirties Australian, arrives in NYC on the same day. Their lives intersect when Ruby goes for a run one wet morning and discovers Alice’s dead body. Told with Alice as the narrator, switching between her story and Ruby’s, we discover what led them both to NYC and what happens after Alice’s untimely death. This could have been a book about finding Alice’s murderer – but it’s not. It’s so much more. The author explores themes of self-discovery and relationships. The novel is passionate and thought-provoking, and left me contemplating the media coverage of murder – and how murderers receive far too much screen time when it is the victim we should be remembering. I could say so much more about this amazingly beautiful book, but I won’t – except to say that you are missing out if you don’t read it. I can’t wait to see what the author brings out next. Thanks to @betterreadingau @allenandunwin and @writerock11 for the ARC. Kimberley-Ann, SA, 5 Stars
New York – a city where dreams can come true and new lives begin. This is a story of two women, one 18, Alice, and one 36, Ruby, and their story of how they come to the city and how they meet. Both have a history that each is dealing with and inexplicably they meet in very bizarre circumstances. The story develops each character in an interesting way and although their meeting is unconventional their stories help each other to deal with what has happened to them in the past. Ruby holds the key to finding out about Alice and circumstances that bought her to this city and what ultimately claimed her. Through this quest, Ruby starts to discover a lot about herself as well as Alice. Her desire to find the truth also empowers her to look at her own life circumstances and give her courage to make changes in her life rather than just accepting a token part of her lover’s life. A book of sadness and hope and of friendships formed and developed in adversity. A book that will give you many emotions but finally one that you are glad you have read. Lisa, SA, 5 Stars
I loved this. One of the best books I have read in a long while. Alice and Ruby are both highly likeable characters and during my day I found myself wondering what was going to happen. I felt sad knowing that something so horrific had happened to Alice but Ruby ended up playing a big part in solving her murder. I highly recommend this book. Donna, VIC, 5 Stars
Jacqueline Bublitz has created something unique with her debut novel. I’m not always a fan of crime fiction but this one really took hold of me and had me up way past my bedtime doing the “just one more chapter” thing. The prose is really beautifully written and the characters are so real that I was left feeling that I couldn’t help but be deeply invested in their stories. So often novels that try to incorporate serious issues are too heavy-handed and leave you feeling preached at or lectured. Before You Knew My Name is a refreshing exception – Bublitz explores the media obsession with dead white girls thoroughly but accessibly. Likewise, the novel addresses the issue of male aggression not only in a manner that speaks clearly to the reader but also in a way that places women’s experiences right at the forefront. Indeed, it is the centring of women’s voices – of both Ruby and Alice’s lives, their unique stories and ultimately the connection between them – that makes this book so different, so poignant and so satisfying. Samantha, VIC, 5 Stars
Not being of my usual genre, I was surprised at how quickly I was immersed into not only the plot of this novel but both the characters and setting in this beautiful and unique story. I found myself quickly transported to the city of New York, easily imagining the sights and sounds described by Bublitz. I think the thing I loved most about this book was the characters. While not a large cast, they were genuine and relatable people (especially the two main protagonists, Alice and Ruby) each with their own journey of hurt, trauma and self-discovery. A group of people who come together under the most extreme and unusual circumstances. Definitely a crime thriller with a difference. Thanks to Better Reading for the opportunity to embark on something delightful and different. Kylie, QLD, 5 Stars
Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz is a haunting story that holds a lot of hard facts about life, death, loneliness and grief… it’s not an easy book to read, and yet I couldn’t put it down until I knew that the two women involved, Alice Lee and Ruby Jones, would somehow find their truths. Bublitz is a debut author, but you’d never know it reading this beautifully crafted, raw and intimate story told from the perspective of the now-deceased Alice Lee, and interwoven with the perspective of the lost and lonely Ruby, who finds her body. Rarely have I read a book about such dark and sensitive subject matters as rape, murder and the despicable ways that men can prey on and control vulnerable women that has been so gently, so carefully and tenderly handled with grace, honesty and respect. This book is stunning in its observations of human nature, of the terrifying realities that women still face every day, and it’s a stark reminder of the injustices that continue to surround race, gender and skin colour in society. This is a book that asks us to stop and notice — to genuinely see each other. Linda, QLD, 5 Stars
Alice, just turned 18, escapes to New York City unbeknownst to her, on the same day Ruby also moves to New York City. Both are destined to move to New York City to start a better life for themselves. A month later they both meet under very unusual circumstances. Ruby finds Alice wet, alone and left for dead amongst the rocks in the ocean. This is a story of a girl’s life, of who she is and who she was. Not what her murder was like, not how she died, not why she was there in the first place but who she was before, before you knew her name. I absolutely love that this story is written from Alice’s perspective. It’s told by a dead girl and it sets it aside from other dead girl novels. I love that Jacqueline has given the two women Alice and Ruby a bond. However, not knowing what each other is like, they both feel comfortable enough with each other. To not only search for answers about their future selves but as well as each other. I think New York was a perfect place to set this book. I feel it’s just a place that’s so full-on, so busy and people don’t really notice if anyone is missing for a few days or until it’s too late. I love that Jacqueline brings New York to life. I literally felt like I was looking through the eyes of Alice. It’s original, drastically dark and just beautiful. What more could you ask for in a book? I look forward to Jacqueline Bublitz’s next book. Cassie, NSW, 5 Stars
Wow, what a captivating story. I loved how the author wove the reader through the in-depth lives of the two main characters, Alice and Ruby, and what brought them together. Spell-binding is the only word to describe how I felt as Ruby set about discovering what really happened to Alice. I was captivated from the first to the last page of this book. Loved how the characters developed and evolved throughout. Would highly recommend this book! Christine, QLD, 5 Stars
Such a great book! I loved it. Loved the originality of the perspective it was written from, loved the emotion and connected instantly with the characters. I felt like I was in New York, the writing was excellent. Highly recommended! Sherridan, SA, 5 Stars
I found this story compelling and written so differently from other books. The intertwined stories of the two main characters are so interesting and I love it. Kim, NSW, 5 Stars
Loved the premise of Before You Knew My Name. New York is the place you can discover yourself and new paths, though sometimes not the ones you expect. Alice and Ruby’s meeting is not a usual one, and the journey from there means I didn’t put the book down until I’d finished it. Great read! Leticia, QLD, 5 Stars
I was delighted to receive my preview copy of Before You Knew My Name. I was instantly gripped by the premise. This was such an unusual and intriguing read, told from two different characters’ perspectives and featuring New York almost as a character in itself. Hard to describe without giving anything away, but it beautifully handles the themes of identity, love, loneliness and acceptance all against the backdrop of one of the most vibrant cities in the world. I highly recommend this amazing debut! Anne-Marie, VIC, 5 Stars
Wow, a sensitive outstanding gem that will stay with you, absolutely brilliant! I totally adored Ruby and Alice, the two main characters. An unbreakable bond develops as Ruby connects with Alice, strangers with parallel lives, travelling on a journey of discovery. This wonderful book delves into the mystery of love and loss, seeks honesty and trust as it explores the struggle to find meaningful relationships. The reflections, beliefs and conversations shared between new friends are so refreshing and honest, it truly cements a place of belonging. Thank you to Better Reading, Allen and Unwin and especially Jacqueline Bublitz for the opportunity to read and offer my opinions on this thought-provoking adventure! Vikki, TAS, 5 Stars
A beautiful story about two different people looking for a fresh start in New York. It left me thinking about the impression I would like to leave well after I put the book down. Alice Lee won’t be forgotten, she made a lasting impression on me. A fabulous debut novel. I look forward to any future novels by Jacqueline Bublitz. Luciana, WA, 5 Stars
Excellently written and well-told from an interesting perspective; an intriguing story that draws you in from the very first page. Jacqui, NSW, 5 Stars
Wow, what a book. I couldn’t put it down once I started it! A story of crime, new beginnings and a new friendship. This book is beautifully written and well worth the read. Heather, NSW, 5 Stars
All women can identify with this book. No matter from what country, background, class or race: this is a book for all. I loved how the author followed in the footsteps of Jacinda Ardern who refused to refer to a terrorist by his name thus denying him publicity and re-focussing on the victims. This book focuses on the life and death of a young 18-year-old, Alice Lee, and the Australian jogger, Ruby Jones, who finds her body in New York, rather than on Alice’s killer. Alice and Ruby had both moved to New York for fresh starts and as an escape. After finding Alice’s body, which is unidentified at that point, Ruby asks herself “Who is she?” and seeks to answer that and many other questions. Interestingly, one of the points of view was that of the deceased Alice which worked amazingly well. Moving, beautifully written, powerful, thought-provoking, and sensitive, this was a brilliant, gripping, timely book that held me enthralled. Many thanks to Better Reading for giving me the opportunity to be one of the first to read this wonderful debut by Jacqueline Bublitz and I look forward to reading more from her. Pamela, SA, 5 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is unusual in that the narrator recounts her death yet holds the suspense of how this came to be and especially who is responsible. I loved the connection to Ruby, an Australian girl who like her, has run away to New York. The descriptions of feelings and how people connect were sensitively written. A book for those who question their own worth. Lina, VIC, 5 Stars
A tremendously powerful, beautifully crafted story that perfectly describes despair, hope, connection, and the horrible truth that women live with the need to take precautions against those that may cause harm. Alanna, QLD, 5 Stars
Two women arrive in New York City on the same day. Both have come there to escape their lives back home. Their experiences are vastly different, but they do eventually meet. However, they don’t meet each other until one of them is dead. Before You Knew My Name is a beautiful, sad and powerful story of what happens when a woman dies and nobody knows who she is. It’s the story of the people around her and what they do to discover her name and find out the person she was. These days we focus so much on the killer, but this story focuses on the victim; who was she? What was her story? And we learn that what the victim wants most is to be known and remembered. Bublitz’s prose is lyrical. She paints beautiful pictures of life in New York City and of the people who make it what it is – their relationships, feelings and experiences. And it’s all told from the point of view of someone watching from a distance, trying to make sure her voice is heard, and that people remember her name. A thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding novel. Monique, QLD, 5 Stars
Alice Lee’s lonely, anonymous New York death is one more headline in a media landscape fixated with the stories of abused women. Ruby Jones has travelled to the other side of the world to escape a manipulative relationship, when she’s drawn into the mystery of Alice’s life, and death. While Before You Knew My Name has murder and a mysterious twist, it’s less of a whodunnit and more of a ‘who was she’. Alice isn’t a soulless female victim, she’s the central character driving a heartbreakingly yet beautifully told story that weaves in the best of humanity’s love and connection as a foil to the darkness and horror of her abuse and death. Comparable to The Lovely Bones for its compassionate, excellent storytelling and its memorable characters. The best book I have read this year. Lisa, SA, 5 Stars
Two women and the one big city of New York. Who knew that these two would be entwined in the same story… Alice, who is 18, seeks a fresh start from her depressing past of her mother committing suicide. Ruby, who is 36, is running away from a secret lover. They become involved with each other when Ruby finds Alice’s dead body whilst out on a run. Ruby becomes obsessed with trying to find out who Alice is when she is labelled Jane Doe by the media. Alice stands by Ruby from another world, trying to itch her closer to catching her murderer when Ruby ends up joining a group of people called the Death Club who are also obsessed with death in some form. While you’re focused on reading more and more to try and fit the pieces of the puzzle together to find out whodunnit, you also see what life is like for a woman at different stages in her life and how relationships form the pieces of your personality. From afar you may think someone has it all together but behind closed doors, each person has their own story to tell. The way Ruby gets treated by her lover who has a fiance, to how Alice becomes involved with one of her teachers shows the power shift between males and females. This book has you on the edge of your seat and I wanted to cry every time I had to put it down. It is a great read with a well thought out plot and I would highly recommend it. Francis, NSW, 5 Stars
Wow! Just wow! An extraordinary debut novel. I loved every single word on every single page and just couldn’t get enough. The two lead female characters (Alice and Ruby) drew me to them, I was on this journey with them the whole way. This was one of those rare books that has you wondering what is going to happen while you’re reading it and then you’ll find yourself thinking about it after you’ve finished. Donna, VIC, 5 Stars
This is an unusual crime book. It’s a bit slow in the middle but thankfully I kept an open mind to keep going. The book is narrated by Alice Lee, who arrived in New York on her 18th birthday, only with $600 cash and a Leica camera which she stole from her ex-art teacher. Ruby Jones, an Australian woman, went to New York to start over after her complicated relationship with an engaged man. One morning, she found Alice’s dead body in the Hudson River. Both Ruby and Alice are young, alone and vulnerable in New York. Unfortunately, they were not meant to meet each other and build a friendship. Ruby gets obsessed with Alice’s case with her guilty feeling, if only she arrived at the scene earlier, she might be able to save her. Alice as a murder victim lingering in the world and watching how her case is finally being solved made this an unusual crime story. Vivi, NSW, 5 Stars
Such a topical book, told from the perspective of a murdered young nineteen-year-old girl. It’s a novel about independent women in the modern world. How to navigate society safely when there are so many different types of predators who are seemingly so ordinary. So many observations in the book ring true. Alice wants people to know her story, not be remembered as just another Jane Doe or Riverside Jane! But to be remembered for a while you need to be pretty, young and white. So many victims become just statistics. Ruby is trying to escape from a manipulative relationship and is connected to Alice in a very special way. The prose is gripping, thought-provoking and heartbreaking. A book for our times. Kathy, NSW, 5 Stars
I loved the premise of this story, learning about who the person is, before their violent death and not giving the perpetrator all the infamy or defining the victim by their end. A poignant story that turns the traditional whodunnit on its head, as this victim is not simply a body around which the plot is formed. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Alice, NSW, 5 Stars
Before You Knew My Name begins with a dead girl, and flows into a paradigm shift, subverting our expectations of how the story will play out. The immediate question we want to know – who killed her? But Bublitz reminds us that “Who Killed Alice Lee?” is not a question about Alice, but about her murderer. So often our focus defaults to the perpetrator – who, how and why. And we’re so preoccupied with the perpetrator, we forget to see the victim. Bublitz centres the focus on Alice, the girl who wanted to live, instead of the man who took her life away, and on Ruby, the woman who found the girl, and stayed with her. She reminds us that each victim is/was someone. Someone who had a story, had hopes and plans, who was somebody’s baby. Who was loved. Before You Knew My Name holds up a mirror to the world and the reflection is achingly real. Enough to break your heart in two. Alexandra, NSW, 5 Stars
Wow!! What an extraordinary debut novel. I was hooked from the very beginning. Instead of focussing on the murderer and the ensuing investigation, we follow the victim, Alice Lee, and Ruby Jones, who found her body. A quite different take on a crime novel. We learn why some cases receive lots of media attention and others extraordinarily little. I liked how the perpetrator was all but ignored as we learnt more about both Alice and Ruby. This novel comes when here in Australia we are in the midst of political scandals which leave the women victims ignored in order to protect the high-profile men. Acknowledging that women have a right to safety and freedom, Jacqueline weaves a page-turning story of life as a victim of both crime and loneliness. The vulnerability of being female is also apparent. How many men use this to get their own way irrespective of the injury done to women. It was great to read how both Alice and Ruby fought against this and strove to keep the victim front and centre. Annette, ACT, 5 Stars
Eighteen-year-old Alice arrives in New York seeking a new start. She has a bit of cash and an old camera. But a month later she is brutally raped and killed. A case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time or is it more than that? To the public, she becomes known as Jane Doe, Riverside Park murder victim. Thirty-six-year-old Aussie Ruby Jones is the jogger who finds the body. Alice, who narrates the story, since her spirit is still hanging around, is convinced Ruby is the key to identifying her real identity and identifying her murderer. And what part does the elderly Noah play in Alice’s story? I’m not one who usually goes in for books told from the dead person’s point of view but this one works. Much of the prose is beautiful. New York is depicted so clearly that even though I have never been there it almost felt like I had. Beautiful prose or not, it took a while for this story to really ignite. When it came to the situation between Alice and teacher Mr Jackson and his photographic sessions, I began to wonder why I was bothering to read. Yet, there was something compelling about hearing Alice tell her story of how she arrived at the point of her death. The story definitely does pick up and draws the reader in, so I was glad I persisted. What is presented in this tale is the vulnerability of women and the treatment meted out by men who treat them as playthings and as victims of violence. However, it also presents the other side in one man who is kind and loving. Not a comfortable read but an oddly compelling and thought-provoking read, this should appeal to many people. My thanks to Better Reading and Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read and review. A different and intriguing read that highlights issues all too real in our society. Though not exactly a light read, recommended as worth reading, despite a few things that didn’t sit comfortably with this reader. But then, that is the point, the book is designed to make you uncomfortable about the treatment of women. Dale, NSW, 4 Stars
New York. Alice arrives with $600 and a stolen camera. She’s exhilarated. Her life in New York will be exciting and man-free. In contrast, Ruby regrets her decision from the time she reaches Tullamarine. New York is depressing and lonely, best seen between four walls with a bottle. On a morning jog, Ruby finds Alice’s mangled body in the Hudson and becomes obsessed with discovering who this girl was. Alice had a life and a name before she became a cadaver and Alice speaks to Ruby to help find her murderer. Women are the central figures in this novel of rape and murder. The savaged body on the rocks deserves dignity, the perpetrator does not. Alice’s dominant voice as the narrator and the matter-of-fact way she tells of her life and vicious death, amplify her presence. Something unattainable when alive. She is strong and relentless in assisting Ruby to resolve her murder. Ruby’s courage grows throughout this compelling novel where women are squarely at the centre of the narrative. Thank you to Better Reading and Allen & Unwin for the advanced reading copy. Cynthia, NSW, 4 Stars
Before You Knew My Name is the debut novel of Jacqueline Bublitz. The book portrays the connection between a murdered young girl and the woman who finds her body. This story is a classic mystery novel as well as being topical for today’s times. The book is fast-moving and told in a moving way. A must read. What a sensational debut! Brenda, NSW, 4 Stars
A gripping read, amazingly written for a debut novel, with characters who I will remember for a long time to come. Deanne, VIC, 4 Stars
Before You Knew My Name is an engaging mystery of two larger than life women who escape to New York from challenging and painful relationships. Although never actually meeting, the mirrored lives of these two women, Ruby and Alice, intersect in the most intriguing manner. Jacqueline Bublitz provides masterful descriptions of characters and scenes drawing the reader into the world of New York life. I found myself reacting to some of the central issues of power and control and identifying with the learned helplessness of the women in the story. Ultimately though it was a joy to share in Ruby and Alice’s triumph as they reclaimed both truth and their freedom. Their story was believable and relatable and worth a read. Jo, WA, 4 Stars
It took me a few chapters to get into the story but once I started I just had to keep reading to find the complete story. She weaved the characters in so seamlessly that you just had to keep turning the page to see what would come up next. I read this in one sitting because I kept changing my mind as to what I thought had happened and I just had to keep reading to see if I was right. So many little stories are woven in to keep you invested in every character within the story. A book that you left feeling satisfied that all ends had been tied up by the last page. Tracy, WA, 4 Stars
This book was beautifully written and heartbreaking – very far from a simple murder mystery. It will stay with me for quite a while yet. I very much recommend it. Belinda, NSW, 3 Stars
Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz is a very unique and compelling crime story about two women, both wanting to start anew by running away to New York. One is murdered and tells the story. The other seeks to identify the other, whilst also discovering much about herself. I was particularly intrigued by the idea of following and empowering the victim, instead of focusing on the murderer. The story told a very sensitive, but important tale. It was not the fastest paced and began quite slowly, introducing characters, the dilemmas and gradually building the intensity. Admittedly, this slow pace did not have me thoroughly gripped. However, as the pace picked up, I was drawn more into its storyline. Overall, I found the novel to be very thought-provoking and deeply moving. Katherine, VIC, 3 Stars
Leave a Reply