She Fell Away: A Novel

by Lenore Nash

A State Department diplomat must confront the ghosts of her past as she searches for a missing American woman in New Zealand in this pulse-pounding and unputdownable thriller.

Lake Harlowe may not appear to be your typical State Department diplomat. With the number of skeletons in her closet exceeding the tattoos on her skin, she moves to a new country every few years to keep one step ahead of her personal demons. After two grueling years working in Cambodia, Lake’s desperate for a break and a new posting to sleepy Wellington, New Zealand, seems like a dream come true.

That is, until eighteen-year-old singer-songwriter Bowie Bishop mysteriously vanishes shortly after American NFL player Bruce Walter is found dead in his hotel room. An exchange student from Las Vegas, Bowie was a world away from her possessive, washed-up stage mom who won’t stop calling until Lake finds her superstar daughter.

All at once, Lake finds herself ensnared in a network of deception involving Bowie’s high-profile host family, a shadowy music producer, a casino magnate, and the US ambassador—her boss. Obsessed with finding the truth, Lake soon realizes that to find the missing girl, she must confront her own dark past in this unputdownable thriller that will keep you guessing until the final page.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Suspense

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 10, 2026

About the author

Lenore Nash was raised in rural Alaska and received an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University before joining the U.S. Foreign Service. After tours on four continents, she left the diplomatic corps to write full time. She’s a USA TODAY bestselling romance author under the name Lenora Bell. She divides her time between the U.S. and abroad with her partner and their two tiger-striped rescue cats.

Reviews

[Jannelies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the first pages on. Lake is an intriguing character who comes to life fully in this complicated story. Bowie, the missing girl, and her mother Suzie, came alive too but not as much as Lake. Her hunt for the killer of Bruce and the abductor of Bowie (and who knows, they may be one and the same person) goes above and beyond her work at the American Embassy in New Zealand.

Lake is scarred herself; her youth in Canada wasn’t exactly idyllic and slowly we learn why. And why she’s been unable to shake off the bad memories of her childhood. She is scarred but not broken, so when she gets involved in a murder and a kidnapping, she immediately feels she has what it takes to solve the cases.

A fast-paced story with a complicated plot that ends very well and hints to more books in this series. I’ll be looking out for them!

Thanks to Atria and Edelweiss for this review copy.

[Heather Fineisen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This opening to a new series is promising. Lake, the main character, is a diplomat with hidden tattoos just assigned to the embassy in New Zealand. When an American exchange student goes missing , Lake becomes a detective determined to find her. Finding the talented songwriting student will help Lake find herself. This was a quick solid read that kept my interest. Told in alternating chapters between Lake and Bowie the student highlights the parallels between the two characters. Throw in some song lyrics and a hot policeman and you have a great start.loved the setting of New Zealand and hope location has can important part in the next case.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

[Stacy40pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

She Fell Away by Lenore Nash. Thanks to @atriabooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lake is a state diplomat and just scored a cush spot in a sleepy New Zealand town. It’s sleepy until an American NFL player is found dead, and an exchange student star singer is missing.

There are several components to this story that made it unique and interesting , and not just another missing woman story. The poetry and lyrics behind it were great. While not necessarily music fiction, it has a lot of music background to it and lyrics play a key role. The main characters Lake and Bowie are both very fun to follow, in their own ways. As the mystery begins to unravel, we also begin to see some unsavory characters and the plot takes on a different track.

“She attracts the darkness. Because of what she’s seen. Because of what she did.”

Read if you like:
-Missing women stories
-Investigators who don’t give up
-Music fiction; plots with lyrics and poetry
-New Zealand setting

She Fell Away comes out 3/10.

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

An atmospheric thriller that’s sure to keep you hooked. Multiple POV, an interesting location, and side characters that have you questioning everything. The chapter lengths here were just right and had me reading at a steady pace. Our main characters were very individual so it was easy to differentiate their voices. If you love an atmospheric setting with a missing person and a mystery, this one is for you!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc

[Bethany Mock (bethanyburiedinbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @atriabooks @simon.audio #partner for the gifted copies of this book!

This was my first book by Lenore Nash and I have to say…I can absolutely see this turning into a very successful series.

This is one of those solid mysteries with a really intriguing lead character! The twist is she isn’t even technically a detective. Our main character, Lake, is a U.S. Embassy Agent. I don’t know why but I always love when the person solving the mystery isn’t a traditional detective. It just makes it the story feel more unique. I like when they are part of the community but bring a completely different perspective...and Lake did exactly that!

Speaking of, Lake was such a great character. She’s well traveled (Cambodia, Alaska and now New Zealand) and I loved that she carries her past with her. She has her own internal struggles from her life experiences that shape how she approaches this case which made me more intrigued. I think what I loved most about her is that she’s persistent. She took everything in stride and did not give up. She’s smart and observant which of course helped her suss out the situation :)

The pacing was strong the entire way through and it really delivered a satisfying and classic crime thriller feel which I adore.

This is perfect if you love:
• solid crime mysteries
• character driven thrillers
• strong, determined female leads
• a unique setting

I truly hope this becomes a series because I would absolutely follow Lake on her next case.

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Papa was a rollin' stone, but Papa has nothin' on Lake Harlowe. This State Department diplomat is young, cool, well traveled, and full of baggage. Yes. She is an ideal heroine for a mystery/thriller/crime series. I am HERE FOR IT.

One thing drew me to this book initially: the setting. Lake's current adventure takes place in New Zealand, and that's after two years in Cambodia, a young life in Alaska, and more. Of course, when she gets to New Zealand, she's immediately thrust into a bizarre situation. The novel opens with a murder, and then there's a missing young woman. It's the latter that really kicks Lake into gear, and that's the storyline through which readers get to know Lake.

I liked the pacing and the general plotting, but when I think back on this book, it'll be the intrigue of Lake that I recall over the excitement of the mystery. The mystery is done well, and it does provoke appropriate emotions. But it's Lake's characterization and the hints of many past struggles, relationships, and secrets, that have me the most pumped for the next book.

This was an engaging read with a great protagonist, solidly constructed mystery, and fantastic setting. I'm looking forward to much more from this series and hopefully this author in general.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Cassandra Woodworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Lake, a US Embassy diplomat in New Zealand, finds herself entangled in a perplexing case: the mysterious death of a famous football player, Bruce, in Wellington. This quickly intertwines with another puzzling case—the disappearance of Bowie, an exchange student.

The intrigue deepens as connections emerge between Bruce and Bowie. Why was Bruce in New Zealand when he was expected to be in Florida? Where is Bowie, and how does she connect to Bruce? Bowie's ties to Las Vegas, where her mother works at "The Trophy" casino owned by Bruce's father, Glen, suggest a deliberate link. It's up to Lake to uncover the truth.

The novel's non-linear timeline and multiple points of view create a viewing experience, like watching a good crime thriller tv series. This book is a must-read for mystery lovers!


*I received this arc copy from NetGalley & the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Leighann · Rating 4 out of 5]

She Fell Away is a debut thriller by Lenore Nash and will be released on March 10, 2026 in the United States. The novel is set in beautiful Wellington, New Zealand. The main character Lake Harlowe is an American diplomat and liaison to American citizens who find themselves needing help while in foreign countries. She Fell Away was a unique take on destination thrillers, because I had not read a mystery or thriller with the amateur detective working for an American embassy.
One of Lake’s first calls in New Zealand is to identify the dead body of an American football player, and later, a mom from Las Vegas calls about her missing daughter, an exchange student. Both have ties to Las Vegas and the seedy Trophy Casino. Could these two cases be related? Even though it is far outside of her job description, Lake can’t stop searching for the missing girl, Bowie.
The story moves between the present plot line, with hints of Lake’s past growing up in remote Alaska, where it seems her family escaped a weird cult, but her past is mostly just hinted at (it seems as Lake’s motivation for why she becomes so obsessed with finding missing student Bowie).
My Thoughts
Personally, I believe it would have been more interesting to know more about Lake’s past and get to know her character better, overall. However, this book also seemed like maybe it was the first in a potential series? Like some details were being saved for later?
The plot moved along at a fairly brisk pace, yet not without sharing vivid setting details of New Zealand, including the views of mountains, beach, and flora and fauna, so you might feel like you’re there.
POV and Bowie’s Character
While much of the book is from Lake’s POV, some chapters are from Bowie’s perspective. Bowie is an 18-year-old exchange student visiting Wellington, New Zealand when she goes missing. She’s happy to escape her life in Vegas, with her overbearing stage mom, who works at Trophy casino but she is trying to live vicariously through her daughter after a failed music career in her youth. While Bowie wants to be more of a moody singer-songwriter, her mom wants her to be a sexy pop star. When Bowie starts keeping secrets from her mom and host family, will her new life in New Zealand be what puts her in danger? Or will her past in Las Vegas past, that she’s trying to escape, makes its way across the world to haunt her?
Characterization
As I mentioned earlier, I felt some of the character development could have been more detailed, but this could be building toward a series. Suzie, Bowie’s mom, seemed a bit cliché as a character, and that came through in some of her dialogue (that often seemed like a paragraph or speech rather than dialogue). Bowie was more well-developed and her creativity and song lyrics made her character more realistic.
I predicted some of the plot twists, but not all, and the American embassy intrigue and unique setting made this an interesting thriller for me. All in all, if this is a series, I would read the next book to see how it progresses.
Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 rounded up to 4

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

She Fell Away by Lenore Nash is a highly recommended mystery and is the first book in a new series featuring Lake Harlowe, a U. S. State Department diplomat.

Lake Harlowe has recently accepted a new appointment in Wellington, New Zealand, when she receives a notice that American NFL player Bruce Walter has been found dead, seemingly from an accidental overdose. Part of her job is to support American citizens who are traveling abroad. This also includes notifying the next of kin if necessary, but when contacting Bruce's wealthy family, his father, Glen, immediately becomes threatening and combative. Quickly following this, an exchange student from Las Vegas, 18-year-old singer/songwriter Bowie Bishop, is reported missing by her mother Suzie. Suzie, a former rock star, is currently a cocktail waitress at a Las Vegas casino owned by Glen Walter. As Lake tries to assist in the search for Bowie, the search quickly ties into something more nefarious and ties into wide spread corruption.

The writing is good and very descriptive, but the pace was slow to take off. The pace does pick up in time, and the atmosphere becomes oppressive, melancholy, and suspenseful as the psychological complexity of the characters and the situation they find themselves involved with is slowly revealed. Several of the plot twists are largely predictable, so the journey the narrative sends you on must hold your interest, which it does to some extent. As the plot develops the novel does become more compelling and interesting, but while reading I felt like I had heard this story before.

Chapters are mainly told through the point-of-view of Lake, with some from Bowie. Some of the chapters follow a non-linear timeline. Lake is a complicated, unique character and there are several small insights into her troubled past. Bowie is an interesting character and actually better developed than Lake. The lyrics to some of the songs she is writing are included. This seems to be a new trend in current novels. If I'm being honest, I am quickly becoming weary of reading novels about aspiring musicians which include their song lyrics.

She Fell Away by Lenore Nash could be a good choice for those who enjoy mysteries and want to read the book starting a new series. 3.5 rounded up. Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...

[Mainlinebooker · Rating 3 out of 5]

She Fell Away by Lenore Nash appears poised as the opening installment of a crime series, yet it is unlikely to draw me back for a second sitting. The novel introduces Lake Harlowe, a peripatetic American state diplomat whose constant motion across continents feels less like professional necessity than psychic avoidance. Harlowe is a woman haunted by unresolved inner demons, and her refusal to settle anywhere mirrors her inability—or unwillingness—to confront them.
Fresh from Cambodia, Harlowe takes up temporary residence in Wellington, New Zealand, where she is soon pulled into a web of troubling events: the suspicious death of an American star football player, the disappearance of a young exchange student with musical ambitions, and the growing desperation of parents who want answers that no one seems eager to provide. As Harlowe probes deeper, the narrative expands into a familiar landscape of institutional corruption, moral compromise, and carefully concealed deceit reaching into the upper echelons of power.
While the international setting is atmospheric and the premise promising, the execution ultimately falls short. The plot unfolds along largely predictable lines, and the suspense rarely feels earned. Metaphors, rather than illuminating character or theme, often feel heavy-handed and conspicuously placed, pulling the reader out of the story instead of drawing them further in. What might have been a taut, psychologically complex thriller instead feels overdetermined, as though the novel is too eager to signal its meanings rather than trusting the reader to discover them.
This is not an irredeemable book—there are moments of clarity and competence—but it suffers from a lack of narrative restraint. A more rigorous editorial hand might have sharpened the pacing, refined the prose, and deepened the emotional stakes. As it stands, She Fell Away gestures toward a compelling series debut but does not fully deliver on its promise.

[Bonnie Brody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this mystery more than I did. After all, the protagonist, Lake Harlowe, is definitely not the typical employee of the U.S. State Department. She is an outlier, covered with multiple tattoos, probably gender fluid, and more outspoken than desired for this job. On top of this, she is young an beautiful. Currently assigned to New Zealand, she was previously working in Cambodia where things didn't go well for her personally or professionally. Lake is hoping that her assignment in New Zealand will be a quiet one, with time for her to enjoy the beauty of her natural habitat.

Shortly into her stay, Lake finds herself in the middle of an investigation into the disappearance of Bowie Bishop, an 18 year old exchange student from Las Vegas who is an upcoming musician and songwriter. Bowie comes with baggage, including an over-the-hill stage mom who is in everyone's face. Bowie is living with a host family that appears to be not quite what it seems from the outside looking in. Additionally, shortly before Bowie's disappearance, a young man from Las Vegas, Bruce Walter, is found dead under unusual circumstances. Are these two things connected? Did Bowie and Bruce know each other prior to traveling to New Zealand?

Additionally, the personnel that Lake interacts with at the State Department are less than welcoming, and some are even sinister.

As Lake finds herself in the middle of these investigations, the reader finds out about some of the baggage she carries with her - a troubled upbringing in Alaska, a difficult break-up in Cambodia, and allusions to other traumas in her life. It appears that this book is setting up to be the first in a series.

The novel is well-written but the mystery seemed circuitous and repetitious to me. Lake is an interesting character but I would have liked to have had more information about her life instead of all these hints about the past.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for early access to this novel.

[Savannah Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Fell Away is a quiet, emotionally layered novel that explores the fragile intersections of memory, identity, and loss. Carrie Miller crafts a story that is less about dramatic events and more about the subtle ways people drift—from relationships, from certainty, and sometimes from themselves.

The novel centers on a woman grappling with absence and emotional distance, tracing how past choices and unspoken grief shape her present life. Miller’s strength lies in her ability to capture internal conflict: the thoughts we replay, the moments we regret, and the silences that widen over time. Rather than offering clear answers, the narrative invites readers to sit with ambiguity and emotional discomfort.

Miller’s prose is restrained and thoughtful, allowing small moments—glances, memories, half-finished conversations—to carry significant weight. The pacing is deliberate, mirroring the slow unraveling and reconstruction of the protagonist’s inner world. This approach gives the novel a reflective tone that feels intimate and realistic, especially in its portrayal of emotional withdrawal and self-protection.

A central theme of She Fell Away is the idea that losing oneself is often gradual rather than sudden. The book examines how relationships change when people stop communicating openly and how healing requires confronting truths that are easier to avoid. While the story is tinged with melancholy, it is not without hope; moments of clarity and connection suggest that rediscovery is possible, even after long periods of disconnection.

She Fell Away will resonate with readers who enjoy introspective literary fiction and character-driven narratives. Subtle, poignant, and emotionally honest, the novel is a meditation on what it means to fall away—and what it takes to find a way back.

[Teresa Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

In She Fell Away, Lenore Nash introduces Lake Harlowe, a U.S. State Department diplomat whose new posting in New Zealand quickly turns into a search for a missing American teen, Bowie Bishop. What begins as a disappearance unfolds into something far darker, pulling Lake into a web of power, secrets, money and buried truths. As the investigation deepens, so does the story’s emotional core, revealing Lake’s own past growing up in a cult and the lingering trauma that still shapes her choices. The case becomes more than a mission. It becomes personal, especially as the connections between Lake, Bowie, and the complicated relationships with their mothers begin to surface.

I was pleasantly surprised by the emotional depth running beneath the tension. Nash’s background in historical romance shines through in the immersive writing and carefully built atmosphere. This is not a breakneck thriller chasing plot alone. It is deeply character driven, spending real time inside Lake’s grief, guilt, and internal struggles. The dynamics between Lake and her mother, Bowie and her mother, and the growing connection between Lake and Bowie give the story weight and urgency. Lake’s childhood trauma unfolds slowly, revealing pieces of a painful past that adds another layer of intrigue and keeps the emotional stakes high.

Pick this up if you want a thriller with substance and mood, one that values psychological complexity as much as suspense. The tension is steady, the emotional threads are compelling, and Lake Harlowe feels like a character with much more to reveal. I am genuinely excited this is the start of a series because her story feels far from finished, and I want to see where her journey goes next.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She Fell Away” is the debut thriller from author Lenore Nash. Nash is not new to the world of fiction, but she has spent her time writing romance novels under the pen name Lenora Bell. She is switching to her name and genres, and we are the beneficiaries of this decision.

This has hit written all over it.

Lake Harlowe is a State Department diplomat that is now serving in gorgeous country of New Zealand. She’s safely tucked away, not much to do, and running from her past. Then the peace and quiet vaporizes as an NFL rookie is found dead in his room at a resort where he is staying. Before they can even begin to deal with this situation, a mother calls to say that her daughter, an exchange student, has disappeared. Lake is rightfully consumed with searching for this young lady.

There is so much goodness in this book. I’ve read a lot of books over the last year and this jumps to being in the top 5, hands down. The writing is as beautiful as the country of New Zealand. Ms. Nash knows how to write a work of art. There is never a dull moment, even when the novel deals with relationships, especially with one’s mother. There are 3 different characters that are working through the expectations of their parents. Each person is written in a manner that you want to know more about them.

There is a door that is open for Lake to return in another novel. I don’t know how I feel about that. This book is so well written that I don’t know if one should mess with it. At the same time, even with incredibly high expectations, I would welcome another adventure with Lake.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Dive Into A Good Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

New Zealand! I will always pick up a book set on this enchanted land. Throw in the American Embassy and I knew I was going to be entertained. The first half of the book had all my attention. I could not peel my eyes away. The characters were enticing and I needed to know what happened to Bowie and Bruce. I knew they were connected; I just did not know how. What turned me off in the beginning is Susie, Bowie's mother. Susie is beyond selfish. Pushing her daughter to write music that she would have written. To dress in as little clothes as possible. When Susie shows up in New Zealand to find help find Bowie, I could not take her demands, and I did not feel like she was there just for her daughter. I loved the ending if it had stopped at tying up all of loose ends. I knew what had happened to everyone. But it would never end. It kept circling the drain and never going down.

Lake really sparked my interest. Knowing that she has not been back to visit her family since she had left Alaska set off alarms in my head. The pull of knowing there is so much more to her story. The fact that she works as a State Department Diplomat at the American Embassy. That would be such a cool job. Her tattoos from every place she has lived, a token of what each location meant to her. I thoroughly enjoyed this character. Thank you to Lenore Nash and Atria for my gifted copy.

[Amber Boos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this is Book 1 of what will become a series featuring Lake Harlowe, a diplomat for the US State Department. From this story, it appears to be a pretty strong start with an interesting lead character. And I learned a bit more about what a diplomat actually does. Yeah, I really didn't have much of an idea. But anyway, Lake has been stationed in Cambodia for two long. stressful years and is grateful to take a quieter post in New Zealand. Well, until Bruce, an American football star is found dead in his hotel room a few days after Lake arrives. And then we have Bowie, an eighteen-year-old singer-songwriter who has disappeared. Bowie is also an exchange student from America and her mom in Las Vegas is demanding answers. When Lake begins investigating, she finds numerous people with secrets and cover-ups, including Bowie's host family, a casino owner, music producer and Lake's own boss. I liked Lake. She is sharp, multi-tattooed, and has her own skeletons which keep her moving every few years. I think this will be a great series!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Lenore Nash and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Kelsey Hochheimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

She Fell Away…wow ! I am all in on this book.

One of my favourite aspects of the book is the character Lake. She was so well rounded..she is sharp and capable, but i enjoyed the added layer of her own baggage. Lake felt fully formed, there wasn’t an aspect (or lack-thereof) of her character that made me feel something was missing. As far as the rest of the characters, they added more depth because not one character felt one dimensional.

This is the first book I’ve read with New Zealand as the backdrop and I must say after reading this book and looking into New Zealand while reading to enhance my experience, well I may need to book a trip soon!

I truly hope this is the start of a series featuring Lake, because if so, I’ll pick up every single book. This is a great read if you’re looking for a book that doesn’t have a dull moment and balances tension with breathing room. Plus if you want to get into what I feel is the start of a series, then this book will check everything off your list.

Thank you Goodreads for this advance copy in exchanged for my unbiased opinion. For my first experience getting my hands on an advance copy .. She Fell Away has bar has been set high!

[Jeremy Reppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She Fell Away” was an intense story. I particularly liked Lake and Bowie, two young women who have some darkness in them but who are resilient and determined. The story has plenty of surprises. I liked that the story was primarily set in New Zealand, and how the author contrasts life in New Zealand with America, including the potential for crime, gun possession, and general approach to life. Having the main character be a consular official was an interesting twist.

I read an advance review copy which does not contain the acknowledgements page, so maybe this information will be in the final copy, but I am curious about Bowie's songs -- are those lyrics from an indie artist whom the author will credit or did the author come up with the lyrics herself. I also hope that this novel will be the first of a series, as I would like to read more about Lake Harlowe, and there is certainly enough backstory referenced or hinted at in the story to suggest there is plenty of material for further exploration of the character.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Goodreads for the ARC!

I just finished She Fell Away and I was blown away by the intriguing and realistic storyline, given this is the author's first thriller! It's a thriller about a teenager (also aspiring artist) from Vegas who goes to New Zealand for a study exchange, and it’s full of interesting and nuanced characters and plot twists to keep you engaged.

The best part for me was how realistic it felt, how in depth she went with each characters inner thoughts and feelings and the ins and outs of navigating life overseas. I read that the author had spent some time overseas as a US diplomat, so it totally tracks with the details she gets into when things go wrong overseas. I love that the author takes you into various places around the world, from New Zealand and Vegas and to Alaska for flashbacks. It was a great book that I couldn't put down, and I finished it in less than a week! I would love to see this book made into a movie, and will be on the lookout for any sequential books from this author!

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She Fell Away” by Lenore Nash is the beginning of an exciting new series with a fascinating female lead character. She is a seasoned US State Department diplomat who has spent her entire career running from danger.
After spending 2 difficult years in Cambodia dealing with her share of conflicts, Lake Harlow jumps at the chance for a quieter posting in Wellington New Zealand. Soon after she arrives an American football star is found dead in his hotel room and an 18 year old American exchange student vanishes without a trace. As she begins to investigate she discovers a web of secrets that stretch from Wellington to Las Vegas. She is determined to find the missing student but every clue drives her closer to the ghosts of her own dark past.

This is an exciting and gripping mystery that takes place in a cinematic setting. I am looking forward to the next book in the series and much more from this talented author.

[Pgchuis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I found the first few pages of this novel quite off-putting, but persevered and things did improve. Lake is attached to the US Embassy in New Zealand to assist US citizens in that country. She is asked to liaise with the parents of Blake, a young US man found dead and with the mother of Bowie, a missing US exchange student. Given that this is a crime novel, obviously Lake takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of things.

I have mixed feelings about this story: I found the undated switches in the timeline confusing; the constant hints about dark events in Lake and Bowie's respective pasts were repetitive and overdone; most of the characters were unlikeable; and I skipped the extensive song lyrics. On the other hand, the idea of using a consular official as a heroine was unusual and interesting, and something kept me reading to the end.

[Roopa Unnikrishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed getting to know Lake Harlowe - a richly drawn character with a spicy past!
Lenore Nash’s "She Fell Away" is a haunting and beautifully written novel that lingers long after the last page. From the very first chapter, Nash’s lyrical prose pulls you into a world where grief, memory, and self-discovery intertwine in delicate, unexpected ways. The characters feel raw and real, their emotions so vividly drawn that it’s impossible not to see parts of yourself reflected in them.
The story doesn’t shy away from difficult truths, yet there’s a quiet resilience running through every scene—a reminder that healing rarely happens in straight lines. Every sentence feels intentional, every silence weighted with meaning.

By the end, "She Fell Away" isn’t just a story you’ve read—it’s an experience you’ve lived. Thought-provoking, poetic, and deeply human, this book cements Lenore Nash as a voice to watch in contemporary fiction.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic thriller book. It was suspenseful and intense. Each scene seemed to bring the reader one step closer to finding out the truth. Each chapter would also leave you questioning certain aspects about what was taking place. When an up and coming rock and roll foreign exchange student goes missing, people are caught off guard. Nobody saw this disappearance coming and so they can’t tell if Bowie ran off or if something sinister happened to her. She is at a point where people are starting to know who she is due to her musical talents. When she is first reported missing, some people believe it is a mistake and she will turn up. Other people, including her mother, are prepared to jump to the worst possible conclusion. Bowie’s family history and social life details are strongly examined to see if this will create some leads in the case. There are dead ends as the case progresses. Will Lake and the others searching for Bowie find her before it is too late?

[Dana Trevino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really excited to get my hands on this book. She Fell Away is one of those thrillers/mysteries that grabs you from the first page. This book blends political intrigue, secrets, and a mystery set in Wellington, New Zealand.

One of the main characters, Lake Harlowe, a State Department diplomat who is anything but ordinary. Lake is the flawed, and layered protagonist you can't help but root for. She is desperate for a new start so she takes a role in New Zealand. Her quiet days are over once a young adult singer-songwriter Bowie Bishop vanishes shortly after an American NFL player is found dead in his hotel room. I couldn't put this book down and I loved the different POV's with each chapter. If you love thrillers with a slow burn mystery, you will love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC.

[Steven Netter · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books

Gripping, intense and packed with all the feels, She Fell Away takes you on a ride through the darkness to find the light. Lenore Nash delivers a strong mystery with thrills and emotion that keeps you engrossed and hopeful from start to finish.

She Fell Away moves along at a strong pace with intrigue, uncertainty and the search for answers driving the story forward. No one can be trusted with hidden agendas abound and motives abundant. Keeping readers in suspense for much of the book until it all comes to a head in a violent conclusion. Throw in characters you connect with and others you want to see get what’s coming to them, and you have a winning formula for a suspenseful thriller.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Lenora Bell's historical romances, so I had to snag a copy when I saw she was entering the mystery/thriller field. We start off diving right into the action where a foreign exchange student goes missing and a state department diplomat is on the case. I loved that this is told in alternating POV's, one being the missing girl Bowie and the other being the diplomat Lake that is looking for her. This shed light on what was really going on before it all was revealed at the end. I will say that the writing is much different from her historical romance books, those being flowy and lighthearted, this was a tad stiff and serious. I enjoyed the whodunit and while I did guess it before the big reveal, this made for an interesting read. If you are a fan of mysteries and thrillers you should try this.

[Gretel A · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This thriller really got me from the very start. It was an interesting premise, with a New Zealand setting, which I don't see very often. I was invested in the female main characters right away and I really cared what happened to them. The dual POVs and the shifts between the past and present moved the story along with a steady pace. I had lots of theories about what could have happened or who was to blame, but I didn't fully see the whole picture until I came right up to it. I appreciated that we mainly stuck with the story line at hand, veering into past events occasionally, but not in a way that was distracting to our main plot points. The ending was satisfying and left open the possibility of future stories with our heroine Lake. I'd be interested to see what trouble she finds in Switzerland.

[The Bookish Narwhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of novel that trusts the reader, rewards attention, and invites reflection.

A quietly devastating and beautifully controlled novel, Nash writes with a precision that feels both intimate and unflinching, allowing emotion to surface naturally rather than forcing it. The prose is elegant without being showy, and every sentence seems to carry weight.

What truly sets this book apart is its atmosphere. It’s tense, reflective, and deeply human. Nash captures the fragile spaces between people with remarkable insight, exploring loss, memory, and resilience in a way that feels honest and earned. The characters are rendered with such care that their silences speak as loudly as their words.

Subtle, haunting, and emotionally resonant, this is a standout read and an easy five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a temporary e-ARC!

[Nikkireads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one. The story is set in New Zealand, and I really enjoyed following Bowie, an exchange student, and Lake, a state department diplomat. I read it in one sitting, so it definitely held my attention, even though the pacing was very slow in parts.

There were also a lot of twists enough to have me second guessing who was actually bad right up until the end.

Both Bowie and Lake have been through so much at the hands of powerful men, so seeing them fight their way back and come out on top in the end was really satisfying.

Overall a solid three star read! Thank you Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for this ARC!✨

[Thomas Lennek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this on Goodreads. A thriller that's got it all --a missing female student, an exotic foreign setting (New Zealand) an "inside baseball" view of U.S. Embassy jobs & procedures and plenty of action. Characters are finely drawn, dialogue is spot-on and the plot draws the reader in and is relentless. Chapters are numbered and named for the character's point of view for quick "look backs" to verify you recalled the clue correctly. Chapters are also brief so if you have a "hard stop sleep deadline" you can stop -if you can pull yourself away. If you want a different kind of thriller - She Fell Away is the book for you,