I Am Not Who You Think I Am: A Novel

*A New York Times Pick of the Best Thrillers of 2021

*An Amazon Best Book of the Month

*An Apple Best Book of the Month

*A Virginia Living Magazine Pick of Notable books for Autumn

"A tale not just of profound misunderstanding but dynastic wealth and dysfunction, of how money and power can warp a community…[A] shocker of a finale." --New York Times

''Wicked and smart. Everything you want in a great thriller.'' --Adrian McKinty, New York Times bestselling author of The Chain

One secret.
Eight cryptic words.
Lifetimes of ruin.

From New York Times and Internationally bestselling author

Wayland Maynard is just eight years old when he sees his father kill himself, finds a note that reads I am not who you think I am, and is left reeling with grief and shock. Who was his father if not the loving man Wayland knew? Terrified, Wayland keeps the note a secret, but his reasons for being afraid are just beginning.

Eight years later, Wayland makes a shocking discovery and becomes certain the note is the key to unlocking a past his mother and others in town want to keep buried.

With the help of two friends, Wayland searches for the truth. Together they uncover strange messages scribbled in his father's old books, a sinister history behind the town's most powerful family, and a bizarre tragedy possibly linked to Wayland's birth. Each revelation raises more questions and deepens Wayland's suspicions of everyone around him. Soon, he'll regret he ever found the note, trusted his friends, or believed in such a thing as the truth.

I Am Not Who You Think I Am is an ingenious, addictive, and shattering tale of grief, obsession, and fate as eight words lead to lifetimes of ruin.

Editorial Reviews

''A riveting tale of consequences, family, and fate -- darkly poetic and deeply felt...Do not miss this.'' --Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of Her Perfect Life

''An exceptional read by an exceptional writer.'' --Catherine Ryan Howard, internationally bestselling author of 56 Days

''Eric Rickstad is the rare writer who can wrap a dark, gritty story in smooth, poetic prose.'' --Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author of The Ex

''Eric Rickstad's is a name to remember.'' --Criminal Element

''Wicked and smart. Everything you want in a great thriller. A smart, very well written book with whiplash-inducing twists and turns that I never saw coming. I Am Not Who You Think I Am kept me reading late into the night.'' --Adrian McKinty, New York Times bestselling author of The Chain

''Rickstad weaves layer upon layer of psychological mystery -- all wrapped up in vivid, elegant prose.'' --Brian Freeman, New York Times bestselling author of The Deep, Deep Snow

''[An] exceptional thriller...Knowing that the story line is building toward the fatal conflagration keeps the tension high. Rickstad has raised his game to a new level.'' --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

''What an incredible, sad story. This is the kind of story that lingers long after you've finished reading. It's dark and twisted, with no redemption for the characters. And yet, it is probably a more realistic ending than the ones we normally read about...If you enjoy dark, gritty thrillers, then I recommend you read this book.'' --Portland Book Review

''I Am Not Who You Think I Am is a grim tour-de-force, full of sleight-of-hand twists. Rickstad feints in one direction, then cu...

Readers Top Reviews

CharlotteLily GCh

I actually stopped reading books for a while because I could find nothing with a different storyline that would hold my attention. I did not know this author But I am so glad I discovered him. I didn’t want to put the book down. Some books are so repetitive and you know what’s going to happen but not this one! Now I am on the search for other books that he has written. Thank you Mr. Rickstad For such a well written Novel. Keep them coming!

Kindle Charlotte

While full of misunderstandings and attempts by others to correct wrongs, the hidden and not talked about circumstances created worst endings,

Kindle Kindle C

I read this book immediately-it was that good. Although I thought some "big" words weren't necessary, I was hooked from start to finish. The devastating consequences of a young man searching for the truth behind his father's death lead to consequences even I never imaged. Great story!!

Christine G. Frie

Well written, engrossing and brutal; unclear who to believe and unclear who one wants to believe; can’t say more -“spoilers, sweetie”

Christine G. F

Great book. Better than I thought it would be. A real page turner. I highly recommend this book. Big plot twists.