Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell

A Shaw Connolly Mystery #1

by Gillian French

A page-turning, compelling thriller about a woman who will stop at nothing to uncover the truth behind her sister’s disappearance.

Shaw Connolly is no stranger to trauma. As a fingerprints analyst, she’s one of the first on-site for crimes, including murder scenes and a mysterious string of arsons popping up throughout the rural Maine community her department serves. But the tragedy of her little sister’s disappearance sixteen years ago has always weighed on her the most; Thea is never far from her thoughts or dreams, and Shaw knows that her obsession with finding the truth about Thea is driving her husband away and impacting her two boys. Still, she can't let it go and has even started taking disturbing calls from a man named Anders Jansen who all but claims to have committed the crime.

Anders taunts Shaw with hints and innuendo about what supposedly happened all those years ago. His calls go to the next level as he reveals just how much he knows about Shaw’s personal life, like her stalled career and ruined marriage. As his stalking escalates to threats on her and her family's lives, he begins to show just how dangerous he might be. Shaw is too desperate for answers to hang up now, just when she's getting close to finding proof. The only question left is what she must lose to learn the truth.

A taut, atmospheric thriller from Edgar Award-finalist young adult author Gillian French, Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell introduces a compelling new voice in adult suspense fiction.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Adult, Audiobook, Suspense

352 pages, Hardcover

First published June 17, 2025

About the author

Gillian French is the author of five novels for teens: GRIT, THE DOOR TO JANUARY, THE LIES THEY TELL, THE MISSING SEASON, and SUGARING OFF. Her debut adult mystery, SHAW CONNOLLY LIVES TO TELL, is slated for release from Minotaur Books in May 2025. Her short fiction has placed in many competitions, including Writer's Digest and Zoetrope: All Story contests, and has been published in such magazines are Weirdbook. She holds a BA in English from the University of Maine, and lives in her native state of Maine with her husband and four sons, where she's perpetually at work on her next novel.

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

In “Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell”, Gillian French weaves a dark and chilling thriller centered around a woman whose relentless obsession with uncovering the truth about her sister's disappearance puts her entire life at risk. Shaw, a fingerprint analyst who has witnessed some of the most brutal crime scenes in rural Maine, is haunted by the unsolved mystery of Thea's disappearance 16 years ago. Her determination to find answers has not only strained her marriage but also disrupted her relationship with her children. As she begins receiving cryptic, increasingly disturbing calls from a man named Anders, who claims to know what happened, Shaw is pulled deeper into a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

The book balances intense, graphic crime scenes with a steady, suspenseful pace, keeping readers on edge as Shaw's obsession unravels the stability of her life. French does an excellent job of portraying Shaw’s desperation, making the psychological aspect of her journey as gripping as the physical threats she faces. The grim, atmospheric setting heightens the tension, and as the threats against her family escalate, the reader is pulled into a dark and twisted path where Shaw is forced to confront just how far she’s willing to go for the truth.

Overall, Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell is an engrossing read, combining gritty crime scenes, a tense investigation, and a deeply personal story of loss. It's a compelling, fast-paced thriller that keeps you hooked until the very last page. Four stars for its gripping suspense and emotional depth.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for sharing this captivating thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow burn story of a woman coming undone, Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell was a somewhat mixed bag despite its many wins. But let me start with the positives first… With a dark and gritty vibe, a claustrophobic feel, and one heck of a messy protagonist, I was instantly pulled into Shaw’s slow, painful unraveling. Coming alive on the page in all of her brusque, no-nonsense glory, this tale of psychological suspense was more character study than thriller for much of the novel. That is, until the end when the slow-boiling pace erupted into action. At that point, all I could do was hold on for dear life as I inhaled a climax and conclusion that—along with the villain—saved this one from being just merely ho-hum.

Why ho-hum might you ask? Well, while I loved the adrenaline-fueled last third and parts of the buildup, it certainly wasn’t as immersive as I had hoped for prior to diving in. From the often overly detailed descriptions of Shaw’s dry-as-dirt job to the sometimes unnatural dialogue, this reader had a difficult time falling into the story in the beginning. That being said, I adored Shaw’s dry sense of humor and the spot-on-perfect villain. Anders, in fact, just might be one of my favorite evil-doers of all time. Manipulative, creepy, and alarmingly cunning, he made my skin tingle as I watched him creep closer and closer to this endearing family and their adorable dog. All told, in my eyes, he made this book into a win.

All said and done, while I had to power through some of the scenes in the beginning, the last one hundred pages were simply sublime. Tense, twisty, and chilling, despite knowing who the bad guy was for much of the novel, this why-slash-howdunnit was filled with mind games that will get under your skin. Combined with the profound emotional depth and suspense that grew right along with the page count, the few flaws that I found quickly vanished from view. That being said, the first two-thirds and the end felt like two very different novels. If, however, you love a dark, twisted premise, realistically flawed characters, and a slow-burning storyline, this book’s for you. Just be ready to skim here or there. Rating of 4 stars.

SYNOPSIS:

Shaw Connolly is no stranger to trauma. As a fingerprints analyst, she’s one of the first on-site for crimes, including murder scenes and a mysterious string of arsons popping up throughout the rural Maine community her department serves. But the tragedy of her little sister’s disappearance sixteen years ago has always weighed on her the most; Thea is never far from her thoughts or dreams, and Shaw knows that her obsession with finding the truth about Thea is driving her husband away and impacting her two boys. Still, she can't let it go and has even started taking disturbing calls from a man named Anders Jansen who all but claims to have committed the crime.

Anders taunts Shaw with hints and innuendo about what supposedly happened all those years ago. His calls go to the next level as he reveals just how much he knows about Shaw’s personal life, like her stalled career and ruined marriage. As his stalking escalates to threats on her and her family's lives, he begins to show just how dangerous he might be. Shaw is too desperate for answers to hang up now, just when she's getting close to finding proof. The only question left is what she must lose to learn the truth.

Thank you to Gillian French, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: June 17, 2025

Content warning: missing person, stalking, violence, mention of: getting roofied

[Mai H. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Police procedurals usually work for me. Granted, I prefer the European or Australian variety, but sometimes even the American will do. This did not do.

Shaw does not have it together. Her sister Thea disappeared sixteen years ago. She can't give up trying to find out what happened to her. She has turned down promotions and opportunities to move to do this. She alienates her husband, children, coworkers, and everyone else.

Who thinks this ends well? It doesn't end well. And it's boring, to boot. If you're looking for a mystery with a detective that has a sob story about her sister, just read THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK.

I was also a little annoyed when the token Vietnamese American character broke out into random Vietnamese amongst his white coworkers. One Asian does not make your story diverse.

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books

[Dive Into A Good Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved every second of this dark, twisted read. My heart pounding through my chest, my palms sweaty, my breathing ticking up as the hairs on the back of my neck get triggered. I raced through this book. Not daring to put it down and dwell on what could have happened. When I did try to leave the book on my nightstand, I had to get back up less than a half an hour later, to just finish it. See what happened to Thea that frigid winter night and if Shaw follows her down that path. Leaving her family to wonder what happened to her as well.

Shaw is bound and determined to figure out what happened to her sister sixteen years ago. Shaw and her father have never moved on. Shaw did marry her high school sweetheart and has two gorgeous boys. She even has a job she loves, as a fingerprint analyst. There is still Thea taking stage, front and center. Never being able to move on and just accept that Thea is dead and it is okay to put herself first. Ryan cannot handle it anymore and has moved out. Shaw has her dad move in to help with the boys. There is also a twist. A man named Anders Jansen has been calling her for a few years. Claiming to have killed Thea and that he has all the answers. Shaw is caught in a place of believing him and that he could also be another sicko crank. When Anders stalking ramps up and Shaw is feeling like an uncontrollable car caught on a slick road. Not knowing if she is going to destroy everything she built or finally have the answers about what happed to Thea.

I loved the characters in this book. They are deeply flawed and layered. Giving the book depth and piquing my interest. I yelled at Shaw to wake up. To let it go, that her sister is gone, and to protect her own two boys before it is too late. This one gave me chills, I will be looking over my shoulder, wanting to sign up for self-defense classes. You need to add this one to your TBR. Thank you to Gillian French and Minotaur Books for my gifted copy of this heart stopping read.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, gritty - a mysterious missing sister and a taunting stalker that's been calling her for over a year now.

I loved Shaw. She's a forensic fingerprints analyst so she's pretty versed in crime scenes, trials, and detectives. She's rough, so angry after she lost her sister years ago and has never had answers, that she's never moved her life on from it. Each year, she still puts up posters, keeping her memory and crime alive. She just wants to bring her home.

I found the family dynamic and I liked that Shaw was so gruff and coming undone. She still fought to be a good mom and good to her dad, her instinct to gather her family around her. I can't imagine how tough it would be to lose a sister so in ways, I understood how she could let her life spin and go off the rails as she refused to give up on finding her.

The audio was phenomenal, the narrator giving that perfect gravely voice to both the main character and the stalking caller. It really sucked me in, kept me hooked on the story - and I loved every moment of it. This one was great, I will definitely be searching for this author's next book!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

This book is a thrilling page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat! I found it nearly impossible to put down, even when I really should have.

Shaw Connolly, a fingerprints analyst, is haunted by the disappearance of her sister Thea sixteen years ago. Despite the toll it takes on her family and marriage, Shaw is determined to uncover the truth. She receives unsettling calls from a man named Anders Jansen, who claims to have information about her sister's case and threatens her and her family. As Shaw navigates these dangerous encounters, she becomes increasingly desperate to find answers, raising the stakes on what she might sacrifice to uncover the truth.

The protagonist, Shaw Connolly, is masterfully developed throughout the chapters. She’s clever, fiercely independent, and utterly relatable—a true badass with a nurturing side that makes her all the more endearing. As we follow her journey, it’s impossible not to despise the tormentor who dares to cross her path. After all, nobody messes with Shaw Connolly!

The atmosphere is palpably claustrophobic, enhanced by the chilling phone calls that send shivers down your spine. Each ring feels like a countdown to something sinister, and the tension is expertly crafted. This book is anything but predictable; you can’t help but root for a happy ending, even as the plot twists keep you guessing.

If this is the author’s debut in a new genre, then hats off to them! I was completely engrossed in this book for an entire day. If you enjoy police procedurals that keep you guessing—where you might know the identity of the perpetrator early on but still can’t predict their next move—this is the read for you. The ending is a rollercoaster of emotions: unpredictable, satisfying, and heartbreakingly tragic. I adored Shaw and her journey!

Bravo to the author! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

I understand, if the written word didn't resonate with you, I suggest the audio version. One of my favorite narrators was a part of this project, and she did an excellent job of portraying emotions, and adding depth to the story. Great choice!

Thank you, MacMillan and Minotaur Books, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook for this one and I really liked the narrator a lot. The main character was a big personality and the narrator succeeded in bringing her to life. Shaw’s life was changed when her younger sister disappeared and was never seen again. She and her father continue to search despite being absolutely certain that she is dead. It is invaded her whole life and colored all of her decisions which has cost her some relationships. But things with a stalker who claimed to be responsible are heating up. I will say there were some bits of the plot I thought were a little flawed but overall it was a fun mystery. I did see the way things were going to go coming but I still enjoyed it and finished this one quickly.

[shannon (books by the glass)]

DNF @ 15% - the writing style just wasn’t it for me. normally I love a detective-police procedural, and maybe I’ll pick it up again at a later time, but I just couldn’t get into it… it was definitely a choppy, ton of little detail, dialogue and monologue plot (which was a tad too much and kept getting me lost). I was invested in the plot about shaw’s younger sister, but I just couldn’t get past the writing style and didn’t want to skip multiple chapters of fingerprinting details that felt like overkill… but a huge thank you to minotaur for sending me an early copy to preview!

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: June 17, 2025

Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell by Gillian French is a suspenseful, gripping novel of a fingerprint analyst and the decades long search for her missing sister.

Shaw Connolly has spent the last decade searching for her sister, Thea, who disappeared while walking home from a party. The police labeled her a troubled runaway and the last people to see Thea, two of her friends from the "wrong side of the tracks" deny knowing anything. When a man named Anders Larsen reaches out to Shaw, claiming to be the person who took Thea, Shaw's search for her sister intensifies, using clues provided by the suspect himself.

Shaw is feisty, witty and determined, struggling to raise her teenage sons with her estranged husband, Ryan. She's also caring for her aging father while balancing her career as a police analyst. All that, plus looking for her missing sister- Shaw is not to be messed with. I loved her bravery and her compassion and can honestly say that Shaw was one of my favourite protagonists by far.

"Tell" is unique in that we already know the "who" going in. Instead, we must find out the nitty gritty details, like the "why" and the "where", searching right alongside Shaw. Of course, my favourite parts were the creepy, crawly conversations that Shaw had with the perverted, insane psychopath that is Anders Larsen.

French's complex characters complement her smooth, flowing plot. The intriguing psychopath component kept me turning the pages, and the reverse who-dunnit story was creative and imaginative. The ending was extremely satisfying, wrapping up each and every plot point succinctly and realistically.

French is a well-known author by this point, but it's great to see her continue crafting smart, addicting novels that are just as compelling, if not more so, then her earlier works. Now, I sit back and wait to see what French does next.

[Barbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I requested this book, the premise was interesting. When I started reading it, I just really wanted this book to end. There was so much tedius dialogue that I skipped over. The endless pages of the fingerprinting details were also skipped over. We knew who the killer was almost at the beginning and since there was no twist, nothing to surprise you, it stopped being interesting. The dialogue between the main character and the killer was boring. I kept reading thinking maybe there would that twist, but in the end, I was just happy the book was done.

I received an ARC from Netgalley.

[dianas_books_cars_coffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shaw Connolly works as a fingerprint analyst in a small, rural Maine town. She responds to various crime scenes, but recently, she has been dealing with a series of arson cases. Shaw is still deeply affected by the disappearance of her sister. Although sixteen years have passed, she remains determined to uncover the truth about Thea's fate and the location of her remains. Her unwavering focus on this matter appears to be straining her relationships with her husband and younger sister, yet she finds herself unable to let go. She begins receiving calls from a man named Anders Jansen, who has essentially confessed to Thea's abduction. He starts to taunt and stalk her, but won't give her the answers she needs. How far will she have to go to get them?

This was most definitely a slow burn. It had a good mystery and Shaw wasn't a bad character but some of the dialogue was just awkward. Unfortunately, between the slowness and the dialogue I couldn't really get into this one. But I did enjoy the ending and the atomspheric rural Maine setting in the winter. If you like slow burn mysteries are you thing, it would recommend giving this one a try.

[Nancy McFarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shaw Connolly became a forensic scientist specializing in fingerprint analysis because she wanted to be sure that the bad guys got caught. Shaw is also a mother, a wife, a daughter and a sister who has never been able to get over the disappearance and presumed death of her 17 yo sister, when she herself was only 18. While this is a police procedural and a very interesting and detailed look at fingerprint analysis it is really an in-depth look at grief, family dynamics, and how an unhealthy mindset affects everything you do. As the title says, Shaw Connolly lives to tell (and so does the dog) but as the story reaches its very climactic end you may begin to wonder at what cost. If you enjoy slow burns and a deep look into the psyches of the different characters you will love this poignant, but sometimes dark story about Shaw Connolly and her grit and determination to finally find out what happened to her sister.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

slow, predictable, maybe a little flat? it felt like i got dropped into a series midway and i think that was the most frustrating part of it. it wasn't bad, per say. Just not for me. i genuinely had no issues with the writing or characters, but again, the story just didn't hit for me.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Audiobook

🫆🚨𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖❤️🫆

𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐖𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐇

Publisher: Minotaur Books / Macmillan Audio

Pub Date: 06/17/2025

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

“Never challenge a dying man Shawnee. You have everything to lose I have nothing.”

“How did she look when they brought her out of the ground!?”

Thanks to Minotaur Books / Macmillan Audio for my #gifted copy of this book.

It was good from start to finish but the pacing definitely picked up towards the end. I’m not bit into books that have a slow build but I was interested in following along with this one because Shawn Connelly was such a great heroine. You really wanted to see her get a win.

I feel like this one focuses more on mindset than a lot of other detective novels. This particular “detective”, Shawn Connelly (actually a fingerprint analyst) is looking for her long lost sister, Thea.

She was previously stalked but over the years the calls have stopped and when suddenly they start back up and her stalker claims to know what happened to Theodora. At first Shawn doesn’t want to tell anyone about it but eventually things get so bad that she doesn’t have a choice, she’s got to protect her family.

The stalker suggests that he knows what happened to her sister but oddly enough he seems like he wants to tell her…why is he so ready to tell her after all of these years?

Also, can I just say the “prank” played on Thea enraged me! Who DOES that!?!

In looking at the authors earlier works the reviews weren’t all that great…with this book I think she’s found her footing in the detective / crime mystery genre. I’m looking forward to seeing what she writes in the future. I wouldn’t be surprised if this isn’t the last we see of Shawn Connelly. At least I hope it’s not…

QOTD: If you could do any job what would you pick?

#shawnconnolleylivestotell #gillianfrench #minotaur #minotaurbooks #slowburnmystery #detectivenovel #WhatAreYouReading #Goodreads #goodreadschallenge #endlesstbr #CheckItOut

[Blagica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last couple of days have been a blur of books and page flips, and yeah, I’ve been on a bit of a three-star streak lately. But hey—three stars isn’t a bad thing in my book. Not everything has to blow the doors off to be worth reading.

Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell by Gillian French sits firmly in that three-star zone for me: solid, engaging, but not a knockout. It’s got strong bones, a good premise, and some great atmosphere—but I just wanted a little more punch.

Shaw Connolly is a fingerprint analyst in a quiet Maine town, pulled into a string of arsons while still haunted by the disappearance of her sister Thea sixteen years ago. The loss has carved a hole in her life, and her relentless pursuit of answers is starting to take a toll on her relationships. Then she gets a call—from a man named Anders Jansen, who claims he knows what happened to Thea. He confesses, taunts, stalks, but never quite gives her the truth. Shaw has to decide just how far she’s willing to go to drag that truth into the light.

It’s a slow burn, no doubt. The mystery is solid, the setting—icy, rural Maine in winter—is moody and immersive, and Shaw has potential as a character. But the dialogue didn’t always land for me, and the pacing dragged in places. I never fully clicked in—but I didn’t regret the read either. And I have to say, the ending worked. It stuck the landing.

Would I read more from Gillian French? Definitely. Honestly, if this turned into a series, I think these characters have enough depth to grow into something bigger. The forensic angle alone has serious potential.

So yes, another three stars. But not in a “meh” way—in a “this had something, and I’m glad I gave it a shot” way.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew my mind! Shaw's sister Thea is presumed dead but her body was never found. Now aging Mr. Cloyd is dead and his dog is missing. Shaw struggles as she's caring for her two young sons, Beau and Casey. Now Shaw is put on leave but never stops investigating as she has a personal interest in this town and the people who refuse to leave their little hamlet. There's action, arson, trackers, and craziness that all lead to the least-expected outcome; so good!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, and definitely very dark and tense. You could feel the tension in the room with you, it was almost suffocating. The story just didn't hold my attention the way I wanted; I feel like Shaw was just spinning her wheels the same as so many years before, for most of the book. And the fact that you basically know what happened without technnnnically knowing just didn't keep me hooked. If you want a creepy AF book where you are listening to a creepy old man over the phone - then yes this would be a book for you! I was also frustrated that there was kind of no closure with Shaw's family, after basically having this dark cloud over them for so long and Shaw's poor kids!)

Note: I listened to the audiobook, which did a great job of establishing the eerie atmosphere.

Thanks to the publisher for a free audiobook copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gillian French's debut into adult crime fiction, Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell, arrives like a bone-chilling wind through the pine forests of rural Maine, carrying with it the weight of sixteen years' worth of unanswered questions and unresolved grief. This atmospheric thriller marks French's transition from acclaimed young adult mystery writing to the darker, more complex terrain of adult suspense, and the results are both compelling and deeply unsettling.

The Architecture of Trauma

Shaw Connolly exists in a state of perpetual winter, both literally and emotionally. As a fingerprints analyst for the Maine State Police, she spends her days processing evidence from crime scenes, but it's the cold case that lives closest to home that truly defines her existence. Sixteen years ago, her seventeen-year-old sister Thea vanished without a trace, leaving behind a family forever suspended in the amber of that terrible April night.

French constructs Shaw's world with the meticulous precision of a crime scene technician. The rural Maine setting becomes more than mere backdrop—it's a character unto itself, with its isolated farmhouses, dense woods, and the kind of small-town claustrophobia that makes secrets fester like wounds. The author's prose carries the stark beauty of a winter landscape, where "the tendons rippling across the tops of her bare feet" and the "washed-out old Wyeth painting of a farmhouse" create an atmosphere that's simultaneously beautiful and menacing.

The Anatomy of a Predator

The novel's central antagonist, Anders Jansen, emerges through phone calls that slice through Shaw's carefully constructed daily routine like a scalpel through skin. French's portrayal of this stalker is masterfully restrained—we never fully see him until the climactic confrontation, yet his presence permeates every page through his voice alone. His calls are psychological torture sessions disguised as conversations, each one revealing intimate details about Shaw's life that he couldn't possibly know unless he'd been watching her family for years.

Anders represents every parent's nightmare: the predator who has been circling, patient and methodical, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. French's background in young adult fiction serves her well here, as she understands the particular vulnerability of teenage girls and the ways predators exploit that vulnerability. When Anders describes keeping Thea's undergarments as trophies, French handles the material with appropriate revulsion while never descending into gratuitous detail.

The Weight of Sisterhood

The relationship between Shaw and her surviving sister Mads forms the emotional core of the novel. French explores how trauma ricochets through families, creating new patterns of damage with each passing year. Shaw's desperate need to find Thea has consumed her to the point where she can barely maintain relationships with the living members of her family. Her marriage to Ryan has crumbled under the weight of her obsession, and her relationship with Mads is strained by Shaw's inability to separate her protective instincts from her unresolved grief.

French's portrayal of this sisterly dynamic rings with authentic complexity. Shaw's memories of Thea are filtered through both love and guilt, creating a portrait of the missing girl that may be more idealized than real. When Mads finally confronts Shaw about this distortion—"Maybe you're the one who should sit down and look at the Thea you think you remember. See if you can even separate her from yourself at this point"—the observation lands with devastating accuracy.

Procedural Excellence with Emotional Depth

French demonstrates impressive command of police procedural elements, clearly having done her research into fingerprint analysis, crime scene investigation, and the bureaucratic realities of law enforcement. Shaw's partnership with rookie analyst Gauthier provides both professional credibility and emotional grounding, showing how trauma survivors can find purpose in helping others seek justice.

The novel's structure cleverly weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives, gradually revealing the truth about both Thea's disappearance and the mysterious Jane Doe whose bones Shaw discovers in Beggar's Meadow. French maintains tension not through cheap tricks or red herrings, but through the steady accumulation of dread and the inexorable tightening of Anders's psychological noose around Shaw's neck.

Where the Ice Shows Cracks

While Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell succeeds admirably as both psychological thriller and family drama, it occasionally stumbles under the weight of its own ambitions. The subplot involving a series of arsons feels somewhat disconnected from the main narrative thrust, serving more as a reminder of Shaw's professional competence than as an integral plot element. Additionally, some of the secondary characters, particularly Shaw's ex-husband Ryan, feel underdeveloped given their importance to Shaw's emotional journey.

French's transition from young adult to adult fiction is largely successful, but there are moments where the prose feels slightly constrained, as if she's holding back from fully embracing the darker implications of her material. The violence, when it comes, is appropriately shocking but feels almost sanitized compared to the psychological brutality that precedes it.

The Echoes of Maine Gothic

French's Maine setting recalls the best traditions of New England Gothic literature, where the landscape itself becomes complicit in the horror. The novel's exploration of how small communities can both protect and conceal evil resonates with current discussions about institutional failures and the ways powerful men escape consequences for their crimes. The character of Mercer Brixton, the former sheriff turned gubernatorial candidate who botched the initial investigation into Thea's disappearance, represents a particularly timely villain—the politician who built his career on others' suffering.

Justice Served Cold

The novel's resolution provides both satisfaction and genuine surprise. French avoids the temptation to tie everything up too neatly, understanding that real healing from trauma is messier and more complicated than fictional closure typically allows. Shaw's final confrontation with Anders is both cathartic and deeply disturbing, as she realizes that getting answers doesn't necessarily provide the peace she's been seeking.

The discovery of Thea's remains brings both resolution and fresh grief, as Shaw must finally confront the reality that her sister has been dead for sixteen years. French handles this revelation with appropriate gravity, understanding that closure is not the same as healing.

Final Verdict

Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell announces Gillian French as a formidable new voice in adult crime fiction. While not without minor flaws, the novel succeeds brilliantly in its primary objectives: creating a compelling protagonist, maintaining suspense throughout, and exploring the long-term effects of unresolved trauma on families and communities.

French's understanding of both the technical aspects of criminal investigation and the emotional toll of victimization creates a reading experience that's both intellectually satisfying and emotionally resonant. This is crime fiction that trusts its readers' intelligence while never forgetting that at its heart lie real human beings struggling with loss, hope, and the desperate need for truth.

[Sacha · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

The title is apt. Shaw Connolly does live to tell, but I'm not sure I loved what she had to say.

Shaw's sister, Thea, goes missing, and now, 16 years later, Shaw is still understandably plagued by this tragedy. Unfortunately, this tragedy has shaped her WHOLE life: career, relationships, sense of self... Should she be devastated? Yes. Does her obsession make her a frustrating character? Absolutely.

When Shaw starts getting calls from a man who claims to have a lot of info (and appears to be guilty right away), the contacts are sinister and intriguing. That changes quickly as the contacts become...just sort of a terrible but regular part of Shaw's life.

There's a lot of sadness in this book not only because of the central tragedy with Thea but because of what Shaw's life has become. There isn't much hope or growth here, and the way that this tormentor is introduced and kept on board makes for little thrill or mystery, as well.

This sounded so promising to me and I'm disappointed it didn't give me the thrills and creepy vibes I was anticipating.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Jayna · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was no tension. I didn't care about the plot, I didn't care about the characters, I didn't care about anything. And it was kind of boring/flat. Based on the synopsis, there should have been suspense. But there wasn't.

Saskia Maarleveld narrates. I usually enjoy her work. However, the New England accent she used when in dialogue was painful.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Escaping in Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - May 19, 2025
Publication Date - June 17, 2025

*I received an ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @gillianfrenchwriter, @stmartinspress, @minotaur_books and @macmillanusa!

Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell is a slow burn mystery/suspense book with a fun amount of creepiness that sticks with you! I enjoyed the crime scene investigations, especially since we were solving more than one mystery at the same time. I thought the fingerprint analysis was so cool and it was one of the main things that drew me to this book in the first place! I had no theories or idea how everything connected and what the end result would be. I love when a book keeps me guessing until the last moment! Unfortunately, this book had my one trigger, with a dog being injured at the end. However, something I found interesting was focusing on the experiences of families left behind when someone goes missing. It’s a perspective that's sometimes glossed over in other books but Gillian French did so much with it!

If you like mystery and suspense books with cat and mouse games, you should try Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell!

Get excited to read Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell, available June 17! 🎉

*Please check trigger warnings*

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

✅ A main character haunted by trauma
✅ A creepy stalker
✅ Cat-and-mouse vibes

Shaw Connolly is haunted by her younger sister’s disappearance that happened 16 years prior. Thanks to her stalker, Anders, she rarely goes a day not thinking about her. He supposedly knows the truth about what happened, but can she trust him and is he a danger to her and those she loves?

As the cat-and-mouse games between Shaw and Anders ramp up, French works to build tension for the reader through a series of revelations and a seemingly endless chase for the truth. The pacing for this story starts out slow and doesn’t speed up until the last chapters as things are coming to a head. I felt like this could have been helped by cutting out some of the dialogue and events that didn’t have much of a connection to the main plot.

Overall this was a solid story with an interesting plot. There was a lot that I liked about this story that I wish would have been featured more. I think the Anders parts could have been amped up to leave the readers chilled by his presence.

[emily *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Shaw's teenage sister goes missing she was never found. As an adult she works with crimes to help get justice for other people. It isn't until she gets contacted by a man who claims he killed her sister. Shaw gets tormented by this guy with phone calls at all hours. When she is out walking her dog in the woods where her sister was last seen she stumbles upon human remains and that is when things get even more intense. Yes Shaw is flawed but i loved her character- she is truly a badass and does not back down on getting answers for her family. is it a little predictable? yes. but did i enjoy every moment of this book? yes. overall the book had me at the edge of my seat needing to know what happened.

thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!

[Amy Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this novel--all opinions are my own.

Wow! I can't remember the last time I pulled an all-nighter with a book, but this one was totally worth it. The main character, Shaw Connolly, is as tough as they come--a woman who has been grieving the loss of her sister Thea, who's disappearance 16 years ago pretty much determined the trajectory of Shaw's life. The book opens as Shaw's marriage is ending due to her taking phone calls from Anders, a man who claims to be responsible for Thea's disappearance. The book was a wild ride of cat and mouse between Shaw and Anders...loved the fast pace and the darkness that Anders drags Shaw down into. It was gritty and relentless and really terrific storytelling.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shaw Connolly is a fingerprints analyst, and is often one of the first on site of a crime, whether theft, arson or murder. The violence of these scenes can be traumatic to investigators, but Shaw already has experience with trauma from her adolescence. Shaw's middle sister Thea disappeared years earlier, and this incident destroyed her family, and continues to cause damage. Shaw's father holds on to hope some word will arrive about Thea, while Shaw's persistence in going over details of the past to find the truth has destroyed her marriage, with her husband separating from her and leaving her two boys hurting.

Unbeknownst to anyone else, Shaw has been responding to calls from a man named Anders Jansen, who heavily implies he harmed Thea. Shaw listens, but mostly discounts what he says, until he begins telling her things about her current family arrangements. He also begins showing up at crime scenes, like a series of strange arsons happening throughout the rural Maine community served by the department she for which she works.

Increasingly desperate, Shaw begins paying closer attention to what her stalker has been telling her, in the hope of finally getting answers.

Author Gillian French does a great job portraying Shaw's increasingly fraying hold on her self control and her overwhelming obsession. This is a dark story, and spends much time dealing with the mental health of its protagonist, and also those surrounding her.

The threats leveled by Jansen and the dark wintry nights only heighten the menacing and dark atmosphere of this story. French also competently holds readers' interest as we follow Shaw make increasingly questionable decisions, all in an effort to find out the truth about her sister's disappearance.

The story is compelling, dark, and gripping. I look forward to Shaw Connolly's next case.

Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads and Minotaur Books for this book. Such a fabulous story! I learned a lot of things about forensics that I didn’t know. I liked how this story went into depth about Thea and her family’s life history. I enjoyed the writing and it made me feel so many emotions. That ending was definitely something else!

[Farah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shaw is on a quest to get to the bottom of her sister's disappearance. This was a fantastic audiobook, especially the last 25% which kept me absolutely enthralled with my heart beating so fast in sections! While it starts out a bit slower than most thrillers, I recommend sticking with it as it really picks up the more you read.

[Maggie (gardeningbookclub) Hentz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

[Mackenzie Mills]

DNF…

[Dena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this book on the shelf at the library and decided to give it a chance. It was a decent book that held my attention. I would probably read another book by this author.