Brimstone Hollow - Archer Sullivan

 

Brimstone Hollow

Author: Archer Sullivan
Series: Annie Gore #2
Genre: Mystery | Thriller | Suspense
Format: eBook (ARC)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Synopsis

Private investigator Annie Gore is back in Appalachia for another case, this time involving one of the region's last infamous snake-handling preachers.

Katie May has been estranged from her father for twenty years, but when she learns that he died from a snake bite and was buried remarkably quickly, she begins to wonder whether his death was really as straightforward as everyone claims.

She hires Annie to find out.

Annie isn't entirely convinced there's anything suspicious to uncover, but something about Katie and her complicated relationship with her father, feels uncomfortably familiar.

Her investigation takes her deep into an insular Eastern Kentucky community where religion, family, and long-held secrets are closely intertwined. And the more questions Annie asks, the clearer it becomes that someone would very much like her to stop.

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My Thoughts

After absolutely loving The Witch's Orchard, I went into Brimstone Hollow with pretty high expectations.

Thankfully, it didn't disappoint.

Do I perhaps love the first book just a tiny bit more?

Maybe.

But we're keeping that between us. Shhhh. 😂

This time, Annie is investigating the suspicious death of an infamous Appalachian preacher known for practicing snake handling. What initially appears to be a tragic but relatively straightforward snake bite soon becomes considerably more complicated.

And, naturally, Annie asking questions in a small community where everyone knows everyone isn't exactly going to go unnoticed.

One of my favorite things about this series continues to be the Appalachian setting. Archer Sullivan makes these communities feel authentic and lived-in rather than simply using the mountains as a creepy backdrop. The landscape, local culture, relationships, and history all feel intertwined with the mysteries Annie investigates.

The snake-handling church also gave this installment its own identity rather than simply recreating the mystery from the first book.

That said...

I missed my witchy vibes!

I completely understand why this story needed its own atmosphere and subject matter, and I'm glad Sullivan didn't simply repeat what worked before. But the folklore, witches, and unsettling crows were some of my favorite elements of The Witch's Orchard, so I couldn't help missing that particular eeriness just a little.

The investigation itself kept me interested and delivered plenty of twists, but the final 20–25% was where the book really came alive for me.

Naturally, I had theories. I'm physically incapable of reading a mystery without developing seventeen of them. 😂

Even so, the story still managed to give me one of those satisfying little "OH!" moments when everything came together. I always appreciate a thriller that lets me theorize without making the final answer completely obvious.

I also found myself much more personally worried about Annie this time around.

Some of what happens during this investigation feels genuinely dangerous and increasingly personal, and because I'd already become attached to her in the first book, the stakes hit differently. I wasn't simply interested in whether she'd solve the case, I wanted Annie herself to make it through everything being thrown at her.

Her own past continues to add another dimension to the series as well. Annie understands these communities because she comes from them, but returning to places reminiscent of her childhood also means confronting memories she'd rather leave buried.

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Final Thoughts

Brimstone Hollow is a strong second installment in the Annie Gore series and another atmospheric Appalachian mystery from Archer Sullivan.

The unusual case surrounding a snake-handling preacher immediately intrigued me, the investigation delivered some satisfying surprises, and I loved being back with Annie.

While I personally missed some of the witchy folklore and eerie atmosphere that made The Witch's Orchard such a standout for me, I appreciate that Brimstone Hollow establishes its own identity rather than simply trying to recreate the first book.

Book one might still have my heart by the tiniest margin...

But I'm absolutely sticking around for Annie's next case.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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ARC Disclaimer

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Witch’s Orchard - Archer Sullivan

 

The Witch’s Orchard

Author: Archer Sullivan
Series: Annie Gore #1
Genre: Mystery | Thriller | Appalachian Mystery
Format: Audiobook
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Synopsis

Former Air Force Special Investigator Annie Gore left Appalachia after high school, hoping to escape a difficult childhood. Now working as a private investigator, she finds herself heading back into the mountains for a case that has remained unsolved for ten years.

Three young girls disappeared from a tiny North Carolina mountain town.

Only one ever came home.

A decade later, the brother of one of the missing girls wants answers, and he believes Annie may be the right person to find them. She's an outsider, but she's also someone who understands mountain towns and the people who live in them.

As Annie begins digging into the cold case, she encounters a community filled with secrets, conflicting stories, and unsettling local folklore involving witches and screaming crows.

Someone knows what happened ten years ago.

And Annie's investigation is beginning to disturb secrets that were meant to stay buried.

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My Thoughts

I actually had to double-check that The Witch's Orchard was Archer Sullivan's debut because the writing felt remarkably confident and polished.

And after rereading it? I'm officially upgrading my original rating to 5 stars.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is undoubtedly the Appalachian setting. The mountains, isolated community, local folklore, and screaming crows create an eerie atmosphere without requiring the story to become outright horror.

The folklore surrounding the witch was particularly fascinating.

Almost everyone Annie spoke to seemed to have a slightly different version of the story. Details shifted depending on who was telling it, and I loved how those different interpretations seemed to reflect people's own fears, beliefs and perhaps even their guilt.

It created this wonderful uncertainty around what was folklore, what was superstition and what might contain pieces of the truth.

Then there's Annie Gore herself.

She's exactly the kind of protagonist I want leading a mystery series. Her background gives her an interesting position within the community: she's investigating as an outsider, yet she understands Appalachian towns and their people because she grew up in a similar environment herself.

That connection also makes the investigation more personal. Returning to the mountains means confronting pieces of her own painful childhood, and I enjoyed watching those elements of Annie's past emerge alongside the central mystery.

The cold case itself was very well plotted. Three girls disappeared ten years earlier, only one returned, and an entire community has spent the intervening years carrying different versions of what happened.

And somehow, I didn't figure out the culprit until the answer was practically staring me in the face.

That's always a win for me.

There were a couple of developments that felt slightly too convenient—particularly one involving the factory, but they ultimately didn't take much away from my enjoyment, especially on reread.

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Audiobook

I also have to give Emily Pike Stewart credit for the narration.

Her performance complemented the Appalachian atmosphere beautifully and helped bring both Annie and the setting to life. There was even a moment where the narration managed to make me tear up, which doesn't happen to me very often.

Considering I enjoyed the story even more when revisiting it, the audiobook experience absolutely deserves some credit for that 5-star upgrade.

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Final Thoughts

The Witch's Orchard is an atmospheric and impressively confident debut filled with Appalachian folklore, small-town secrets, a decade-old disappearance and a private investigator I immediately wanted to follow into another case.

The mystery kept me guessing, the folklore gave the story a wonderfully unsettling quality, and Annie Gore proved to be a fantastic lead.

My original reaction was essentially:

Book 2 pretty, pretty please?

Well...

Apparently someone listened. 😂

On to Brimstone Hollow!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Clean Slate - Brianna Labuskes

Clean Slate (Olive Hunt #1)

Author: Brianna Labuskes
Genre: Psychological Thriller | Crime | Mystery
Format: eBook (ARC)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.75 stars, rounded up)

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Synopsis

Olive Hunt has spent nearly a decade cleaning up crime scenes.

After years of erasing the aftermath of tragedy, very little surprises her anymore.

But when she notices an unusual connection between two apparent suicides, Olive becomes convinced that someone is staging murders to look like self-inflicted deaths. As more bodies appear and mysterious roses begin arriving at her doorstep, it becomes clear that a serial killer is leaving clues meant specifically for her.

The deeper Olive digs, the more personal the investigation becomes.

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My Thoughts

I have to admit... there was something especially fun about reading a thriller featuring a crime scene cleaner while I was also playing Crime Scene Cleaner. The timing couldn't have been better!

The concept immediately stood out to me because it's not something you see very often in psychological thrillers. Watching Olive clean crime scenes added a fresh perspective to the investigation, and although those scenes were detailed, they never felt overly graphic. Instead, they gave the story its own unique identity.

The novel started off incredibly strong.

The mystery surrounding the staged suicides immediately hooked me, and I was eager to discover how everything connected. As the story progressed, however, I felt the pacing became a little uneven. Some chapters were impossible to put down, while others slowed the momentum enough that my attention occasionally drifted.

I also found parts of the mystery somewhat predictable. That didn't ruin my enjoyment, but it meant the story never completely surprised me in the way I'd hoped.

One aspect I would have loved to see explored even further was Olive herself. The psychological effects of her past added an interesting layer to her character, and I found those moments just as compelling as the investigation itself. I finished the book wanting to learn even more about her history.

The final chapters definitely reignited my interest. The ending leaves readers with plenty of questions, and I'm already curious to see where Olive's story goes in the next installment.

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Final Thoughts

Clean Slate offers a refreshing take on the serial killer thriller by placing a crime scene cleaner at the center of the investigation.

Although the pacing wasn't always consistent and some developments felt a little predictable, the unique premise, engaging mystery, and intriguing main character kept me invested throughout. I'm especially interested to see how Olive's story continues in future books.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unconventional protagonists and serial killer investigations, this is definitely worth checking out.

⭐ 3.75 stars (rounded up to 4)

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ARC Disclaimer

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Bound in Botany - A M Walker

 

Bound in Botany: Some Roots Tangle in the Shadows (Root & Vein Trilogy, Part II)

Author: A.M. Walker
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 stars)

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Synopsis

Still grieving the loss of her brother, Monica refuses to accept that everything happened the way people claim it did.

When she discovers the notes Matt left behind, filled with observations and growing suspicions about Emily, she becomes convinced there's far more to the story than anyone realizes.

Determined to uncover the truth, Monica begins her own investigation, one that unexpectedly leads her to Miss Volkova. As the older woman encourages Monica to sharpen her instincts and trust her doubts, the line between determination and obsession begins to blur.

The closer Monica gets to the answers she's searching for, the more dangerous the truth becomes.

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My Thoughts

After finishing Rooted in Silence, I was curious to see where the story would go next, and I actually think I enjoyed this installment a little more.

This time, the focus shifts to Monica as she struggles to come to terms with her brother Matt's death. Unable to accept everything at face value, she begins reading through the notes he left behind, notes documenting his growing suspicions about Emily.

Convinced there are still unanswered questions, Monica decides to investigate for herself.

I really enjoyed the change in perspective.

Following Monica as she slowly pieces together the mystery gave the story a different feel from the first book, and I found her investigation engaging from beginning to end. I also liked watching her develop an unexpected friendship with Miss Volkova, who continues to be one of the most intriguing characters in the series.

She has a quiet, mysterious presence that makes every scene she's in just a little more interesting, and I enjoyed seeing her encourage Monica to trust her instincts instead of accepting the obvious explanation.

That said, I still found myself struggling with the characters' motivations.

As Monica becomes increasingly determined to uncover the truth, her actions gradually shift into obsession. While I understood the direction the author was taking, I personally had a difficult time fully connecting with some of the choices she made.

Just like in the first book, I found myself wishing for a stronger psychological foundation behind those decisions. I think that would have made the tension feel even more convincing and the emotional impact even greater.

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Final Thoughts

Bound in Botany is an enjoyable continuation of the Root & Vein Trilogy that expands the mystery while introducing a new perspective through Monica's investigation.

Although I still struggled with some of the characters' motivations, I found the mystery compelling enough to keep reading, and I have to admit...

The opening pages of Book Three were more than enough to make me want to find out how this trilogy ends.

⭐️ 3 stars

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ARC Disclaimer

Thank you to A.M. Walker for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Rooted in Silence - A M Walker

 

Rooted in Silence: Some Roots Grow Deeper in the Dark (Root & Vein Trilogy -Part I)

Author: A.M. Walker
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 stars)

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Synopsis

Emily Byrd appears to have it all: a beautiful home, a loving fiance, and the wedding of her dreams just around the corner.

But behind the perfect facade, she's carefully planning something no one sees coming.

She intends to kill the man she's about to marry.

As the wedding day draws closer, Emily finds an unexpected ally in her enigmatic neighbor, Miss Volkova, whose knowledge of plants and herbal remedies opens the door to a far more sinister education. Meanwhile, Remmy's best friend, Matt, begins noticing cracks in Emily's carefully constructed image and starts asking questions she would rather leave unanswered.

With suspicion growing and secrets piling up, Emily's perfect plan may not stay hidden for much longer.

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My Thoughts

I have to admit, this started off really strong.

Emily appears to have the perfect life: a beautiful home, a devoted fiancé, and a wedding just days away.

The catch?

She's secretly planning to murder him.

Needless to say, I was immediately intrigued.

One aspect I really enjoyed was watching Emily prepare for what she believed would be the perfect crime. After befriending her mysterious neighbor, Miss Volkova, she becomes fascinated by poisonous plants, gardening, and herbal concoctions. She throws herself into research, consults experts, and meticulously plans every detail.

Those sections were easily my favorite part of the book because they highlighted just how methodical Emily wanted to be.

I also enjoyed the contrast between Remmy and his best friend, Matt.

While Remmy trusts Emily completely and always seems to see the best in people, Matt quickly senses that something isn't right. His growing suspicions added more tension to the story and made me eager to see whether he'd uncover the truth before it was too late.

My biggest struggle, however, was Emily herself.

I never fully connected with her, largely because I found her motivation difficult to believe. For me, the reasoning behind everything she was planning felt surprisingly weak, making it harder to become fully invested in her journey.

I wasn't looking for Emily to be likable, psychological thrillers often have morally questionable protagonists, but I did want to better understand the psychological drive behind such an extreme decision.

Without that stronger motivation, some of her choices felt less impactful than I hoped.

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Final Thoughts

Rooted in Silence is an intriguing start to the series with a compelling premise, an unsettling atmosphere, and some fascinating details about poisonous plants and meticulous planning.

While I wasn't entirely convinced by Emily's motivations, the writing kept me engaged, and I was curious enough to see where the story would go next.

I'll definitely be continuing with Part II.

⭐️ 3 stars

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ARC Disclaimer

Thank you to A.M. Walker for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

A Voice in the Dark - Barbara Nickless

A Voice in the Dark

Author: Barbara Nickless
Series: Benedict Hoffman & Helen Belle #1
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.75 stars, rounded up)
Release Date: July 1, 2026

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Synopsis

When an entire family is murdered and their teenage twins disappear, FBI profilers Helen Belle and Benedict Hoffman are called in to investigate.

The crime immediately reminds them of a chilling case from five years earlier, one involving a teenage boy who slaughtered his own family before falling completely silent, uttering only a handful of unsettling words.

One of them:

Midnight Man.

As another victim is discovered hundreds of miles away, disturbing similarities begin to emerge. Matching suicide notes. Symbolic crime scenes. And one common thread connecting both investigations, an online fantasy game that appears to be manipulating vulnerable teenagers into committing unimaginable acts.

To stop the killer, Helen and Benedict must venture into the darkest corners of the internet before someone else becomes the Midnight Man's next victim.

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My Thoughts

The premise of this book immediately grabbed my attention.

A psychological thriller centered around an online manipulator recruiting vulnerable teenagers through an MMO-style game?

Sign me up.

As someone who enjoys both thrillers and gaming, this sounded like the perfect combination. And the opening chapters absolutely delivered.

The investigation begins with a horrific family murder that immediately establishes the dark tone of the novel, and the connection to an older unsolved case kept me wanting to know how everything fit together.

The concept behind the Midnight Man was genuinely unsettling because it felt believable.

The idea of someone using online communities to manipulate isolated young people isn't nearly as far-fetched as we'd like to think, and that psychological aspect gave the story a very contemporary feel.

Unfortunately, the further the story progressed, the more my enthusiasm started to fade.

Ironically, the biggest issue for me was the gaming side of the novel.

As someone who spends a lot of time playing games, I expected to love those sections.

Instead, I found many of the explanations surrounding the game's mechanics, NPCs, GMs, and overall structure a little too detailed. Rather than making the investigation more engaging, those passages occasionally slowed the pacing and pulled me out of the story.

The thriller itself remained interesting.

I just wasn't quite as invested as I had been during those fantastic opening chapters.

Then there's Helen and Benedict.

Their relationship...

Well.

It's complicated.

Benedict was once Helen's professor, there's roughly a ten-year age gap between them, and their shared history adds another layer to an already emotionally demanding investigation.

I have to admit that parts of this storyline made me cringe a little.

What I appreciated, though, was Helen's response.

When Benedict tried to reconnect, she didn't immediately fall back into his arms or pretend everything was fine.

She stood her ground.

She challenged him.

And watching her refuse to make things easy for him was one of my favorite aspects of their dynamic.

By the end of the novel, it's clear the series is laying the groundwork for a possible reconciliation between them.

I'm still undecided about the romance itself, but I am curious to see how their relationship develops in future installments.

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Final Thoughts

A Voice in the Dark combines an intriguing modern premise with an engaging psychological investigation that explores manipulation, online communities, and the dangers of influence in the digital age.

While I found the gaming explanations more technical than immersive and wasn't completely sold on every aspect of the central relationship, the mystery itself remained compelling enough to keep me reading.

Most importantly...

I'm interested enough to pick up book two.

And for me, that's usually a good sign that a series has done something right.

⭐️ 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4

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ARC Disclaimer

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Breathe Me In - J L Drake

Breathe Me In

Author: J.L. Drake
Series: Wired to Kill #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5 stars)
Release Date: June 30, 2026

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Synopsis

Thirteen years ago, Bree Jaminson and Brad Stone witnessed something that changed their lives forever.

As teenagers, they saw a murderer disposing of two bodies, an experience that left lasting scars and ultimately drove Bree to leave her hometown behind.

Now a private investigator, Bree is forced to return when a new series of mysterious deaths rocks the small community.

Brad, now a detective, is leading the investigation.

As old feelings resurface and new victims continue to appear, the two must work together to uncover the truth before history repeats itself.

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My Thoughts

This book honestly had all the ingredients to become a 5-star read for me.

Unfortunately...

One particular aspect kept getting in the way.

The story opens in the past, giving readers a glimpse into Bree and Brad's shared history and the traumatic event that changed both of their lives.

From there, the narrative jumps forward thirteen years as Bree returns home to assist with a new murder investigation.

Right from the start, I was hooked.

I loved the setup.

The small-town atmosphere worked really well, the mystery immediately caught my attention, and the lingering tension between Bree and Brad made their reunion feel believable after so many years apart.

The investigation itself kept me engaged throughout.

Each new discovery added another layer to the mystery, and I genuinely wanted to know what was happening and how everything connected to the events of the past.

Then...

The romance happened.

Or, more accurately...

The romance became frustrating.

Brad...

My guy.

Please make up your mind.

The ongoing situation with his ex, the constant back-and-forth, and the mixed signals became increasingly difficult to overlook. Instead of adding emotional tension, it often felt unnecessarily messy, and there were several moments where I found myself sympathizing with Bree's growing frustration.

Honestly...

She handled it better than I would have.

And then there's Sherry.

Let's just say...

She wasn't exactly my favorite character.

Not even close, but... anyway... 

Despite my issues with the romance, I never lost interest in the mystery itself.

That was what kept me turning the pages.

And then came the ending.

Without giving anything away, it definitely succeeded in making me curious about where this series is heading next.

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Final Thoughts

While Breathe Me In didn't quite become the five-star read I initially thought it might be, it still delivered an engaging mystery, an intriguing small-town setting, and a solid foundation for what could become a very entertaining series.

My biggest frustration came from the romantic subplot, which felt more complicated than compelling at times, but the suspense and investigation easily carried the story whenever the relationship drama threatened to overshadow it.

I'm definitely interested in seeing where Bree and Brad's story goes next.

⭐️ 3.5 stars

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ARC Disclaimer

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Secrets We Hide - Karin Slaughter

 

Title: The Secrets We Hide

Author: Karin Slaughter
Series: North Falls #2
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime Fiction
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Release Date: June 18, 2026

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Series Information

📖 Book 1: We Are All Guilty Here
🔗 Review:    https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.com/2026/06/we-are-all-guilty-here-karin-slaughter.html

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Synopsis

Welcome back to North Falls, a small town where everyone knows everyone, or at least they think they do.

When Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, former federal agent Jude Archer, respond to a call at 1601 Iris Drive, they discover a horrifying crime scene. Allison Vickery has been murdered, and her teenage daughter has been left for dead.

As the investigation unfolds, Emmy quickly realizes that the truth is buried beneath layers of secrets, lies and long-held resentments. In a town where rumors spread faster than facts, uncovering what really happened may be far more complicated than anyone expected.

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My Thoughts

First of all, I cannot express how happy I was to get approved for this ARC.

Thank you to the HarperCollins and NetGalley gods, because Karin Slaughter is an auto-read author for me.

And after finishing The Secrets We Hide, I can confidently say that I think I enjoyed this one even more than We Are All Guilty Here.

If the first book introduced us to North Falls and its complicated residents, this sequel digs even deeper into the darkness hiding behind closed doors.

The central case is heartbreaking and, at times, genuinely difficult to read. The story touches on domestic violence, trauma, abuse and complicated family relationships. These themes aren't handled lightly, and they add a significant emotional weight to the investigation.

As luck would have it, I somehow ended up reading two books dealing with similar themes on the same day, so by the time I finished this one my brain was begging for a little emotional recovery time.

What impressed me most, however, was how layered the mystery felt.

I wouldn't necessarily call this Karin Slaughter's most shocking crime in terms of the actual murder itself, but the sheer number of twists, secrets and revelations kept me completely invested.

Every time I thought I had a handle on what was happening, another piece of information would emerge and completely shift my perspective.

At one point I was basically sitting there thinking:

"Wait... what now?"

And then five chapters later:

"Okay, but NOW I understand."

Reader, I did not understand...

One of my favorite aspects of the series continues to be Emmy Clifton.

I already liked her in the first book, but I found myself rooting for her even more here. She's still carrying plenty of emotional baggage, still guarded and still figuring out how to move forward. But watching her slowly evolve has been incredibly rewarding.

I also loved seeing the relationship between Emmy and Jude develop further.

In the first book, I was curious about where their dynamic might go.

In this one, we start seeing genuine progress.

It's not perfect. Emmy is still cautious and occasionally resistant, but she's slowly beginning to accept Jude's help and trust her in ways she couldn't before. Their relationship remains one of the strongest and most compelling aspects of the series for me, and I can't wait to see where Karin Slaughter takes it next.

And of course, this being North Falls, there's absolutely no shortage of drama.

Secrets.

Rumors.

Guns.

Drugs.

Corruption.

Questionable decisions.

Basically everything you could want from a small-town crime thriller.

The town itself continues to feel like a character in its own right, filled with people who know each other far too well while somehow still managing to hide enormous secrets.

Now, here's the funny thing.

For most of the book, I was thinking this would probably land somewhere around a 4-star or maybe a 4.25-star read for me.

And then I reached the final pages.

Then I read the last line.

EXCUSE ME???

My jaw hit the floor.

And I don't think it's fully recovered yet.

That ending completely changed my final rating and left me desperately needing Book Three.

Preferably immediately.

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Final Thoughts

The Secrets We Hide is a fantastic sequel and an excellent continuation of the North Falls series.

With a compelling mystery, strong character development, emotional depth, and enough secrets to keep readers guessing until the very end, this is everything I want from a Karin Slaughter thriller.

If you enjoyed We Are All Guilty Here, you absolutely need to pick this one up.

And if Karin Slaughter happens to be reading this:

Please. Respectfully.

I need Book Three yesterday.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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ARC Disclaimer

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

We Are All Guilty Here - Karin Slaughter

 

Title: We Are All Guilty Here

Author: Karin Slaughter
Narrator: Kathleen Early
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime Fiction
Format: Audiobook
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4★)
Release Date: August 12, 2025

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Synopsis

Welcome to North Falls, a small town where everyone knows everyone.

Or so they think...

When two teenage girls vanish during a Fourth of July fireworks celebration, the entire town is thrown into chaos. For Officer Emmy Clifton, the case is deeply personal. One of the missing girls is the daughter of her former best friend, and Emmy can't shake the feeling that she failed her when she needed help most.

As the investigation unfolds, long-buried secrets begin to surface, revealing that nobody truly knew the girls who disappeared. Years later, new evidence forces the town to confront the possibility that they may have convicted the wrong person.

And when another girl goes missing, the nightmare begins all over again.

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My Thoughts

For me, Karin Slaughter is THE Queen of Thrillers.

I've loved her books for years, and one of the things I appreciate most about her writing is that she never shies away from difficult subjects or uncomfortable truths. Her stories are often gritty, emotional, and brutally honest about the darker sides of human nature.

We Are All Guilty Here feels slightly different from some of her previous work.

It's still unmistakably a Karin Slaughter novel, but compared to books like Pretty Girls or some of the darker entries in the Will Trent series, this one felt a little less graphic and a little more focused on the emotional fallout surrounding the crime.

And TBVH, I thought it worked really well.

At its heart, this is both a mystery and a story about people living with regret.

Officer Emmy Clifton was a fantastic protagonist. She's determined, flawed, and carrying the weight of mistakes she can't undo. One of the things I liked most about her was that she never felt like a perfect heroine. She makes mistakes, questions herself, and struggles with the consequences of her decisions, which made her feel much more realistic.

I also really enjoyed watching her character grow throughout the story.

Another standout was Jude Archer, the retired FBI agent brought in to help with the investigation.

Jude is carrying plenty of baggage of her own, and I found her just as interesting as Emmy. Her history, her regrets and her complicated relationship with North Falls added another layer to the story, and I immediately wanted to know more about her. The dynamic between Emmy and Jude was one of my favorite aspects of the book, and it was a big reason I wanted to continue with the series.

As for the mystery itself, Karin Slaughter absolutely knows how to keep readers guessing.

I had a feeling fairly early on that the authorities may have arrested the wrong person. But even though I suspected that part of the puzzle, I still didn't see the full truth coming until much later. The investigation slowly peels back layers of secrets, lies, family tensions and small-town politics, creating a mystery that remained engaging from beginning to end.

This isn't a story populated by larger-than-life heroes. Instead, we're dealing with people facing divorce, illness, grief, loss and complicated family relationships. Those everyday struggles make the larger mystery feel even more believable and emotionally impactful.

Sometimes I felt like the pacing occasionally slowed down here and there, but not enough to affect my overall enjoyment of the book.

And as always, Kathleen Early delivered an excellent narration. She's become one of the voices I associate most strongly with Karin Slaughter's books, and she once again did a fantastic job bringing both the characters and the emotional weight of the story to life.

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Final Thoughts

We Are All Guilty Here is a strong start to Karin Slaughter's North Falls series.

While it may not be quite as brutal as some of her previous novels, it delivers everything I look for in a Slaughter thriller: compelling characters, emotional depth, small-town secrets, and a mystery that kept me invested until the very end.

If you enjoy character-driven crime fiction with plenty of twists, complicated relationships, and realistic emotional stakes, this is definitely worth picking up.

And yes... I immediately wanted Book Two.

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Audiobook Disclaimer

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kathleen Early, whose performance once again elevated an already engaging story and brought the characters vividly to life. 

Murder by design - Lee Goldberg

 

Title: Murder by Design (Edison Bixby #1)
Author: Lee Goldberg
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4★)
Release Date: June 1, 2026

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Synopsis

Edison Bixby used to be one of the best investigators around, until a traumatic brain injury left him incapable of filtering his thoughts… or stopping himself from offending absolutely everyone around him.

Now working as an insurance investigator, Bixby solves unusual fraud and murder cases by analyzing the way environments and man-made structures can influence crimes.

Enter Wally Nash, a struggling actor hired to act as Bixby’s assistant and social buffer whenever Bixby inevitably insults someone.

Together, they investigate what appears to be a simple accident at a shopping mall, until Bixby becomes convinced the victim was actually murdered… by design.

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My Thoughts

This was such an interesting read with a genuinely fun and unique premise.

As the blurb says, Bixby used to be an incredibly talented investigator, until getting shot in the face left him with a traumatic brain injury that basically removed whatever social filter he may or may not have had before.

So now he’s impulsively rude to absolutely everyone around him.

Which is exactly why Wally Nash gets hired: to smooth things over after Bixby inevitably insults people, witnesses, police officers, random strangers… honestly nobody is safe ...

The story is told entirely from Wally’s POV, and the dynamic between him and Bixby was probably my favorite part of the entire book. Their partnership gave me very strong Sherlock & Watson vibes, and I absolutely mean that as a compliment.

Wally acts as the more grounded and socially functional counterpart, while Bixby is the eccentric genius constantly analyzing details everyone else overlooks.

And honestly? The “murder by design” concept itself was really clever.

I loved how Bixby approached investigations by studying architecture, layouts, public spaces, and environmental design to figure out how someone could manipulate situations into causing deaths that looked accidental.

Despite being a short book, it still managed to fit several interconnected mysteries together without feeling rushed, and overall I think it worked really well as a series opener.

My only real complaint is that I occasionally wished we had at least a little bit of Bixby’s POV too. His thought process while solving cases was honestly one of the most fascinating parts of the story, and I would’ve loved seeing more directly inside his head.

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Final Thoughts

Overall, Murder by Design was a clever, entertaining, and fast-paced mystery with a unique investigative concept and a detective duo that worked incredibly well together.

I’m definitely curious to continue the series and see what kind of bizarre cases Bixby solves next.

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ARC Disclaimer

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

You Can Tell Me - Melinda Leigh

 

Title: You Can Tell Me (Olivia Cruz #1)
Author: Melinda Leigh
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4★)

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Synopsis
On the anniversary of her own traumatic kidnapping, true crime writer Olivia Cruz is supposed to meet her friend Zoe March to revisit the crime scene for Zoe’s podcast. But Zoe never shows up.

When Zoe’s husband reports her missing, the police suspect she may have left voluntarily. Olivia disagrees and begins investigating on her own. As she digs deeper into Zoe’s life, it becomes clear that Zoe may have uncovered something dangerous through her true crime work.

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My Thoughts

I requested this one for a very specific reason: it’s connected to Save Your Breath (book six in the Morgan Dane series), which I absolutely binged last year and loved. I was really excited to see Olivia Cruz finally getting her own story.

And for anyone wondering, yes, you can absolutely read this without reading the Morgan Dane series first. The author gives enough context from the previous case without spoiling too much.

Now, onto the book itself.

The pacing was overall okay, but I did find myself taking a few breaks here and there. At times, it felt like the investigation was spinning in circles a little before moving things forward again, which made parts of the story drag for me.

The plot surrounding Zoe’s disappearance didn’t fully grab me either, mostly because I never really connected with Zoe herself. Between her messy house and some questionable decisions, she just wasn’t a character I became invested in.

On the other hand, seeing familiar faces from the Morgan Dane series was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.

Olivia continues to be a strong and determined character, and I loved that she never gave up on finding Zoe no matter what. I also unexpectedly adored Nicki, Olivia’s niece. There was one moment where I genuinely thought something terrible was about to happen, so I was VERY relieved with how things turned out.

And of course, I was so happy seeing Olivia and Lincoln finally taking another step in their relationship.

At this point, I’m honestly not even sure if I’m rating the mystery itself or simply my happiness at seeing these characters again 😅 But either way, the returning cast easily carried this book for me more than the actual investigation did.

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Final Thoughts

Overall, this was a solid suspense read with familiar characters I already loved spending time with.

While the mystery itself wasn’t my favorite, the character dynamics and connections were more than enough to keep me engaged, and longtime Morgan Dane readers will probably appreciate this one even more.

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ARC Disclaimer
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Secret Vigilante Series - D B Stephens

 

Title: Secret Vigilante Series (Books 1–2)
Author: D.B. Stephens
Genre: Thriller, Mystery

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The Secret Vigilante series dives straight into morally gray territory, exploring what happens when justice fails and the people left behind decide to take matters into their own hands.

What begins as a support group for women with shared trauma slowly transforms into something much darker, raising uncomfortable questions about justice, revenge and how far is too far.

And the unsettling part? It doesn’t feel that far from reality. When you consider that roughly 1 in 3 women worldwide experience some form of violence, the idea that some would lose faith in the system and seek their own version of justice stops feeling like pure fiction.

This series leans into that tension, making it both compelling and deeply uncomfortable at times, especially when you catch yourself rooting for characters who are clearly operating outside the lines.

Book 1: The Serial Killer Support Group

Release Date: November 21, 2024

Blurb

When Jess Pendle agrees to attend a support group for women who have survived abuse and been failed by the system, she doesn’t expect much.

The group is meant to be a safe space, until... everything turns out to be not what she expected. Behind closed doors, the women begin to support each other in a very different way… one that involves taking justice into their own hands.

Review (audiobook)
This was such an entertaining listen… but also quite a sad one at the same time.

I experienced this as an audiobook; the narrator did a great job bringing the story to life. It made it really easy to get into, and I ended up flying through it.

The concept itself is wild, in a good way. What starts as a support group for women who have been failed by the system slowly turns into something much darker, as they begin taking matters into their own hands.

And while this definitely leans into morally gray territory, which I don’t mind at all, I couldn’t help it… I was unapologetically rooting for them to succeed.

But what really stood out to me is the deeper layer underneath the story. The reason this group exists in the first place is because the system failed these women. Authorities didn’t do enough, laws didn’t protect them, and that aspect makes the story feel a little too real at times.

It’s one of those books that works on two levels. On the surface, it’s engaging, fast-paced and entertaining. But when you stop and think about it, it becomes much more unsettling.

⭐ 4.5 stars

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Book 2: The Serial Killer Support Network

Release Date: April 24, 2026

Blurb
For six months, someone known only as The Caretaker has been committing crimes against those who have wronged. Now, women across the country have been inspired to take control of their own lives and seek revenge on the people who hurt them. The Caretaker is more than just a killer, he’s become a movement, and the serial killer support group have found themselves at the heart of it…

Review
After flying through book one, I was really excited to jump straight into this.

And this time, things go bigger.

What started as a small support group has now turned into a full network, more people, more reach, more chaos. It’s definitely interesting to see how things evolve and how the movement grows.

That said, unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first book.

I think a big part of that is because once the story expands into a larger network, it loses some of the personal connection that made book one work so well for me. In the first book, I felt more connected to the women and their stories. Here, with the focus spread wider, that bond just wasn’t as strong anymore.

The pacing also felt slower, and overall it wasn’t as entertaining for me. I also wasn’t the biggest fan of the back-and-forth between Jess and the detective. That dynamic felt more frustrating than interesting, and it didn’t really add much for me.

The vibe felt a bit different too. Not necessarily bad, just… off compared to the first book.

Still, it’s not a bad installment by any means, and the ending definitely left me curious enough to want to continue with book three.

⭐ 3.5 stars

ARC Disclaimer

I received an advance copy of Book 2 via NetGalley (HarperCollins widget), and this is my honest and voluntary review.

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Final Thoughts
For me, book one was the stronger of the two because it felt more personal, more unsettling, and easier to connect with. Book two takes the idea and expands it into something much bigger, which is interesting, but it also loses some of the emotional impact along the way.

Even so, I still find the overall concept of this series really compelling, and I’m definitely curious to see where book 3 goes next.