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Don't Tell
I don’t trust anyone. Not after my dad’s abandonment.
Not after the toxic affair with my high school teacher. Not after the attack that nearly killed me.
And definitely not after the lies I’ve told—to myself and others.
For twelve years, I’ve buried my secrets, trying to live the perfect suburban life. I’m married to a wonderful man, and I have a rewarding career at Camp Wildfire—a sanctuary for troubled teens nestled on the edge of a sprawling forest. Life looks good on the surface, but one crack and it could all fall apart.
Turns out, that crack has a name. Amanda.
Her arrival rips open old wounds, forcing me to confront the past I’ve kept hidden from everyone, including my husband. The secrets I’ve buried are threatening to destroy me—and I’ve recently learned that I’m not the only one hiding something big.
A camper has gone missing, echoing a tragic disappearance from years ago. As I learn more about the girl, I’m forced to question everything. My marriage. My memories. And my own sanity.
Because some monsters are real. Especially the ones inside us.
From bestselling author Mary Stone and Matt Giegerich, Don't Tell is a pulse-pounding psychological thriller that will captivate fans of The Perfect Marriage, Behind Closed Doors, and The Wife Between Us. Get ready for a twisty, unputdownable journey into the darkness that lurks behind the perfect facade.
Not after the toxic affair with my high school teacher. Not after the attack that nearly killed me.
And definitely not after the lies I’ve told—to myself and others.
For twelve years, I’ve buried my secrets, trying to live the perfect suburban life. I’m married to a wonderful man, and I have a rewarding career at Camp Wildfire—a sanctuary for troubled teens nestled on the edge of a sprawling forest. Life looks good on the surface, but one crack and it could all fall apart.
Turns out, that crack has a name. Amanda.
Her arrival rips open old wounds, forcing me to confront the past I’ve kept hidden from everyone, including my husband. The secrets I’ve buried are threatening to destroy me—and I’ve recently learned that I’m not the only one hiding something big.
A camper has gone missing, echoing a tragic disappearance from years ago. As I learn more about the girl, I’m forced to question everything. My marriage. My memories. And my own sanity.
Because some monsters are real. Especially the ones inside us.
From bestselling author Mary Stone and Matt Giegerich, Don't Tell is a pulse-pounding psychological thriller that will captivate fans of The Perfect Marriage, Behind Closed Doors, and The Wife Between Us. Get ready for a twisty, unputdownable journey into the darkness that lurks behind the perfect facade.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2024
About the author
Mary Stone
271 books2,252 followersTo download my FREE BOOK, click here: https://authormarystone.com/free-book...
Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.
Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.
Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.
Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
July 16, 2026
should have DNF, this was probably the most uninteresting and predictable book i have ever read.
Did Not Finish
February 22, 2026DNF at 40%. I’m sorry the main character was crazy & listening to her inner thoughts made me tired. I already guessed who the killers were so I skipped to the end & seems I was right. Just did not hold my attention.
December 21, 2024
Geeesh,what a book!
Sadly, a great book with a horrible story. So much pain and deception. A walk through tragedy after tragedy. Not for the weak of heart
Sadly, a great book with a horrible story. So much pain and deception. A walk through tragedy after tragedy. Not for the weak of heart
August 23, 2025
A fast paced thriller you don’t want to put down!
This was a good book. It got me out of a reading slump of a month. It was fast paced. Kept me entertained from the beginning. I did catch on to the plot twists along the way but I blame how many thrillers I’ve read in the past that I trust no one! It was such a wild story from start to finish I’m glad I picked this up!
This was a good book. It got me out of a reading slump of a month. It was fast paced. Kept me entertained from the beginning. I did catch on to the plot twists along the way but I blame how many thrillers I’ve read in the past that I trust no one! It was such a wild story from start to finish I’m glad I picked this up!
June 24, 2025
Awesome psychological thriller about a woman who works as a counselor for troubled girls. One of the admitted teen girls is pregnant and the counselor thinks that the baby’s father might be an adult male.
That’s all I’m going to give you about this one, but definitely check it out.
That’s all I’m going to give you about this one, but definitely check it out.
November 15, 2024
A plot that has trauma and crime stemming back for years. Psychology is key throughout the story, as are themes of trust, abandonment, and criminal activity. The dedication to the truth and strength to find it is noteworthy and the twists kept twisting. Some of it was not too surprising as the story focused on high school friend groups and random red flags. The strength of will and character shown fiercely, especially as own self doubts and traumas were forced open. I flew through the book and enjoyed all the details. Another great MS read!
June 2, 2025
what a waste of time
This has to be one of the worst books I have ever read. The plot was stupid. The writing was elementary at best and I can’t believe I’ve wasted time reading it. Do not make the same mistake I did and read this book. It’s horrible.
This has to be one of the worst books I have ever read. The plot was stupid. The writing was elementary at best and I can’t believe I’ve wasted time reading it. Do not make the same mistake I did and read this book. It’s horrible.
January 8, 2026
Predicted a bit of it but for the most part a decent thriller
March 8, 2025
A brilliant thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. A few twists I saw coming but some I didn't.
December 29, 2024
Quick read. Kept me engaged but a predictable ending. Not. Bad book but not great either. Good for a rainy day with nothing else to do
November 2, 2024
Overwritten and Too Obvious
The premise is intriguing enough that you want to know what happened in the past and what will happen next in the future. Unfortunately, the inner dialogue of the MC endlessly drags, and after a certain point, the solution is so obvious there’s no mistaking what’s going on. The final fight scenes are unbelievable, and they’re no recommendation for Muay Thai; quite the opposite. I finished the book hoping I was wrong about the ending. I wasn’t. Not a thriller, not even a mystery, in fact.
The premise is intriguing enough that you want to know what happened in the past and what will happen next in the future. Unfortunately, the inner dialogue of the MC endlessly drags, and after a certain point, the solution is so obvious there’s no mistaking what’s going on. The final fight scenes are unbelievable, and they’re no recommendation for Muay Thai; quite the opposite. I finished the book hoping I was wrong about the ending. I wasn’t. Not a thriller, not even a mystery, in fact.
June 12, 2025
Nope. Sorry, what the hell was that. Predictable, ridiculous and cringey. Poorly written. Couldn’t stand the main character and the way she spoke out loud to herself.
October 10, 2025
Absolutely ludicrous. Don't waste your time on this one.
February 11, 2025
One of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read in a very long time!!! Kept my heart racing constantly and couldn’t put it down!
May 6, 2025
I loved the psychology piece in this book it made it more interesting
July 14, 2025
4-4.25 stars. A solid thriller that is a combination domestic/marital suspense with a crime (or crimes) thrown into the mix. I did guess most of the ending, but still enjoyed it.
February 6, 2026
Absolute binge-worthy book. I devoured in 24hrs . What pleasant surprise !
January 4, 2025
A real whoduner
May 6, 2026
I didn’t want to finish this book, but I did and I can’t even think of anything that I liked about it. The female main character was weak and annoying. Right in the middle of the narrative, a psychological definition would be given and that was annoying. And then as things unfolded, they were so far-fetched that that annoyed me as well. I couldn’t wait to be done with this book.
November 2, 2024
Can Secrets kill?
I cannot believe how fast I read this book, I couldn't put it down. Mary Stone and Matt Giegerich wrote a book that wraps you up, involving you in a story, that can be hard to tell. I absolutely loved this book and hope I see more from the both of them.
Lizette and her husband Arthur were trying to have a baby, but it's been a year and still nothing. Lizette has a secret she is keeping and little does she know, lots of people around her have their secrets too.. sad to say, some of them are dirty secrets.
If you love Psychological Thriller's you are going to love this book, and hold on to your seat, it will blow you away.
I cannot believe how fast I read this book, I couldn't put it down. Mary Stone and Matt Giegerich wrote a book that wraps you up, involving you in a story, that can be hard to tell. I absolutely loved this book and hope I see more from the both of them.
Lizette and her husband Arthur were trying to have a baby, but it's been a year and still nothing. Lizette has a secret she is keeping and little does she know, lots of people around her have their secrets too.. sad to say, some of them are dirty secrets.
If you love Psychological Thriller's you are going to love this book, and hold on to your seat, it will blow you away.
January 5, 2026
This book had potential but I found it very repetitive, and boring at some points. I kept thinking when will this get good? Maybe I have read too many thrillers, but I was pretty much able to figure things out quite early on.
February 10, 2025
Really not good
That felt like a first book. Really not creative at all. Just felt like it was all over the place.
That felt like a first book. Really not creative at all. Just felt like it was all over the place.
January 9, 2025
📚 Book Review 📚
Don’t Tell by Mary Stone & Mark Giegerich 🤫
Lizette, counsellor of troubled teens at Camp Wildfire hides her own dark secrets – secrets she has kept from her husband for years, and one she hopes he never finds out. When Amanda, a pregnant rich kid with a bad attitude, joins Camp Wildfire, it seems that Lizette’s dark past resurfaces as Amanda’s revelations are causing her to rethink the trust she has in her husband. But her husband is just a boring, nerdy land surveyor, right?
Mary and Matt have created a twisted and gruesome plot that has trauma and lies embedded from the get-go. As we progress, we come to understand that mental health issues, in particular PTSD, are at the forefront of this story and are tackled so well. Character development is key and has been perfectly executed, although I would have liked to have found out a bit more about the other girls in camp, but this wasn’t a huge issue.
I found myself mesmerisingly flying through this book and those last chapters were so climactic I couldn’t put it down! This book had me reading late into the night and racing to finish it to read those last few jaw dropping twists, and I wasn’t disappointed! Everything was wrapped up as well as can be – this is one of the things I enjoy most about a book – a satisfying ending.
A huge thank you to Eunika and Mary Stone for the gifted copy of this book, this is definitely one I’ll be recommending.
Don’t Tell by Mary Stone & Mark Giegerich 🤫
Lizette, counsellor of troubled teens at Camp Wildfire hides her own dark secrets – secrets she has kept from her husband for years, and one she hopes he never finds out. When Amanda, a pregnant rich kid with a bad attitude, joins Camp Wildfire, it seems that Lizette’s dark past resurfaces as Amanda’s revelations are causing her to rethink the trust she has in her husband. But her husband is just a boring, nerdy land surveyor, right?
Mary and Matt have created a twisted and gruesome plot that has trauma and lies embedded from the get-go. As we progress, we come to understand that mental health issues, in particular PTSD, are at the forefront of this story and are tackled so well. Character development is key and has been perfectly executed, although I would have liked to have found out a bit more about the other girls in camp, but this wasn’t a huge issue.
I found myself mesmerisingly flying through this book and those last chapters were so climactic I couldn’t put it down! This book had me reading late into the night and racing to finish it to read those last few jaw dropping twists, and I wasn’t disappointed! Everything was wrapped up as well as can be – this is one of the things I enjoy most about a book – a satisfying ending.
A huge thank you to Eunika and Mary Stone for the gifted copy of this book, this is definitely one I’ll be recommending.
April 27, 2026
Don’t Tell by Mary Stone and Matt Giegerich is a fast-paced psychological thriller that pulls you in right from the start and doesn’t let go. The story follows a tense and layered investigation where secrets run deep, and nothing is quite as it seems. As the plot unfolds, hidden truths begin to surface, leading to a series of twists that keep the reader guessing.
This was an easy, one-sitting read for me—quick, engaging, and hard to put down. The plot itself is intriguing, with a mix of twists that range from predictable to genuinely surprising, which helped keep things interesting throughout. While I found the storyline compelling, some of the characters could have been developed a bit more to create a stronger emotional connection.
There are a few heavier themes touched on that some readers might prefer a trigger warning for, although they aren’t described in graphic detail. It’s something to be aware of, but it didn’t overwhelm the story.
Overall, this was a solid and entertaining read. If you enjoy thrillers with steady pacing and a few good twists along the way, this one is worth picking up. I’m definitely interested in reading more from these authors.
This was an easy, one-sitting read for me—quick, engaging, and hard to put down. The plot itself is intriguing, with a mix of twists that range from predictable to genuinely surprising, which helped keep things interesting throughout. While I found the storyline compelling, some of the characters could have been developed a bit more to create a stronger emotional connection.
There are a few heavier themes touched on that some readers might prefer a trigger warning for, although they aren’t described in graphic detail. It’s something to be aware of, but it didn’t overwhelm the story.
Overall, this was a solid and entertaining read. If you enjoy thrillers with steady pacing and a few good twists along the way, this one is worth picking up. I’m definitely interested in reading more from these authors.
October 26, 2024
DON’T TELL is a new Psychological Thriller from Mary Stone and her new co-author Matt Giegerich. They have not dissapointed their readers. This is another murder mystery with a twisted and gruesome plot. A page turner that's sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Lizette Silva hides her own deep and dark secrets as she counsels troubled teens at a camp sanctuary. As she counsels Amanda, a troubled and pregnant teen, her own dark past resurfaces. Stories of another teen that vanished from this camp fifteen yeas ago is circulating.
As Liz counsels Amanda and researches the cold case, the more she believes that her past, the missing camper and Amanda's problems are somehow connected. This is when Liz starts to question her life, career, even her marriage. Could she be losing her mind?
Thought out this story you will be bouncing from victim to perpetrator then to another victim and perp. Maybe, YOU are losing your mind.
I did receive an advance copy from the authors and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Lizette Silva hides her own deep and dark secrets as she counsels troubled teens at a camp sanctuary. As she counsels Amanda, a troubled and pregnant teen, her own dark past resurfaces. Stories of another teen that vanished from this camp fifteen yeas ago is circulating.
As Liz counsels Amanda and researches the cold case, the more she believes that her past, the missing camper and Amanda's problems are somehow connected. This is when Liz starts to question her life, career, even her marriage. Could she be losing her mind?
Thought out this story you will be bouncing from victim to perpetrator then to another victim and perp. Maybe, YOU are losing your mind.
I did receive an advance copy from the authors and this is my honest and voluntary review.
November 8, 2024
4 stars. A new psychological thriller by Mary Stone and Matt Giegrich. This is a deep plot. Lizette has her secrets from her past. She is also a counselor at a camp for troubled teens. When camper Amanda arrives, Lizette is thrown into the past. Amanda is both troubled and pregnant. Lizette's husband desperately wants a baby. Lizette has her reasons for not having one. Years ago a camper at the camp Lizette works for disappeared. Lizette is sure her past, Amanda, and the missing camper are somehow connected. While all this is going on, does Lizette's husband have his own secrets? Who can Lizette trust?
This is a trip into PTSD and the devastation it can leave behind. I found it compelling and am so glad to see an author tackle mental health issues. And tackle them correctly. As a nurse, I am a huge proponent for mental health. This book was on point and very well written. I highly recommend this book.
This is a trip into PTSD and the devastation it can leave behind. I found it compelling and am so glad to see an author tackle mental health issues. And tackle them correctly. As a nurse, I am a huge proponent for mental health. This book was on point and very well written. I highly recommend this book.
November 14, 2024
Keeps you guessing
Lizette is a counselor at Wildfire Camp for troubled teens. She is married to Arthur and he has a twin brother Will. Lizette has a pregnant teen Amanda who has a lover who is older than her. She is only14 but her lover can't wait for her to have the baby and they will live happily ever after. Lizette needs to find out who the older man is. She to was taken aback by an older man and she knows how they manipulate young teens. Another problem at the camp is another teen brings up the disappearance of a camper who went missing, Regina. When Lizette mentions her lover makes her call him Mr. Yuen she thinks her husband is the father of her baby. She has him arrested. Meanwhile, Melanie goes missing after all the talk about Regina. It turns out Melanie is Region's cousin and she went to look for Regina's body. Then there is Lizette who thinks all these happenings are somehow related. I told you it keeps you guessing. Great twists and turns.
Lizette is a counselor at Wildfire Camp for troubled teens. She is married to Arthur and he has a twin brother Will. Lizette has a pregnant teen Amanda who has a lover who is older than her. She is only14 but her lover can't wait for her to have the baby and they will live happily ever after. Lizette needs to find out who the older man is. She to was taken aback by an older man and she knows how they manipulate young teens. Another problem at the camp is another teen brings up the disappearance of a camper who went missing, Regina. When Lizette mentions her lover makes her call him Mr. Yuen she thinks her husband is the father of her baby. She has him arrested. Meanwhile, Melanie goes missing after all the talk about Regina. It turns out Melanie is Region's cousin and she went to look for Regina's body. Then there is Lizette who thinks all these happenings are somehow related. I told you it keeps you guessing. Great twists and turns.
February 9, 2025
Good story, poor writing
I initially wanted to give this book 2 stars, but I opted for 3 as I really did enjoy this story. Psychological Thriller is a spot on description. I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen next, I was very wrong, and I like that in a book. My biggest negative remark for this book is the poor editing/writing. There were quite a few typos and even more poorly executed descriptions. For example, a photo was described as a boy having his arms folded, but then a few sentences later stated he had his hand gripped tightly on another boys shoulder. While this is minor, it does make it difficult to appreciate the imagery. I don't fault the writers for this, but rather the editors/publishers. Overall, this really was a fantastic read that kept me wanting more. I found it hard to stop reading.
I initially wanted to give this book 2 stars, but I opted for 3 as I really did enjoy this story. Psychological Thriller is a spot on description. I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen next, I was very wrong, and I like that in a book. My biggest negative remark for this book is the poor editing/writing. There were quite a few typos and even more poorly executed descriptions. For example, a photo was described as a boy having his arms folded, but then a few sentences later stated he had his hand gripped tightly on another boys shoulder. While this is minor, it does make it difficult to appreciate the imagery. I don't fault the writers for this, but rather the editors/publishers. Overall, this really was a fantastic read that kept me wanting more. I found it hard to stop reading.
October 26, 2024
What a complex plot! Lizette has a secret that she has kept from her husband for several years. Now, she is going to face the music and either tell the truth and risk possibly losing her husband; or lose him anyway as the secret may be too devastating for him to handle. But now she also has a new problem. Her newest client is telling some secrets that are causing Lizette to rethink the trust she has placed in her husband. And she is sure her husband is keeping something from her. Then she finds a mysterious phone taped to the inside of the engine compartment of her husband's truck. This story gets more and more strange with every page. You will keep turning those pages trying to figure out who you can trust and who is in danger. This is a twisted tale, and it keeps you guessing. The ending is quite scary! I enjoyed reading this book.
September 12, 2025
This was a personal read, since I haven't won a Goodreads Giveaway since July....
This psychological thriller keeps you on your toes, twists and turns all over. leading you this way and that way. Very entertaining. The subject matter is very sad however. The manipulation of more than one narcissistic psychopath hit a little close to home with my PTSD but I pushed through it and was glad I did. The storyline centralizes around a Camp for troubled teenagers. Most of which have been manipulated and used for their Naive nature. The camp counselor Lizette tries hard to help the girls as best she can, but ends up being pulled in by a dark and twisted past, present, and future. Betrayl, life threatening encounters, and finding the truth to close to home and work sends her mind reeling. Lots of action and never a dull moment. Very well written. I recommend this book. You should give it a try.
This psychological thriller keeps you on your toes, twists and turns all over. leading you this way and that way. Very entertaining. The subject matter is very sad however. The manipulation of more than one narcissistic psychopath hit a little close to home with my PTSD but I pushed through it and was glad I did. The storyline centralizes around a Camp for troubled teenagers. Most of which have been manipulated and used for their Naive nature. The camp counselor Lizette tries hard to help the girls as best she can, but ends up being pulled in by a dark and twisted past, present, and future. Betrayl, life threatening encounters, and finding the truth to close to home and work sends her mind reeling. Lots of action and never a dull moment. Very well written. I recommend this book. You should give it a try.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews