Tread Lightly: A Novel

by Elizabeth Kemp

A stay-at-home mom with a past navigates a murder in Silicon Valley...

When a lifeguard's body is found at the local pool where Tierney lap swims daily, she is pulled back into the life she thought she had left behind when she was a member of the Crisis Intervention Squad in Dublin, Ireland. A former hostage negotiator turned stay-at-home mom, her move to Silicon Valley for her husband's job offered the contrast of a calm, domestic life. But this murder investigation disrupts all that, connecting to an event in her past, and threatening to overwhelm her.

On the domestic front, the cliques at her kindergartener's new private school aren't making it easy for her to fit in either. This 'fish out of water' story is a domestic thriller set amid a backdrop of the tech industry's 2007 stock-option backdating scandal.

As Tierney struggles with survivor's guilt from her previous employment and wrestles with the motherhood/career balancing act, there's still a murder to be solved. And in helping solve it, Tierney discovers the assumptions we make about people can be completely incorrect—even when those people are ourselves.

About the Author

Elizabeth Kemp was born and raised in California, and lives in Silicon Valley with her high school sweetheart husband. She studied public relations at the University of Southern California, earned an MBA from Santa Clara University, and led a successful career in high-tech marketing communications before becoming a stay-at-home mom. That decision helped rekindle her love of reading for fun and enabled her to pursue writing full-time. When away from her laptop, Elizabeth enjoys lap swimming, hiking, pickleball, and golf. Tread Lightly is her first novel.

Praise for Tread Lightly

“A deftly crafted thriller featuring a former hostage negotiator living a new life as a wife and mother, Tread Lightly balances domestic life with a sinister murder investigation. It is a very satisfying read that culminates in an explosive and surprising ending.” —Lyn Liao Butler, bestselling author of Someone Else's Life

“The past and the present, the domestic and the professional, all come crashing into each other in this taut and emotional story. Kemp taps into the heartache of motherhood and the danger of crime in a debut that will make you do anything other than tread lightly.” —Carinn Jade, author of The Astrology House

“With a pulse-pounding opening, Tread Lightly is a gripping tale of resilience, trauma, and belonging. Elizabeth Kemp is an evocative storyteller with a knack for blending genres, combining high-octane thriller with nuanced, introspective commentary.” —Rhodi Hawk, author of This Town Won't Tell

“Part thriller, part soul-searching journey, this story gripped me from page one. Tierney’s voice is so vivid and real, I felt like I was swimming laps beside her.” —Ann Huchingson, screenwriter

“Tensions seethe deliciously beneath the glossy surface of suburbia in Elizabeth Kemp's novel, Tread Lightly. Former hostage negotiator turned stay-at-home-mom, Tierney Gillespie may have been able to handle hardened criminals in her past job, but a death in the 'burbs tests her skills and PTSD in ways she didn't see coming. A tense and compelling story of surprise attacks, from both past and present.

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2025

Reviews

[Maya Beesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great debut novel from Kemp! I truly enjoyed the story and really kept me turning the pages to get to the next bit. I did not predict the plot twists and was mislead in all the ways that come with great writing. Would highly recommend to people looking for a new great mystery!

[Deepa Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story especially the second half. The writing style felt a bit wordy for my preference which made it hard to get into. +1 for silicon valley author & debut novel!

[Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent debut novel by Elizabeth Kemp. Engaging characters and plot that kept my interest all the way through. I can’t wait for the sequel!

[Lorraine Devon Wilke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a thing for well-written police procedurals, good detective stories, and compelling thrillers, domestic or otherwise. Tana French is a favorite of mine, and given the tone and tension of TREAD LIGHTLY, I was not surprised when author Elizabeth Kemp cited French as an inspiration, as she captured a similar mix of a real-life plus nail biter with a female protagonist in her debut novel.

Tierney O’Shaughnessy is a former member of the Crisis Intervention Squad in Dublin, Ireland, but after the death of her mentor, a trauma leads her out of the squad into an oddly chosen career in baking, she ultimately relocates to a new life in California. There she’s raising a son with her husband in a tidy town with conventional neighbors and a school culture that will resonate with any woman who’s ever been a member of the PTA! This seismic swing from her former life to this current one is both soothing and unsettling, and Tierney, burdened with a fierce case of lingering PTSD, struggles to find her way into the world in which she now lives. When an uncharacteristic murder occurs in the lap pool where she’s found daily solace, not only is her self-care routine shattered, but her sense of the town’s safety is as well.

As the investigation hits road blocks and dead ends with compromised witnesses and confusing scenarios, Tierney finds her focus shifting from working her way into the school’s mom-circle, a goal that repeatedly eludes her, to tapping the earlier training of her time in the Squad. Balancing these disparate pulls is one of the more compelling and entertaining aspects of the novel, one that played out in satisfying ways throughout. Helping to solve the murder while maintaining her role as mom, wife, and top-notch baker makes for an interesting and page-turning read.

Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

[Marija · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Kemp’s Tread Lightly is more than a domestic thriller—it’s a layered exploration of identity, trauma, and the quiet unraveling of a woman’s carefully rebuilt life. Tierney Gillespie, a former hostage negotiator turned stay-at-home mom, is pulled back into the world she thought she’d left behind when a lifeguard is found dead at her local pool. Set against the backdrop of Silicon Valley’s 2007 tech scandal, the story pulses with tension, introspection, and the ache of survivor’s guilt.

Kemp writes with clarity and compassion, capturing the loneliness of motherhood, the pressure to fit in, and the haunting weight of unresolved trauma. Tierney’s voice is vivid and real—I found myself rooting for her, questioning alongside her, and feeling every emotional beat.

📌 What stood out:

A protagonist who’s both tough and tender

A murder mystery that’s emotionally driven, not just plot-heavy

Themes of healing, belonging, and the danger of assumptions

Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Tana French, this debut is ideal for readers who crave thrillers with heart and characters who linger long after the final page.

[Gwen Chester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay and I do not want to sound mean---but we have all had one of those books that when are done reading it you think -- why did I read that book? Well "Tread Lightly" is that book for me. It took me forever to read 305 pages and that was my wasted time.

I know that in her previous position Tierney Gillespie was a police negotiator and handled a lot of hostage situations. That was when she lived in Dublin, Ireland. Her friend and mentor got killed and Tierney has survivors guilt.

Now she is married and has a little boy in kindergarten and she constantly volunteer to be a helper in her sons class and whines when she is always turned down. She is an outsider and having a hard time fitting in.

Sorry this book was not for me but some of you will probably love it.

[Peyton A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Tread Lightly! It is one of the most interesting thrillers I have read in the past few years. Tierney is such a complex character, and I found myself totally drawn into her world. All of the different parts of her backstory are woven into the plot so skillfully. It really feels like Park View is a real place that you're immersed in while reading! It is so refreshing to read such a multifaceted, strong protagonist and see into her thought processes when this huge trauma in her life re-emerges. Tread Lightly is an absolute page turner, and such an original story that will have you reading on the edge of your seat!.

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

[Jennifer Dornbush · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was right at home with Kemp's story and writing style. She moves you into the world of Silicon Valley housewives with confidence and authenticity. I felt for the protagonist's struggle of being left out in a world where she just wanted to be a part of her son's life. Tread Lightly is sharper than a cozy mystery, but less graphic than a super thriller. A great debut novel but a woman who has survived and thrived Silicon Valley, and lived to write about it! Pick up this novel for a pool read, cross country flight, or snuggled up on your couch this fall!

[Isaac Troxler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book got me back into reading

The author created a world that feels nostalgically familiar in the midst of a thrilling story line. The main character is relatable, likable, and shows their own imperfections to the reader in a way that feels authentic to being human. The pacing is excellent, not dwelling on unnecessary details or repeat conversations. At no point was I able to predict the outcome of the book, although my mind was racing with possible suspects throughout. Tread Lightly pulled me out of a reading slump, and I highly encourage others to read as well.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best debut that I have read in a very long time. It is suspenseful and full of deceit and intrigue. The protagonists professional and personal life collide in spectacular fashion and you can't look away. I didn't want it to end because I was enjoying it so much and I quickly became involved in the characters well being. The plot is quite full of tension which you can feel brewing under the surface.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Elizabeth. WOW what an incredible thriller. So many secrets. Absolutely loved seeing them unfold. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turning thriller set in Silicon Valley. A must read!