Let Me Out

by Amanda Brittany

Preorder a twisty, unputdownable, pulse-pounding psychological thriller from Amanda Brittany. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden and C.L. Taylor. Buried secrets are coming to the surface...

Annie has avoided returning to her hometown of Ridgewater since the terrible night twelve years ago when her childhood best friend, Giselle, lost her life. But now Annie’s brother has been injured in an accident identical to Giselle’s, and she knows she must go back.

Giselle’s mother – still living in the house next door to Annie’s family – is as creepy as ever, consumed with the memories of her dead daughter. Natalie, another of Annie’s old friends, is similarly obsessed, desperate to uncover the truth of what really happened that night.

Then Annie and Natalie discover that another girl went missing in Ridgewater around that time. Could Annie’s brother be involved? And was there really a voice calling ‘let me out’ from behind a locked door?

As the connection between Annie’s family and the tragedy twelve years before starts to emerge, things grow more sinister – and Annie’s own safety comes under threat.

Is Ridgewater about to claim another victim?

Praise for Amanda

‘A whirlwind of a read. Just brilliant!’ Diane Jeffrey

'Addictive and fast-paced. Amanda Brittany is a name to keep your eye on. A brilliant thriller.' Phoebe Morgan

'Wow, what a thrill-fest of a read this is! A fantastic locked-room story, with an ominous setting and an oddball cast of characters who do nothing but surprise you as a reader. Everything I love in a psychological thriller.' Rona Halsall

‘Brilliant, pacey, and will leave you suspecting everyone is involved!’ Darren O’Sullivan

'Amanda Brittany is one of the best psychological thriller writers currently around. This was a fantastic read and I highly recommend.' Keri Beevis

'Eerie and dramatic, it's a carefully crafted mystery.' Woman's Weekly

'A fabulous whodunnit which is fast paced, with a surprising twist at the end… I thoroughly recommend this book. I found it hard to put down.' 5 star Reader Review

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

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 2025

About the author

Amanda Brittany is the best selling author of psychological thrillers NOW YOU ARE MINE, HER LAST LIE, TELL THE TRUTH, TRACES OF HER, I LIE IN WAIT, I'M WATCHING YOU and THE ISLAND HOUSE

LET ME OUT is out on June 29th 2025 with Boldwood Books.

Her debut, HER LAST LIE has so far raised £9000 for Cancer Research UK in memory of her sister from eBook royalties.

Amanda lives in Hertfordshire in the UK with her husband and her crazy, cute dog. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her family and friends, travelling, walking her dogs, reading & sunny days. She also has a soft spot for snow, which features in HER LAST LIE & I LIE IN WAIT.

Amanda has studied psychology and criminology, has a diploma in creative writing, and a BA(Hons) in English Literature.

She also writes psychological suspense novels with Karen Clarke. THE SECRET SISTER, THE PERFECT NANNY and THE NEW WIFE.


You can follow her on:
Twitter: @amandajbrittany
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amandabrittany2
Instagram: @amanda_brittany_author

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

LET ME OUT by Amanda Brittany is a masterfully woven thriller that grabs you from the first page and never lets go. The synopsis sounded amazing, and the book did not disappoint. The tension is razor sharp and the pacing is perfect. Short chapters move the plot along at warp speed and make the book almost impossible to put down. And the twists are genuinely shocking—truly make for WOW moments!

We are introduced to an incredibly likable and endearing protagonist, Annie, who returns home when her brother suffers a horrible accident. Or was it an accident? That’s what’s also so fantastic about LET ME OUT— it keeps you guessing throughout. In addition to Annie (whom I loved) and her brother, we are introduced to several characters from Annie’s past, each complex and multi-layered, all harboring secrets. The emotional undercurrents—trauma, grief, guilt, survival—are visceral, adding layers of depth to the storyline. It’s not just about solving mysteries for our characters—it’s about confronting the past and the cost of keeping secrets.

Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers with rich characters and lots of heart, LET ME OUT is a chilling, gratifying read that stays with you long after the final jaw dropping twist. Highly recommended! Gripping, emotional, and truly unputdownable!

I want to thank NetGalley, Amanda Brittany, and Boldwood Books for gifting me the ARC of LET ME OUT! It was such a privilege to read this before publication. And I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!

[Yara’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆

Let Me Out pulls you in right away with its eerie small-town atmosphere, layered secrets and a strong emotional undercurrent. I loved how the mystery unraveled bit by bit, with past and present slowly colliding in ways I didn’t always see coming. The multiple POVs added depth to the story and I especially appreciated Annie’s character. She’s flawed, vulnerable, but determined.

The plot is filled with twists and while a couple were easy to predict, others genuinely surprised me. The themes of trauma, guilt and memory were woven in well, and the pacing stayed tight enough to keep me engaged throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!

Amanda Brittany is one of the - way too many - authors I usually buy books from blindly, and with Let Me Out, she did clearly deliver again!

I came up with some theories about what had happened to Annie's brother, and also, to Giselle, all those years ago while reading, jumping from one suspect to the next. It just felt like everyone in Ridgewater was holding secrets, good and bad ones alike. And Margot - Giselle's mother - and her creepy house constantly gave me the shivers (I have no idea why I did always imagine the Addam's family home while reading). Oh, and that plot twist! I never in a million years could have seen that one coming!

All in all, another great read from Amanda Brittany! Looking forward to the next one!

[Roz Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Annie returns to her childhood home after her brother has a terrible accident, she starts to realise that her past is full of secrets and someone is willing to do anything to make sure they don't get out.

This was such a great, twisty read, which had me hooked start to finish. I loved the storyline with all the twists and turns and multiple mysteries that all come together. The book is well written and nicely paced. It definitely had me turning the pages. 

I liked that the story flashes back to the past and is told from multiple pov as this added to the depth of the story but also helped me to understand the dynamics at play. The author handled difficult topics sensitively and I thought the portrayal of trauma and mental health issues were also well written.

Annie's character was really likeable. I also really liked her mum and felt that their home was full of love despite the difficult circumstances. 

The plot had me guessing throughout. It was tense and there were a few shocking revelations along the way!

I highly recommend this to any fans of gripping psychological thrillers. 

Huge thanks to the author, publisher, Netgalley and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buried secrets are coming to the surface.
Annie Blake recieved a letter from her mother telling her to come home, her brother Elliot has had a serious accident.
Its been a long time, this is identical to her friend Giselles that led to her death twelve years ago.
Leaving London behind and her job as a doctor at the hospital, she returns to fairy cottage in Ridgewater Devon and is shocked by the seriousness of his condition. Why didn't her mother pick up the phone instead of a letter?
One creepy read, Let me out has got all the grips and feelings in every single chapter.
Mind-blowing and my kind of read.
I loved it.

[Emma Ounsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced thriller that made me wonder about everyone, who did it?
A realistic but almost quaint setting set the scene for a claustrophobic whodunnit with well written characters and plenty of back story.
I couldn’t work out who the bad guy was due to all the unexpected twists and the end when it came was a bit of a shock, something I did not see coming.
Original and exciting, I will read more from this Author.

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book completely surpassed my expectations! Not that I thought it wouldn’t be good, I just didn’t know how good it would be. Annie returns to her hometown because her brother has suffered a horrible injury. He was found at the bottom of a cliff near their home, paralyzed and unable to speak. This is also where another girl was found dead over a decade ago. And where another young woman disappeared at the same time. Can you blame her for not coming back?

Shortly after coming home, Annie is contacted by her old friend, Natalie, who tells her about another tragic event that happened that same year, on the night before she shut Annie out of her life. Natalie’s trying to track everyone down who was there to figure something out (can’t say what without it being a spoiler). When they realized all these tragedies occurred so close together, they theorized that there had to be some connection, along with at least one very dangerous person who may still be living in the area. What’s going on in this tiny village? And how is Natalie’s brother involved? And if they keep pushing for questions, will they be the next ones found at the bottom of a cliff??

There are many other characters in the story, and to say they are quirky or eccentric doesn’t even come close! As the plot progresses, the list of suspects just keeps growing, and it seems like Annie and Natalie will never find the answers they need. The closer it gets to the conclusion, the more bizarre and shocking the whole thing becomes. I loved it! I was stunned, and it all made sense; it wasn’t even a stretch. You better believe I was hooked on this story right up until the last page because the craziness just kept on coming! This is a definite must-read!

[Caroline | dogtailsandcrimetales · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★

What an unhinged thriller!

Annie returns to her hometown of Ridgewater after her brother suffers a life-changing accident. In the past, she often prioritized her job and career over her family, only to realize recently that it hadn’t brought her the fulfillment she was seeking. Determined to make a change, she goes back to Fairy Cottage (her childhood home) surrounded by the Sycamore Woods, which hold more than one person’s darkest secrets. There, she must confront the past she thought she left behind.

”These woods are haunted…”

Amanda Brittany excels at setting the stage for an atmospheric read, and the Devon landscape, with its forests and coastlines, perfectly complements Annie’s story. At first, I struggled a little to connect with Annie, but once the story gained momentum, I grew to appreciate her caring nature and her strong determination to unravel the many mysteries surrounding Ridgewater and its residents.

”Get away from Ridgewater, Annie…”

The plot is well-layered and thoughtfully crafted. There are quite a few characters, each with their own storyline, yet it never becomes confusing. The story kept me guessing throughout. With so many secrets and unanswered questions, I was never quite sure where to focus my attention. At one point or another, I suspected almost everyone. Not all at once, of course, but I think every character landed on my suspect list as I raced through the pages, unable to put the book down.

The final 20 percent of the story is absolutely unhinged. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor more than once and even went back to reread certain parts just to make sure I hadn’t misunderstood—surely it couldn’t be…?

The final revelations don’t let up, and what I really appreciate about Amanda Brittany’s storytelling is that even in the darkest, most dire moments, she manages to leave a glimmer of hope, somehow ending the story on a positive note.

I highly recommend this to thriller fans!

Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Amanda Brittany for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let Me Out by Amanda Brittany, Annie is a doctor in London but ever since the break up with her boyfriend she isn’t happy. So when she gets a text from her mom telling her about her brother Elliot who fell off the same cliff that her friend Gisele did and is now not speaking and seemingly paralyzed, she packs up everything and heads back to River end and Kent to help out her mom. The last time she was there her friend Gisele died after falling off of a cliff something that wasn’t so clear cut. Her and Giselle at one time were very close but when her mom claimed she became allergic to the sun and that Annie wasn’t welcomed in their home their friendship changed. soon after Annie arrives home her old friend Heather shows up wanting Annie’s help but when Annie’s help brings only anonymous threats she starts to second-guess it but soon learns she is in too deep to get out on scathed. if you think the book sounds good just know I haven’t even mentioned mysterious bartender Tom, how Giselle‘s mom wanted to be close to Annie after her return despite the fact everyone in town thinks Annie‘s dad died having sex with her, a girl who shows up from Australia looking for her sister who was last seen meeting a guy in Rivers end and so so much more this is what I call a banger of a book and I am so shocked there is only one other review for it on Goodreads because this is the type of book you scream from mountain tops how great the book is. If you are a fan of thrillers and mysteries then why haven’t you already read this book it is so so good and will probably be my favorite book I’ve read this year. there is no way you’ll guess the awesome ending! #NetGalley,#BoldwoodBooks, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestreview, #AmandaBritney, #LetMeOut,

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you net galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
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Annie is VERY reluctantly returning to her childhood town after her brother suffered an accident leaving him paralyzed. Oddly enough the exact same thing happened to her best friend 12 years ago, only Giselle died. Annie can’t help but try to figure out what happened to her brother. However her brother’s accident sets off a chain reaction of decades of secrets coming to light wreaking havoc on everyone.
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Okay okay okay. For the beginning of this book I was just vibing. Super interesting premise and story, I wasn’t bored per say, but I could sort of see the story unraveling. Or so I THOUGHT. Man when I got to the back 50% of this book I had WHIPLASH.
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So many twists and turns. I’m not kidding I was thinking to myself “this isn’t the most twisty turny book, I can sort of see what’s going on here, but it’s still GOOD” and then Amanda was like oh that’s cute that you think so. I was a little confused by the Natalie plot line, and what it all meant. Could the story have been exactly the same without it? I think so. Am I happy it was there? Yes. I wish we had more insight into Annie’s life before, but that’s okay. If you like twisty thrillers ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR ASAP!!!

[Heathers_readss · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you name reference Freida McFadden in the book synopsis I will always try your book because I love Freida so much 😆😆😆😆

And actually this one didn’t disappoint! A super twisty fast paced read with lots of quirky characters, a mystery surrounding a cliff and many twists throughout! This is definitely what you would call a page turner.

I liked the main character and im always a fan of the “returns home due to a traumatic event that needs investigating” trope.

Thank you for the gifted copy i look forward to reading more from this author!

Publishes - June 29th

[Cynthia Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Netgalley, Amanda Brittany, and Boldwood Books for the eARC. I absolutely loved this psychological thriller! I’m always drawn to stories where secrets from the distant past resurface in the present, and this one delivered perfectly. Full of unexpected twists and turns, the plot unfolded at just the right pace and kept me hooked from start to finish!

[Candice Ybarra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was not what I was expecting! The book kept me guessing, which I appreciated. At times, it was a bit difficult to follow the various storylines—there were quite a few threads to keep track of—but overall, it was a good read. I enjoyed the twists and found the conclusion satisfying, even if it took some effort to get there.

[Ellie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was NOT what I was expecting!!!!!!!! The way I gasped. This was a huge page turner and had me on the edge!!! Twist & turns
🤯🤯

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda Brittany’s “Let Me Out” is the first book I read of hers. Annie returns to her hometown of Ridgewater after she finds out her brother, Elliot, was injured in an accident six weeks prior. Her mother is the one who lets her know. Annie’s already on leave from her job as a doctor and goes back to Ridgewater because the circumstances of Elliot’s accident are similar to the night she lost her childhood friend, Giselle.

Her brother survived his accident, but cannot speak or move. None of the medical tests show injuries that would explain Elliot’s current condition so the doctors are hopeful he’ll make a full recovery. Soon after Annie’s return, she runs into Natalie. Annie and Natalie were friends as teenagers until Natalie abruptly stopped talking to her. Annie has always wondered why Natalie ended their friendship.

This book is made up of three parts. There are chapters that serve as flashbacks that help explain what’s occurring in the present day. I found the introduction of a missing girl into the plot to be a little jarring. Maybe I missed it, but I don’t recall the girl’s name or disappearance being mentioned until the middle of the book.

I enjoyed the author’s writing style. I found the ending of the book a little disjointed. Answers were given, but I found at least one of them to be slightly far-fetched in nature.

Overall, I recommend this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

[Elizabeth Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page turner! I really enjoyed how the book was laid out. There were different perspectives from different characters, flashbacks, and so much lore. I really felt for Annie and loved her character. She really felt obligated to help everyone around her and I’m the same way. We are also on the same anti-depressant! To find out the truth on so many mysteries all at once was so good. Usually there is one or two big twists, but I swear part 3 of the book showed every chapter being a twist. I loved this book so much and will be reading more from this author. If you enjoy mysteries and thrillers then please read this!

[Sorina · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

After her brother was hurt in an accident, Annie goes back to her hometown.
She avoided going there in the last 12 years, after her friend died in an accident similar to her brothers.

I received an advance review copy from Boldwood Books (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

This is a psychological thriller full of twists that kept me entertained.
It is the first book from Amanda Brittany that I read so I did not know what to expect.

There are many secrets that are revealed and a lot of suspects.
I liked the overall atmosphere that was a bit scary and full of tension.

The book has a dual timeline, with flashback chapters and others that take place in present.

I also liked the writing style and that the plot was not predictable.

[emily *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/3.5⭐️
When Annie leaves her hometown of Ridgewater she vows to never return. She focuses all her time becoming a doctor. when she gets a letter from her semi-estranged mother that her brother had a terrible accident she is forced to return. Secrets of the past are brought back to life and what happened to Annie's best friend at the age of 11 is uncovered- nothing is what it seems. overall the book was good- it kept me engaged but overall it was a little predictable.

thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!

[Mickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna left her home of Ridgewater twelve years ago, hoping to leave it behind and become a doctor. When she gets a message from her mother saying that her brother Elliot has had a terrible accident, she knows she has to return home.
Elliot has fallen from the local cliffs and is now paralysed, unable to speak, but aware of all going on around him. Anna is desperate to find out what happened to him. Even if it means she will be in danger. Because someone doesn't want Elliot to speak.

This book had so many different little mysteries running through it, but they all came together in spectacular fashion at the end. I had my theories about what happened to Elliot, Giselle, Natalie and Fi, but I was completely wrong each time.
This was such a great, twisty read. I look forward to what comes next from this author.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend.

Let Me Out by Amanda Brittany.
I really enjoyed this book. It was slow starting, but once Annie is home, it started to get really good. I wasn't sure how I felt about the characters. I didn't have any favourites. I did try to guess what happened 12 years ago. I kept jumping from suspect to suspect. The chapters were short. I read this in 2 sittings. I didn't really like Natalie. Not how she was. Some parts were chilling. I had goosebumps. Wow. I never would have guessed that ending. I definitely recommend it.

[Kelsie Ator · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the Author and Netgalley for this ARC! This book is just wow! So many twists and turns!! From Elliot’s wild ride, to Giselles. I cant believe Giselle wasnt actually who it said she was! Totally did not see that twist coming at all!! I would have preferred if the Ansa chapter was left out though since it was only one 2 page chapter. There was definitely a lot going on in this book. Between around 6 characters POV’s. Definitely have to pay attention but it was so good in the end! I will be thinking about this one for a long time!!

[Sandie Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book has so many twists & turns, it took me a bit to keep up but every time I had to put it down to do life (boring I know) I couldn’t wait to read more. It’s part love, part horror, part thriller, part murder book but all the characters & stories for each one are brilliant & keep you wanting to find out what has happened to all. I was a bit emotional about parts of this book but it made it more special. It’s a complicated book but a bloody good one.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed, new to me author. Mystery set in a small town near the sea in England. Annie a London doctor returns to her home town after her brother is pushed off a cliff and left for dead. Paralysed and unable to speak. Annie, her mother and caregivers help to care for Elliot. Also old and new friends in town have deep problems. Interesting how it all turns out!

[Camdyn Oberholtzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read. There was not one moment where I correctly guessed what would come next. Insane plot twists and extremely well written. I wish I could reread it with no memory of what happens.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything came together in the end very nicely.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing mystery. I guessed a few things, but wow I did not see the final twist coming!

[RAECHEL THOMAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. That was absolutely diabolical. If you think you have it figured out, no you don’t! I read most of it in one day. Too bad work gets in the way, I could hardly put this book down. If you’re looking for a thriller, this is it. Well done Amanda Brittany….well done.

[Paula K Hargis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read! I could not put it down. The suspense is overflowing and an ending you won’t see coming. I thought I had this book figured out but to my delight I was not even close. The author did a great job with character development. Each character is easy to identify with and pulls you in deeper. Each sentence draws you in deeper. This psychological thriller is one that will have you on the edge of your seat. Thank you to the author, Amanda Brittany, for this 5 star read.

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a very addictive read. Annie left her hometown moved to London and became a doctor but with the stress of the job has had a breakdown she has never wanted to go back home. she had a schoolfriend Natalie but never kept in contact and her other friend and neighbour died. she has never wanted to go back home. but she gets a letter of her mother her brother Elliot has had a fall .so she goes home. won't say no more but this story is just so good .

[Beverly Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sixty-four chapters of a psychological mystery of monumental proportions.
Reading Let Me Out, I assumed one thing and was mistaken.
Each character is richly fleshed out and relatable. The storyline has all the twists and turns of a mountainous road, and I loved that.
The ending was a moment that I didn't see coming.
**s**al assault
#Boldwood
#NetGalley
#AmandaBrittany