The Ashes of Us

by Ashley Baker

Would you do the unthinkable for your child?Every parent believes they’d sacrifice anything for their children. The Ashes of Us dares readers to explore the true cost of that belief. When Addison McCall, a brilliant college student, is brutally assaulted, she turns to her father with an reprehensible request. She believes that ending her perpetrator’s life is the only way to find peace. Dr. David McCall, a respected clinical pathologist, possesses the means, medical knowledge, and skill to carry out her chilling plea. Driven by love, guilt, and a desperate need to protect his daughter, Dr. McCall steps into a moral abyss that could destroy his soul, and the very bond they share.

In her gripping second novel, The Ashes of Us, Dr. Ashley Baker, PsyD (author and clinical psychologist), navigates themes of generational trauma, the power of paternal love, and the devastating price of seeking justice.

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2025

About the author

Dr. Ashley Baker is a psychologist, author, and lover of all things eerie. Her debut novel, The Furious Others, flipped the serial killer narrative on its head by centering victims instead of glamorizing predators—earning praise for its sharp insight and emotional depth.

Her latest, The Ashes of Us, is a psychological thriller wrapped in barbed wire and blood ties, exploring the fine line between love and vengeance, truth and justice. Set against a rugged Southern backdrop, it’s a story as haunting as it is human.

When she’s not writing or reading, Dr. Baker can be found elbows-deep in the garden or advocating for mental health with the same fire she brings to her fiction. Her clinical experience lends authenticity and compassion to every character she builds, making her one of today’s most compelling voices in psychological suspense.

https://linktr.ee/bakerwordnerd

Reviews

[Hayley Trimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. What lengths will a parent go for their child? The novel is beautifully written and we really see who the man David McCall is. Bittersweet and a slow burn. I found myself just wanting to ignore every day life and read. Well done and can’t wait to read more from Ashley Baker!

[Em Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this one. It's been cool to read both of Dr. Baker's books and to see the improvement in craft between The Furious Others and The Ashes of Us. Both great books, but the story and overall cohesiveness of her second novel seem sharper and more developed. I really like the inclusion of new forms with the text messages and notes between David and Addison. And the thoughtful Author's Note at the start of the novel does much to reiterate how deeply Dr. Baker's stories are intertwined with her own life and the amount of care she puts into her work. Nothing better than a passionate author!

What is brilliant about this book is the question at the heart of the novel: How far would a father go to restore his daughter's peace?

The novel deals with this question through rich character (David and Addison are very realistic) and plot, but the story isn't as straightforward as you think. The novel subverts expectations at several turns, making it suspenseful and fascinating, particularly in the chapter where David finally kills Josh. The ending is not what you think it's going to be, as all is not totally right in David's world after he removes the perpetrator from Addison's life. The novel does a great job exploring its central question, ending with an evaluation of cost. If you'd do anything for your child and you do it, what is the cost of that action and are you prepared to pay it?

If I have any criticisms, they're incredibly minor. The novel mentions this story takes place in 2004-2005 but I didn't really get that sense apart from the mention of the iPod being new. I'd have liked to see more hints about the time period and characterization of the college life to help the reader understand this didn't take place in 2025. Also, the novel never confirms that Josh was Addison's rapist. How do we know that her memory is reliable and David didn't kill the wrong guy?

Maybe needed a scene to more solidly confirm Josh was the perpetrator. But that's it.

Looking forward to getting my book signed next week!

[Avital · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens to a father and daughter’s relationship after a trauma? Dr. Baker explores this in a deep way, showing that the path is never simple and actions don’t always have the outcomes you expect.

[Ashley Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing this book cost me some of my peace and many sleepless nights. I am not sure there is such a thing as a perfect book, but this is as perfect as I can make this story. I'm proud of it, even though it required grit to write it. It's a story I sacrificed time and energy to make it sharp. I hope you enjoy it & I hope it challenges you, like it did me.

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ashes of Us
By Ashley Baker
Publisher: Genius Book Publishing
Published Date: June 17, 2025
ISBN-13: 978-1958727737
Length: 322 Pages
Triggers: Sexual assault, PTSD, vigilantism, trauma recovery, moral ambiguity, medical detail
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dread Factor:

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ashes of Us
By Ashley Baker
Publisher: Genius Book Publishing
Published Date: June 17, 2025
ISBN-13: 978-1958727737
Length: 322 Pages
Triggers: Sexual assault, PTSD, vigilantism, trauma recovery, moral ambiguity, medical detail
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dread Factor: