ASHLYN BRYANT: At first you probably won’t like me, but that’s not my fault. I’d feel the same way you do, so just so you know, I understand. And I won’t hold it against you later. We all make mistakes.

So. Me. I used to live in Ohio, which wasn’t my fault either, and I was just trying to make the best of my life, as any woman like me–twenty-something, not a big fan of college, but street-smart and ambitious–would. My parents were, shall we say, complicated. Pushy. And certainly unsupportive. I mean, my mother could not let well enough alone, could not keep her mouth shut, ever, and thought she always knew what was best for me, which was idiotic. Still. You want to tell me you never disagreed with your mom? Right. It happens. We’re all human, we move on. As for my father–well again, you’ll have to decide for yourself. Trust me, it’s complicated.

So, a lot of stuff happened, some of it terrifying and some of it predictable, and some of it I’d rather forget.

But when it all crashed down on me, I simply didn’t know where to turn, In fact, as the court case started, I knew this was the moment that my life would change, one way or the other, for better or worse. Like I said, none of it was my fault, it wasn’t, but how could I get people to believe me? Especially with all the death threats to me—I mean, if I were actually guilty, would all that scary stuff have happened? I don’t think so, right?

And then, the best thing ever. I met Mercer Hennessey. And I knew she might save my life. Trust me, I said to her. You give me my life back—I’ll give you yours. (But that’s not exactly the truth.)

MERCER HENNESSEY: Life does not turn out the way we planned. You know the saying: we plan, God laughs? Well, I’m the poster child for that. But I’m trying, and I’m a good person, and everything I do is for Dex and Sophie, who I miss every single moment of every single day. That’s why I use the steam from my morning shower to write the numbers on my bathroom mirror—that’s how many days they’ve been gone. It’s 462 now. Hard to believe.

And, shaking my head now, I’m the one who gave up her pretty great full-time job as a magazine writer to be a mom. I was in love, beloved, we were happy every moment. What could be more powerfully wonderful than to devote your life to your family? At least while Sophie was little. I could always go back to work.

So much for that idea. Somehow the lonely days went by, and the number on the mirror got larger, but my world got darker instead of lighter. I remember thinking—there’s simply no reason for me to get up in the morning.

And then I got assigned to write the story of Ashlyn Bryant. If I could get her to tell me the truth, the complete truth about what happened to her and her daughter, maybe I could reclaim my heart and my soul.

Trust me, I said to her. You give me my life back—and I’ll give you yours. (But that’s not exactly the truth.)

HANK: What’s your favorite courtroom drama? Do you ever watch trials on TV? Did you follow OJ, or Casey Anthony, or Jodi Arias? Or do you prefer fictional courtrooms: Law and Order, The Good Wife, even Perry Mason? Or movies like A Few Good Men and Witness for the Prosecution? Tell us in the comments and you could win a copy of Trust Me! U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends September 2, 2018. Good luck everyone!

You can read more about Ashlyn and Mercer in Trust Me, the chilling standalone novel of psychological suspense.

There are three sides to every story. Yours. Mine. And the truth.

Everyone’s talking about it–notorious party girl Ashlyn Bryant stands accused of the most unspeakable crime imaginable.

The compelling and heart-breaking drama unfolds. Journalist Mercer Hennessey is riveted to the story. Obsessed. If Ashlyn is innocent, why doesn’t she say so in court? Convinced of Ashlyn’s guilt with every fiber of her being, Mercer fanatically writes the fascinating true story of this twisty, provocative, and shocking case.

Everyone agrees–only the despicable Ashlyn could have committed this crime.

But did she?

“Trust me,” Mercer urges her. “Tell me.”

And Ashlyn—finally haltingly reluctantly—reveals her story. But only to Mercer. “Trust me,” Ashlyn pleads.

Soon Mercer sees the story in a completely different way. The opposite way. An even more disturbing way. What if Ashlyn’s version is the truth?

Luring the other woman into a high-stakes psychological cat and mouse game, Mercer is forced to face a sinister reality: Is she the cat? Or is she the mouse?

It all depends on what you mean by the truth.

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About the author
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN is the on-air investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDH-TV, winning 34 EMMYs and dozens more journalism honors. Nationally bestselling author of 10 mysteries, Ryan’s also an award-winner in her second profession—with five Agathas, two Anthonys, two Macavitys, the Daphne, and Mary Higgins Clark Award. Critics call her “a master of suspense.” Her novels are Library Journal’s Best of 2014, 2015 and 2016. Hank’s newest book is the acclaimed standalone psychological suspense thriller TRUST ME (August 28, 2018) ‒ Lisa Gardner calls it “Mesmerizing!” It’s named one of the Biggest Thrillers of Summer 2018 by BOOK BUB, PopSugar and CrimeReads.

Connect with Hank at hankphillippiryan.com, on Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads.

All comments are welcomed.