What do you think?
Rate this book
No One Saw Her Go
A summer camp in rural Pennsylvania harbors decades of deadly secrets…
When criminology student Zoey Montgomery takes a summer job as a camp counselor at Camp Medley, she has one to discover what happened to her aunt Heather, who vanished from the camp over thirty years earlier. But what begins as a quest for closure quickly spirals into something far more sinister…
It’s not long until Zoey notices disturbing patterns in the camp’s history. She hears rumors of more missing girls, and strange accidents occur that leave her shaken and afraid. Is she imagining the sinister whispers from the woods, or has she made a deadly mistake? What happened to Heather, and is Zoey next?
A nerve-twisting thriller full of buried secrets and deadly obsession that will have you glued to the page. Perfect for fans of Ask for Andrea, The Quarry Girls and A Flicker in the Dark.
When criminology student Zoey Montgomery takes a summer job as a camp counselor at Camp Medley, she has one to discover what happened to her aunt Heather, who vanished from the camp over thirty years earlier. But what begins as a quest for closure quickly spirals into something far more sinister…
It’s not long until Zoey notices disturbing patterns in the camp’s history. She hears rumors of more missing girls, and strange accidents occur that leave her shaken and afraid. Is she imagining the sinister whispers from the woods, or has she made a deadly mistake? What happened to Heather, and is Zoey next?
A nerve-twisting thriller full of buried secrets and deadly obsession that will have you glued to the page. Perfect for fans of Ask for Andrea, The Quarry Girls and A Flicker in the Dark.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
225 people are currently reading
532 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
August 17, 2025
I thought I was going to love this book, a psychological thriller is just my cup of tea, and while all the ingredients were there, it fell very flat for me. It centres on the story of Zoey, who after just finding out from her Mum that she had an aunt that disappeared in 1989 when at a summer camp, Zoey decides to go work at said camp and solve her aunt’s disappearance (as you do). She has just trained in Criminology so this is going to be her first “case” and cold cases are (conveniently) what she wants to concentrate on.
The story was promising, it was told in two timelines 2024 with Zoey working at the camp (so she can solve her Aunt’s disappearance), and 1989 when her Aunt Heather was at the camp. The problem was the story telling read like a YA genre (at best), although the content was more suited to an adult audience, so it therefore didn’t work for me. The conversations between the characters were so unpolished, and there were so many eye rolling moments (both of their lives were in danger in the two timelines, so what did they do, well they continued to stay at the camp when it was obvious that was the worst thing they could do!). There was also a lot about their relationships and how madly desperately in love they were. It’s got teen drama written all over it. There was also a lot of repetition throughout the book, where I was sure I’d just read that exact same thing a few chapters back.
What could have been really good, unfortunately just didn’t work for me. That being said, I did finish the book as I was curious at to how it ended up! It kind of reminded me a little of a Scream movie, just a little bit daft…..
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story was promising, it was told in two timelines 2024 with Zoey working at the camp (so she can solve her Aunt’s disappearance), and 1989 when her Aunt Heather was at the camp. The problem was the story telling read like a YA genre (at best), although the content was more suited to an adult audience, so it therefore didn’t work for me. The conversations between the characters were so unpolished, and there were so many eye rolling moments (both of their lives were in danger in the two timelines, so what did they do, well they continued to stay at the camp when it was obvious that was the worst thing they could do!). There was also a lot about their relationships and how madly desperately in love they were. It’s got teen drama written all over it. There was also a lot of repetition throughout the book, where I was sure I’d just read that exact same thing a few chapters back.
What could have been really good, unfortunately just didn’t work for me. That being said, I did finish the book as I was curious at to how it ended up! It kind of reminded me a little of a Scream movie, just a little bit daft…..
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2025
Zoey Montgomerys aunt Heather went missing from Camp Medley 35 years ago. Zoey gets a job there as a counselor to try to find out what happened to her aunt and get answers for her heartbroken mother.
The setting takes place in a creepy wooded forest and is told in the two perspectives of Heather and Zoey 35 years apart. The book is full of crazy, dysfunctional characters and I couldn’t hardly put it down. Thanks NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eARC that will be released August 1, 2025!
July 13, 2025
Jesus Christ where do I honestly begin? 😭
I want to thank netgalley and storm publishing for giving me an Earc to this book.✨♥️
This is my first time reading a book from this author and I'm not disappointed.👏🏾
The creepy factor in this book was on point😭👏🏾. I was getting goosebumps and don't get me started on the characters.
The way the author depicts them in this book is magnificent.
This book follows a young college student called Zoey who takes a summer job at camp Medley, where her aunt Heather disappeared thirty years ago. 🙂♥️
This has a dual pov not only are we reading about Zoey but about Heather too.🥲
I really want to give Heather a hug because that poor young girl didn't deserve all of that😭💔.
This book broke my heart and stitched it back up again 🥲. That epilogue was needed it was so bittersweet.😭. The way the story unravels will keep you hooked from the first page until the last!!!
The plot twist you might see it coming or you'll be like me.....what I thought was right was actually wrong 😭. The way Zoey just continued to ignore the red flags made me want to pull my hair😂🤦🏾♀️.
This is fast paced so it'll be very easy to read.✨🎀
I want to thank netgalley and storm publishing for giving me an Earc to this book.✨♥️
This is my first time reading a book from this author and I'm not disappointed.👏🏾
The creepy factor in this book was on point😭👏🏾. I was getting goosebumps and don't get me started on the characters.
The way the author depicts them in this book is magnificent.
This book follows a young college student called Zoey who takes a summer job at camp Medley, where her aunt Heather disappeared thirty years ago. 🙂♥️
This has a dual pov not only are we reading about Zoey but about Heather too.🥲
I really want to give Heather a hug because that poor young girl didn't deserve all of that😭💔.
This book broke my heart and stitched it back up again 🥲. That epilogue was needed it was so bittersweet.😭. The way the story unravels will keep you hooked from the first page until the last!!!
The plot twist you might see it coming or you'll be like me.....what I thought was right was actually wrong 😭. The way Zoey just continued to ignore the red flags made me want to pull my hair😂🤦🏾♀️.
This is fast paced so it'll be very easy to read.✨🎀
July 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, author Sally Royer-Derr and Storm publishing for the ARC and opportunity to give an honest review.
Perhaps this will be an unpopular opinion but this was not a good book. The premise was there but the execution just wasn’t. It felt like a high school English assignment.
Half of the book was just repetition. It quite literally repeated over and over the same character saying the same thing. There was no real character development and everything felt like it was just thrown in there. It was a whole lot of storyline ideas thrown into one book.
The writing style was very juvenile, perhaps this was to be more of a YA read as that is where it would fall in my opinion. The dialogue between characters was cringy for lack of a better word. While I get the characters were teenagers, the writing and dialogue made them sound like they were still 10.
The ending once again just felt thrown together and not overly realistic. Yes, it’s a book but the thrillers that feel like they could be real is what I really want to read.
For a YA reader this may be okay.
2⭐️⭐️
Publishes August 1.
Perhaps this will be an unpopular opinion but this was not a good book. The premise was there but the execution just wasn’t. It felt like a high school English assignment.
Half of the book was just repetition. It quite literally repeated over and over the same character saying the same thing. There was no real character development and everything felt like it was just thrown in there. It was a whole lot of storyline ideas thrown into one book.
The writing style was very juvenile, perhaps this was to be more of a YA read as that is where it would fall in my opinion. The dialogue between characters was cringy for lack of a better word. While I get the characters were teenagers, the writing and dialogue made them sound like they were still 10.
The ending once again just felt thrown together and not overly realistic. Yes, it’s a book but the thrillers that feel like they could be real is what I really want to read.
For a YA reader this may be okay.
2⭐️⭐️
Publishes August 1.
June 26, 2025
This book made me feel — and I mean everything.
From frustration that no one seems to care about Zoey’s search for answers, to anger at the silence and lies surrounding her aunt Heather’s disappearance… then sadness, betrayal, and shock all over again as the truth finally unraveled. I was hooked.
The dual POV — switching between Zoey in the present and Heather in the past — was so well done. It added depth, suspense, and so much emotion. I wanted to throw the book at how unfair Heather’s situation was. And the ending? Gut punch.
Fast-paced, creepy, and full of secrets, this was such a satisfying and emotional read. Highly recommend to thriller lovers who enjoy mystery layered with heartbreak, dark truths, and fierce determination.
From frustration that no one seems to care about Zoey’s search for answers, to anger at the silence and lies surrounding her aunt Heather’s disappearance… then sadness, betrayal, and shock all over again as the truth finally unraveled. I was hooked.
The dual POV — switching between Zoey in the present and Heather in the past — was so well done. It added depth, suspense, and so much emotion. I wanted to throw the book at how unfair Heather’s situation was. And the ending? Gut punch.
Fast-paced, creepy, and full of secrets, this was such a satisfying and emotional read. Highly recommend to thriller lovers who enjoy mystery layered with heartbreak, dark truths, and fierce determination.
June 19, 2025
Zoey Montgomery takes a summer job as a camp counselor to find out what had happened to her aunt Heather who disappeared thirty years ago. What happened to Heather, and is Zoey in danger, too?
This was a very fast (one day) read that had me hooked from the first chapter. The twists with all the characters were amazing and had me guessing until the end. The plot twists were surprising, and I had never guessed about the characters. It had everything – murder, mystery, and intrigue!
This was a very fast (one day) read that had me hooked from the first chapter. The twists with all the characters were amazing and had me guessing until the end. The plot twists were surprising, and I had never guessed about the characters. It had everything – murder, mystery, and intrigue!
July 14, 2025
Zoey loves cold cases and while cleaning her home, discovers her very own family has one hidden in the basement as well - 35 years ago her mother's sister ran away from home and vanished, never to be heard from again. Of course she's got to investigate, so she gets herself a job in the exact holiday camp her aunt was last known to hide out at, to try and find out exactly what happened to her.
I did not like this book at all. I really didn't even want to finish it, but forced myself to anyway, just to give it a proper chance.. But no, it just gets worse.
My first issue was the writing style - this isn't a teenage / YA book, especially with the things going on in later chapters but it's written as if the readers were expected to be around 15 and that's just weird and so off putting. There's multiple point of views, two main characters but they're basically the same person as there really is no difference in their inner monologues - both go on and on about being so in love with the perfect guy, one even though he already left her, but she'll talk to him and fix things.. Unfortunately that makes their thoughts very repetitive and there's just so much going back to that topic, it's rough.
The plot itself is very obvious, around 20% in you are basically given the answer to the ultimate question and after that it's just waiting if Zoey finds any clues - which she's really bad at. She goes to the camp, suspecting something happened to her aunt there, suspecting she's long dead and things didn't end well.. and yet still, she (who loves cold cases so much) just trampels everyone in sight because she has to blurt everything out that goes through her head. When that gets her no where, she seemingly just stops investigating until her roommate pushes the clues right into her lap. She doesn't connect those either though, which is just infuriating for the reader.
I'm also quite unhappy about the fact that all her investigating never leads to anything - everything has to get handed to her, spelled out in detail. I would've liked it a lot better, if Zoey actually did something to uncover the truth and while finding clues for a 35 year old case must be hard.. She could've done something more than just ask questions to two people and then wait, right? The dual point of view could've been great if Heather's wasn't just there to tell you the story that Zoey couldn't uncover.
The atmosphere of the camp was captured pretty well however, the location described enough to make it seem like a real place and a little bit like you're there - a lot of forest, pool, cabins, a lake.. It did give that summer feeling I was looking for. Also the camp itself was done quite well, the job, the responsibilities that came with it.. This part was not bad at all.
Overall, just not for me.
Thank you Storm Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I did not like this book at all. I really didn't even want to finish it, but forced myself to anyway, just to give it a proper chance.. But no, it just gets worse.
My first issue was the writing style - this isn't a teenage / YA book, especially with the things going on in later chapters but it's written as if the readers were expected to be around 15 and that's just weird and so off putting. There's multiple point of views, two main characters but they're basically the same person as there really is no difference in their inner monologues - both go on and on about being so in love with the perfect guy, one even though he already left her, but she'll talk to him and fix things.. Unfortunately that makes their thoughts very repetitive and there's just so much going back to that topic, it's rough.
The plot itself is very obvious, around 20% in you are basically given the answer to the ultimate question and after that it's just waiting if Zoey finds any clues - which she's really bad at. She goes to the camp, suspecting something happened to her aunt there, suspecting she's long dead and things didn't end well.. and yet still, she (who loves cold cases so much) just trampels everyone in sight because she has to blurt everything out that goes through her head. When that gets her no where, she seemingly just stops investigating until her roommate pushes the clues right into her lap. She doesn't connect those either though, which is just infuriating for the reader.
I'm also quite unhappy about the fact that all her investigating never leads to anything - everything has to get handed to her, spelled out in detail. I would've liked it a lot better, if Zoey actually did something to uncover the truth and while finding clues for a 35 year old case must be hard.. She could've done something more than just ask questions to two people and then wait, right? The dual point of view could've been great if Heather's wasn't just there to tell you the story that Zoey couldn't uncover.
The atmosphere of the camp was captured pretty well however, the location described enough to make it seem like a real place and a little bit like you're there - a lot of forest, pool, cabins, a lake.. It did give that summer feeling I was looking for. Also the camp itself was done quite well, the job, the responsibilities that came with it.. This part was not bad at all.
Overall, just not for me.
Thank you Storm Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
dnf
August 26, 2025DNF @ 19% because of the audio reader. It would have been impossible to continue six more hours of listening to the reader do the characters’ laughs alone.
September 5, 2025
A poignant story with two dual timelines. About great love and great loss.
June 22, 2025
NO ONE SAW HER GO BY SALLY ROYER-DERR.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Release date set for the 1st of August 2025.
I've been really looking forward to getting my hands on this book.
I love the cover and love the title.
Sally's writing style is one of my favourites and she creates amazing stories and are so bingeable. I will automatically read everyone of her books.
This one is amazing it had me wondering what was going to happen.
I loved the pacing and it kept me on my toes right until the very end.
Loved it.
Thank you Sally 💕 and congratulations on another amazing 5 star book
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Release date set for the 1st of August 2025.
I've been really looking forward to getting my hands on this book.
I love the cover and love the title.
Sally's writing style is one of my favourites and she creates amazing stories and are so bingeable. I will automatically read everyone of her books.
This one is amazing it had me wondering what was going to happen.
I loved the pacing and it kept me on my toes right until the very end.
Loved it.
Thank you Sally 💕 and congratulations on another amazing 5 star book
July 19, 2025
This is a book I will recommend to others for sure. The twists and turns hit and I love that we get POVs from multiple characters. Several coincidences occur, but is anything really a coincidence? I don’t think so. I loved following Zoey on her quest to discover what happened to her Aunt Heather.
June 29, 2025
1.5/5. I wanted to like this book. I really did. A psychological thriller at a summer camp has such promise. But this book is so poorly written I struggled to finish it. First, whoever edited this book did not do their job. At a minimum, it needs 20%+ fewer flowery, descriptive adjectives, and 20% more commas to make sense. Then it needs conversation that actually sounds realistic and is not simply superficial and stilted.
I really thought this was a book by a first-time author. It is that awkward. I was shocked to see 18 books in her Goodreads author profile.
Overall, one of the more disappointing books I have read in a long time.
I really thought this was a book by a first-time author. It is that awkward. I was shocked to see 18 books in her Goodreads author profile.
Overall, one of the more disappointing books I have read in a long time.
June 25, 2025
‘No One Saw Her Go’ by Sally Royer-Derr
3.75 roundup!
Thank you to #NetGalley for an eArc in exchange for an honest review!
I was intrigued as soon as I came across this book. The cover is gorgeous, and it gave the perfect summer camp, creepy vibe that I was looking for. A quick, one sitting read for the summer!
This story follows Zoey Montgomery when she applies for a camp counselor position at the same camp her aunt Heather mysteriously disappeared from 35 years ago.
Being obsessed with true crime and wanting to find closure for her mother, Zoey takes it upon herself to uncover the mystery of her aunt’s disappearance all those years ago.
I loved that the story and two alternating time frames ( present day with Zoey as well as 35 years ago from Heather. )
I really like the concept of the book, I would have rated it slightly lower just for the predictability aspect- I always knew where it was going – it was more so just gathering the details that made it so. That could be just a me thing, as I typically always figure out any twists, but the fast paced story telling saved it a star.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read.
3.75 roundup!
Thank you to #NetGalley for an eArc in exchange for an honest review!
I was intrigued as soon as I came across this book. The cover is gorgeous, and it gave the perfect summer camp, creepy vibe that I was looking for. A quick, one sitting read for the summer!
This story follows Zoey Montgomery when she applies for a camp counselor position at the same camp her aunt Heather mysteriously disappeared from 35 years ago.
Being obsessed with true crime and wanting to find closure for her mother, Zoey takes it upon herself to uncover the mystery of her aunt’s disappearance all those years ago.
I loved that the story and two alternating time frames ( present day with Zoey as well as 35 years ago from Heather. )
I really like the concept of the book, I would have rated it slightly lower just for the predictability aspect- I always knew where it was going – it was more so just gathering the details that made it so. That could be just a me thing, as I typically always figure out any twists, but the fast paced story telling saved it a star.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read.
June 20, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I can’t stop thinking about this book. I love thrillers that have a timeline of them and now so it makes it easier to understand the plot but wow this was amazing. As the plot unravels, nothing is given away that would help me figure it out and just when I thought I did, more twists. The characters had strong personalities that had me leery and suspicious from the start because I knew that a book this good where the main character is trying to get to the bottom of a mystery from long ago would have me on the edge of my seat and I was right.
June 25, 2025
If you're anything like me, you're constantly on the hunt for that next book that will completely consume your thoughts, keep you up late turning pages, and leave you breathless long after you've read the final word. Look no further, because Sally Royer-Derr's No One Saw Her Go is precisely that kind of book. Described as "thrilling and addictive psychological suspense," this novel lives up to every promise and then some.
From the very first chapter, Royer-Derr expertly sets a tone of unease and intrigue. The premise itself is chilling: someone vanishes, and the narrative slowly, meticulously unwinds the tangled web of secrets, lies, and hidden motives that surround their disappearance. What makes this book truly stand out in the crowded psychological thriller genre is its masterful pacing and deep dive into the human psyche.
One of the most compelling aspects of No One Saw Her Go is its character development. Royer-Derr doesn't just present characters; she dissects them, revealing their flaws, their hidden fears, and their darkest impulses. You'll find yourself questioning everyone, even those you initially trust, as new information comes to light. This constant re-evaluation of characters creates an immersive reading experience where you feel like an active participant in solving the mystery.
The suspense in this novel isn't reliant on cheap jump scares or gratuitous violence. Instead, it's a slow burn, a creeping dread that builds with each revelation. Royer-Derr utilizes psychological manipulation, unreliable narrators, and a pervasive sense of paranoia to keep you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you've pieced together the puzzle, a new twist emerges, forcing you to rethink everything you thought you knew. This keeps the "addictive" quality high, as you're constantly driven to uncover the truth.
The writing itself is crisp and evocative, painting vivid scenes without bogging down the narrative. The dialogue feels authentic, and the internal monologues of the characters are particularly effective in building the psychological tension. Royer-Derr understands the nuances of human behavior, and it shines through in every page.
Why You Need to Read This Book:
Intricate Plot: The layers of mystery are peeled back with precision, leading to a truly satisfying and surprising climax.
Deep Psychological Exploration: If you enjoy thrillers that delve into the minds of their characters, this is for you.
Unpredictable Twists: Just when you think you've figured it out, be prepared to be wrong.
Pacing Perfection: The suspense builds steadily, making it impossible to put down.
In conclusion, No One Saw Her Go is a triumph of psychological suspense. Sally Royer-Derr has crafted a narrative that is both thrilling and deeply intelligent, proving that she is a force to be reckoned with in the genre. If you're looking for a book that will grip you from start to finish and stay with you long after you've closed its pages, add this to your must-read list immediately. You won't be disappointed.
From the very first chapter, Royer-Derr expertly sets a tone of unease and intrigue. The premise itself is chilling: someone vanishes, and the narrative slowly, meticulously unwinds the tangled web of secrets, lies, and hidden motives that surround their disappearance. What makes this book truly stand out in the crowded psychological thriller genre is its masterful pacing and deep dive into the human psyche.
One of the most compelling aspects of No One Saw Her Go is its character development. Royer-Derr doesn't just present characters; she dissects them, revealing their flaws, their hidden fears, and their darkest impulses. You'll find yourself questioning everyone, even those you initially trust, as new information comes to light. This constant re-evaluation of characters creates an immersive reading experience where you feel like an active participant in solving the mystery.
The suspense in this novel isn't reliant on cheap jump scares or gratuitous violence. Instead, it's a slow burn, a creeping dread that builds with each revelation. Royer-Derr utilizes psychological manipulation, unreliable narrators, and a pervasive sense of paranoia to keep you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you've pieced together the puzzle, a new twist emerges, forcing you to rethink everything you thought you knew. This keeps the "addictive" quality high, as you're constantly driven to uncover the truth.
The writing itself is crisp and evocative, painting vivid scenes without bogging down the narrative. The dialogue feels authentic, and the internal monologues of the characters are particularly effective in building the psychological tension. Royer-Derr understands the nuances of human behavior, and it shines through in every page.
Why You Need to Read This Book:
Intricate Plot: The layers of mystery are peeled back with precision, leading to a truly satisfying and surprising climax.
Deep Psychological Exploration: If you enjoy thrillers that delve into the minds of their characters, this is for you.
Unpredictable Twists: Just when you think you've figured it out, be prepared to be wrong.
Pacing Perfection: The suspense builds steadily, making it impossible to put down.
In conclusion, No One Saw Her Go is a triumph of psychological suspense. Sally Royer-Derr has crafted a narrative that is both thrilling and deeply intelligent, proving that she is a force to be reckoned with in the genre. If you're looking for a book that will grip you from start to finish and stay with you long after you've closed its pages, add this to your must-read list immediately. You won't be disappointed.
July 24, 2025
Zoey Montgomery, a criminology student, accepts a summer job at Camp Medley, the same place her aunt Heather vanished from over thirty years ago. Hoping to uncover the truth about her aunt’s disappearance, Zoey begins to investigate the camp’s dark history. As more missing girls and eerie patterns emerge, she starts to question her own sanity. The deeper she digs, the more dangerous her search becomes, leading her to a chilling discovery that changes everything.
This book is all about family secrets and the truths that have been buried and it’s exactly as dark and twisty as that sounds.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I looooove a good missing person thriller. No One Saw Her Go by Sally Royer-Derr delivered all the suspense I crave, but added something even better: a chilling summer camp setting, a decades-old disappearance, and a determined main character who refuses to let the past stay buried. I also appreciated that this was a super quick read and it pulled me in fast and didn’t let go, with short chapters, eerie flashbacks, and just enough twists to keep me flipping pages. If you love thrillers with creepy atmospheres, unreliable characters, and long-buried truths clawing their way to the surface, you’ll want to pick this one up.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily. No One Saw Her Go publishes on August 1, 2025.
🩷🩷🩷
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plottwistsa...
Follow me on Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/plottwistsandpurpose
Follow me on Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile...
Follow me on Fable and join my bookclub!
https://fable.co/valerie-845011235983
This book is all about family secrets and the truths that have been buried and it’s exactly as dark and twisty as that sounds.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I looooove a good missing person thriller. No One Saw Her Go by Sally Royer-Derr delivered all the suspense I crave, but added something even better: a chilling summer camp setting, a decades-old disappearance, and a determined main character who refuses to let the past stay buried. I also appreciated that this was a super quick read and it pulled me in fast and didn’t let go, with short chapters, eerie flashbacks, and just enough twists to keep me flipping pages. If you love thrillers with creepy atmospheres, unreliable characters, and long-buried truths clawing their way to the surface, you’ll want to pick this one up.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily. No One Saw Her Go publishes on August 1, 2025.
🩷🩷🩷
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plottwistsa...
Follow me on Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/plottwistsandpurpose
Follow me on Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile...
Follow me on Fable and join my bookclub!
https://fable.co/valerie-845011235983
August 7, 2025
✨BOOK REVIEW✨
No One Saw Her Go by Sally Royer-Derr
Flashback to 1989 - scrunchie craze, cut-off jean shorts, when writing letters and notes were a thing, pay phones…
Heather leaves behind a life that is unkind to her. From her mother’s vices, her mom’s pick in sleazy men, and the recent loss of her grandmother, Heather knows she can no longer stay in her home. She goes to live in the woods near a sleep away camp located in Pennsylvania, in which her boyfriend is a summer camp counselor. Heather is trying to figure out a temporary life plan because going back to the life she knew is not an option. Heather does not realize that things may seem better at the moment living among nature near her boyfriend Dean, but her life is going to derail and no one can stop it.
Fast forward to 2024. Zoey finds out a shocking family secret. She is determined to find answers to give her mother the closure needed to move on from an extremely heart-wrenching, unsettling time in her past. Zoey becomes a camp counselor in an attempt to find the truth.
When I saw Sally Royer-Derr’s post months ago about this book coming out, it quickly became my most anticipated read of the summer. Give me a wooded camp-type setting in the summer, dual timelines with hidden secrets, and I am totally and utterly in.
This is the third book I have read by Sally Royer-Derr. I enjoy her books and will automatically read anything that she writes. However, this one fell a bit short for me, but I did enjoy it overall. The setting was great, I loved Dean’s loyalty (read it and you’ll know), and the last 30% was wow! Check it out if this sort of premise is for you. There is still time to squeeze in a quick end of summer read! This book is out for publication now.
Thank you to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
#netgalley #stormpublishing #noonesawhergo #summerread #summercampread #sallyroyerderr #bookstagram #bookreview #mystery
No One Saw Her Go by Sally Royer-Derr
Flashback to 1989 - scrunchie craze, cut-off jean shorts, when writing letters and notes were a thing, pay phones…
Heather leaves behind a life that is unkind to her. From her mother’s vices, her mom’s pick in sleazy men, and the recent loss of her grandmother, Heather knows she can no longer stay in her home. She goes to live in the woods near a sleep away camp located in Pennsylvania, in which her boyfriend is a summer camp counselor. Heather is trying to figure out a temporary life plan because going back to the life she knew is not an option. Heather does not realize that things may seem better at the moment living among nature near her boyfriend Dean, but her life is going to derail and no one can stop it.
Fast forward to 2024. Zoey finds out a shocking family secret. She is determined to find answers to give her mother the closure needed to move on from an extremely heart-wrenching, unsettling time in her past. Zoey becomes a camp counselor in an attempt to find the truth.
When I saw Sally Royer-Derr’s post months ago about this book coming out, it quickly became my most anticipated read of the summer. Give me a wooded camp-type setting in the summer, dual timelines with hidden secrets, and I am totally and utterly in.
This is the third book I have read by Sally Royer-Derr. I enjoy her books and will automatically read anything that she writes. However, this one fell a bit short for me, but I did enjoy it overall. The setting was great, I loved Dean’s loyalty (read it and you’ll know), and the last 30% was wow! Check it out if this sort of premise is for you. There is still time to squeeze in a quick end of summer read! This book is out for publication now.
Thank you to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
#netgalley #stormpublishing #noonesawhergo #summerread #summercampread #sallyroyerderr #bookstagram #bookreview #mystery
July 28, 2025
No One Saw Her Go by Sally Royer-Derr, When Zoe applies to be a camp counselor for the summer at Camp Melody the reasons or multiple. The first reason is she wants to find out what happened to her aunt Heather when she went missing from the camp years before in 1989 the second reason is to find out why her boyfriend who lives 30 minutes from the camp, ghosted her and now claims to be touring Europe something she doesn’t believe. like most of Mrs Royer-Derrs books there’s two povs one is with Heather, she’s 16 and after her stepdad wants a kid came into her room the night before she decides to run away and live at the summer camp where her boyfriend Dean is working. The second one is Zoe who goes to the camp and search of answers and when she arrives she’s happy to learn Mel her roommate is the daughter of the family that has owned the camp since the beginning. When she tries to ask Mel‘s aunt and mom about Heather they act as if they barely remember her and really have nothing to add to her sad tail, but when Mel takes her to her family home to dig through the basement of camp records Zoe finds a picture of her aunt Heather along with Mels aunt and mom Jennifer and Sherry. Zoe‘s efforts will not be wasted but when she finds out the truth she also finds out answers to questions she didn’t even ask and almost loses her life in the process. I really enjoy the authors out of the box endings and although you have to suspend belief it is still so worth getting through it I find her books compulsively readable but this one sadly not so much. It just kept being a pee and repeat situation with Zoe saying if you could tell me anything about my aunt that’s why I’m here blah blah blah she just kept saying it and kept getting the same answers but then when she’s confronted with the cashier who clearly know something about something Zoe instead fears her and just wants to get away from her which made no sense to me. The ending was still the crazy endings I’ve come to expect from the Author and I totally enjoyed that but for a lot of of the middle of the book it was mainly just repetition with the exception of her trying to find out what happened to her boyfriend Craig which the answer to that is also a doozy. if you love the type of thrillers that you know you will have to suspend belief but are down to do it because it’s so much fun the new will enjoy this book if you skip a few of the middle chapters I will not say don’t read it because the beginning and most of the end was really good the answers are outrageous and so worth getting to it’s just a repetition if the author could fix that this really would be a great book and the kind I come to expect from the Author. So I guess what I’m saying is read it at your own risk. #NetGalley,#StormPublishing, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #SallyRoyerDerr, #No oneSawHerGo,
July 26, 2025
Really great read from start to finish. The author does a great job in bringing you into the lives of the characters. Whether you're a longtime fan of thrillers or new to the genre, this book is a must-read. It's the kind of story that lingers in your mind long after the last page is turned. I couldn’t put this one down!
July 23, 2025
Wow this is the most suspenseful book I’ve read in a while! The build up is slow and steady until you’ve finally gotten all the answers you’ve been frantically turning pages for. I really liked the flashbacks and getting Heather’s story. This book is suspenseful and heartbreaking. A truly emotional read.
June 26, 2025
First time reading this author and enjoyed the story, duel time line which was easy to follow about a girl trying to find out why her aunt disappeared from a summer camp. Story keeps you guessing and with a twist near the end. Worth the read. My thanks as always to NetGalley and Publisher Storm Publishing for the early read for an honest review.
August 1, 2025
Vanished Without a Trace
A chilling, fast-paced thriller No One Saw Her Go is a tense and atmospheric thriller that kept me on edge from start to finish. The mystery surrounding the young girl’s disappearance is masterfully unraveled, with twists that genuinely surprise. The characters are well-drawn, and the emotional depth adds to the suspense. A compelling, fast-paced read that’s hard to put down which is perfect for fans of dark, character-driven crime fiction. This book is Tense and addictive. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A chilling, fast-paced thriller No One Saw Her Go is a tense and atmospheric thriller that kept me on edge from start to finish. The mystery surrounding the young girl’s disappearance is masterfully unraveled, with twists that genuinely surprise. The characters are well-drawn, and the emotional depth adds to the suspense. A compelling, fast-paced read that’s hard to put down which is perfect for fans of dark, character-driven crime fiction. This book is Tense and addictive. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 31, 2025
Great story, a thriller just the way I like it! A point of view from two different characters with two separate timelines. Zoey was desperate to cure her mother's heartache after her aunt disappeared from a summer camp many years ago. The story follows Zoey who became a counselor at the camp searching for answers of her Aunts disappearance. The story was heartbreaking and believable as I followed Zoey's quest for answers.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC to review! I really enjoyed this one!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC to review! I really enjoyed this one!
January 6, 2026
Book was good, family was nuts but enjoyed it and read in one sitting! Would recommend
June 23, 2025
3.75⭐️
I want to start by saying that I am a huge fan of author Sally Royer Derr. She is an auto-buy author for me. I literally have all her books as eARCS yet have still purchased physical copies of them all for myself and others. I will continue to do so!
Unfortunately, this one wasn’t my favorite. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the story over all and I love younger protagonist based books but I struggled. Going into this book I actually didn’t know what it was about at all. I never read the description but again- auto read author! When I started it I became even more excited because I could see that it was more of a NA thriller with the college aged FMC. I think maybe my excitement may have played against me? I’m not sure and will have to sit on that for a bit.
I think the challenge I had with it is that it doesn’t read like the writing I have come to expect and enjoy from Ms Royer Derr. Part of it could be that typically her protagonists are a bit more mature and college age and older teen characters are a different breed! In addition there was a lot of repetition. Things that were stated and then repeated in the following paragraphs as well as a lot of “tell” instead of show. Again this comes from knowing the authors typical writing and this just didn’t fit with that.
What worked? I enjoyed the actual plot and the mystery that unfolded. The majority of the book is a duel POV and duel timeline with a third (and needed) POV that comes in right at the end. I really enjoyed reading Heathers POV from 1989. The book is a fairly quick read and can satisfy a low stakes thriller itch. Being set at a summer camp also gives it that extra pull for some summer thriller fun!
All that being said, do I recommend the book? 100%! Because while I struggled a bit , that is me, a person that gets stuck on certain things and despite all that in the end I enjoyed the story. I’m complicated..
No One Saw Her Go comes out August 1st 2025 so be sure to get your copy!
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Storm Publishing through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
I want to start by saying that I am a huge fan of author Sally Royer Derr. She is an auto-buy author for me. I literally have all her books as eARCS yet have still purchased physical copies of them all for myself and others. I will continue to do so!
Unfortunately, this one wasn’t my favorite. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the story over all and I love younger protagonist based books but I struggled. Going into this book I actually didn’t know what it was about at all. I never read the description but again- auto read author! When I started it I became even more excited because I could see that it was more of a NA thriller with the college aged FMC. I think maybe my excitement may have played against me? I’m not sure and will have to sit on that for a bit.
I think the challenge I had with it is that it doesn’t read like the writing I have come to expect and enjoy from Ms Royer Derr. Part of it could be that typically her protagonists are a bit more mature and college age and older teen characters are a different breed! In addition there was a lot of repetition. Things that were stated and then repeated in the following paragraphs as well as a lot of “tell” instead of show. Again this comes from knowing the authors typical writing and this just didn’t fit with that.
What worked? I enjoyed the actual plot and the mystery that unfolded. The majority of the book is a duel POV and duel timeline with a third (and needed) POV that comes in right at the end. I really enjoyed reading Heathers POV from 1989. The book is a fairly quick read and can satisfy a low stakes thriller itch. Being set at a summer camp also gives it that extra pull for some summer thriller fun!
All that being said, do I recommend the book? 100%! Because while I struggled a bit , that is me, a person that gets stuck on certain things and despite all that in the end I enjoyed the story. I’m complicated..
No One Saw Her Go comes out August 1st 2025 so be sure to get your copy!
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Storm Publishing through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
August 3, 2025
Zoey is a criminology student who takes a summer counseling job at Camp Medley in rural Pennsylvania. She has a personal mission: uncover the truth behind her aunt Heather's disappearance from the camp over 30 years ago. But the deeper she digs, the more she realizes that the camp harbors long buried secrets and a disturbing history. Rumors of other missing girls and strange "accidents" swirl, and Zoey begins to question whether she's on to something, or whether she's the next target.
No One Saw Her Go is a taut psychological thriller that dives deep into the shadows of trauma and memory. Royer-Derr masterfully blends past and present and this novel doesn't just entertain, it unsettles in the best possible way. The writing is deliberate and atmospheric. The tension creeps up slowly, enhanced by unanswered questions and eerie moments. Royer-Derr expertly captures the unease of being watched, of second-guessing your own perception, and of realizing that the truth might be way more dangerous than the lies. I absolutely loved our main character. Zoey is sharp, flawed, and emotionally layered, and her dogged pursuit of the truth and justice is about much more than just closure. Some parts in the middle do slow down a bit, but then it builds steadily and the ending lands perfectly, striking a good balance between satisfying and unsettling. Overall, if you enjoy thrillers with a slow burn intensity and a creeping sense of dread, No One Saw Her Go deserves to be added to your TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sally Royer-Derr, and Storm Publishing for this ARC! Publication day was August 1st 2025.
No One Saw Her Go is a taut psychological thriller that dives deep into the shadows of trauma and memory. Royer-Derr masterfully blends past and present and this novel doesn't just entertain, it unsettles in the best possible way. The writing is deliberate and atmospheric. The tension creeps up slowly, enhanced by unanswered questions and eerie moments. Royer-Derr expertly captures the unease of being watched, of second-guessing your own perception, and of realizing that the truth might be way more dangerous than the lies. I absolutely loved our main character. Zoey is sharp, flawed, and emotionally layered, and her dogged pursuit of the truth and justice is about much more than just closure. Some parts in the middle do slow down a bit, but then it builds steadily and the ending lands perfectly, striking a good balance between satisfying and unsettling. Overall, if you enjoy thrillers with a slow burn intensity and a creeping sense of dread, No One Saw Her Go deserves to be added to your TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sally Royer-Derr, and Storm Publishing for this ARC! Publication day was August 1st 2025.
July 25, 2025
This thriller focuses on Zoey, a college student, who decides to spend her summer as a counselor at Camp Medley. She’s nursing an unexplained breakup with her boyfriend and stumbles across photos of her mom with another girl that she didn’t know. Mysteriously, Zoey’s aunt disappeared several years ago at the same camp Zoey is spending her summer at. She makes it her mission to figure out what happened to her. The more she digs for info, the crazier and more dangerous things become.
This book is engaging and thrilling. There are a lot of surprise twists towards the end that will have your head spinning and wondering what you just read. They’re not so out of this world crazy that they aren’t believable. I feel that there should have been some trigger warnings with this book. There are some heavy topics such as child abuse/child predators briefly mentioned at the end of the story. There’s not a lot of focus/detail to it, but a heads up is always appreciated. Otherwise, this was an overall good read and gave some creepy vibes that reminded me of stories told around the campfire growing up. *Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for an honest review!
This book is engaging and thrilling. There are a lot of surprise twists towards the end that will have your head spinning and wondering what you just read. They’re not so out of this world crazy that they aren’t believable. I feel that there should have been some trigger warnings with this book. There are some heavy topics such as child abuse/child predators briefly mentioned at the end of the story. There’s not a lot of focus/detail to it, but a heads up is always appreciated. Otherwise, this was an overall good read and gave some creepy vibes that reminded me of stories told around the campfire growing up. *Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for an honest review!
June 20, 2025
What would you do if you suddenly found out that your aunt disappeared years ago without leaving a single trace?
Would you start investigating, trying to figure out what really happened, or would you leave the past in peace?
Zoey is determined to dig until she uncovers every last detail. She begins her search at the place where her aunt Heather was last seen. In doing so, she hopes to finally bring closure to her mother, Jess.
The story is told from two perspectives: the present, through Zoey’s eyes as she puts on her detective hat, and the past, through Heather’s chilling point of view, allowing us to experience the terrifying truth firsthand.
I always find thrillers set at camps deeply unsettling. They often take place in remote clearings surrounded by dense woods—places where shady characters lurk, and who knows what goes on in their minds. It instantly gives me goosebumps. After all, in one of those flimsy little tents or cabins, you’re a pretty easy target for a predator…
I also found it hard to trust anyone. One by one, each character seemed to be hiding something or behaving in a suspicious way. Even the ones who seemed genuinely kind and good—I couldn’t help but be wary of them too.
The author has written a gripping novel that had me glued to my seat, packed with a truckload of emotions.
I thought it was masterfully written, completely immersive, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book by this fantastic author. Five stars!
Thank you
Would you start investigating, trying to figure out what really happened, or would you leave the past in peace?
Zoey is determined to dig until she uncovers every last detail. She begins her search at the place where her aunt Heather was last seen. In doing so, she hopes to finally bring closure to her mother, Jess.
The story is told from two perspectives: the present, through Zoey’s eyes as she puts on her detective hat, and the past, through Heather’s chilling point of view, allowing us to experience the terrifying truth firsthand.
I always find thrillers set at camps deeply unsettling. They often take place in remote clearings surrounded by dense woods—places where shady characters lurk, and who knows what goes on in their minds. It instantly gives me goosebumps. After all, in one of those flimsy little tents or cabins, you’re a pretty easy target for a predator…
I also found it hard to trust anyone. One by one, each character seemed to be hiding something or behaving in a suspicious way. Even the ones who seemed genuinely kind and good—I couldn’t help but be wary of them too.
The author has written a gripping novel that had me glued to my seat, packed with a truckload of emotions.
I thought it was masterfully written, completely immersive, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book by this fantastic author. Five stars!
Thank you
June 28, 2025
In 1989 Heather runs away from home and goes to stay at Camp Medley, hidden in the woods with her boyfriend. While at the camp she goes goes missing and her sister has no idea what happened to her. Fast forward to 2024 and Heather’s niece Zoey heads to the camp to get some answers for her mum.
The concept of the plot was good and it had potential to be a great read but unfortunately the book didn’t live up to my expectations. I found it to be quite repetitive and somewhat boring at times, certainly throughout the first half. I got to around 70% of the way through before I thought anything major really happened, because of this the ending felt extremely rushed. Despite this, there were some unexpected twists revealed at the end which contributed towards a good ending.
Overall I didn’t love this book and probably wouldn’t recommend it. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.
The concept of the plot was good and it had potential to be a great read but unfortunately the book didn’t live up to my expectations. I found it to be quite repetitive and somewhat boring at times, certainly throughout the first half. I got to around 70% of the way through before I thought anything major really happened, because of this the ending felt extremely rushed. Despite this, there were some unexpected twists revealed at the end which contributed towards a good ending.
Overall I didn’t love this book and probably wouldn’t recommend it. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.
July 6, 2025
This book was everything 🤌🏻🤌🏻
I can’t explain how I feel right now. I had different emotions while reading this, and I can assure you that it was the best feelings.
I forgot that I was reading the book, I was so immersive to the story, I read this book in one sitting!
I loved it everything about it. It was perfectly written, the plot was so smart and clever. The characters were so captivating too.
The dual POV between past and present created the suspense, all the emotions, and the creepiness.
This is fast paced, creepy, with twists that made my jaw drop a few times.
No One Saw Her Go is entertaining and an emotional read.
Thank you so much Storm Publishing and to the author Sally Royer-Derr for my eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Highly recommend!
I can’t explain how I feel right now. I had different emotions while reading this, and I can assure you that it was the best feelings.
I forgot that I was reading the book, I was so immersive to the story, I read this book in one sitting!
I loved it everything about it. It was perfectly written, the plot was so smart and clever. The characters were so captivating too.
The dual POV between past and present created the suspense, all the emotions, and the creepiness.
This is fast paced, creepy, with twists that made my jaw drop a few times.
No One Saw Her Go is entertaining and an emotional read.
Thank you so much Storm Publishing and to the author Sally Royer-Derr for my eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews