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North Falls #2
The Secrets We Hide
Not yet published
Expected 11 Aug 26The next thrilling mystery in the new North Falls series from Karin Slaughter, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Girls and the Will Trent Series.
Welcome to North Falls. A small town where everyone knows everyone. But nobody knows the truth.
1601 Iris Drive looks like any other house on the quiet, residential street. But rumors are rampant about the Vickery family, and what goes on behind closed doors.
When gunshots ring out, Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, ex-federal agent Jude Archer, discover a devastating crime scene. Allison Vickery has been murdered in her own kitchen, and her teenage daughter is bleeding upstairs, left for dead.
Everyone thinks they know what happened. But secrets are buried everywhere in this small town.
And it’s up to Emmy Clifton to uncover the truth…
Welcome to North Falls. A small town where everyone knows everyone. But nobody knows the truth.
1601 Iris Drive looks like any other house on the quiet, residential street. But rumors are rampant about the Vickery family, and what goes on behind closed doors.
When gunshots ring out, Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, ex-federal agent Jude Archer, discover a devastating crime scene. Allison Vickery has been murdered in her own kitchen, and her teenage daughter is bleeding upstairs, left for dead.
Everyone thinks they know what happened. But secrets are buried everywhere in this small town.
And it’s up to Emmy Clifton to uncover the truth…
416 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 18, 2026
42685 people want to read
About the author
Karin Slaughter
123 books89.3k followersKarin Slaughter is one of the world’s most popular storytellers. She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty- five novels, including the Edgar nominated COP TOWN and standalone novels PRETTY GIRLS and FALSE WITNESS. An international bestseller, Slaughter is published in 120 countries with more than 40 million copies sold across the globe. PIECES OF HER, based on her novel, debuted at #1 worldwide on Netflix as an original series in 2022. Her bestselling thriller series, Will Trent, is now a television and streaming sensation in its 4th season. THE GOOD DAUGHTER will soon be a limited series starring Rose Byrne and Meghann Fahy, and further projects are currently in development for film/TV. Karin Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project—a nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, she lives in Atlanta.
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Website: http://www.karinslaughter.com/
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March 4, 2026It’s not June yet but I’m seated
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Karin Slaughter's firmly back in familiar territory: tangled family dynamics, inherited trauma, small towns with big secrets, violence that feels too close to ordinary life, and the kind of darkness that doesn’t so much lurk as it settles in and refuses to leave.
This a strong read and great book, but it's not peak KS. It actually took me a while to get into. Once the initial excitement of omg omg new Karin Slaughter book wore off, my first impressions were… not great. I really thought I wasn’t going to like it, which was crushing. But once it found its rhythm (or I adjusted to new(ish) characters), it pulled me in completely.
There are twists and turns everywhere. The dust barely has a chance to settle before something else shifts, which makes it so engaging. It’s very much a “just one more chapter... wait, what now? okay, well I have to find out what's going on here” kind of experience.
Emmy. A mixed bag for me. It's not that I don't like her, but she's pretty weak in comparison to characters from previous series. This is a universe where unstoppable force of competence and intimidation Amanda Wagner exists. I just keep comparing Emmy to all the other amazing women KS has written and she comes up short.
I liked her more in the first book. In this one she’s, I dunno, just a bit pathetic at times? She's crazy relatable and a really well written character, but sometimes she’s just overwhelmed in a way that feels like it actively works against her ability to function in her job.
I get that she cares. That’s very clearly the point of her character, but it often hinders her more than it helps. She’s so emotionally invested in victims, suspects, case outcomes, and what her deputies think of her that she ends up second-guessing herself or drifting away from the actual task in front of her. There are moments where you can almost see the investigation slipping through her fingers while she’s off in her head trying to process everything emotionally or trying to clear "the shard of glass in her throat" 🙄🙄 Honestly hate that imagery and its overuse. Across this series, there is a lot happening in Emmy's throat. Cotton, glass, lumps... girl, see a doctor. Call Sara Linton!
Emmy works with her son (yay nepotism), but rarely lets him take on anything more meaningful than knocking on doors or directing traffic because she’s too focused on keeping him safe. Which is understandable, but also slightly concerning given the job description and makes you wonder if this is the right career path for these two. Emmy herself only has the position because her dad gave it to her (double yay nepotism), which adds another layer to how uncertain she sometimes feels in the role.
Jude, on the other hand, is a standout for me. She’s a breath of fresh air in a book full of touchy-feely, emotionally overloaded characters. She's direct and grounded, refreshingly no-nonsense when everyone else is spiralling or overthinking every possible connection to their family history.
And whenever the GBI's mentioned, I briefly spiral into crossover hope. It never happens, but I remain emotionally committed to the idea, and I'm going to do my best to manifest it.
One recurring frustration with Slaughter’s writing in general is how central parental relationships are to almost every emotional thread. Everyone's constantly processing their parents (living, dead, non-existent, it's complicated, or otherwise). Emmy, you are 42 years old. You have an adult son. At some point you have to look up from the generational trauma and focus on the case in front of you.
I have to remind myself when I get mad at Emmy that I was so mad at Will when he turned up because I missed Sara. I guess I have attachment issues. And even when it’s messy, it’s all very intentional. KS builds her stories out of interconnected emotional threads, and nothing ever exists in isolation. It's not my favourite from Karin, but once it hooks you, it refuses to let go.
--------
Pre-read:
Heavy breathing intensifies
No way! A Karin Slaughter ARC???? trying to stay calm and totally normal about this 🙀🙀
This a strong read and great book, but it's not peak KS. It actually took me a while to get into. Once the initial excitement of omg omg new Karin Slaughter book wore off, my first impressions were… not great. I really thought I wasn’t going to like it, which was crushing. But once it found its rhythm (or I adjusted to new(ish) characters), it pulled me in completely.
There are twists and turns everywhere. The dust barely has a chance to settle before something else shifts, which makes it so engaging. It’s very much a “just one more chapter... wait, what now? okay, well I have to find out what's going on here” kind of experience.
Emmy. A mixed bag for me. It's not that I don't like her, but she's pretty weak in comparison to characters from previous series. This is a universe where unstoppable force of competence and intimidation Amanda Wagner exists. I just keep comparing Emmy to all the other amazing women KS has written and she comes up short.
I liked her more in the first book. In this one she’s, I dunno, just a bit pathetic at times? She's crazy relatable and a really well written character, but sometimes she’s just overwhelmed in a way that feels like it actively works against her ability to function in her job.
I get that she cares. That’s very clearly the point of her character, but it often hinders her more than it helps. She’s so emotionally invested in victims, suspects, case outcomes, and what her deputies think of her that she ends up second-guessing herself or drifting away from the actual task in front of her. There are moments where you can almost see the investigation slipping through her fingers while she’s off in her head trying to process everything emotionally or trying to clear "the shard of glass in her throat" 🙄🙄 Honestly hate that imagery and its overuse. Across this series, there is a lot happening in Emmy's throat. Cotton, glass, lumps... girl, see a doctor. Call Sara Linton!
Emmy works with her son (yay nepotism), but rarely lets him take on anything more meaningful than knocking on doors or directing traffic because she’s too focused on keeping him safe. Which is understandable, but also slightly concerning given the job description and makes you wonder if this is the right career path for these two. Emmy herself only has the position because her dad gave it to her (double yay nepotism), which adds another layer to how uncertain she sometimes feels in the role.
Jude, on the other hand, is a standout for me. She’s a breath of fresh air in a book full of touchy-feely, emotionally overloaded characters. She's direct and grounded, refreshingly no-nonsense when everyone else is spiralling or overthinking every possible connection to their family history.
And whenever the GBI's mentioned, I briefly spiral into crossover hope. It never happens, but I remain emotionally committed to the idea, and I'm going to do my best to manifest it.
One recurring frustration with Slaughter’s writing in general is how central parental relationships are to almost every emotional thread. Everyone's constantly processing their parents (living, dead, non-existent, it's complicated, or otherwise). Emmy, you are 42 years old. You have an adult son. At some point you have to look up from the generational trauma and focus on the case in front of you.
I have to remind myself when I get mad at Emmy that I was so mad at Will when he turned up because I missed Sara. I guess I have attachment issues. And even when it’s messy, it’s all very intentional. KS builds her stories out of interconnected emotional threads, and nothing ever exists in isolation. It's not my favourite from Karin, but once it hooks you, it refuses to let go.
--------
Pre-read:
Heavy breathing intensifies
No way! A Karin Slaughter ARC???? trying to stay calm and totally normal about this 🙀🙀
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First of all… I cannot express how happy I was to get approved for this ARC. Thank you to the HarperCollins gods, because Karin Slaughter is an auto-read author for me.
Aaaand I have to say… I think I liked this one even more than book one.
The case itself is really tragic and quite heavy. It touches on domestic violence, trauma, complicated family relationships… and fun fact (not so fun actually), I somehow ended up reading two books with these themes in the same day... so yup, my brain needs a break.
Now, when it comes to the story… it might not be her most shocking book in terms of the crime itself, but the amount of twists and secrets? Insane. At some point I was like… wait, what now?? It just keeps layering reveal after reveal.
I also found myself rooting for Emmy even more in this book. I really liked seeing the dynamic between her and Jude evolve. She’s still guarded, still a bit hostile, but she slowly starts to open up and accept Jude’s help. They’re definitely still testing the waters, but we are getting there.
And of course… small town = BIG drama. We’ve got lots, lots of secrets, guns, drugs, dirty cops… all the good stuff.
I was honestly thinking this would be around a 4 or maybe 4.25⭐… BUT!!!
I read the last line.
EXCUSE ME????
Jaw. On. The. Floor. (and it's still there)
I need book 3 like… yesterday.
⭐ 5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC.
Aaaand I have to say… I think I liked this one even more than book one.
The case itself is really tragic and quite heavy. It touches on domestic violence, trauma, complicated family relationships… and fun fact (not so fun actually), I somehow ended up reading two books with these themes in the same day... so yup, my brain needs a break.
Now, when it comes to the story… it might not be her most shocking book in terms of the crime itself, but the amount of twists and secrets? Insane. At some point I was like… wait, what now?? It just keeps layering reveal after reveal.
I also found myself rooting for Emmy even more in this book. I really liked seeing the dynamic between her and Jude evolve. She’s still guarded, still a bit hostile, but she slowly starts to open up and accept Jude’s help. They’re definitely still testing the waters, but we are getting there.
And of course… small town = BIG drama. We’ve got lots, lots of secrets, guns, drugs, dirty cops… all the good stuff.
I was honestly thinking this would be around a 4 or maybe 4.25⭐… BUT!!!
I read the last line.
EXCUSE ME????
Jaw. On. The. Floor. (and it's still there)
I need book 3 like… yesterday.
⭐ 5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I did a re-read of WE ARE ALL GUILTY HERE before starting this second book. Due to my bookalzheimers I was afraid I couldn't remember Emmy and the town. But I was surprised how much I remembered. I loved book #1 and this second one starts only six weeks after the end of the first one. Both can be read as standalone thrillers, but please read them both - and in the right order!
This time a retired cop is killed and her teenaged daughter is left bleeding to death with a head wound. And there are lots of suspects in and around North Falls. That's when our Emmy Lou comes into the picture. Since her dad died six weeks ago, Emmy is now chief of police and together with her deputy son and her new-found ex-FBI older sister, she needs to find a cop killer! All while dealing with A LOT of personal stuff on the side!
I enjoyed this second book just as much as the first one.
It was mysterious, exciting, suspensy, a bit funny and sweet and adorable and heartbreaking. Full of secrets, small town things, grief and anger and so much more! I just adore Emmy and Cole and the town and the whole Clifton clan. Aunt Millie and Taybee are just hilarious.
I want a third book asap and I can't wait until we'll get to see all this on TV!
Tiny complainings...I kind of missed a bit of romance for Emmy. We talk about it for a second, but even less than in the first book, and I get that it's all about strong ladies, but I wanted her to be with her lawyer guy. (I can't even remember his name - that's how not often we talk about him!)
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Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A few years ago, I read one of the books in the Will Trent series and quickly realised I was not reading book one in a series so…I had to read them all in order. That meant I read the Grant County series too and got to explore most of Karin Slaughter’s catalogue in the space of three or four months. I would finish one book and pick up the next and my God! I wish I could do the same now but book three in the North Falls series sadly doesn’t exist yet. But I need it.
The reason I mentioned binge reading those series is that the first book I read was published around 25/26 years ago. That was the first few years of Karin Slaughter as a published author and through my binge reading, I got to see the evolution of her writing so clearly. The old books are great but there are so many little details that I noticed kept changing while she perfected her craft. And that resulted in this book. “The secrets we hide” is the best written Karin Slaughter book I’ve ever read. It’s actually fascinating to notice her trying to do a few things a little bit different, and playing around with the formula that makes her books so good and successful. Many authors would get a bit too comfortable and still write good books but without challenging themselves as writers. However, that’s not the case here. Genuinely, I keep thinking about how well structured and well written this book was. And since it’s book two in a series and I don’t want to spoil anything, I rather focus on that while reviewing the novel.
I absolutely adore Emmy, Jude and Cole. And all the other minor characters who show up in the series. They’re all charming and intriguing in their own ways. And this is where I noticed the biggest difference in the author’s writing. These characters start the series off so strong. I love Sara, Will or Faith but it’s true that reading the older books, I noticed some characteristics that were more typical of those times but I don’t like reading them as much now. They have evolved so beautifully as characters but these new ones are already fantastic from the get-go. Again, that just shows an author learning more about how to create those characters that I’ll fall in love with.
Emmy is even more complex as a character than she even knows because it’s one of those cases where we know things she doesn’t yet know. That can be frustrating for readers but I’m ok with it. Also, from reading the Will Trent series, I remember an instance in which we had two or three books of “will they, won’t they?” but this Emmy situation is a lot more complicated. So it makes more sense that it’s not as easy to reveal. But reading about her emotions in this book was so touching. I cried when she cried, I felt all that anxiety…it was honestly so easy to love her as a character and to understand her. The character work is incredible in her case. And there was so much on Emmy’s plate in this book so it wasn’t easy to make her so realistically human.
Jude is also such an interesting character. I always joke when talking about series like this one saying there’s the mystery and then the soap opera. I love soap operas! That’s a compliment. But it’s so cool to see Jude being a badass one second and then she’s back to being very human. Maybe I’m too sensitive at the moment but there were so many emotions in this book. And I felt every single one while reading it. Jude…she has a bit of an impossible task in a way and all the little revelations we got about her in this book made the story so much more complex. Get ready because this one is going to be a rollercoaster. And while I love her complicated relationship with Emmy, I just adore the softness with which she treats Cole. And Cole is the best too! I adore him and cannot wait to see what is next for him. Because his future also makes me hope there is a multiverse going on here…those who know, know.
As I mentioned, there are all these smaller characters which are such fun small town people and that I love. Every time a family member, and there are many, pops up, it’s a good time.
Again, this is book two in a series so a lot of what happens is due to what took place in book one. I won’t get into that due to spoilers but I can talk a bit more about the actual mystery of this novel. For once in my life, I guessed something right. There was a little clue I was holding onto and that made me feel there were more options but that one option I kept thinking about had to be the one. And it was! But I couldn’t even imagine everything else that was going on and it was really well done. It played a lot with the whole small town madness that I’ve realised is a big thing in real cases. We fear bigger cities because well, the bigger, the more dangerous they can be. But small towns have way too many secrets and that’s eerie.
Through Allison and her life as both a police officer and a woman, there is so much good social commentary. And a lot of heartbreak for me reading it. I always love this about Karin Slaughter books. I know some things won’t be easy to read because of the awful realism but it’s so important to shed a light on these situations that do happen in real life. It makes you care so much for Allison and Mandy and maybe understand some of their decisions, even if we feel we would never do that. It’s not so simple.
I was savouring each chapter and didn’t want the book to end. And then we got more action which made me so anxious and more revelations and cliffhangers. Again, I wish I could binge read this whole series but no other books are available and knowing I have to wait is so painful.
Every time the GBI is mentioned, I hope for a crossover with the Will Trent series and I won’t lose hope until it’s confirmed it won’t happen. I would love that so much.
I adored this book, as might be obvious by now. Best Karin Slaughter book to date and if she keeps getting better, I’ll keep raving about everything she does.
Thank you to HaperCollinsUK and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The reason I mentioned binge reading those series is that the first book I read was published around 25/26 years ago. That was the first few years of Karin Slaughter as a published author and through my binge reading, I got to see the evolution of her writing so clearly. The old books are great but there are so many little details that I noticed kept changing while she perfected her craft. And that resulted in this book. “The secrets we hide” is the best written Karin Slaughter book I’ve ever read. It’s actually fascinating to notice her trying to do a few things a little bit different, and playing around with the formula that makes her books so good and successful. Many authors would get a bit too comfortable and still write good books but without challenging themselves as writers. However, that’s not the case here. Genuinely, I keep thinking about how well structured and well written this book was. And since it’s book two in a series and I don’t want to spoil anything, I rather focus on that while reviewing the novel.
I absolutely adore Emmy, Jude and Cole. And all the other minor characters who show up in the series. They’re all charming and intriguing in their own ways. And this is where I noticed the biggest difference in the author’s writing. These characters start the series off so strong. I love Sara, Will or Faith but it’s true that reading the older books, I noticed some characteristics that were more typical of those times but I don’t like reading them as much now. They have evolved so beautifully as characters but these new ones are already fantastic from the get-go. Again, that just shows an author learning more about how to create those characters that I’ll fall in love with.
Emmy is even more complex as a character than she even knows because it’s one of those cases where we know things she doesn’t yet know. That can be frustrating for readers but I’m ok with it. Also, from reading the Will Trent series, I remember an instance in which we had two or three books of “will they, won’t they?” but this Emmy situation is a lot more complicated. So it makes more sense that it’s not as easy to reveal. But reading about her emotions in this book was so touching. I cried when she cried, I felt all that anxiety…it was honestly so easy to love her as a character and to understand her. The character work is incredible in her case. And there was so much on Emmy’s plate in this book so it wasn’t easy to make her so realistically human.
Jude is also such an interesting character. I always joke when talking about series like this one saying there’s the mystery and then the soap opera. I love soap operas! That’s a compliment. But it’s so cool to see Jude being a badass one second and then she’s back to being very human. Maybe I’m too sensitive at the moment but there were so many emotions in this book. And I felt every single one while reading it. Jude…she has a bit of an impossible task in a way and all the little revelations we got about her in this book made the story so much more complex. Get ready because this one is going to be a rollercoaster. And while I love her complicated relationship with Emmy, I just adore the softness with which she treats Cole. And Cole is the best too! I adore him and cannot wait to see what is next for him. Because his future also makes me hope there is a multiverse going on here…those who know, know.
As I mentioned, there are all these smaller characters which are such fun small town people and that I love. Every time a family member, and there are many, pops up, it’s a good time.
Again, this is book two in a series so a lot of what happens is due to what took place in book one. I won’t get into that due to spoilers but I can talk a bit more about the actual mystery of this novel. For once in my life, I guessed something right. There was a little clue I was holding onto and that made me feel there were more options but that one option I kept thinking about had to be the one. And it was! But I couldn’t even imagine everything else that was going on and it was really well done. It played a lot with the whole small town madness that I’ve realised is a big thing in real cases. We fear bigger cities because well, the bigger, the more dangerous they can be. But small towns have way too many secrets and that’s eerie.
Through Allison and her life as both a police officer and a woman, there is so much good social commentary. And a lot of heartbreak for me reading it. I always love this about Karin Slaughter books. I know some things won’t be easy to read because of the awful realism but it’s so important to shed a light on these situations that do happen in real life. It makes you care so much for Allison and Mandy and maybe understand some of their decisions, even if we feel we would never do that. It’s not so simple.
I was savouring each chapter and didn’t want the book to end. And then we got more action which made me so anxious and more revelations and cliffhangers. Again, I wish I could binge read this whole series but no other books are available and knowing I have to wait is so painful.
Every time the GBI is mentioned, I hope for a crossover with the Will Trent series and I won’t lose hope until it’s confirmed it won’t happen. I would love that so much.
I adored this book, as might be obvious by now. Best Karin Slaughter book to date and if she keeps getting better, I’ll keep raving about everything she does.
Thank you to HaperCollinsUK and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The queen of making me question humanity (and sleep) is back—and honestly, at this point I should just cancel all my plans whenever a new book drops because resistance is clearly futile.
Welcome to North Falls… where everyone smiles, everyone knows each other, and absolutely no one is telling the truth.
This one hooked me in that slow, unsettling way—like something is off, you feel it in your bones, but you can’t quite name it yet. Then the gunshots hit, the crime scene explodes open, and suddenly you’re trapped in a web of secrets so messy, so personal, you realize this isn’t just about who did it… it’s about why everyone is capable of it.
Sheriff Emmy Clifton? She’s not your polished, always-in-control heroine. She’s grieving, overwhelmed, stubborn to a fault, and carrying emotional baggage that could fill an entire evidence room. And I loved that. She feels real—messy, human, making decisions while her world is still cracking beneath her feet. Watching her navigate a case that hits way too close to home while trying to hold herself together? Painfully compelling.
And then there’s Jude—cool, sharp, emotionally locked down in a way that makes you both trust her and side-eye her at the same time. Their dynamic? Give me ten more books immediately. The tension, the history, the unspoken things simmering underneath—it adds a whole other layer to an already heavy story.
What really got under my skin (in the best way) is how this book peels back the illusion of “normal.” Behind every closed door? Damage. Control. Silence. The kind of secrets that don’t just stay buried—they rot and spread. This isn’t a cozy mystery you sip tea with. This is the kind you sit with, slightly uncomfortable, whispering “oh no…” as everything unravels.
Now, I’ll be honest—the beginning takes its time. You’re meeting a lot of people, piecing together relationships, trying not to lose track of who belongs to which branch of this very complicated human tree. But once it clicks? It clicks. And from that point on, good luck putting it down.
The twists? Oh, they’re there. Some you might sense lurking in the shadows… and then others come out of nowhere and just casually ruin your peace. And that ending?? Excuse me??? Karin Slaughter really said “you thought you were emotionally stable? adorable.”
Is it my absolute top favorite of hers? Maybe not. But is it still better than most thrillers out there? Without question. Because even when she’s not at her peak, she’s still operating on a level most authors can’t touch.
So yes—easily a 4-star read for me. Dark, layered, emotionally heavy, and impossible to fully shake off once you’re done.
Special thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this impeccably stunning thriller written by one of my all-time auto-approved authors in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Welcome to North Falls… where everyone smiles, everyone knows each other, and absolutely no one is telling the truth.
This one hooked me in that slow, unsettling way—like something is off, you feel it in your bones, but you can’t quite name it yet. Then the gunshots hit, the crime scene explodes open, and suddenly you’re trapped in a web of secrets so messy, so personal, you realize this isn’t just about who did it… it’s about why everyone is capable of it.
Sheriff Emmy Clifton? She’s not your polished, always-in-control heroine. She’s grieving, overwhelmed, stubborn to a fault, and carrying emotional baggage that could fill an entire evidence room. And I loved that. She feels real—messy, human, making decisions while her world is still cracking beneath her feet. Watching her navigate a case that hits way too close to home while trying to hold herself together? Painfully compelling.
And then there’s Jude—cool, sharp, emotionally locked down in a way that makes you both trust her and side-eye her at the same time. Their dynamic? Give me ten more books immediately. The tension, the history, the unspoken things simmering underneath—it adds a whole other layer to an already heavy story.
What really got under my skin (in the best way) is how this book peels back the illusion of “normal.” Behind every closed door? Damage. Control. Silence. The kind of secrets that don’t just stay buried—they rot and spread. This isn’t a cozy mystery you sip tea with. This is the kind you sit with, slightly uncomfortable, whispering “oh no…” as everything unravels.
Now, I’ll be honest—the beginning takes its time. You’re meeting a lot of people, piecing together relationships, trying not to lose track of who belongs to which branch of this very complicated human tree. But once it clicks? It clicks. And from that point on, good luck putting it down.
The twists? Oh, they’re there. Some you might sense lurking in the shadows… and then others come out of nowhere and just casually ruin your peace. And that ending?? Excuse me??? Karin Slaughter really said “you thought you were emotionally stable? adorable.”
Is it my absolute top favorite of hers? Maybe not. But is it still better than most thrillers out there? Without question. Because even when she’s not at her peak, she’s still operating on a level most authors can’t touch.
So yes—easily a 4-star read for me. Dark, layered, emotionally heavy, and impossible to fully shake off once you’re done.
Special thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this impeccably stunning thriller written by one of my all-time auto-approved authors in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Emmy's father was killed six weeks ago, her mother’s funeral was today, and her friend has just been shot. It’s been a rough day for acting Sheriff Emmy Lou Clifton. Her father, Gerald, had been Sherrif of North Falls for over forty years and been shot on the job. Her mother, Myrna, had had dementia for several years, and had died naturally. Emmy’s murdered friend, Allison, was a retired police officer, working as a private investigator. She’d been shot in her own home, and her daughter was found nearby with a near lethal bullet wound to her head. Emmy is obviously severely traumatised (PTSD) but must Investigate the shooting, exerting her authority, because the County will soon vote on who should become the new sheriff, either Emmy or her most senior deputy, Brett, who is busy undermining her. She is being helped by her older sister, Jude, a research Criminal Psychologist, and noted FBI special agent, although there is familial tension between them. There are also compounding factors, in that there is evidence of corruption in the neighbouring district Police Department, and the political situation in the State. To top it all, there is a family secret. Unknown to Emmy, Jude is not her much older sister. She is her mother. Who killed Allison and why?
This is a continuation of the previous book (We Are All Guilty Here), which ended with Gerald's death, and the writing is up to the author's usual high standard. Complex family and social interactions which underpinned that story, are even more evident here, particularly the relationship between the “sisters”. In fact, this is much more a small town, claustrophobic, psychological drama, in which the murder investigation is almost peripheral, turning on a twist, which is easy to spot. Emmy is, on the face of it, the main protagonist, but she is quite a weak character – not surprising given her circumstances but hard to relate to her role. Jude, on the other hand, is a much stronger character, although she does get a bit carried away with psychoanalysing everyone; especially Emmy. These first two books in the series (I’m sure it’s at least a trilogy) have a lot of background detail, which will come together in the next, I believe.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
This is a continuation of the previous book (We Are All Guilty Here), which ended with Gerald's death, and the writing is up to the author's usual high standard. Complex family and social interactions which underpinned that story, are even more evident here, particularly the relationship between the “sisters”. In fact, this is much more a small town, claustrophobic, psychological drama, in which the murder investigation is almost peripheral, turning on a twist, which is easy to spot. Emmy is, on the face of it, the main protagonist, but she is quite a weak character – not surprising given her circumstances but hard to relate to her role. Jude, on the other hand, is a much stronger character, although she does get a bit carried away with psychoanalysing everyone; especially Emmy. These first two books in the series (I’m sure it’s at least a trilogy) have a lot of background detail, which will come together in the next, I believe.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A violent eruption on Iris Drive: Allison Vickery is dead in her kitchen, and her daughter is barely holding on. It’s the standard small-town setup where the obvious suspect is served on a silver platter, but Detective Emmy Clifton isn’t buying the local consensus. Emmy is a solid lead; dry, skeptical, and completely resistant to the town's pre-packaged truth.
I’ll be blunt about the opening: Slaughter trips over her own feet. She spends far too much time wandering through family trees, dumping names on the page before any real momentum kicks in. I had to flip back multiple times just to keep the genealogy straight, which effectively killed the initial urgency. Once the gears finally mesh, the characters stop being names on a list and start feeling like people with genuine, ugly motivations. Emmy’s growth is subtle, particularly her realization of how much the town’s history has warped her own perspective.
Thematically, the book dissects the gap between public faces and the wreckage hidden behind closed doors. It’s a sharp reminder that quiet neighborhoods are often just places where secrets are kept with professional efficiency. Slaughter’s prose is lean and clinical once she drops the history lesson. No flowery descriptions of a crime scene here; just the cold, hard details that actually stick. That brand of observational cynicism is exactly why I keep coming back to her.
The pacing is undeniably jagged because of that dense start. A slow burn is fine, but the first few chapters felt like a drag on the narrative engine. Still, Slaughter’s psychological tension is top-tier. She nails the claustrophobia of a place where everyone is watching, yet no one actually sees. The real impact isn't the murder itself; it’s the slow-motion betrayal of the family unit.
Ultimately, this is standard Slaughter, which still makes it better than eighty percent of the thrillers on the shelf. It avoids the tidy, comfortable ending in favor of something honest and deeply disturbing. If you can push through the heavy-handed introduction, you get a blunt study of how we destroy the people we’re supposed to protect. It just confirms my theory: the quietest streets always have the most to hide.
I’ll be blunt about the opening: Slaughter trips over her own feet. She spends far too much time wandering through family trees, dumping names on the page before any real momentum kicks in. I had to flip back multiple times just to keep the genealogy straight, which effectively killed the initial urgency. Once the gears finally mesh, the characters stop being names on a list and start feeling like people with genuine, ugly motivations. Emmy’s growth is subtle, particularly her realization of how much the town’s history has warped her own perspective.
Thematically, the book dissects the gap between public faces and the wreckage hidden behind closed doors. It’s a sharp reminder that quiet neighborhoods are often just places where secrets are kept with professional efficiency. Slaughter’s prose is lean and clinical once she drops the history lesson. No flowery descriptions of a crime scene here; just the cold, hard details that actually stick. That brand of observational cynicism is exactly why I keep coming back to her.
The pacing is undeniably jagged because of that dense start. A slow burn is fine, but the first few chapters felt like a drag on the narrative engine. Still, Slaughter’s psychological tension is top-tier. She nails the claustrophobia of a place where everyone is watching, yet no one actually sees. The real impact isn't the murder itself; it’s the slow-motion betrayal of the family unit.
Ultimately, this is standard Slaughter, which still makes it better than eighty percent of the thrillers on the shelf. It avoids the tidy, comfortable ending in favor of something honest and deeply disturbing. If you can push through the heavy-handed introduction, you get a blunt study of how we destroy the people we’re supposed to protect. It just confirms my theory: the quietest streets always have the most to hide.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Holy crap. That ending. THAT LAST LINE!!!
Wow. First of all, thank you so much to Harper Collins for sending me a SUPER EARLY copy of The Secrets We Hide. I received this on March 20th and finished it on March 23rd and still can't believe I was lucky enough to read it so early!
This was even better than the first book in the North Falls series. Jude and Emmy's relationship develops significantly from book one, and the understanding and respect between the two of them is palpable. I can't wait to see where Slaughter takes them in the next book because there's A LOT that needs to be unpacked still. (i.e. is Emmy ever going to learn the truth about who Jude really is?!?).
I was a little disappointed that Cole takes more of a back seat in this second book, BUT I can see a lot of potential for where Slaughter might take his story next. (GBI future, perhaps?). And I was NOT disappointed by the extra tidbits we got about Hannah, Taybee, and even Celia. In fact, Celia is becoming a favorite character of mine and I appreciate the depth Slaughter brings to all of her characters, even if they're side characters.
As far as the WHO DONE IT, sadly (or maybe not sadly) I've mastered the Slaughter method and legitimately knew who the killer was from the very first chapter. I actually recorded a video of myself in the moment to document my theory, and it proved true. Slaughter gives a big clue that if you pay attention to, you'll know. But even knowing, that did NOT take away from the fun of the book. Following Emmy down different theories was still so exciting and the callbacks to Gerald's investigative methods (what do we know, what do we THINK we know) was a really nice way to ground the reader in the story.
For me, this book was an improvement over We Are All Guilty Here. When I reviewed that book a year ago, I wasn't 100% sold on Emmy yet. But as of book 2, I'm fully rooting for her and think she's a fantastic main character.
AND THAT ENDING???? Slaughter, come on. That ending was diabolical and I'm going to need book three STAT. That last line is going to have my head spinning for days. It sealed the deal for me on giving this five stars.
Wow. First of all, thank you so much to Harper Collins for sending me a SUPER EARLY copy of The Secrets We Hide. I received this on March 20th and finished it on March 23rd and still can't believe I was lucky enough to read it so early!
This was even better than the first book in the North Falls series. Jude and Emmy's relationship develops significantly from book one, and the understanding and respect between the two of them is palpable. I can't wait to see where Slaughter takes them in the next book because there's A LOT that needs to be unpacked still. (i.e. is Emmy ever going to learn the truth about who Jude really is?!?).
I was a little disappointed that Cole takes more of a back seat in this second book, BUT I can see a lot of potential for where Slaughter might take his story next. (GBI future, perhaps?). And I was NOT disappointed by the extra tidbits we got about Hannah, Taybee, and even Celia. In fact, Celia is becoming a favorite character of mine and I appreciate the depth Slaughter brings to all of her characters, even if they're side characters.
As far as the WHO DONE IT, sadly (or maybe not sadly) I've mastered the Slaughter method and legitimately knew who the killer was from the very first chapter. I actually recorded a video of myself in the moment to document my theory, and it proved true. Slaughter gives a big clue that if you pay attention to, you'll know. But even knowing, that did NOT take away from the fun of the book. Following Emmy down different theories was still so exciting and the callbacks to Gerald's investigative methods (what do we know, what do we THINK we know) was a really nice way to ground the reader in the story.
For me, this book was an improvement over We Are All Guilty Here. When I reviewed that book a year ago, I wasn't 100% sold on Emmy yet. But as of book 2, I'm fully rooting for her and think she's a fantastic main character.
AND THAT ENDING???? Slaughter, come on. That ending was diabolical and I'm going to need book three STAT. That last line is going to have my head spinning for days. It sealed the deal for me on giving this five stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝑱𝒖𝒅𝒆'𝒔 𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒚𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.
Sheriff Emmy Clifton is called to a brutal crime scene that shatters the fragile calm of North Falls. Allison Vickery has been gunned down in her kitchen, her teenage daughter barely survives the attack, and the entire town immediately begins doing what small towns do best: talking like they already know the truth. As Emmy and her sister Jude dig deeper into the Vickery family and the secrets hidden behind closed doors, it becomes clear that this case is far more complicated than anyone wants to admit. The mystery itself is gripping, but what really pulled me in was the feeling that every single person in North Falls is carrying something they would rather keep buried.
It honestly amazes me that this is only the second book in the series because the world feels so lived in already. Karin Slaughter has created a setting that feels immersive without ever becoming overwhelming, and even with a growing cast of characters, everything remains incredibly accessible. And after the absolutely massive bomb dropped in book one, I went into this practically vibrating with curiosity over how those revelations would ripple outward. Let me tell you, the tension surrounding that fallout did not disappoint. Every interaction carried extra weight because I was on edge just waiting to see how those emotional cracks would widen.
What makes this series stand out for me is that the relationships are every bit as compelling as the mystery itself. The investigation kept me locked in, but it was the emotional dynamics, the history between characters, and the lingering sense that nobody fully escapes their past that really got under my skin. There is such a strong emotional current running beneath the suspense, and it leaves me deeply attached to these people in a way that makes the waiting for the next installment feel almost unbearable. Many thanks to William Morrow Books for this thrilling early copy that will publish August 11, 2026.
Sheriff Emmy Clifton is called to a brutal crime scene that shatters the fragile calm of North Falls. Allison Vickery has been gunned down in her kitchen, her teenage daughter barely survives the attack, and the entire town immediately begins doing what small towns do best: talking like they already know the truth. As Emmy and her sister Jude dig deeper into the Vickery family and the secrets hidden behind closed doors, it becomes clear that this case is far more complicated than anyone wants to admit. The mystery itself is gripping, but what really pulled me in was the feeling that every single person in North Falls is carrying something they would rather keep buried.
It honestly amazes me that this is only the second book in the series because the world feels so lived in already. Karin Slaughter has created a setting that feels immersive without ever becoming overwhelming, and even with a growing cast of characters, everything remains incredibly accessible. And after the absolutely massive bomb dropped in book one, I went into this practically vibrating with curiosity over how those revelations would ripple outward. Let me tell you, the tension surrounding that fallout did not disappoint. Every interaction carried extra weight because I was on edge just waiting to see how those emotional cracks would widen.
What makes this series stand out for me is that the relationships are every bit as compelling as the mystery itself. The investigation kept me locked in, but it was the emotional dynamics, the history between characters, and the lingering sense that nobody fully escapes their past that really got under my skin. There is such a strong emotional current running beneath the suspense, and it leaves me deeply attached to these people in a way that makes the waiting for the next installment feel almost unbearable. Many thanks to William Morrow Books for this thrilling early copy that will publish August 11, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Secrets We Hide, is the second book in the North Falls series by Karin Slaughter. The novel is set in suburban Georgia and explores that the most terrifying monsters aren’t hiding in the woods, but in the house next door.
The story centres on 1601 Iris Drive, a house that, on the surface, fits perfectly into its quiet, residential surroundings. However, the Vickery family has long been the subject of local gossip. Those rumours turn into a grisly reality when gunshots shatter the afternoon silence.
Allison Vickery is discovered murdered in her kitchen, while her teenage daughter is found clinging to life, “bleeding and left for dead.” It is a scene of absolute devastation that sets the small town of North Falls on edge.
Detective Emmy Clifton is tasked with navigating the fallout, and she isn’t alone. She is joined by her sister, Jude Archer, a former federal agent whose tactical experience provides a sharp contrast to Emmy’s local intuition.
While the locals and the media believe they’ve already solved the case in their heads, Emmy and Jude realise that the “obvious” narrative is a smokescreen. The truth behind the Vickery family is “more shocking than anyone could ever have imagined,” leading the sisters into a labyrinth of generational trauma and hidden agendas.
As Emmy digs deeper, the investigation transforms from a homicide case into a fight for survival. North Falls is a town built on silence, and its residents are protective of the “secrets everywhere.” Emmy’s search for the truth becomes increasingly perilous as she realises the killer, or killers, may have deep roots in the community. I enjoyed the partnership of the two sisters Emmy and Jude, which I felt added another layer to this story. The story is full of tension from start to finish, it starts with gunfire and keeps going.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The story centres on 1601 Iris Drive, a house that, on the surface, fits perfectly into its quiet, residential surroundings. However, the Vickery family has long been the subject of local gossip. Those rumours turn into a grisly reality when gunshots shatter the afternoon silence.
Allison Vickery is discovered murdered in her kitchen, while her teenage daughter is found clinging to life, “bleeding and left for dead.” It is a scene of absolute devastation that sets the small town of North Falls on edge.
Detective Emmy Clifton is tasked with navigating the fallout, and she isn’t alone. She is joined by her sister, Jude Archer, a former federal agent whose tactical experience provides a sharp contrast to Emmy’s local intuition.
While the locals and the media believe they’ve already solved the case in their heads, Emmy and Jude realise that the “obvious” narrative is a smokescreen. The truth behind the Vickery family is “more shocking than anyone could ever have imagined,” leading the sisters into a labyrinth of generational trauma and hidden agendas.
As Emmy digs deeper, the investigation transforms from a homicide case into a fight for survival. North Falls is a town built on silence, and its residents are protective of the “secrets everywhere.” Emmy’s search for the truth becomes increasingly perilous as she realises the killer, or killers, may have deep roots in the community. I enjoyed the partnership of the two sisters Emmy and Jude, which I felt added another layer to this story. The story is full of tension from start to finish, it starts with gunfire and keeps going.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book #2 in the North Falls series. North Falls is a small town with a population where everyone knows you and is probably kin to you on one side or another. The first book left the town of North Falls, Georgia in turmoil. A horrific crime had been committed, and a suspect had been identified. But bringing him in left the police chief murdered and the rest of the town suspicious of their neighbors. Deputy Emmy Clifton would step up to try to fill her father's shoes, Police Chief Gerald Clifton. The cast of characters is memorable, both good and bad. This is a refresher of a small portion of Book #1 because the actions and consequences carry over into Book #2, as a great series should.
The book opens at the funeral of Acting Chief Emmy Clifton's mother from complications of Alzheimer's. It's only been 6 weeks since the funeral of her father. Hundreds are in attendance, with most making the trip from the cemetery to cousin Taybee's home to share condolences with the immediate family and enjoy the food Taybee is well known for. As Emmy, her sister Jude, and Emmy's son Cole travel to Taybee's, shots are fired, and they respond. This sets the story's main plotline. The investigation and subsequent reveal will tear the community apart as the list of suspects flexes from one day to the next, and so did my guess on "who dun it". Emmy has personal ties to almost every suspect and/or witness. As she struggles with her grief, she will make human mistakes that add depth to her character. Karin Slaughter is well-known and respected for her characters; each fan has a favorite. There are so many secrets these characters hold close, you have to wonder when the explosion will happen. Tension builds only to be sidetracked by more urgent tasks. It looks as if I'll have to wait for Book #3 for the biggest secrets to come out. The book closes with another twist that will keep fans waiting impatiently for the next book.
The book opens at the funeral of Acting Chief Emmy Clifton's mother from complications of Alzheimer's. It's only been 6 weeks since the funeral of her father. Hundreds are in attendance, with most making the trip from the cemetery to cousin Taybee's home to share condolences with the immediate family and enjoy the food Taybee is well known for. As Emmy, her sister Jude, and Emmy's son Cole travel to Taybee's, shots are fired, and they respond. This sets the story's main plotline. The investigation and subsequent reveal will tear the community apart as the list of suspects flexes from one day to the next, and so did my guess on "who dun it". Emmy has personal ties to almost every suspect and/or witness. As she struggles with her grief, she will make human mistakes that add depth to her character. Karin Slaughter is well-known and respected for her characters; each fan has a favorite. There are so many secrets these characters hold close, you have to wonder when the explosion will happen. Tension builds only to be sidetracked by more urgent tasks. It looks as if I'll have to wait for Book #3 for the biggest secrets to come out. The book closes with another twist that will keep fans waiting impatiently for the next book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The second in a new series featuring Detective Emmy Clifton and we return to North Falls to find her struggling with the recent death of her mother, not long after the loss of her father. Grief is consuming her, along with the exhaustion of having been her mother’s carer for many years, and she is struggling to build a relationship with her newly discovered sister. As the two travel with Emmy’s son, Cole, from the burial to the gathering afterwards, they hear gunshots from the home of a former police colleague and find the bodies of her and her daughter inside.
We launch into the story from the first page and it never lets up throughout. The plot around the murder is excellent, full of twists and turns and very gripping, but the book is lifted by what happens around that central story. There’s real scene building of corruption in the small town, with all sorts of side characters who have enjoyed power in the past by underhand means and aren’t necessarily going to meet justice yet. The family element also features heavily, with the characters of Emmy and Jude and their relationship, and the impact of the loss of their parents on them emotionally.
It’s a great device to have one of your main characters as a police detective and another from the FBI, allowing you to come at the story from both viewpoints, and having two female main characters and a female author also brings a nice perspective. There is a main plotline surrounding domestic violence, for instance, and it’s handled with real delicacy, giving a sense of the horror but also the helplessness and frustration for those around. There’s no sense of glamourising violence and death, it’s all visceral and has repercussions for those dealing with it.
This was a first rate thriller, complex and a real page turner, and the series is shaping up to be superb. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
We launch into the story from the first page and it never lets up throughout. The plot around the murder is excellent, full of twists and turns and very gripping, but the book is lifted by what happens around that central story. There’s real scene building of corruption in the small town, with all sorts of side characters who have enjoyed power in the past by underhand means and aren’t necessarily going to meet justice yet. The family element also features heavily, with the characters of Emmy and Jude and their relationship, and the impact of the loss of their parents on them emotionally.
It’s a great device to have one of your main characters as a police detective and another from the FBI, allowing you to come at the story from both viewpoints, and having two female main characters and a female author also brings a nice perspective. There is a main plotline surrounding domestic violence, for instance, and it’s handled with real delicacy, giving a sense of the horror but also the helplessness and frustration for those around. There’s no sense of glamourising violence and death, it’s all visceral and has repercussions for those dealing with it.
This was a first rate thriller, complex and a real page turner, and the series is shaping up to be superb. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5⭐️ and some ! Dark, gripping, and completely addictive Karin Slaughter at her absolute best
I went into The Secrets We Hide as a long time, loyal fan of Karin Slaughter . I’ve read every single book so my expectations were sky high… and somehow, this still exceeded them.
After We Are All Guilty Here, I could not wait to get back into North Falls, and this sequel absolutely delivered. It’s darker, deeper, and even more emotionally intense. This isn’t just a crime thriller it’s layered, raw, and at times genuinely hard hitting.
The themes in this one are heavy, domestic violence, trauma, complicated family dynamics and they’re handled with real depth and care. It adds a weight to the story that makes it feel incredibly real, not just another “whodunnit.”
What really stood out for me was the relationship between Emmy Lou and Jude. That tension, that strain between them , you can feel it in every interaction. Watching it slowly shift, with so much left unsaid, had me completely invested. I was constantly asking myself… will Jude finally tell Emmy the truth? I also wonder if Emmy has an inkling.
And the twists? Relentless. Just when you think you’ve got a grip on things another layer is pulled back. Secrets on secrets, and I was absolutely hooked the entire way through.
And that ending… WOW. That cliffhanger has genuinely left me reeling. I need the next book immediately.
North Falls is shaping up to be a really strong, addictive series, and I’m fully invested in where it’s going next… but as a long time fan, I’ll be honest I am absolutely desperate for another Sara Linton and Will Trent book soon. They’ll always have my heart!
This is everything I want from a Karin Slaughter novel it’s tense, emotional, gripping, and impossible to put down. A must read for thriller fans and an absolute standout in the series.📚✨
I went into The Secrets We Hide as a long time, loyal fan of Karin Slaughter . I’ve read every single book so my expectations were sky high… and somehow, this still exceeded them.
After We Are All Guilty Here, I could not wait to get back into North Falls, and this sequel absolutely delivered. It’s darker, deeper, and even more emotionally intense. This isn’t just a crime thriller it’s layered, raw, and at times genuinely hard hitting.
The themes in this one are heavy, domestic violence, trauma, complicated family dynamics and they’re handled with real depth and care. It adds a weight to the story that makes it feel incredibly real, not just another “whodunnit.”
What really stood out for me was the relationship between Emmy Lou and Jude. That tension, that strain between them , you can feel it in every interaction. Watching it slowly shift, with so much left unsaid, had me completely invested. I was constantly asking myself… will Jude finally tell Emmy the truth? I also wonder if Emmy has an inkling.
And the twists? Relentless. Just when you think you’ve got a grip on things another layer is pulled back. Secrets on secrets, and I was absolutely hooked the entire way through.
And that ending… WOW. That cliffhanger has genuinely left me reeling. I need the next book immediately.
North Falls is shaping up to be a really strong, addictive series, and I’m fully invested in where it’s going next… but as a long time fan, I’ll be honest I am absolutely desperate for another Sara Linton and Will Trent book soon. They’ll always have my heart!
This is everything I want from a Karin Slaughter novel it’s tense, emotional, gripping, and impossible to put down. A must read for thriller fans and an absolute standout in the series.📚✨
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and Karin Slaughter for this ARC.
Trigger warnings: domestic violence, abuse, drugs, corruption, mentions of rape, grief
My first thought for this book is that they all need therapy. Grief and guilt are the main theme of this book. Caretaker's guilt and grief, a friend's guilt and grief, a mother's grief and guilt, all mingling into one big plot. It mostly centers around Emmy, who just buried her father not long ago, present at the burial of her mother. The grief is strong, the Clifton DNA stronger as she refuses even the thought of therapy.
The victim of this book is a retired cop, who is also Emmy's friend. Emmy has to deal with that grief and guilt on top of everything else happening in the book. Karin Slaughter describes well all the stages of hate, anger, pain, grief coalescing together. The caretaker who started hating her mother because of her sickness, the numbness that happens when they pass away, the guilt of a mother and friend for not being there for anyone, the struggles of a woman in a man-centered job, especially in a field that has political ties.
I figured out pretty early on who the culprit was, though I hoped it would not go down that road. It was a slow read as some parts were too clinical for me, and other times I understood Emmy and Jude too well. It's a good read, just make sure to take a break between book one and two of the series, otherwise the small recap Karin does at the beginning of the second book will feel too repetitive.
I love how Karin built this county, the ties between characters in the past, and even now. Hopefully there will be a third book in this series so I can see if one of my theories for that plot twist is correct.
Trigger warnings: domestic violence, abuse, drugs, corruption, mentions of rape, grief
My first thought for this book is that they all need therapy. Grief and guilt are the main theme of this book. Caretaker's guilt and grief, a friend's guilt and grief, a mother's grief and guilt, all mingling into one big plot. It mostly centers around Emmy, who just buried her father not long ago, present at the burial of her mother. The grief is strong, the Clifton DNA stronger as she refuses even the thought of therapy.
The victim of this book is a retired cop, who is also Emmy's friend. Emmy has to deal with that grief and guilt on top of everything else happening in the book. Karin Slaughter describes well all the stages of hate, anger, pain, grief coalescing together. The caretaker who started hating her mother because of her sickness, the numbness that happens when they pass away, the guilt of a mother and friend for not being there for anyone, the struggles of a woman in a man-centered job, especially in a field that has political ties.
I figured out pretty early on who the culprit was, though I hoped it would not go down that road. It was a slow read as some parts were too clinical for me, and other times I understood Emmy and Jude too well. It's a good read, just make sure to take a break between book one and two of the series, otherwise the small recap Karin does at the beginning of the second book will feel too repetitive.
I love how Karin built this county, the ties between characters in the past, and even now. Hopefully there will be a third book in this series so I can see if one of my theories for that plot twist is correct.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed the first North Falls book and was delighted to be offered an eARC of this, the second in the series.
I've been reading Karin Slaughter's books for well over a decade, and with each new one I find myself marvelling at how excellent her opening sequences are. Thumbnail character sketches that lead into the inciting incident and always make the victim feel like a whole person and not just the corpse du jour.
Opening sequences like that give the rest of the novel a lot to live up to, and Slaughter hasn't ever slipped on that front either. It's good to be back in Clifton County, with Emmy, Jude, Cole, and the extended Clifton family (which is sadly smaller still than in the last book, this one opens of the day of Myrna's funeral).
If this book has a theme, it would be the insidiousness of domestic violence - so be warned if that is triggering for you. Stats about abused partners are reeled off here almost like incantations, repeated reminders of prevalence and danger. Emmy's own history with Jonah comes back to haunt her, tinged with guilt and grief as she mourns a friend and investigates her murder.
There are subplots aplenty, red herrings galore, and a propulsive plot that doesn't let up on pace or on pathos. Slaughter has always excelled at delivering emotional punches alongside actual ones.
This was a gripping read, great for anyone who likes their crime novels with heart and a side of family drama.
Many thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I've been reading Karin Slaughter's books for well over a decade, and with each new one I find myself marvelling at how excellent her opening sequences are. Thumbnail character sketches that lead into the inciting incident and always make the victim feel like a whole person and not just the corpse du jour.
Opening sequences like that give the rest of the novel a lot to live up to, and Slaughter hasn't ever slipped on that front either. It's good to be back in Clifton County, with Emmy, Jude, Cole, and the extended Clifton family (which is sadly smaller still than in the last book, this one opens of the day of Myrna's funeral).
If this book has a theme, it would be the insidiousness of domestic violence - so be warned if that is triggering for you. Stats about abused partners are reeled off here almost like incantations, repeated reminders of prevalence and danger. Emmy's own history with Jonah comes back to haunt her, tinged with guilt and grief as she mourns a friend and investigates her murder.
There are subplots aplenty, red herrings galore, and a propulsive plot that doesn't let up on pace or on pathos. Slaughter has always excelled at delivering emotional punches alongside actual ones.
This was a gripping read, great for anyone who likes their crime novels with heart and a side of family drama.
Many thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a great book. It is good to be back with characters I really enjoyed the first time round and is set in North Falls. Alison Vickery is found dead in her kitchen. In comes Detective Emmy Clifton. Emmy’s father passed away recently as has her mother so she is not in the best place. The case begins at the funeral of Emmy’s mom and she is very conflicted. The other drama is dealing with her colleagues. She has been in charge at the station since her father was murdered but it has not been made permanent. She bats heads with some of the men who think another employee should have the role. Things are rolling on when Emmy’s sister arrives in North Falls for their mother’s funeral. Jude left the area a long time ago and visits rarely. Jude worked for the FBI. Emmy is beginning to deal with the murder and Jude tries to get involved in a good way. Emmy struggles with this as she does not really know her sister and feels she is being undermined along the way. Emmy’s son, Cole, is also in the police force and he feels undermined as well by his mother and Jude tries to make Emmy see that she is doing to her son what she thinks Jude is doing to her. As the first book the family play a big part in the story which I love. Eventually the case of the murder is solved with many dramas along the way which makes for a really good read. Look forward to the next book in the North Falls series. There are several things that are unfinished in this book and look forward to that coming together in the next one. Enough said – cannot spoil for other readers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Karin Slaughter wastes no time dropping you straight into North Falls, and it’s a lot from the start. Names, connections, and history all hitting at once. It takes a minute to settle in, but once you do, you realise just how alive this town is. North Falls feels lived-in, layered, and just a little bit rotten beneath the surface.
Emmy is such a strong anchor for the story. She is complex, determined, and easy to root for. I was especially invested in her dynamic with Jude. There is so much history and tension between them, and all the things left unsaid carry just as much weight as the investigation itself.
This is not a fast, twist-heavy thriller built on shock value. It is slower, heavier, and deeply focused on the psychological fallout of violence, trauma, and silence in a tight-knit community. And North Falls is the perfect setting for it because everyone knows something… but no one is saying it out loud.
The investigation builds steadily, but it is the atmosphere that really grips you. That constant unease, the suspicion under every interaction, the feeling that something is always just out of reach. And just when you think you have it figured out, Slaughter pulls the rug.
That ending? Pure “hang on a second…” energy. It does not just finish the story, it flips it on its head and lingers long after you are done.
Safe to say, I need the next instalment immediately.
Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers Australia & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Emmy is such a strong anchor for the story. She is complex, determined, and easy to root for. I was especially invested in her dynamic with Jude. There is so much history and tension between them, and all the things left unsaid carry just as much weight as the investigation itself.
This is not a fast, twist-heavy thriller built on shock value. It is slower, heavier, and deeply focused on the psychological fallout of violence, trauma, and silence in a tight-knit community. And North Falls is the perfect setting for it because everyone knows something… but no one is saying it out loud.
The investigation builds steadily, but it is the atmosphere that really grips you. That constant unease, the suspicion under every interaction, the feeling that something is always just out of reach. And just when you think you have it figured out, Slaughter pulls the rug.
That ending? Pure “hang on a second…” energy. It does not just finish the story, it flips it on its head and lingers long after you are done.
Safe to say, I need the next instalment immediately.
Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers Australia & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Karin Slaughter delivers another gripping, twist-filled thriller with The Secrets We Hide, a novel that kept me completely hooked from beginning to end.
From the outset, the story builds a strong sense of tension, drawing you into a world where nothing feels quite as it seems. The pacing is excellent, and the plot unfolds in a way that constantly keeps the reader guessing. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another twist would shift the narrative, making this a genuinely unpredictable read.
What stood out most for me was the strength of the characterisation. The characters felt vivid and real, which made the emotional impact of the story even more powerful. Slaughter has a talent for creating complex, layered individuals whose motivations and actions keep you fully invested.
The storyline itself is compelling and tightly constructed, with moments that made me stop and rethink everything I had just read. Those “oh” moments, where the pieces begin to fall into place, are what make this such a satisfying thriller.
I found this incredibly difficult to put down and ended up reading it in one sitting — always a sign of a truly engaging book.
Overall, The Secrets We Hide is a dark, addictive and expertly crafted thriller that delivers everything I look for in the genre. A definite five-star read for me, and one I would highly recommend to fans of twisty, character-driven suspense.
From the outset, the story builds a strong sense of tension, drawing you into a world where nothing feels quite as it seems. The pacing is excellent, and the plot unfolds in a way that constantly keeps the reader guessing. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another twist would shift the narrative, making this a genuinely unpredictable read.
What stood out most for me was the strength of the characterisation. The characters felt vivid and real, which made the emotional impact of the story even more powerful. Slaughter has a talent for creating complex, layered individuals whose motivations and actions keep you fully invested.
The storyline itself is compelling and tightly constructed, with moments that made me stop and rethink everything I had just read. Those “oh” moments, where the pieces begin to fall into place, are what make this such a satisfying thriller.
I found this incredibly difficult to put down and ended up reading it in one sitting — always a sign of a truly engaging book.
Overall, The Secrets We Hide is a dark, addictive and expertly crafted thriller that delivers everything I look for in the genre. A definite five-star read for me, and one I would highly recommend to fans of twisty, character-driven suspense.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved the first in this new North Falls series from Karin Slaughter when I read it last year, and this follow-up more than lives up to expectations - small town America laid bare. Characters so real, you can envisage them in the room with you, which is rare in itself, but as the story opens with a horrendous murder, what does this small town do next? Emmy Clifton is the acting police chief, following the death of the previous incumbent, who also happened to be her father; so, as well as discovering how wrong things went for this victim, she's also fighting daily, blatant discrimination, just for doing her job.
There is much complexity as events are played out, and much paranoia amongst the town's residents, who just want the murder solved, regardless of whom is thought guilty. Everyone has an answer and yet no-one has a clue... Emmy has to look into events from 20 years past to even scratch the surface of the motivations, and it's a constant battle to get ahead of so many who still guard secrets.
This is a big book, in all senses; an exceptional story, a claustrophobic setting, which Slaughter does so very, very well; violence, yes, but so integral to the story and shown from a perspective I think readers will 'get'. I do recommend that the first in the series is read before devouring this one, the back stories will, I think, be enhanced, but whatever you do, savour the pleasure of another brilliant book from Karin Slaughter.
There is much complexity as events are played out, and much paranoia amongst the town's residents, who just want the murder solved, regardless of whom is thought guilty. Everyone has an answer and yet no-one has a clue... Emmy has to look into events from 20 years past to even scratch the surface of the motivations, and it's a constant battle to get ahead of so many who still guard secrets.
This is a big book, in all senses; an exceptional story, a claustrophobic setting, which Slaughter does so very, very well; violence, yes, but so integral to the story and shown from a perspective I think readers will 'get'. I do recommend that the first in the series is read before devouring this one, the back stories will, I think, be enhanced, but whatever you do, savour the pleasure of another brilliant book from Karin Slaughter.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m a massive fan of this author so was excited to be able to read this 2nd book in the new series about Detective Emmie Clifton.
In this one there is a murder and an attempted murder, all on the day of Emmie’s mother’s funeral which means that she is traumatised and distracted, particularly when the murder victim turns out to be a friend of hers, a retired police detective and her daughter.
As Emmy struggles to solve the case, several suspects appear, a violent husband and a bent cop are the front runners but Emmy cannot put it all together and work out what actually happened.
Her sister, Jude, whom she has not seen for 42 years also has her own secrets which makes forming a relationship with her extremely difficult. Emmy cannot forgive her for staying away, particularly with the death of both their parents coming so closely together and the dementia diagnosis which had plagued the last years of their mother’s life.
This book had many characters but all were well rounded and entirely believable- Karin Slaughter is excellent at characterisations.
As the suspense built up I could barely put the book down and the ending………it had me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I think these novels are just as good if not better than the Grant County ones and I loved every one of them!
I definitely recommend “The Secrets We Hide” as a five star read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
In this one there is a murder and an attempted murder, all on the day of Emmie’s mother’s funeral which means that she is traumatised and distracted, particularly when the murder victim turns out to be a friend of hers, a retired police detective and her daughter.
As Emmy struggles to solve the case, several suspects appear, a violent husband and a bent cop are the front runners but Emmy cannot put it all together and work out what actually happened.
Her sister, Jude, whom she has not seen for 42 years also has her own secrets which makes forming a relationship with her extremely difficult. Emmy cannot forgive her for staying away, particularly with the death of both their parents coming so closely together and the dementia diagnosis which had plagued the last years of their mother’s life.
This book had many characters but all were well rounded and entirely believable- Karin Slaughter is excellent at characterisations.
As the suspense built up I could barely put the book down and the ending………it had me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I think these novels are just as good if not better than the Grant County ones and I loved every one of them!
I definitely recommend “The Secrets We Hide” as a five star read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The next thrilling mystery in the new North Falls series from Karin Slaughter, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Girls and the Will Trent Series.
Welcome to North Falls. A small town where everyone knows everyone. But nobody knows the truth.
1601 Iris Drive looks like any other house on the quiet, residential street. But rumors are rampant about the Vickery family, and what goes on behind closed doors.
When gunshots ring out, Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, ex-federal agent Jude Archer, discover a devastating crime scene. Allison Vickery has been murdered in her own kitchen, and her teenage daughter is bleeding upstairs, left for dead.
Everyone thinks they know what happened. But secrets are buried everywhere in this small town.
And it’s up to Emmy Clifton to uncover the truth.
I had no expectations of this series, having not read the 1st book. However, I have read several others by Karin Slaughter. This lived up to that hype.
I enjoyed the varying time before incident and POV, it was confusing with all the names of suspects and intertwining relationships.
The writing style flowed and it was a decent paced book.
I didn't feel like I connected with Emmy, at times I felt as though she was a bit of a weak character but I warmed to her towards the end.
I would read another North Falls book.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and Karin Slaughter for this free E-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Welcome to North Falls. A small town where everyone knows everyone. But nobody knows the truth.
1601 Iris Drive looks like any other house on the quiet, residential street. But rumors are rampant about the Vickery family, and what goes on behind closed doors.
When gunshots ring out, Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, ex-federal agent Jude Archer, discover a devastating crime scene. Allison Vickery has been murdered in her own kitchen, and her teenage daughter is bleeding upstairs, left for dead.
Everyone thinks they know what happened. But secrets are buried everywhere in this small town.
And it’s up to Emmy Clifton to uncover the truth.
I had no expectations of this series, having not read the 1st book. However, I have read several others by Karin Slaughter. This lived up to that hype.
I enjoyed the varying time before incident and POV, it was confusing with all the names of suspects and intertwining relationships.
The writing style flowed and it was a decent paced book.
I didn't feel like I connected with Emmy, at times I felt as though she was a bit of a weak character but I warmed to her towards the end.
I would read another North Falls book.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and Karin Slaughter for this free E-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to Karin and Netgalley for allowing me to read The Secrets We Hide before the publication date.
This is the second book in the North Falls series.
Detective Emmy Clifton is struggling to cope with the grief of the murder of her father 6 weeks earlier and now the death of her mother. It is the climax of the 4 years she has travelled with her mother on her journey with dementia and Emmy is worn out.
On the way to join the extended Clifton family at her mother’s wake, Emmy hears gunfire.
She finds retired Detective Allison Vickery shot dead in her home.
This draws the attention of Reggie Wilder, the Clayville Chief of Police and Allison’s former boss, who is keen to offer his resources for the investigation.
Clayville Police have a bad reputation and it is not long till Wilder is dripping poison into Emmy’s ear.
Emmy’s older sister, Dr. Jude Archer has returned home for the first time in 40 years. A retired FBI agent with a PhD in criminal psychology, Jude is keen to assist Emmy, although it is doubtful whether Emmy wants Jude’s interference, particularly when it is extended to Emmy’s 23 year old son, Cole.
Her father’s murder has triggered an election for his replacement as North Falls Police Chief.
While much of the county believe that Emmy should automatically fill the post, but her deputy, Brett Temple has thrown his hat in the ring.
This is an intriguing tale with plenty twists, turns and red herrings
This is the second book in the North Falls series.
Detective Emmy Clifton is struggling to cope with the grief of the murder of her father 6 weeks earlier and now the death of her mother. It is the climax of the 4 years she has travelled with her mother on her journey with dementia and Emmy is worn out.
On the way to join the extended Clifton family at her mother’s wake, Emmy hears gunfire.
She finds retired Detective Allison Vickery shot dead in her home.
This draws the attention of Reggie Wilder, the Clayville Chief of Police and Allison’s former boss, who is keen to offer his resources for the investigation.
Clayville Police have a bad reputation and it is not long till Wilder is dripping poison into Emmy’s ear.
Emmy’s older sister, Dr. Jude Archer has returned home for the first time in 40 years. A retired FBI agent with a PhD in criminal psychology, Jude is keen to assist Emmy, although it is doubtful whether Emmy wants Jude’s interference, particularly when it is extended to Emmy’s 23 year old son, Cole.
Her father’s murder has triggered an election for his replacement as North Falls Police Chief.
While much of the county believe that Emmy should automatically fill the post, but her deputy, Brett Temple has thrown his hat in the ring.
This is an intriguing tale with plenty twists, turns and red herrings
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Secrets We Hide is the second book in the North Falls series which is a gripping crime thriller that often leaves you breathless with all the action and reveals.
When Alison Vickery is found dead from a gunshot wound and her teenage daughter left fighting for her life after also being shot suspicion immediately is focused on the ex husband who was known for his physical abuse of Alison. But as Sheriff Emmy Clifton starts her investigation all manner of things are revealed really widening who could be responsible for this crime.
The characters in this book are all so well described which adds much depth to each scene and this adds to the emotional and complex investigation.
Emmy is a great character strong, determined with much happening in her personal life, just burying her mother on the same day and opposition to her being Sheriff are not helping her focus on all that needs to be done.
As this story progresses there are some shocking revelations a couple I’d guessed during the course of the investigation but one big one that really stunned and surprised.
Another wonderful page turner from this amazing author that keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps you up well into the night as you keep turning those pages.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
When Alison Vickery is found dead from a gunshot wound and her teenage daughter left fighting for her life after also being shot suspicion immediately is focused on the ex husband who was known for his physical abuse of Alison. But as Sheriff Emmy Clifton starts her investigation all manner of things are revealed really widening who could be responsible for this crime.
The characters in this book are all so well described which adds much depth to each scene and this adds to the emotional and complex investigation.
Emmy is a great character strong, determined with much happening in her personal life, just burying her mother on the same day and opposition to her being Sheriff are not helping her focus on all that needs to be done.
As this story progresses there are some shocking revelations a couple I’d guessed during the course of the investigation but one big one that really stunned and surprised.
Another wonderful page turner from this amazing author that keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps you up well into the night as you keep turning those pages.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The follow up to the superb We Are All Guilty Here, The Secrets We Hide has us again in the middle of the lives of the residents of North Falls, a small town where everyone knows everyone but the secrets behind closed doors are the scariest of them all.
When a mother is found shot dead in her home and her teenage daughter upstairs seriously injured, Sheriff Emmy Clifton is called away from her mother’s funeral to investigate. Tagging along is her sister Jude who up until recently she had thought was dead(explained in book 1).
With numerous suspects in the frame but no solid evidence to arrest anyone Emmy struggles to come to grips with everything going on in her life. Her mother’s death and funeral that she was called away from. Her father’s murder a few weeks back and the new and ever present presence of her sister and famous FBI agent.
This is another tour de force in storytelling from Slaughter with a murder mystery of course being central but the relationships people have with each other and the secrets they keep playing as big a part.
If I’m being picky I felt the numerous characters were overwhelming at times and a little confusing and it did get bogged down by it a few times but that didn’t take away from this being an excellent and emotional read.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
When a mother is found shot dead in her home and her teenage daughter upstairs seriously injured, Sheriff Emmy Clifton is called away from her mother’s funeral to investigate. Tagging along is her sister Jude who up until recently she had thought was dead(explained in book 1).
With numerous suspects in the frame but no solid evidence to arrest anyone Emmy struggles to come to grips with everything going on in her life. Her mother’s death and funeral that she was called away from. Her father’s murder a few weeks back and the new and ever present presence of her sister and famous FBI agent.
This is another tour de force in storytelling from Slaughter with a murder mystery of course being central but the relationships people have with each other and the secrets they keep playing as big a part.
If I’m being picky I felt the numerous characters were overwhelming at times and a little confusing and it did get bogged down by it a few times but that didn’t take away from this being an excellent and emotional read.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Secrets We Hide is a great addition to the authors North Fall series and a book I really enjoyed. I love the authors writing style, it is very engaging, the story flows effortlessly and I was pulled in right from the start. Karin Slaughter certainly knows how to write a great story and this book really hit the mark with me. When Police Officer Alison Vickery is found murdered and her daughter seriously injured Sheriff Emmy Clifton investigates helped by her sister, an ex federal agent. Who killed Allison and why? The plot line is superb here, it is so well thought out and intricately layered. I felt like I was unwrapping secret after secret after secret and people would do anything to stop them from coming out. Police corruption and domestic abuse are dealt with so well and, in my opinion, made this read so believeable, relateable and realistic. I really liked seeing Emmy and Jude work together for the first time and how their relationship developed. Overall a great read full of mystery, suspense and thrills, the kind of read I found hard to put down and would return to whenever I could.
I'd definitely recommend this book although would say read the previous book first to know the characters and their histories from the start.
4 stars
I'd definitely recommend this book although would say read the previous book first to know the characters and their histories from the start.
4 stars
April 24, 2026
Karin Slaughter’s The Secrets We Hide is a strong second in the series, once again set in North Falls, where buried truths have a way of resurfacing at the worst possible moments. Slaughter continues to build out a world filled with complicated family relationships, weaving tension not just through the central mystery but through the personal lives of the characters as well.
One of the novel’s biggest strengths is its use of recurring characters, who feel increasingly layered as the story progresses. Their evolving dynamics add depth and emotional weight to the story & you’re desperately hoping that things are sorted out before the end of the book. No spoilers, but the final sentence leads nicely onto book three!
The pacing is mostly tight, though there are a few moments where the story lingers longer than necessary. Still, the atmosphere and character work more than make up for it. Slaughter clearly knows how to keep readers invested, balancing suspense with interpersonal drama.
Overall, this is a compelling continuation of the series; engaging, dark and emotionally charged. I’m looking forward to book three.
One of the novel’s biggest strengths is its use of recurring characters, who feel increasingly layered as the story progresses. Their evolving dynamics add depth and emotional weight to the story & you’re desperately hoping that things are sorted out before the end of the book. No spoilers, but the final sentence leads nicely onto book three!
The pacing is mostly tight, though there are a few moments where the story lingers longer than necessary. Still, the atmosphere and character work more than make up for it. Slaughter clearly knows how to keep readers invested, balancing suspense with interpersonal drama.
Overall, this is a compelling continuation of the series; engaging, dark and emotionally charged. I’m looking forward to book three.
April 22, 2026
KS review
I am extremely grateful to have received an advance copy of The Secrets We Hide, the 2nd book in the North Falls series. I’m a huge Karin Slaughter fan so I already knew I’d love this. For anyone who is new to KS, I love to recommend reading each of her series in order for the best experience.
The Secrets We Hide is deep and dark, and totally unpredictable in true Slaughter fashion. The character building is incredible, not just the main characters but almost the whole town’s population is brought to life so well I feel like I’ve lived my own life in North Falls. The story is gripping from the start and full of surprises, no predicting the ending here! For anyone who has read KS before and knows that some of the themes can be really (I mean, really) dark, this one is a little less so but deals with themes such domestic abuse and trauma, family secrets and more.
Overall, I absolutely loved this and I’m really not sure how I’m supposed to cope until the next one is released!
I am extremely grateful to have received an advance copy of The Secrets We Hide, the 2nd book in the North Falls series. I’m a huge Karin Slaughter fan so I already knew I’d love this. For anyone who is new to KS, I love to recommend reading each of her series in order for the best experience.
The Secrets We Hide is deep and dark, and totally unpredictable in true Slaughter fashion. The character building is incredible, not just the main characters but almost the whole town’s population is brought to life so well I feel like I’ve lived my own life in North Falls. The story is gripping from the start and full of surprises, no predicting the ending here! For anyone who has read KS before and knows that some of the themes can be really (I mean, really) dark, this one is a little less so but deals with themes such domestic abuse and trauma, family secrets and more.
Overall, I absolutely loved this and I’m really not sure how I’m supposed to cope until the next one is released!
May 5, 2026
WOW — what can I say? The second North Falls book is just as good as the first; in fact, it might even be better!
Set six weeks after the events of the first book, the story picks up at an emotional time for Detective Emmy Clifton. As if she isn’t already under enough pressure, she must now try to solve the murder of a friend and colleague. With the help of Jude, the daughter who returned after forty years and is also a former FBI profiler, the investigation becomes even more gripping.
This is a dark, intense, and utterly engrossing read. The emotional weight is powerful, and the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout.
There are twists and turns everywhere, and I was completely drawn in from start to finish. I found myself fully absorbed, constantly trying to work out who the guilty party was. A brilliant, gripping read that fans of the first book will absolutely love.
Thank you HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review, how am I going to wait a whole 12 months for the next installments!
Set six weeks after the events of the first book, the story picks up at an emotional time for Detective Emmy Clifton. As if she isn’t already under enough pressure, she must now try to solve the murder of a friend and colleague. With the help of Jude, the daughter who returned after forty years and is also a former FBI profiler, the investigation becomes even more gripping.
This is a dark, intense, and utterly engrossing read. The emotional weight is powerful, and the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout.
There are twists and turns everywhere, and I was completely drawn in from start to finish. I found myself fully absorbed, constantly trying to work out who the guilty party was. A brilliant, gripping read that fans of the first book will absolutely love.
Thank you HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review, how am I going to wait a whole 12 months for the next installments!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was beyond excited to receive an ARC of The Secrets We Hide, she’s one of my all-time favourite authors, and this one did not disappoint.
As always, Slaughter delivers a dark, gripping story packed with emotion, tension, and characters that feel incredibly real. I was hooked from the start and completely invested in uncovering the truth as the layers slowly unraveled. The way she builds suspense and explores the darker sides of people is just so compelling.
If I’m being picky, there were a couple of moments that felt slightly slower, but honestly it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the overall story.
A must-read for thriller fans and a solid reminder of why Karin Slaughter is an auto-buy author for me.
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Karin Slaughter and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
As always, Slaughter delivers a dark, gripping story packed with emotion, tension, and characters that feel incredibly real. I was hooked from the start and completely invested in uncovering the truth as the layers slowly unraveled. The way she builds suspense and explores the darker sides of people is just so compelling.
If I’m being picky, there were a couple of moments that felt slightly slower, but honestly it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the overall story.
A must-read for thriller fans and a solid reminder of why Karin Slaughter is an auto-buy author for me.
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Karin Slaughter and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
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