Praise for Backstory
Backstory won the 2021 New York City Big Book Award for Mystery
See what critics are saying:
“A deftly written and fully engaging novel that showcases the author's genuine flair for originality, Backstory by William Michael Ried is an unreservedly recommended.”
– Small Press Bookwatch Review
“An original and deftly crafted novel that is an inherently riveting read from cover to cover, Backstory showcases author William Michael Ried's genuine flair for the kind of narrative storytelling style that brings his characters to life and holds the reader's rapt attention from first page to last.”
– Midwest Book Review
“Backstory is a smart, fast-paced, edgy whodunnit/ whodiditagain that keeps the reader guessing until the very end.”
– BookLife Prize Critic’s Report
Backstory is an “exciting thriller…that compares rewriting the past to bolster one's own narrative to the concept of fake news,” as a series of “betrayals, alliances, lies, and secrets show how the past is never truly past.”
– BookLife Reviews
Backstory displays “exemplary writing style and near-perfect pacing. While the story is unique in topic and theme, it will still have strong appeal for most mystery readers.”
– Judge, 29th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards
See what readers are saying….
“A thunderous home run! If mystery novels are your thing, then Backstory makes a wonderfully entertaining reading. It is delightful to see the plot leavening under the kneading strokes of the casted characters populating the novel.” – Amazon Reader
“Backstory is a book for those who love intellectual reading, those who love history and literature, and those who love mysteries… a very enticing page-turner built on simple and elegant architecture and a contextual canvas of delicious historical and literary references. The tempo entices the reader to follow the details and keeps surprises around the corner until the end.” –Amazon Reader
“Readers will love how skillfully the author weaves this suspenseful plot with such a divinely crafted cast of characters. They’re quirky and deep and just when you think you understand their motivations—the author surprises you!” – Amazon Reader
“Backstory was like a trip where the time spent traveling to its ending was just as fun as the ending.” – Amazon Reader
“This book races to its conclusion like the protagonists’s exotic sports car. A thinking man’s airport novel and the basis for a great Hollywood thriller.” – Goodreads Reader
“Whodunits are often fun but can also be formulaic. Backstory is fun to read but with a slightly off beat tempo and texture which I found refreshing and compelling. I wish I could stay in touch wth some of the characters and see where their stories took them after Backstory ended.” – Google Play Reader
“This contemporary whodunit is a fast read with a first paragraph grabber, interesting characters and plenty of twists and turns.” – Amazon Reader