It shouldn't be difficult to remember what happened during twenty-seven minutes. However, ten years ago Grant Dean was in an accident. His sister, Phoebe, died as a result of her injuries, but not immediately. She was badly injured, but alive. It was twenty-seven minutes after the crash before Grant called for help. Why the delay? Becca, another passenger, survived the crash. She didn't have total recall of what led up to the accident, nor the aftermath, but was so in love with Dean she believed his accounting of the events. There was another loss that night. June's brother walked away from their home and had not been heard from for ten years. Now, on the tenth anniversary of Phoebe's death a memorial service is scheduled. This will be an event no one will ever forget. TWENTY-SEVEN MINUTES, a novel by Ashley Tate, is told in the voices of Dean, Becca and June. They are vividly and expertly brought to life. Having lived on the edge for the past ten years, they begin to unravel as the memorial approaches. The relationship between Dean and Becca verges on terrifying. June has suffered much loss and it has weakened her, but begins to gain strength from an unlikely source. Masterfully crafted, TWENTY-SEVEN MINUTES is an intense story whose characters have exploding emotions and symbiotic relationships. Present throughout the narrative is the impact of the horrible events of one shocking night. Just as important, however, is the history of the characters and as their secrets are revealed the story races to a shocking conclusion. I found this book to be gripping and provocative. Highly recommended.
A must-read debut that marks Ashley Tate as a brilliant new voice in literary suspense." —Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push
In this stunning and propulsive debut, a town grieves the loss of a young girl—but some fight to keep the truth about her death a secret. For fans of Jane Harper, Ashley Flowers, and Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng.
The question
For the last ten years, the small, claustrophobic town of West Wilmer has been struggling to understand one thing: Why did it take young Grant Dean twenty-seven minutes to call for help on the fateful night of the car accident that took the life of his beloved sister, Phoebe? If he'd called sooner, she might still be alive.
The secret
As the anniversary of Phoebe's death approaches, Grant is consumed by memories of that night on the bridge and everything he lost: his future, his reputation, his little sister. And the secret he's been keeping all these years is suffocating him. But he and Phoebe weren't the only ones in the car that night. Becca was there. She knows what happened—and she will do anything to help Grant keep his secret.
The truth
Everyone in West Wilmer remembers Phoebe, but only June remembers that another person was lost that night. Her brother Wyatt has been missing for ten years and now June is alone—no family, no friends. Until someone appears at her door. Someone who may know where Wyatt went all those years ago. Someone who knows what really happened on the bridge that night. Someone who is ready to tell the truth.
Taking place over three days and culminating in a shocking twist that will leave you breathless, Twenty-Seven Minutes is a gripping story about what happens when grief becomes unbearable, dark secrets are unearthed, and the horrifying truth is revealed.
© 2003-2026