If I only had five words to tell you what I know about Kat Hausler’s What I Know About July they would be:

You need to read it.

Luckily, this is my review so I can use as many words as I like. So, let’s dig in a bit more, shall we?

For those of you who haven’t heard about Kat Hausler’s exciting new novel, here’s the blurb given on the publisher’s (Meetkat Press’) site:

From the voice of Hausler’s writing, the relatability (and occasionally cringe-inducing nature) of her characters, to the almost surreal nature of the mystery that drives the later parts of this book, What I Know About July has so many things to love!

Hausler’s writing style is compelling and, even through the more mellow moments in the plot, captures your attention and holds you hostage in the best way possible. The constant tension from the plot and from Simon’s ever-anxious inner monologue builds a sense of suspense that works well to drive the earlier sections of the novel before the mystery of July’s disappearance kicks in. Hausler manages to provide well-placed moments of relief, however through quiet moments of reflection, joyous moments of music, and comedic periods of either dialogue with Simon’s bandmates Micha and Tanja or with playful glimpses of the friendship between Simon and his coworker Soledad.

The balance between work and play in this novel works exceptionally well. While, I admit, I was a bit unsure at how late in the novel certain characters like Soledad took center stage, the shift in tone and new perspective that they bring helps to bring light not only to the mystery of the plot but also to Simon and his character growth throughout the book. And besides, I wouldn’t dare deny Simon the Holmes to his Watson.

Speaking of the sleuthing and mystery at the heart of it all, Hausler strikes and interesting balance of detective work and self-conscious spiraling when it comes to Simon’s involvement in the investigation. To be honest, I am by no means a mystery afficionado. While I found that portion of the novel to be entertaining and compelling, it was, perhaps, more for the antics of Simon and Soledad than the actual need to solve the mystery (sorry July!).

If I could comment on one aspect of the mystery portion of the novel, it would be that Simon seems to be the last to catch on—but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. While there certainly are some clues that seem stand out to the reader but go right over Simon’s head, those moments of disconnect feel perfectly within character. I think we’ve all met (or been) someone who is so absorbed by their own internal narrative about their life and the lives of people around them that it’s hard to see what’s real and what’s perceived reality.

That difference is key to the way Hausler has built not only the mystery but also all of the tension and fraught personal relationships that Simon builds, as well. Being able to sift through what events have actually happened, what confrontations are actually looming, and what judgements are actually being made by the people in Simon’s life is part of the fun and drama of the novel. Simon is a perfectly relatable—and imperfectly unreliable—character to carry both the mystery and emotional heart of this story.

Overall, Hausler’s What I Know About July is an intriguing and heartfelt story that doesn’t rest on the suspense of its mystery in order to capture the reader’s attention. If anything, it’s the all-too-familiar doubts and desires of the main character Simon—to be loved, to be safe, to be (or, at least, seem) like a good person—that makes the reader want to embark on this journey with him. Whether you’re considering this book for the intrigue or the characters’ quirky antics, What I Know About July is absolutely worth the read.

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For more information about Kat Hausler’s What I Know About July, head on over to Meerkat Press where you can order your copy today!