Four's A Crowd: A Twisty YA Thriller

by R.H. Layne

On a warm day in March, best friends Sam and Fran watch from the town overpass as their friend Marcy gets into a stranger's car and drives away. Three days later, she's officially declared missing. Despite being the last people to see Marcy alive, Sam and Fran refuse to go to the police. If they tell them why Marcy flagged down the car, their dark actions from that day will be revealed and their lives potentially ruined.

But when Sam begins receiving threatening letters, it becomes clear that someone else knows the truth about what happened the day Marcy disappeared. At the same time, a woman begins following Sam, inserting herself into her life and Marcy's case. As rumors from her past begin to resurface, Sam must deal with a town that doesn't forget and a missing friend
who might or might not have left behind the answer to her disappearance.

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2025

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great debut novel…the structure of the novel is easy to follow, flipping from the current point in the story to the time just before, until the two time periods come together at the arc. I slid right into the story like a cozy set of PJ’s. An easy, entertaining read that leaves you wondering until the end!

[Brittany Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a read-in-a-day kind of book. The short chapters and alternating timelines really draw you in. I thought it was the perfect length and the ending left me thinking.

[Megan Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

So heart-poundingly good! Four's a Crowd has it all - The nostalgia of high school, budding friendships, red herrings, short biting chapters that move, and an ending that keeps you thinking for days. I especially appreciated the jump between flashbacks to fill gaps, diary entries that reveal, and high-stakes action unfolding in real time. If this is the author's debut novel, I can't WAIT to see what's coming next.

[AMY MINNIER · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love unhinged, unreliable characters and this story has plenty! Four high school friends, one goes missing, and everyone is hiding something. This is a quick read and full of suspense! It’s one of those books you can’t put down until you know how it ends! 👀

[Kelly Menk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had me on the edge of my seat! A great thriller with an ending you don’t see coming.

[Emily Kronemeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

R.H.'s debut is a total home run! Forget those time-jump novels where you just want to skip ahead—this book effortlessly blends past and present, making every chapter a joy. My mind was reeling as I tried to piece everything together; the author kept me hooked and guessing until the very end. This is the perfect easy and engaging read for a summer day by the pool, beach or lake. Seriously, tell your friends to read it—you'll definitely want to talk about it once you're done!

[Oluwatimilehin David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four’s A Crowd is a masterclass in tension and atmosphere. From the very first scene, you’re pulled into Sam and Fran’s world of secrets, guilt, and loyalty tested under fire. The missing girl, the threatening letters, and the figure who won’t stop shadowing Sam, all of it builds into a story that’s both chilling and heartbreakingly real. R.H. Layne doesn’t just write a thriller; they craft a story about the weight of choices and the ghosts we carry. Dark, gripping, and unforgettable.

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Layne's debut is a captivating tour de force that kept me riveted from start to finish. Her masterful portrayal of the protagonist's gradual unraveling is nothing short of brilliant, deftly building tension and complexity with every page. It’s a stunning exploration of psychological depth and narrative craft.

[Todd J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic debut novel. Enjoyed the character development and how the story unfolded.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense until the last page! This was a creative story line and had me on the edge of my seat!