Perishing Hill

by Lelia A. Piet

Secrets, lies, and a storm that will unearth them all.

Some reunions bring laughter. This one brings reckoning.
Two decades after a tragedy shattered their quiet neighborhood on Perishing Hill, a group of former neighbors receives an unexpected a weekend gathering at an opulent beachfront estate on Ocracoke Island, twenty-three miles from the mainland. No host is named. No explanation given. Just a summons.

As a powerful storm rolls in, so does suspicion. Old secrets bubble to the surface, long-buried guilt takes root, and the air grows thick with unfinished business.

Each guest has something to protect.

Each guest has something to hide.

And someone is ready to expose them all.

The waves are rising. The walls are closing in. And the truth?

The truth is about to crash through—merciless, relentless, and long overdue.

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 24, 2025

About the author

Lelia A. Piet grew up in the shadowed woods of the deep South, where silence could stretch for miles and stories were born in the dark. Her obsession with secrets, consequences, and the complexities of human behavior began early—crafting twisted tales for her sisters as they explored the wilderness of Little River Canyon. A graduate of Florida State University, Lelia left a career in education to write full-time, exchanging lesson plans for layered plots and unsettling truths.
Now based in Tennessee, she spends her days penning psychological suspense, filled with storm-lashed coastlines, buried betrayals, and characters on the edge. When not writing, she walks her dog, plots her next escape, and awaits visits from her grown sons—she has so many stories to tell them…

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perishing Hill is a slow-burning mystery novel that expertly builds suspense until the finale. Four couples travel to Ocracoke Island after receiving a summons from an unknown host. When they discover that all invited once belonged to the old neighborhoods Perishing Hill gang, unease takes root. Who invited them, and how much to they know? Everyone has secrets to keep, but are any disastrous enough to kill for?

There are layers of suspicion, hatred, and desperation oozing through every page of Perishing Hill. Together it creates an amazing atmosphere for a thriller. Lelia A Piet produced a novel that made me feel what the characters felt. I absolutely hated some, while others I emphasized with. Not many novels can make me feel so strongly about the individuals involved. The writing was clean, crisp, and had a nice flow, weaving together an exciting mystery that was hard to put down. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who appreciates a mystery that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author for me which I enjoyed reading and their ability to pull me into the story from the start. The author's attention details made the story realistic and had me turning pages fast to the end. This is a well written thriller that has twists and turns that you don't want to miss. They are edge of your seat sitting and surprising. This is a story about a reunion like no other. A story that is full of secrets and lies. You don't want to miss what happens when this group of neighbors come together. I enjoyed how the characters are connectable and realateable. They bring the story to life and engaging. They have great growth throughout which made the story easy to read. This is a fast paced, engaging and just a great story to read. Don't miss this story. I highly recommend this book.

[Kristen C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a page turner, I couldn't put it down! I was hooked in the first chapter and loved all the twists and turns the plot takes. I was shocked by the ending and never had a clue it would take one final twist to top off a great book! I highly recommend this book if you enjoy a good suspensefull read that you won't figure out halfway through.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

They all suffered a tragedy 20 years ago and they will receive an invitation to attend a meeting. There is no host and they all have secrets which they want to keep hidden. Someone wants to find out those secrets. See how it will all goes
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great mystery book

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. The pages turned themselves as I read it until I could find out all the details about the people who lived at Perishing Hill 20 years ago. The author weaves the stories about them all together over the years and how they've come together again to answer questions for one of their children. The ending was a surprise I never saw coming.
I can't recommend it enough!

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely great book

WOW! LOVE LELIA PIET'S SECOND BOOK. I didn't want to put it down!!! Had to eat, sleep, take cat to vet, pick up shark, go to dinner with friends, or I wouldn't have. Love the writing. Loved the characters, sad, but understanding! Weird how it ends but so good!!!

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly couldn't get into this book. I couldn't keep my attention from wandering every time I tried to read it. I think maybe it's just not my genre but. So hopefully it's found a home in someone else's heart.

[Marie Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting!

Suspense and horror, the writer leaves you wanting to turn the page to find out what happens….and when you do…….?

[CONNIEBENNETT26 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lelia A Piet has written a mystery story and so much more. Lies , secrets and so many unanswered questions.
Wow! Truth always finds a way!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to make this short but sweet, because anything i say will give something away. This was a phenomenal book. I'd get through a part and would automatically wonder, who or what was next. Everyone had something at stake and it was intense. Go get this book. You will not be able to put it down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d only recommend this book if you enjoy a story with a long, slow build. There are a dozen characters to keep track of, and most take turns as the main character in shifting POVs as the mystery of how they are all connected is revealed. At over 400 pages, it could have been trimmed significantly without losing anything essential. The molasses pace was frustrating, even for a patient reader who usually enjoys a slow, rich build-up.

Ultimately, the payoff didn’t justify the long wait. I felt underwhelmed by almost every twist, and even the ending. The character development was meant to be layered, but despite the effort, most of the characters still felt flat.

I do enjoy this author’s writing style and believe she’s talented, but almost every element here felt just slightly off. The setting was perhaps my favorite aspect, serving as an excellent backdrop to frame the story. This is the kind of book that I appreciate, but struggled to enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book, but this review reflects my honest opinion.