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The Secrets of Chapel Roads #2
The Next Lie
In the unputdownable sequel to The Last Morning, author Camden Baird delivers another harrowing tale of lies and deceit, where a marriage is put to the test while jealousy and revenge run wild.
Few marriages survive what Sadie and Allen Wilson’s did. They were lucky—they had each other, and their kidnapped daughter was found, unharmed. Now, just as their lives are getting back to normal, their neighbor turns up dead. Murdered. And Sadie feels the panic surge all over again. But this time, she won’t have her husband to lean on…because Allen’s disappeared.
As Sadie and the police try to piece together what happened, she begins to wonder if she ever knew her husband at all. The lies keep piling up, along with the body count. And when ghosts from Allen’s past reveal a shocking secret, Sadie’s not sure who—or what—to believe.
Packed with twists (and suspects), The Next Lie is a gripping exploration of marriage and trust. With old lies laid bare and new ones unfolding, when will the next lie finally be the last—and the killer be found?
Few marriages survive what Sadie and Allen Wilson’s did. They were lucky—they had each other, and their kidnapped daughter was found, unharmed. Now, just as their lives are getting back to normal, their neighbor turns up dead. Murdered. And Sadie feels the panic surge all over again. But this time, she won’t have her husband to lean on…because Allen’s disappeared.
As Sadie and the police try to piece together what happened, she begins to wonder if she ever knew her husband at all. The lies keep piling up, along with the body count. And when ghosts from Allen’s past reveal a shocking secret, Sadie’s not sure who—or what—to believe.
Packed with twists (and suspects), The Next Lie is a gripping exploration of marriage and trust. With old lies laid bare and new ones unfolding, when will the next lie finally be the last—and the killer be found?
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2026
About the author
Camden Baird
3 books115 followersCamden Baird writes fast-paced, emotionally gripping stories that keep readers up late turning pages. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she’s published more than forty works of fiction under different pen names. The Last Morning is Baird’s debut psychological suspense thriller. The author lives in North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
October 22, 2025
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC version of this book!
This was a crazy ride. I enjoyed it although there were times I felt like I needed a bulletin board and some red string to make all of the connections.
There are a lot of peoples perspectives to keep up with in the book which typically I am not a huge fan of but I felt like the author did a good job of making everything cohesive and as easy to navigate as she could.
There is a prequel that I wish I had read/known about but I didn't feel like it was 100% necessary to keep up with this book. These people have some ISSUES in this town. I felt like I was watching a soap opera in my mind lol.
Even when you think you have this one figured out, you probably only partially do. So if you like that kind of thing - pick up this book!
I also love that this town is called Chapel Roads because it reminds me of a certain red head that makes great music.
If I had to do any criticizing of the book I would say that Sadie's inner monologues can be shortened way down, home girl might need to be put on some Zoloft because the inner turmoil is just exhausting. She probably weighs 90 lbs from all the stress.
This was a crazy ride. I enjoyed it although there were times I felt like I needed a bulletin board and some red string to make all of the connections.
There are a lot of peoples perspectives to keep up with in the book which typically I am not a huge fan of but I felt like the author did a good job of making everything cohesive and as easy to navigate as she could.
There is a prequel that I wish I had read/known about but I didn't feel like it was 100% necessary to keep up with this book. These people have some ISSUES in this town. I felt like I was watching a soap opera in my mind lol.
Even when you think you have this one figured out, you probably only partially do. So if you like that kind of thing - pick up this book!
I also love that this town is called Chapel Roads because it reminds me of a certain red head that makes great music.
If I had to do any criticizing of the book I would say that Sadie's inner monologues can be shortened way down, home girl might need to be put on some Zoloft because the inner turmoil is just exhausting. She probably weighs 90 lbs from all the stress.
July 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Camden Baird for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Next Lie is a fast-paced suspense thriller filled with twists, multiple perspectives, and plenty of secrets. While it can be read as a standalone, I didn’t realize it was the second book in a series until after I started, and I definitely think reading book one first would have helped me connect more with the characters and understand some of the relationships.
Even so, I was invested in the mystery from the beginning. There were a lot of moving pieces and several characters to keep track of, but the constant twists kept me guessing and made it hard to stop listening. The audiobook narration also did a great job bringing the tension to life and kept me engaged throughout.
Overall, this was an entertaining suspense read that has me interested in going back to read the first book and continuing with the series. If you enjoy mysteries packed with secrets, shifting perspectives, and unexpected turns, this one is worth checking out.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Camden Baird for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Next Lie is a fast-paced suspense thriller filled with twists, multiple perspectives, and plenty of secrets. While it can be read as a standalone, I didn’t realize it was the second book in a series until after I started, and I definitely think reading book one first would have helped me connect more with the characters and understand some of the relationships.
Even so, I was invested in the mystery from the beginning. There were a lot of moving pieces and several characters to keep track of, but the constant twists kept me guessing and made it hard to stop listening. The audiobook narration also did a great job bringing the tension to life and kept me engaged throughout.
Overall, this was an entertaining suspense read that has me interested in going back to read the first book and continuing with the series. If you enjoy mysteries packed with secrets, shifting perspectives, and unexpected turns, this one is worth checking out.
November 3, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
I thought the drama in The Last Morning was intense, but Camden Baird takes it up a notch in The Next Lie. I loved catching back up with Sadie as her world unravels when her husband disappears after their neighbor’s murder. As she searches for answers, dark secrets come to light, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew about him. It’s a tense, twisty thriller about trust, betrayal, and how well we really know the people closest to us.
Having read Baird’s debut and first book in this series, The Last Morning, I quickly sank into her engaging writing style. Her prose is taut and emotional, with fast-paced suspense and strong character depth. The realistic dialogue and vivid scenes kept me hooked, and I love how she blends mystery with real emotional weight.
Both The Last Morning and The Next Lie deliver that perfect small-town tension, but they explore different sides of family turmoil. The first focuses on every parent’s nightmare—a missing child—while the sequel turns inward, diving into the cracks of a marriage built on secrets. I enjoyed both, though I found The Last Morning slightly more compelling—maybe because of the audiobook narrators or the emotional intensity of the missing-child storyline. Either way, I was completely drawn in. I’d recommend reading the series in order and giving the audiobooks a listen if you can.
A big thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing an advance copy of The Next Lie in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I thought the drama in The Last Morning was intense, but Camden Baird takes it up a notch in The Next Lie. I loved catching back up with Sadie as her world unravels when her husband disappears after their neighbor’s murder. As she searches for answers, dark secrets come to light, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew about him. It’s a tense, twisty thriller about trust, betrayal, and how well we really know the people closest to us.
Having read Baird’s debut and first book in this series, The Last Morning, I quickly sank into her engaging writing style. Her prose is taut and emotional, with fast-paced suspense and strong character depth. The realistic dialogue and vivid scenes kept me hooked, and I love how she blends mystery with real emotional weight.
Both The Last Morning and The Next Lie deliver that perfect small-town tension, but they explore different sides of family turmoil. The first focuses on every parent’s nightmare—a missing child—while the sequel turns inward, diving into the cracks of a marriage built on secrets. I enjoyed both, though I found The Last Morning slightly more compelling—maybe because of the audiobook narrators or the emotional intensity of the missing-child storyline. Either way, I was completely drawn in. I’d recommend reading the series in order and giving the audiobooks a listen if you can.
A big thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing an advance copy of The Next Lie in exchange for my honest thoughts.
February 25, 2026
this was a fast-paced psychological thriller, and i honestly had a good time with it. just like the first book, you don’t really know who to trust because everyone feels a bit suspicious, which really helps keep you engaged while reading.
that being said, i do recommend reading the last morning before starting the next lie. it follows the same characters and references things that happened earlier, so it definitely makes the story easier to follow and more enjoyable overall.
i also liked that the multiple povs and the past and present timeline continued in this book, just like it did in the first one. it added more depth to everything going on and kept the tension building. i found myself saying “just one more chapter” so many times because i just didn’t want to stop reading.
there were some good twists in this one too, and i didn’t figure out who it was. it actually caught me by surprise, which i always love in a thriller.
overall, i thought this was a really solid follow-up to the first book. it was suspenseful, engaging, and a quick, easy read that kept me hooked the whole time.
thank you to camden baird & netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
that being said, i do recommend reading the last morning before starting the next lie. it follows the same characters and references things that happened earlier, so it definitely makes the story easier to follow and more enjoyable overall.
i also liked that the multiple povs and the past and present timeline continued in this book, just like it did in the first one. it added more depth to everything going on and kept the tension building. i found myself saying “just one more chapter” so many times because i just didn’t want to stop reading.
there were some good twists in this one too, and i didn’t figure out who it was. it actually caught me by surprise, which i always love in a thriller.
overall, i thought this was a really solid follow-up to the first book. it was suspenseful, engaging, and a quick, easy read that kept me hooked the whole time.
thank you to camden baird & netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2026
The Next Lie is a fast-paced, twisty psychological thriller that kept me hooked from the very beginning. While it can be read as a standalone, I’d definitely recommend reading The Last Morning first, as this follows the same characters and builds on earlier events.
Told through multiple POVs and dual timelines, the story slowly unravels a web of secrets surrounding a young woman’s murder - and what I loved most was how suspicious everyone felt. At any given moment, I was convinced it could be any of them.
I did end up guessing the killer before the reveal, but that didn’t take away from the experience at all. The journey there was still gripping, with plenty of tension, twists, and moments that kept me second-guessing myself.
The pacing is quick, the chapters are short and addictive, and it’s very much a “just one more chapter” kind of read. While there were a few quieter moments where the story slowed slightly, overall this is a really solid and engaging follow-up.
A strong 4 stars - perfect for fans of character-driven thrillers full of secrets and suspicion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Told through multiple POVs and dual timelines, the story slowly unravels a web of secrets surrounding a young woman’s murder - and what I loved most was how suspicious everyone felt. At any given moment, I was convinced it could be any of them.
I did end up guessing the killer before the reveal, but that didn’t take away from the experience at all. The journey there was still gripping, with plenty of tension, twists, and moments that kept me second-guessing myself.
The pacing is quick, the chapters are short and addictive, and it’s very much a “just one more chapter” kind of read. While there were a few quieter moments where the story slowed slightly, overall this is a really solid and engaging follow-up.
A strong 4 stars - perfect for fans of character-driven thrillers full of secrets and suspicion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2025
The Next Lie by Camden Braid was an interesting read for me, even though I hadn’t read the first book in the series. At first, I found it a bit difficult to follow because there were so many points of view and characters introduced all at once. The different perspectives made the story feel a little chaotic, and it took me some time to figure out who was who and how they were connected.
Once I managed to place everyone, the story started to click and became much more engaging. I really enjoyed the tense, investigative atmosphere that came with trying to uncover the killer’s identity. There was a constant sense of uncertainty, and I genuinely didn’t know who to trust. Every character seemed to be hiding something, which made the reading experience all the more intriguing.
Camden Braid did a great job maintaining suspense and adding just the right amount of twists to keep me guessing. The surprises felt clever and well-timed, giving the story an extra layer of excitement. While it wasn’t the easiest book to get into, once it picked up, I was hooked. Overall, The Next Lie was an engaging and twisty read that earned a solid three and a half stars from me.
3,5 stars
Once I managed to place everyone, the story started to click and became much more engaging. I really enjoyed the tense, investigative atmosphere that came with trying to uncover the killer’s identity. There was a constant sense of uncertainty, and I genuinely didn’t know who to trust. Every character seemed to be hiding something, which made the reading experience all the more intriguing.
Camden Braid did a great job maintaining suspense and adding just the right amount of twists to keep me guessing. The surprises felt clever and well-timed, giving the story an extra layer of excitement. While it wasn’t the easiest book to get into, once it picked up, I was hooked. Overall, The Next Lie was an engaging and twisty read that earned a solid three and a half stars from me.
3,5 stars
July 13, 2026
Thank you so much to Camden Baird for the gifted early copy and to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced digital copy of the second book in the series, The Secrets of Chapel Roads.
I love that this book is in the same format as the first in the series, alternating POVs, and including the same characters. It was so easy to jump back into. This story could be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading The Last Morning first!
This is very complex and relies on the characters and dual timelines. It could be hard to keep up with if not for the amazing pacing. It’s fast and sharp and the writing includes lots of conversations which I enjoyed. The husband did redeem himself a tiny bit in this one, but therapy sessions for all parties involved is warranted indefinitely in my opinion!
I also appreciated the quick update on the principal from book one and loved that there are book club questions at the end!!
I love that this book is in the same format as the first in the series, alternating POVs, and including the same characters. It was so easy to jump back into. This story could be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading The Last Morning first!
This is very complex and relies on the characters and dual timelines. It could be hard to keep up with if not for the amazing pacing. It’s fast and sharp and the writing includes lots of conversations which I enjoyed. The husband did redeem himself a tiny bit in this one, but therapy sessions for all parties involved is warranted indefinitely in my opinion!
I also appreciated the quick update on the principal from book one and loved that there are book club questions at the end!!
November 24, 2025
thank you to netgalley and thomas & mercer for a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review. i went into this book immediately after reading the first book in the series, but somehow i still had trouble remembering all of the characters and their relationships to everyone else. there are just so many of them! it definitely got confusing toward the end, but everything did get explained. as with the first book, i predicted what was going on pretty early on, but it was still an enjoyable read.
October 20, 2025
This is my first book by this Author. It was a very good suspense read. I did not realize it was the second in a series. I think reading book one would have added more depth to the characters in this book but even without reading the first book it was a good suspense. Several twist throughout the book with several characters. A lot to keep up with but again would probably been better if I had read book one. Will definitely keep this author on my radar in the future. Thanks to the publisher, Author and Netgalley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 18, 2025
"The Next Lie" has a prequel that I wish I had read or known about, but it wasn't 100% necessary to keep up with this book. I found it a bit difficult to follow because there were so many points of view and characters introduced all at once. The different perspectives made the story feel a little chaotic, and it took me some time to figure out who was who and how they were connected, especially since I didn't read the first in the series. However, once it picked up, I was hooked.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So officially this is getting 3.5 stars. This wasn’t terrible. It just does not have the same vibe as the first one. The unreliable narrator trope got pretty played out by the end unfortunately. However I did REALLY enjoy the ending! This audiobook was done in duel narration with each character POV’s having their own narrator and I loved that! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my audio ARC. This is my honest review.
August 2, 2026
It was a good book but not as good as the first one!
October 19, 2025
so much going on. it kept me hooked until the end. I was fortunate enough to obtain an ARC from Netgalley. the Book was really good. you had no idea who did what kept you guessing
July 18, 2026
2.5 STARS
I didn’t enjoy THE NEXT LIE nearly as much as I did the first in the series Camden Baird’s debut THE LAST MORNING.
I didn’t enjoy THE NEXT LIE nearly as much as I did the first in the series Camden Baird’s debut THE LAST MORNING.
October 19, 2025
I really liked this book, the plot twist was great thinking that Allen died when he was still alive also how Teresa ended up killing cass instead super unexpected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
FRAGILE MARITAL RECOVERY VS. A DEVASTATING WEB OF DECEIT
“A mother who survived her daughter's kidnapping is plunged back into a neighborhood nightmare when her neighbor is murdered, and her husband vanishes.”
In The Next Lie,, bestselling author Camden Baird returns to the deceptive, hyper-polished suburbs of Chapel Roads. Delivering a sharp, addictive, and terrifyingly claustrophobic suburban thriller, this book serves as a phenomenal follow-up to her debut, The Last Morning.
Read My Review: The Last Morning (#1 The Secrets of Chapel Roads). I recommend reading this one first to gain the full experience and the cast of characters.
The story hinges on a resilient mother navigating immense physical and emotional hurdles to find her missing husband after a brutal neighborhood murder shatters their hard-won return to normalcy.
📌 The Hook
~A brutal neighborhood murder.
~A missing husband.
!A vault of buried secrets exposed.
🛗 Elevator Pitch
A gripping, fast-paced domestic suspense sequel following a mother who survived her daughter's kidnapping, only to be plunged into a paranoid investigation when her neighbor is murdered, and her husband vanishes. Left entirely isolated, she must untangle a mounting body count and a lifetime of hidden lies.
🔍 Review Breakdown
Intro
Eighteen months ago, in The Last Morning, Sadie and Allen Wilson lived out every parent's worst nightmare when their five-year-old daughter Emma vanished. They beat the odds, surviving the trauma and bringing Emma home safe. But just as their lives are finally settling back into a fragile routine, the peace of Chapel Roads is shattered when their next-door neighbor turns up brutally murdered. Before Sadie can even process the panic, her world collapses a second time: Allen completely disappears. Left alone to navigate a high-stakes police investigation, Sadie is forced to piece together a web of lies that makes her wonder if she ever knew her husband at all.
Setting
The hyper-polished suburbs of Chapel Roads, North Carolina, where pristine lawns and close-knit neighborhood circles hide deep-seated resentments, jealousy, and dark histories.
Vibe
Paranoid, rapid-fire, and deeply suspenseful. It flawlessly maintains the fast-paced, multi-POV domestic dread of book one while dialing up the neighborhood suspicion.
Genre
Domestic Suspense / Psychological Thriller
Themes
~The fragility of marital trust after trauma
~The dangerous underbelly of suburbia
~The cyclical nature of revenge and jealousy
~The burden of a multi-generational hidden past
👥 Standout Characters
~Sadie Wilson: The fierce, deeply protective mother and wife whose hard-won peace is completely upended, forcing her to investigate her own husband's hidden history.
~Allen Wilson: Sadie's missing husband, whose sudden disappearance and emerging past secrets position him as either a tragic victim or a deeply calculating player. [1]
~The Chapel Roads Neighbors: A highly suspicious, insular group of suburban suspects, each harboring a compelling motive and a personal grudge against the victim.
✍️ Author Writing Standout
Camden Baird shines at crafting short, punchy, multi-POV chapters that seamlessly jump between timelines to slowly drip-feed bits of truth to the reader. She expertly balances the psychological aftermath of book one with a completely fresh, standalone murder mystery that keeps suspects rotating rapidly.
Takeaway
Surviving a nightmare doesn't mean the danger has passed; sometimes the people closest to us are the ones holding the match.
Title Significance
The Next Lie represents the structural collapse of Sadie's life. Each secret she uncovers doesn't bring clarity, but instead reveals a brand-new layer of deception she must dismantle to survive.
Metaphor
Allen's wedding ring functions as a central metaphor—a symbol of safety and survival that completely transforms into an anchor of doubt and suspicion the longer he stays missing.
💭 My Thoughts
CAMDEN BAIRD DELIVERS A TWISTY RETURN TO CHAPEL ROADS.
"A masterfully executed domestic suspense sequel that honors its roots while stacking fresh, jaw-dropping lies on every single page."
What begins as a neighborhood investigation fast becomes a frantic, paranoid race to uncover if you ever really knew your husband at all. Baird excels at peeling back the layers of domestic dishonesty and betrayal, revealing one character’s secrets at a time. In a seemingly safe neighborhood, she unveils a trail of clues, lies, and intrigue, all while a cast of well-developed characters engages in morally questionable actions.
Watching Sadie's frantic isolation grow after Allen's disappearance is incredibly compelling, and the final sequence of twists delivered an explosive ending. It is a character-driven, completely wild, fast, messy, with a twisty ending you will not see coming. Just when you think you have it all figured out, prepare for a twist that will leave you breathless until the final page! Definitely grab this one for your summer stack!
Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5). "A phenomenal, fast-paced domestic thriller sequel that proves Camden Baird is a fantastic storyteller in the psychological suspense genre."
📚Recs / (Read-Alikes)
If the marital deception and neighborhood secrets of The Next Lie kept you turning pages past bedtime, add these to your TBR stack:
~Never Lie by Freida McFadden
~First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
~Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Special thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: July 14, 2026
July Newsletter
July Must-Read Books
“A mother who survived her daughter's kidnapping is plunged back into a neighborhood nightmare when her neighbor is murdered, and her husband vanishes.”
In The Next Lie,, bestselling author Camden Baird returns to the deceptive, hyper-polished suburbs of Chapel Roads. Delivering a sharp, addictive, and terrifyingly claustrophobic suburban thriller, this book serves as a phenomenal follow-up to her debut, The Last Morning.
Read My Review: The Last Morning (#1 The Secrets of Chapel Roads). I recommend reading this one first to gain the full experience and the cast of characters.
The story hinges on a resilient mother navigating immense physical and emotional hurdles to find her missing husband after a brutal neighborhood murder shatters their hard-won return to normalcy.
📌 The Hook
~A brutal neighborhood murder.
~A missing husband.
!A vault of buried secrets exposed.
🛗 Elevator Pitch
A gripping, fast-paced domestic suspense sequel following a mother who survived her daughter's kidnapping, only to be plunged into a paranoid investigation when her neighbor is murdered, and her husband vanishes. Left entirely isolated, she must untangle a mounting body count and a lifetime of hidden lies.
🔍 Review Breakdown
Intro
Eighteen months ago, in The Last Morning, Sadie and Allen Wilson lived out every parent's worst nightmare when their five-year-old daughter Emma vanished. They beat the odds, surviving the trauma and bringing Emma home safe. But just as their lives are finally settling back into a fragile routine, the peace of Chapel Roads is shattered when their next-door neighbor turns up brutally murdered. Before Sadie can even process the panic, her world collapses a second time: Allen completely disappears. Left alone to navigate a high-stakes police investigation, Sadie is forced to piece together a web of lies that makes her wonder if she ever knew her husband at all.
Setting
The hyper-polished suburbs of Chapel Roads, North Carolina, where pristine lawns and close-knit neighborhood circles hide deep-seated resentments, jealousy, and dark histories.
Vibe
Paranoid, rapid-fire, and deeply suspenseful. It flawlessly maintains the fast-paced, multi-POV domestic dread of book one while dialing up the neighborhood suspicion.
Genre
Domestic Suspense / Psychological Thriller
Themes
~The fragility of marital trust after trauma
~The dangerous underbelly of suburbia
~The cyclical nature of revenge and jealousy
~The burden of a multi-generational hidden past
👥 Standout Characters
~Sadie Wilson: The fierce, deeply protective mother and wife whose hard-won peace is completely upended, forcing her to investigate her own husband's hidden history.
~Allen Wilson: Sadie's missing husband, whose sudden disappearance and emerging past secrets position him as either a tragic victim or a deeply calculating player. [1]
~The Chapel Roads Neighbors: A highly suspicious, insular group of suburban suspects, each harboring a compelling motive and a personal grudge against the victim.
✍️ Author Writing Standout
Camden Baird shines at crafting short, punchy, multi-POV chapters that seamlessly jump between timelines to slowly drip-feed bits of truth to the reader. She expertly balances the psychological aftermath of book one with a completely fresh, standalone murder mystery that keeps suspects rotating rapidly.
Takeaway
Surviving a nightmare doesn't mean the danger has passed; sometimes the people closest to us are the ones holding the match.
Title Significance
The Next Lie represents the structural collapse of Sadie's life. Each secret she uncovers doesn't bring clarity, but instead reveals a brand-new layer of deception she must dismantle to survive.
Metaphor
Allen's wedding ring functions as a central metaphor—a symbol of safety and survival that completely transforms into an anchor of doubt and suspicion the longer he stays missing.
💭 My Thoughts
CAMDEN BAIRD DELIVERS A TWISTY RETURN TO CHAPEL ROADS.
"A masterfully executed domestic suspense sequel that honors its roots while stacking fresh, jaw-dropping lies on every single page."
What begins as a neighborhood investigation fast becomes a frantic, paranoid race to uncover if you ever really knew your husband at all. Baird excels at peeling back the layers of domestic dishonesty and betrayal, revealing one character’s secrets at a time. In a seemingly safe neighborhood, she unveils a trail of clues, lies, and intrigue, all while a cast of well-developed characters engages in morally questionable actions.
Watching Sadie's frantic isolation grow after Allen's disappearance is incredibly compelling, and the final sequence of twists delivered an explosive ending. It is a character-driven, completely wild, fast, messy, with a twisty ending you will not see coming. Just when you think you have it all figured out, prepare for a twist that will leave you breathless until the final page! Definitely grab this one for your summer stack!
Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5). "A phenomenal, fast-paced domestic thriller sequel that proves Camden Baird is a fantastic storyteller in the psychological suspense genre."
📚Recs / (Read-Alikes)
If the marital deception and neighborhood secrets of The Next Lie kept you turning pages past bedtime, add these to your TBR stack:
~Never Lie by Freida McFadden
~First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
~Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Special thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: July 14, 2026
July Newsletter
July Must-Read Books
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I kept your voice, humor, and emoji style, while smoothing out a few spots for flow and clarity:
Guess who didn’t know this was a sequel when I requested it? Who read the entire book and still didn’t know it was a sequel? 🙋🏻♀️ Me. It’s me.
So, did it matter? Yes and no. I was a bit perplexed for the first 25%, feeling like I had missed something. I actually kept checking the audiobook, wondering if I had inadvertently skipped a chapter, but came up empty. It still didn’t dawn on me that there was another book. 🤦🏻♀️
With thrillers, sequels are often connected but fully standalone, and ultimately this one was too… it just took a minute to get there. So in the end, reading book one would be really helpful, but you can absolutely read this one and still enjoy it fully.
That being said, there is a lot to keep straight. With several POVs, all of which have chapters in both the past and present, it’s a lot. This isn’t a casual thriller you can simply escape into as it needs your full attention if you don’t want to miss anything.
For those who like to use a book journal alongside their reading, this would be perfect for that so you can keep track of everything that’s going on. Or, if you’re me, you power on through but occasionally rewind because your mind drifted for a minute.
Obviously, I read this on audio. It was a multicast production, which definitely helped keep the characters a bit straighter than they might have been otherwise. What initially pulled me into requesting this book on NetGalley was seeing Andrew Eiden listed, and he of course didn’t disappoint. My only complaint is that I wish he had been on it more, but that wouldn’t have made sense, so it’s all good!!
Thankfully, the rest of the cast: Megan Tusing, Amy Hutchins, Wayne Mitchell, Sarah Naughton, Kate Rudd, and Rosanna Pilcher, were great as well. While I’m not familiar enough with all of them to know who was voicing which roles, ultimately it didn’t matter because they all did an excellent job.
Back to the story… I enjoyed all the twists and turns, but it was a lot. Like… a lot a lot. While all the subplots ultimately overlap and feed into each other, I was a bit mentally exhausted by the end. Had I had the physical copy to follow along with as well, maybe that would have helped? I don’t know.
Ultimately, I do recommend this one—but for the right reader. A popcorn thriller, it is not!
It’s fast-paced, with short chapters, questionable people, unreliable narrators, and a side of domestic drama to complement the psychological thriller main plot. I would describe this as an “everything but the kitchen sink” type of novel, but somehow it actually works. 🍿📚🔍
If you’d like, I can also make it sound a touch more “Goodreads reviewer” while still keeping your humor and personality intact.
Guess who didn’t know this was a sequel when I requested it? Who read the entire book and still didn’t know it was a sequel? 🙋🏻♀️ Me. It’s me.
So, did it matter? Yes and no. I was a bit perplexed for the first 25%, feeling like I had missed something. I actually kept checking the audiobook, wondering if I had inadvertently skipped a chapter, but came up empty. It still didn’t dawn on me that there was another book. 🤦🏻♀️
With thrillers, sequels are often connected but fully standalone, and ultimately this one was too… it just took a minute to get there. So in the end, reading book one would be really helpful, but you can absolutely read this one and still enjoy it fully.
That being said, there is a lot to keep straight. With several POVs, all of which have chapters in both the past and present, it’s a lot. This isn’t a casual thriller you can simply escape into as it needs your full attention if you don’t want to miss anything.
For those who like to use a book journal alongside their reading, this would be perfect for that so you can keep track of everything that’s going on. Or, if you’re me, you power on through but occasionally rewind because your mind drifted for a minute.
Obviously, I read this on audio. It was a multicast production, which definitely helped keep the characters a bit straighter than they might have been otherwise. What initially pulled me into requesting this book on NetGalley was seeing Andrew Eiden listed, and he of course didn’t disappoint. My only complaint is that I wish he had been on it more, but that wouldn’t have made sense, so it’s all good!!
Thankfully, the rest of the cast: Megan Tusing, Amy Hutchins, Wayne Mitchell, Sarah Naughton, Kate Rudd, and Rosanna Pilcher, were great as well. While I’m not familiar enough with all of them to know who was voicing which roles, ultimately it didn’t matter because they all did an excellent job.
Back to the story… I enjoyed all the twists and turns, but it was a lot. Like… a lot a lot. While all the subplots ultimately overlap and feed into each other, I was a bit mentally exhausted by the end. Had I had the physical copy to follow along with as well, maybe that would have helped? I don’t know.
Ultimately, I do recommend this one—but for the right reader. A popcorn thriller, it is not!
It’s fast-paced, with short chapters, questionable people, unreliable narrators, and a side of domestic drama to complement the psychological thriller main plot. I would describe this as an “everything but the kitchen sink” type of novel, but somehow it actually works. 🍿📚🔍
If you’d like, I can also make it sound a touch more “Goodreads reviewer” while still keeping your humor and personality intact.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 rounded up. This domestic thriller didn't change my life, but it got the job (entertaining me) done (which is mostly what I go to domestic thrillers for).
This domestic thriller is the sequel to THE LAST MORNING, which I haven’t read, but the premise sounded fun enough to try as a standalone.
Premise - Sadie and Allen are only just recovering from their daughter’s kidnapping (they got her back) when their neighbor turns up murdered — and Allen is gone, too. Now, as the body count climbs and a ghost from Allen’s past resurfaces, Sadie tries to figure out if she ever knew her husband at all.
You know your marriage is in trouble when the neighbor dies and your first thought is “must have been my husband.”🤣
Allen really was the worst, though.😮💨 Watch this man they're all tripping over have a bald spot the size of Kentucky.😭
The whole time I was hoping one of these unhinged pick me's would realize Allen was the problem and put them all out of their misery. After all, dead is a great reason for a man to be missing.😶
Some of the characters acted not like humans, but rather like characters in a thriller, serving the plot and not common sense (or personal flaw, or any other understandable pattern of behavior). This feels like it's happening more and more in domestic thrillers lately, which is a real pity. I think it stems out of the desire for twistier and twistier twists, but so many have already been done and there's only so much that can be logically explained.
Anyway, this was fun! I'd recommend it for the domestic thriller crowd - fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, etc.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Megan Tusing, Amy Hutchins, Andrew Eiden; Wayne Mitchell, Sarah Naughton, Kate Rudd, and Rosanna Pilcher.
Overall the audiobook full-cast read experience was a lot of fun, though my enjoyment of the various narrators was unequal. I really liked narrator 1 but the teenagery one was too melodramatic for me (and/or I’m a hard, stoic shell and the thought of anyone living their life on high octane emotion 100% of the time exhausts me 😩👵🏽).
Whoever voiced the detective sounds like he was born with a pack-a-day habit.😅 He must be the dude the romance novels are talking about when 87% of the MMC’s dialogue tags are “growls.”😂
Thanks, NetGalley and Brilliance Audio, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This domestic thriller is the sequel to THE LAST MORNING, which I haven’t read, but the premise sounded fun enough to try as a standalone.
Premise - Sadie and Allen are only just recovering from their daughter’s kidnapping (they got her back) when their neighbor turns up murdered — and Allen is gone, too. Now, as the body count climbs and a ghost from Allen’s past resurfaces, Sadie tries to figure out if she ever knew her husband at all.
You know your marriage is in trouble when the neighbor dies and your first thought is “must have been my husband.”🤣
Allen really was the worst, though.😮💨 Watch this man they're all tripping over have a bald spot the size of Kentucky.😭
The whole time I was hoping one of these unhinged pick me's would realize Allen was the problem and put them all out of their misery. After all, dead is a great reason for a man to be missing.😶
Some of the characters acted not like humans, but rather like characters in a thriller, serving the plot and not common sense (or personal flaw, or any other understandable pattern of behavior). This feels like it's happening more and more in domestic thrillers lately, which is a real pity. I think it stems out of the desire for twistier and twistier twists, but so many have already been done and there's only so much that can be logically explained.
Anyway, this was fun! I'd recommend it for the domestic thriller crowd - fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, etc.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Megan Tusing, Amy Hutchins, Andrew Eiden; Wayne Mitchell, Sarah Naughton, Kate Rudd, and Rosanna Pilcher.
Overall the audiobook full-cast read experience was a lot of fun, though my enjoyment of the various narrators was unequal. I really liked narrator 1 but the teenagery one was too melodramatic for me (and/or I’m a hard, stoic shell and the thought of anyone living their life on high octane emotion 100% of the time exhausts me 😩👵🏽).
Whoever voiced the detective sounds like he was born with a pack-a-day habit.😅 He must be the dude the romance novels are talking about when 87% of the MMC’s dialogue tags are “growls.”😂
Thanks, NetGalley and Brilliance Audio, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2025
The Next Lie by Camden Baird
Honestly, if you thought the first book in this "Secrets of Chapel Roads" series was a lot, The Next Lie is basically a stress test for your marriage and your sanity. We return to Sadie and Allen Wilson, a couple who survived the last book’s trauma, only for their supposed peace to be immediately obliterated. The plot is peak suburban paranoia: a neighbor turns up aggressively dead, and before Sadie can even decide which shade of wine to drink during the inevitable police interrogation, her husband, Allen, has completely ghosted. This immediately sets the tone: trust is a relic of the past, and everyone is a garbage human.
The book leans so heavily into the "Did I marry a sociopath?" trope that it physically strains your neck from all the head-shaking. Sadie spends the entire time dealing with the police and trying to track down Allen, realizing she knows absolutely nothing about the man who shares her bed—or the garage. Every chapter is packed with another unbelievable, melodramatic revelation about Allen’s secret past, his questionable friends, and the fact that their marriage was apparently built on quicksand and a mountain of receipts. It's the kind of fast-paced, breathless read that you can't put down, even though you’re constantly yelling at the characters for their profoundly stupid life choices. The twists are relentless, bordering on ridiculous, but somehow, you keep consuming them like artisanal junk food.
This book is a hot mess express that refuses to slow down. It’s addictive, absolutely unputdownable, and fundamentally stressful to read. The sheer volume of lies, suspects, and marital betrayal makes you want to cancel your streaming services and just read this instead. Critically speaking? It's over-the-top, deeply implausible, and the characters often make decisions that defy logic. Casually speaking? It's a wildly successful, zero-filter thrill ride that confirms your suspicion that the suburbs are full of secrets and that the person you share a mortgage with is probably a total stranger. Buy it for the weekend, but don't expect therapy-level realism.
#TheNextLie #NetGalley
Honestly, if you thought the first book in this "Secrets of Chapel Roads" series was a lot, The Next Lie is basically a stress test for your marriage and your sanity. We return to Sadie and Allen Wilson, a couple who survived the last book’s trauma, only for their supposed peace to be immediately obliterated. The plot is peak suburban paranoia: a neighbor turns up aggressively dead, and before Sadie can even decide which shade of wine to drink during the inevitable police interrogation, her husband, Allen, has completely ghosted. This immediately sets the tone: trust is a relic of the past, and everyone is a garbage human.
The book leans so heavily into the "Did I marry a sociopath?" trope that it physically strains your neck from all the head-shaking. Sadie spends the entire time dealing with the police and trying to track down Allen, realizing she knows absolutely nothing about the man who shares her bed—or the garage. Every chapter is packed with another unbelievable, melodramatic revelation about Allen’s secret past, his questionable friends, and the fact that their marriage was apparently built on quicksand and a mountain of receipts. It's the kind of fast-paced, breathless read that you can't put down, even though you’re constantly yelling at the characters for their profoundly stupid life choices. The twists are relentless, bordering on ridiculous, but somehow, you keep consuming them like artisanal junk food.
This book is a hot mess express that refuses to slow down. It’s addictive, absolutely unputdownable, and fundamentally stressful to read. The sheer volume of lies, suspects, and marital betrayal makes you want to cancel your streaming services and just read this instead. Critically speaking? It's over-the-top, deeply implausible, and the characters often make decisions that defy logic. Casually speaking? It's a wildly successful, zero-filter thrill ride that confirms your suspicion that the suburbs are full of secrets and that the person you share a mortgage with is probably a total stranger. Buy it for the weekend, but don't expect therapy-level realism.
#TheNextLie #NetGalley
July 16, 2026
I received an advance review copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title.
After everything Sadie and Allen endured in The Last Morning, I thought the biggest battles were behind them. Camden Baird quickly proves otherwise in The Next Lie, delivering a suspenseful, twist-filled sequel that constantly keeps readers questioning who can really be trusted.
What begins as the shocking murder of a neighbor quickly spirals into something far more sinister when Allen disappears without a trace. As Sadie searches for answers, every revelation seems to expose another lie, another secret, and another reason to doubt the man she thought she knew. Just when I believed I had a handle on where the story was heading, another unexpected twist sent everything in a completely different direction.
One of the strongest elements of this novel is its exploration of trust within a marriage after unimaginable trauma. Sadie is a compelling protagonist whose determination, vulnerability, and resilience make her easy to root for. The emotional weight of rebuilding a life after tragedy adds depth beyond the mystery itself, making every decision feel meaningful and every betrayal hit even harder.
The pacing is relentless, with short chapters and multiple revelations that make it incredibly difficult to put down. The suspects continue to grow, motives become increasingly tangled, and the tension builds steadily toward a satisfying conclusion. Rather than relying on shock value alone, the twists feel earned and naturally woven into the story.
Camden Baird blends domestic suspense, psychological tension, and mystery into an engaging sequel that stands on its own while rewarding readers familiar with the first book. If you enjoy stories where every character has something to hide, marriages are built on fragile foundations, and the truth is never as simple as it seems, The Next Lie is well worth adding to your thriller TBR.
After everything Sadie and Allen endured in The Last Morning, I thought the biggest battles were behind them. Camden Baird quickly proves otherwise in The Next Lie, delivering a suspenseful, twist-filled sequel that constantly keeps readers questioning who can really be trusted.
What begins as the shocking murder of a neighbor quickly spirals into something far more sinister when Allen disappears without a trace. As Sadie searches for answers, every revelation seems to expose another lie, another secret, and another reason to doubt the man she thought she knew. Just when I believed I had a handle on where the story was heading, another unexpected twist sent everything in a completely different direction.
One of the strongest elements of this novel is its exploration of trust within a marriage after unimaginable trauma. Sadie is a compelling protagonist whose determination, vulnerability, and resilience make her easy to root for. The emotional weight of rebuilding a life after tragedy adds depth beyond the mystery itself, making every decision feel meaningful and every betrayal hit even harder.
The pacing is relentless, with short chapters and multiple revelations that make it incredibly difficult to put down. The suspects continue to grow, motives become increasingly tangled, and the tension builds steadily toward a satisfying conclusion. Rather than relying on shock value alone, the twists feel earned and naturally woven into the story.
Camden Baird blends domestic suspense, psychological tension, and mystery into an engaging sequel that stands on its own while rewarding readers familiar with the first book. If you enjoy stories where every character has something to hide, marriages are built on fragile foundations, and the truth is never as simple as it seems, The Next Lie is well worth adding to your thriller TBR.
December 15, 2025
"What limits will you cross for your love? Will you take the blame for their Murder or Murder someone for them?"
💭 REVIEW:
Thank you Publisher and @netgallery for giving me an earc in exchange for an honest review <3 This a book 2 to her debut novel "The Last Morning". I didn't know this, sometimes I get a book without reading a blurb either by instinct or just because I like the cover. This was that for me. I went in blindly, there is a special thrill in reading books that you know nothing about.
"The Next Lie" literally revolves around the famous line "Things We Do For Love" or "Will You Hide The Body With Me" couple vibes. It is the kind of thriller where you reach a point that everyone starts to look guilty 😂
Moreover, the multiple POVs were one of my favorite aspects. We get perspectives from suspects, victims, and the police, which made the story feel layered and intense. Kat and Tressa stood out the most for me, both having complex different personalities. The detectives’ POV kept the pace steady and helped me stay immersed in the case.
Oh yes, dual timeline was done beautifully. It kept me on edge the whole time. It kept adding tension, and every glimpse into the past, either opened a knot with hidden secret or added another knot on top of it😌. It made the story more emotional and gripping.
For me the best moment in the entire book was how they caught the suspect. It was simply brilliant!. Now this is exactly how you end a thriller 🤌
"The Next Lie" tells u at the beginning who the suspect is but is he really the suspect or is one of his women guilty? READ TO FIND OUT!😏
The only reason I did not give this a full 5 stars is because the middle slowed down slightly for me, ( at a point where I really wanted the story to move on from certain perspective) and I did sort of find out who the culprit is midway 💔😅 However this is also the kind of thriller I am looking for. THRILLER SUBPLOT ROMANCE.
💭 REVIEW:
Thank you Publisher and @netgallery for giving me an earc in exchange for an honest review <3 This a book 2 to her debut novel "The Last Morning". I didn't know this, sometimes I get a book without reading a blurb either by instinct or just because I like the cover. This was that for me. I went in blindly, there is a special thrill in reading books that you know nothing about.
"The Next Lie" literally revolves around the famous line "Things We Do For Love" or "Will You Hide The Body With Me" couple vibes. It is the kind of thriller where you reach a point that everyone starts to look guilty 😂
Moreover, the multiple POVs were one of my favorite aspects. We get perspectives from suspects, victims, and the police, which made the story feel layered and intense. Kat and Tressa stood out the most for me, both having complex different personalities. The detectives’ POV kept the pace steady and helped me stay immersed in the case.
Oh yes, dual timeline was done beautifully. It kept me on edge the whole time. It kept adding tension, and every glimpse into the past, either opened a knot with hidden secret or added another knot on top of it😌. It made the story more emotional and gripping.
For me the best moment in the entire book was how they caught the suspect. It was simply brilliant!. Now this is exactly how you end a thriller 🤌
"The Next Lie" tells u at the beginning who the suspect is but is he really the suspect or is one of his women guilty? READ TO FIND OUT!😏
The only reason I did not give this a full 5 stars is because the middle slowed down slightly for me, ( at a point where I really wanted the story to move on from certain perspective) and I did sort of find out who the culprit is midway 💔😅 However this is also the kind of thriller I am looking for. THRILLER SUBPLOT ROMANCE.
December 30, 2025
✨ Summary: Sadie Wilson has had a tough year. Her daughter, Emma, was kidnapped and found unharmed, and now her neighbor, Cass, has been murdered. To make matters worse, her husband, Allen, has fled, leading others, including Sadie, to believe that he could be the killer. Allen has lied to her so many times lately. Can she trust that he loves her and didn’t commit murder? Sadie’s world is unraveling again, and she doesn’t know who is a friend, suspect, or enemy as more bodies pile up and more lies are told.
✅ What I loved: The book picked up with many of the major characters from Baird’s first book in the series, The Last Morning. Told from multiple POVs in much the same way as book one, alternating from now to before (the past), each person had a motive to kill, and I was kept guessing up until the end. While I did figure out who the killer was, Baird provided so many twists and moments of doubt that made the story so thrilling. I used the word “crazy” so many times to describe the characters. Lies and crazy are the best ingredients for a dark who-did-it book! The chapters are short and quick. Baird did a fantastic job leaving the reader on edge and with more questions than answers at the end of each one. I really enjoyed this second installment in the series.
⚠️ What didn’t work as well for me: Despite the secrets, lies, and deaths, there were times where the story just seemed to lull and drag. I wanted the pace to move a little faster or have some big jaw-dropping moment that unfortunately just didn’t happen.
🙌 Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Mysteries and thrillers
✅ What I loved: The book picked up with many of the major characters from Baird’s first book in the series, The Last Morning. Told from multiple POVs in much the same way as book one, alternating from now to before (the past), each person had a motive to kill, and I was kept guessing up until the end. While I did figure out who the killer was, Baird provided so many twists and moments of doubt that made the story so thrilling. I used the word “crazy” so many times to describe the characters. Lies and crazy are the best ingredients for a dark who-did-it book! The chapters are short and quick. Baird did a fantastic job leaving the reader on edge and with more questions than answers at the end of each one. I really enjoyed this second installment in the series.
⚠️ What didn’t work as well for me: Despite the secrets, lies, and deaths, there were times where the story just seemed to lull and drag. I wanted the pace to move a little faster or have some big jaw-dropping moment that unfortunately just didn’t happen.
🙌 Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Mysteries and thrillers
August 2, 2026
The Next Lie, the sequel in a series, sounded like it would be a real nail-biter. After Sadie's neighbor, Cass, was discovered dead, Sadie's husband, Allen, disappears. It has the makings of an intense thriller. So, I was disappointed that it didn't live up to my expectations. The first book actually sounds like it would've been more interesting.
There were too many characters, and it kept bouncing back and forth between the past and the present. It was distracting. I understand that the author was trying to paint a picture of the characters' traits while showing how they got to this point, but the ping-ponging was just too much back and forth with each character. I would've preferred it if the author had used a flashback to include each character's story and then brought the entire story back to the current day. The back-and-forth was giving me whiplash (not to be dramatic), but it was too much. Keeping track of all the characters was one thing, but then including the flashbacks intertwined with their current stories made it difficult to keep track of what was going on with who and whether it was happening in the present day or as a flashback.
Unfortunately, I never made it to the second half of the book. I was interested in the outcome but not enough to dig through all the drama the author was dishing up to the reader.
I did enjoy the short chapters, which probably helped keep me interested in the storyline for as long as it did. The author's writing style wasn't bad; I will probably give his first book of the series a try. This one just didn't do it for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC; all opinions are my own.
There were too many characters, and it kept bouncing back and forth between the past and the present. It was distracting. I understand that the author was trying to paint a picture of the characters' traits while showing how they got to this point, but the ping-ponging was just too much back and forth with each character. I would've preferred it if the author had used a flashback to include each character's story and then brought the entire story back to the current day. The back-and-forth was giving me whiplash (not to be dramatic), but it was too much. Keeping track of all the characters was one thing, but then including the flashbacks intertwined with their current stories made it difficult to keep track of what was going on with who and whether it was happening in the present day or as a flashback.
Unfortunately, I never made it to the second half of the book. I was interested in the outcome but not enough to dig through all the drama the author was dishing up to the reader.
I did enjoy the short chapters, which probably helped keep me interested in the storyline for as long as it did. The author's writing style wasn't bad; I will probably give his first book of the series a try. This one just didn't do it for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC; all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars. This is the second book in the Secrets of Chapel Roads series. It’s a fast paced psychological thriller following the same family from the first book (The Lady Morning) after their daughter’s kidnapping has been resolved. In the sequel the family is dealing with a neighbor’s murder and the protagonist’s husband is missing. While I was able to read the book, this isn’t really a stand alone. Read the first book before tackling this one.
Sadie and Allen Wilson are coming off the kidnapping of their daughter, Emma, and things seem to be getting back to normal when their neighbor is murdered. Now Allen is missing too. Sadie tries to put together what happened with the police. She keeps uncovering things and wonders who did she marry. The twists keep coming - I can’t believe I’m writing this but too many (and I love twists).
The story is told is short chapters from different points of view - this is where reading the first book would have helped me as many of the characters were in the first book. Frankly there were so many points of view which heightens tension in thriller reads, I kept wondering if the book needed that many. This book also suffered in my opinion by not being a standalone if you are a reader coming into it cold. I don’t always experience this but it does limit enjoyment.
I think the writing was fine. There’s plenty of suspense. The look at marriage and trust in a relationship helped me appreciate the story better - though Sadie came off a bit histrionic at times. But this series is worthy of a read for its suspense and plotting.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me access to this ARC.
Sadie and Allen Wilson are coming off the kidnapping of their daughter, Emma, and things seem to be getting back to normal when their neighbor is murdered. Now Allen is missing too. Sadie tries to put together what happened with the police. She keeps uncovering things and wonders who did she marry. The twists keep coming - I can’t believe I’m writing this but too many (and I love twists).
The story is told is short chapters from different points of view - this is where reading the first book would have helped me as many of the characters were in the first book. Frankly there were so many points of view which heightens tension in thriller reads, I kept wondering if the book needed that many. This book also suffered in my opinion by not being a standalone if you are a reader coming into it cold. I don’t always experience this but it does limit enjoyment.
I think the writing was fine. There’s plenty of suspense. The look at marriage and trust in a relationship helped me appreciate the story better - though Sadie came off a bit histrionic at times. But this series is worthy of a read for its suspense and plotting.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me access to this ARC.
October 21, 2025
Cuando la vecina de Sadie aparece muerta y su esposo desaparece sin dejar rastro, su mundo, cuidadosamente reconstruido tras el secuestro de su hija, vuelve a desmoronarse. A medida que la policía investiga, las mentiras del pasado comienzan a salir a la luz: una exesposa rencorosa, una exconvicta con cuentas pendientes, una antigua novia que todos creían muerta… y un esposo con demasiados secretos.
Sadie debe decidir en quién confiar mientras intenta proteger a su hija y descubrir si el hombre que ama es un fugitivo, un asesino… o una víctima. En un vecindario donde todos esconden algo, cada verdad revelada puede ser la próxima mentira.
___
No sabía que The Next Lie tenía un libro anterior, y aunque no es difícil entender lo que ocurre, sí deja algunas preguntas sin responder (nada grave, pero lo suficiente para notarse). Mi recomendación era, evidentemente, leerlos en orden. Y como no quería quedarme con la duda, leí The Last Morning y terminé cambiando de opinión: siento que el primer libro no encaja del todo con este. Es como si ambos pertenecieran a universos distintos, porque los acontecimientos de The Next Lie parecen contradecir lo anterior o, al menos, muestran a los personajes con personalidades completamente diferentes. Me hare la loca y The last morning jamás ocurrió.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Sadie debe decidir en quién confiar mientras intenta proteger a su hija y descubrir si el hombre que ama es un fugitivo, un asesino… o una víctima. En un vecindario donde todos esconden algo, cada verdad revelada puede ser la próxima mentira.
___
No sabía que The Next Lie tenía un libro anterior, y aunque no es difícil entender lo que ocurre, sí deja algunas preguntas sin responder (nada grave, pero lo suficiente para notarse). Mi recomendación era, evidentemente, leerlos en orden. Y como no quería quedarme con la duda, leí The Last Morning y terminé cambiando de opinión: siento que el primer libro no encaja del todo con este. Es como si ambos pertenecieran a universos distintos, porque los acontecimientos de The Next Lie parecen contradecir lo anterior o, al menos, muestran a los personajes con personalidades completamente diferentes. Me hare la loca y The last morning jamás ocurrió.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
June 25, 2026
🤥 T R E A C H E R O U S T H U R S D A Y review 🤥 featuring “The Next Lie” by Camden Baird!
Sadie and Allen Wilson are back again in the sequel to “The Last Morning”. Last year their daughter Emma was kidnapped and thankfully found unharmed. They have spent the last 18 months healing from trauma and trying to get their lives back together, but it doesn’t last for long.
Now their neighbour Cass Thomas has been murdered under suspicious circumstances inside of her home. It looks like she had a visitor over for wine leading up to her death … and all signs point to Allen.
As the neighbourhood turns into a crime scene, Allen disappears without a trace leaving behind his wallet, vehicle and cell phone. He was spotted by witnesses fleeing the neighbourhood on foot and carrying the possible murder weapon.
Now Sadie is left in the middle of a shitstorm wondering who the hell did she marry? Allen has cheated on her before and has a past affiliation with Cass … but is he capable of murder?
💭 I was thrilled to find out that this was a sequel to “The Last Morning”! I do recommend reading TLM first so that you can fully grasp what the Wilson family has gone through and all the characters involved. I loved the small town tension where everyone has a motive to kill. Sadie must navigate through a marriage built on secrets that is brimming with betrayal and lies!
Thank you kindly to @authorcamdenbaird @thomasmerceruk @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases on July 14, 2026!
Sadie and Allen Wilson are back again in the sequel to “The Last Morning”. Last year their daughter Emma was kidnapped and thankfully found unharmed. They have spent the last 18 months healing from trauma and trying to get their lives back together, but it doesn’t last for long.
Now their neighbour Cass Thomas has been murdered under suspicious circumstances inside of her home. It looks like she had a visitor over for wine leading up to her death … and all signs point to Allen.
As the neighbourhood turns into a crime scene, Allen disappears without a trace leaving behind his wallet, vehicle and cell phone. He was spotted by witnesses fleeing the neighbourhood on foot and carrying the possible murder weapon.
Now Sadie is left in the middle of a shitstorm wondering who the hell did she marry? Allen has cheated on her before and has a past affiliation with Cass … but is he capable of murder?
💭 I was thrilled to find out that this was a sequel to “The Last Morning”! I do recommend reading TLM first so that you can fully grasp what the Wilson family has gone through and all the characters involved. I loved the small town tension where everyone has a motive to kill. Sadie must navigate through a marriage built on secrets that is brimming with betrayal and lies!
Thank you kindly to @authorcamdenbaird @thomasmerceruk @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases on July 14, 2026!
July 14, 2026
Husbands: You can’t live with them, and you can’t live without them (or so it’s been said). But what if your husband may be hazardous to your health?
Sadie and Allen Wilson have had their troubles. A year and a half ago, in “The Last Morning,” their little girl Emma was kidnapped, and in the investigation, Sadie learned a lot of dark secrets about her husband. A dead ex-girlfriend. An affair with his ex-wife. And a neighbor who knew Allen in high school and seemed obsessed about him, to say the least.
And now, in “The Next Lie,” that neighbor turns up dead. That night, Allen disappears. If he shows up again … is he even safe to be around?
I won’t tell you much more, because the twists and turns just keep coming in this fast-paced page-turner. As the investigation into Cass Thomas’ death unfolds, a lot of characters are up to no good – but we’re not always sure which ones, or what their motives are. Baird tells the story in a delicious, peeling-an-onion way, jumping from the present to the past as more secrets are revealed. I made some guesses and placed some bets, but new revelations had me moving my chips around – a lot.
Several more bodies turn up, yet by the satisfying ending, a lot of lives end up for the better. That’s a neat trick – and one not many thrillers can pull off. Highly recommended!
NOTE: This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Sadie and Allen Wilson have had their troubles. A year and a half ago, in “The Last Morning,” their little girl Emma was kidnapped, and in the investigation, Sadie learned a lot of dark secrets about her husband. A dead ex-girlfriend. An affair with his ex-wife. And a neighbor who knew Allen in high school and seemed obsessed about him, to say the least.
And now, in “The Next Lie,” that neighbor turns up dead. That night, Allen disappears. If he shows up again … is he even safe to be around?
I won’t tell you much more, because the twists and turns just keep coming in this fast-paced page-turner. As the investigation into Cass Thomas’ death unfolds, a lot of characters are up to no good – but we’re not always sure which ones, or what their motives are. Baird tells the story in a delicious, peeling-an-onion way, jumping from the present to the past as more secrets are revealed. I made some guesses and placed some bets, but new revelations had me moving my chips around – a lot.
Several more bodies turn up, yet by the satisfying ending, a lot of lives end up for the better. That’s a neat trick – and one not many thrillers can pull off. Highly recommended!
NOTE: This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 27, 2026
4.5⭐️ this one was soooo good. I honestly guessed a lot of it because I was thinking really hard about it all. But there were other things that were complete surprises. Went into this ppl completely hating Allan, and left the book loving him. I know that’s crazy. I didn’t think I’d say that. Because at the end of the first book I wanted Sadie to leave him. But I think Allan going on the run and ready to take full responsibility for Sadie was what made me forgive him. I hate that he cheated on her twice during their marriage, and i don’t think I’d forgive him that easily, but I mean… willing to go down for a murder he didn’t commit because he thought Sadie did. I gotta give the man some credit. I liked the way this all came together too. And I liked seeing the same cops over again. The end was good. I definitely suspected Theresa because she was being SO weird at Sadie’s house. And just in general. All her reactions to things felt stilted. But in the end when Sadie shot Allan, I was blown away. I fully didn’t see it coming, let alone that it was all a set up. I loved the way that was written. The secret conversations behind the scenes. That was perfect. Because I genuinely got so sad thinking Sadie killed Allan while still believing he killed the neighbor. What a good ending. I doubt there can be ANY other secrets in this town, but who knows. It’s been fun!
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this advanced copy!!!!
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this advanced copy!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
Release: July 14, 2026
Author: Camden Baird
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Rating: 4★
Thoughts:
This one completely pulled me in—I loved how the tension just kept building with every chapter. The twists felt sharp and intentional, and I was constantly second-guessing everyone, especially Allen. It’s one of those thrillers that makes you uneasy in the best way.
This book suits someone in the mood for something: mysterious, tense, dark
Pace: fast
Plot or Character Driven?: a mix
Strong Character Development?: it’s complicated
Loveable Characters?: it’s complicated
Diverse Cast?: it’s complicated
Are Character Flaws a Main Focus?: yes
Main Themes / Tropes:
marriage secrets, unreliable partner, missing spouse, revenge, psychological suspense
Synopsis:
In the aftermath of a traumatic past, Sadie Wilson attempts to rebuild her life—until her husband vanishes and a new murder shatters any illusion of stability. As suspicion tightens around the people closest to her, she is forced to confront the unsettling possibility that the man she trusted most may be a stranger shaped by deception. With each revelation more disquieting than the last, the line between truth and manipulation dissolves, leaving Sadie to navigate a web of betrayal where certainty is a luxury she can no longer afford.
Favorite Quote:
"the truth doesn't set you free; it chains you to the consequence of it.
Author: Camden Baird
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Rating: 4★
Thoughts:
This one completely pulled me in—I loved how the tension just kept building with every chapter. The twists felt sharp and intentional, and I was constantly second-guessing everyone, especially Allen. It’s one of those thrillers that makes you uneasy in the best way.
This book suits someone in the mood for something: mysterious, tense, dark
Pace: fast
Plot or Character Driven?: a mix
Strong Character Development?: it’s complicated
Loveable Characters?: it’s complicated
Diverse Cast?: it’s complicated
Are Character Flaws a Main Focus?: yes
Main Themes / Tropes:
marriage secrets, unreliable partner, missing spouse, revenge, psychological suspense
Synopsis:
In the aftermath of a traumatic past, Sadie Wilson attempts to rebuild her life—until her husband vanishes and a new murder shatters any illusion of stability. As suspicion tightens around the people closest to her, she is forced to confront the unsettling possibility that the man she trusted most may be a stranger shaped by deception. With each revelation more disquieting than the last, the line between truth and manipulation dissolves, leaving Sadie to navigate a web of betrayal where certainty is a luxury she can no longer afford.
Favorite Quote:
"the truth doesn't set you free; it chains you to the consequence of it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A big thank you to NetGalley and Camden Baird for sending me an ARC of this book ! 🤩
3.75⭐
I really loved diving into the sequel of The Secrets of Chapel Roads series ! It's about 1.5 years after the first book, and follows multiple POVs after finding out their neighbour has been murdered 👀
Allen runs away, and of course all eyes are on him as the main suspect in the case (like the family needs more trauma after Emma's disappearance 😅)
The book was full of twists and turns, many red herrings throughout - made me absolutely paranoid of everyone ! I loved getting back into the lore of all of the characters from the first book, and felt thoroughly bad for Sadie throughout ! 🫣
The book as a whole was really enticing to read, and I read it quite quickly in the sessions I took, I just felt that although it distinguishes "Before" and "Now", I feel it can be confusing on the timelines between each of the chapters , I'd have loved dates ! I also feel like Emma was kind of forgotten about on holiday after a certain percentage through the book 🤷🏻♀️
I also didn't know how to feel at the end, with Sadie being so happy-go-lucky with how things concluded. I get it, but I would've been so much more bitter (personally 👀)
I adore the way Camden Baird writes and will happily become an auto buy author in the future ! 😍
3.75⭐
I really loved diving into the sequel of The Secrets of Chapel Roads series ! It's about 1.5 years after the first book, and follows multiple POVs after finding out their neighbour has been murdered 👀
Allen runs away, and of course all eyes are on him as the main suspect in the case (like the family needs more trauma after Emma's disappearance 😅)
The book was full of twists and turns, many red herrings throughout - made me absolutely paranoid of everyone ! I loved getting back into the lore of all of the characters from the first book, and felt thoroughly bad for Sadie throughout ! 🫣
The book as a whole was really enticing to read, and I read it quite quickly in the sessions I took, I just felt that although it distinguishes "Before" and "Now", I feel it can be confusing on the timelines between each of the chapters , I'd have loved dates ! I also feel like Emma was kind of forgotten about on holiday after a certain percentage through the book 🤷🏻♀️
I also didn't know how to feel at the end, with Sadie being so happy-go-lucky with how things concluded. I get it, but I would've been so much more bitter (personally 👀)
I adore the way Camden Baird writes and will happily become an auto buy author in the future ! 😍
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