What do you think?
Rate this book
The Icon: A Gripping Psychological Thriller
She fooled millions with a microphone and a perfect smile.
Shae Halston was supposed to be a cautionary tale—until the internet turned her into a saint. Framed for a murder she insists she didn’t commit, she becomes a viral symbol of injustice… an icon the world needs to believe in.
But Shae isn’t a victim.
She’s a predator with a she doesn’t fabricate trauma—she edits it. And now, free and freshly rebranded, she’s building a new life in total isolation, far from the noise… and even farther from the truth.
Then the person who helped set her free vanishes.
A whisper becomes a headline. A headline becomes a frenzy. True-crime fans go feral. The Watcher—the anonymous voice that’s been stalking Shae’s narrative from the shadows—tightens the spotlight. And as the story turns ugly, one question consumes
Did Shae lie her way to freedom… and kill to keep it?
THE ICON is a chilling psychological thriller about deception, obsession, and the deadly power of a well-crafted story—perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, John Marrs, and Noelle West Ihli.
Some women survive the spotlight.
Shae weaponizes it.
Shae Halston was supposed to be a cautionary tale—until the internet turned her into a saint. Framed for a murder she insists she didn’t commit, she becomes a viral symbol of injustice… an icon the world needs to believe in.
But Shae isn’t a victim.
She’s a predator with a she doesn’t fabricate trauma—she edits it. And now, free and freshly rebranded, she’s building a new life in total isolation, far from the noise… and even farther from the truth.
Then the person who helped set her free vanishes.
A whisper becomes a headline. A headline becomes a frenzy. True-crime fans go feral. The Watcher—the anonymous voice that’s been stalking Shae’s narrative from the shadows—tightens the spotlight. And as the story turns ugly, one question consumes
Did Shae lie her way to freedom… and kill to keep it?
THE ICON is a chilling psychological thriller about deception, obsession, and the deadly power of a well-crafted story—perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, John Marrs, and Noelle West Ihli.
Some women survive the spotlight.
Shae weaponizes it.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2026
60 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Adriane Leigh
60 books2,820 followersis a USA Today bestselling author of multiple novels and novellas. With appearances in publications such as Vogue Magazine and The Montreal Gazette, the award-winning author, in addition to writing, founded RARE: Romance Author & Reader Events, a community of internationally-renowned book conventions that draw thousands of readers and #1 bestselling authors to events around the world each year.
She hosts a podcast, The Rebel Artist, and her books are translated into French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
She lives on Lake Michigan with her family.
She hosts a podcast, The Rebel Artist, and her books are translated into French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
She lives on Lake Michigan with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 31, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and I am blown away by Shae and her latest adventures. This is definitely one of the best of the series so far, and I can’t wait to see what happens from here!
February 18, 2026
4.5stars- THE ICON is the fourth instalment in Adriane Leigh’s contemporary, adult THE INFLUENCER dark, psychological thriller focusing on Shae Halston. THE ICON should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events of book three THE INTRUDER.
SOME BACKGROUND: Shae Halston is the former social media influencer known as Mia Starr but the unreality of Mia’s online presence was in complete opposition to the reality of Shae’s own life. As Shae succumbed to the demons that were controlling her mind, she takes aim at anyone and everyone she blames for destroying her life
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from several first person perspectives (Shae, Evelyn, The Watcher) THE ICON continues to focus on Shae Halston who is currently sitting in prison, quietly manipulating the people in charge. In an effort to secure her freedom, Shae establishes a fan base of believers, who worship at the altar that is Shae Halston, a fan base that will be successful in orchestrating Shae’s release. As Shae rewrites the script that was her life, a documentary crew molds and manages a version of Shae only her followers are willing to accept but someone else is working behind the scenes, revealing the true story about the woman who is once again leaving a trail of bodies behind.
The world building focuses on a predator; the narcissistic, antisocial yet determined psyche of Shae Halston, a master manipulator who controls, destroys and otherwise contributes to the destruction of other people’s lives. As the documentary crew begin to mold and manipulate, they ignore the obvious and the truth until it is too late. The crew and Shae’s followers feed into the frenzy that continues to build, resulting in the upsurge and ascension that becomes the Church of Shae Halston.
We are introduced to documentary producer Evelyn, Interviewer Harper Lane, cinematographer Blake Owens, officer Declan Ridge, and Shae’s half-sister Lila, all of whom will contribute to the intensification of Shae’s power and control.
THE ICON is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and manipulation. The character driven premise is dramatic and edgy; the characters are puppets, easily controlled by the woman in charge. Shae’s story continues in book five THE IDOL.
copy supplied for review
SOME BACKGROUND: Shae Halston is the former social media influencer known as Mia Starr but the unreality of Mia’s online presence was in complete opposition to the reality of Shae’s own life. As Shae succumbed to the demons that were controlling her mind, she takes aim at anyone and everyone she blames for destroying her life
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from several first person perspectives (Shae, Evelyn, The Watcher) THE ICON continues to focus on Shae Halston who is currently sitting in prison, quietly manipulating the people in charge. In an effort to secure her freedom, Shae establishes a fan base of believers, who worship at the altar that is Shae Halston, a fan base that will be successful in orchestrating Shae’s release. As Shae rewrites the script that was her life, a documentary crew molds and manages a version of Shae only her followers are willing to accept but someone else is working behind the scenes, revealing the true story about the woman who is once again leaving a trail of bodies behind.
The world building focuses on a predator; the narcissistic, antisocial yet determined psyche of Shae Halston, a master manipulator who controls, destroys and otherwise contributes to the destruction of other people’s lives. As the documentary crew begin to mold and manipulate, they ignore the obvious and the truth until it is too late. The crew and Shae’s followers feed into the frenzy that continues to build, resulting in the upsurge and ascension that becomes the Church of Shae Halston.
We are introduced to documentary producer Evelyn, Interviewer Harper Lane, cinematographer Blake Owens, officer Declan Ridge, and Shae’s half-sister Lila, all of whom will contribute to the intensification of Shae’s power and control.
THE ICON is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and manipulation. The character driven premise is dramatic and edgy; the characters are puppets, easily controlled by the woman in charge. Shae’s story continues in book five THE IDOL.
copy supplied for review
February 19, 2026
shay, the female mc, is an unhinged narcissistic psychopath and yet somehow the writer has you rooting for her. shay is so completely unlikable and yet she pulls people into her gravitational field and uses them and they do it willingly. shay then without remorse kills people when they are no longer are of use to her or threaten what she hopes to accomplish. this series is a guilty pleasure, and I will gladly read these books as the author continues to write them. note: the series must be read in order as people and relationships from earlier books aren't explained if you haven't read the previous books
Review of advance copy received from Author
Shae, babes. You keep surprising me.
It’s almost hard to continue rooting for a character that deep down in your soul you know you hate. But here I am, hoping she survives. I can honestly say I’ve never read a more calculating and terrifying FMC before and she just keeps getting more and more powerful.
Bonus note • I think this book would be best read as an audio simply because of all of the podcast portions of the book. If it is released as an audio, I might listen to it that way again just for the vibes.
It’s almost hard to continue rooting for a character that deep down in your soul you know you hate. But here I am, hoping she survives. I can honestly say I’ve never read a more calculating and terrifying FMC before and she just keeps getting more and more powerful.
Bonus note • I think this book would be best read as an audio simply because of all of the podcast portions of the book. If it is released as an audio, I might listen to it that way again just for the vibes.
January 23, 2026
Thank you to Adriane Leigh for allowing me to be an ARC reviewer for you! This is my favorite book in the series. It’s very well crafted, I loved all of the different POVs. LOVED the podcast element. I can see how it built up to book 5. With how delicious the build up has been, I can’t wait to see if Shae has a downfall or not.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews