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I Need Your Help Burying A Body
Some secrets refuse to stay buried.
Ten years ago, Izzy, Libby, and Alix buried a fake body - deep in the woods and tied with a red bow. It was a harmless prank. A bit of fun for Halloween. But that night, something happened. Something real. And the three girls swore to take it to their graves.
Now, Alix is missing. Libby has been arrested. And in the quiet town of Willow Grove, a body has been found in that same spot. Wrapped in a white sheet and tied with another red bow. And Izzy might be the only one who can uncover the truth.
They thought it was just a game. But someone never stopped playing.
Ten years ago, Izzy, Libby, and Alix buried a fake body - deep in the woods and tied with a red bow. It was a harmless prank. A bit of fun for Halloween. But that night, something happened. Something real. And the three girls swore to take it to their graves.
Now, Alix is missing. Libby has been arrested. And in the quiet town of Willow Grove, a body has been found in that same spot. Wrapped in a white sheet and tied with another red bow. And Izzy might be the only one who can uncover the truth.
They thought it was just a game. But someone never stopped playing.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2025
About the author
K.J. Reed
6 books28 followersKJ Reed is an English indie author who writes primarily dark, psychological fiction. Although she is an English author, KJ writes America-based fiction since her love for all things dark and twisty comes from growing up watching and reading American TV and fiction. She lives with her amazing husband and stereotypically nightmarish ginger cat, Milo and has loved writing since she could put pen to paper.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 3, 2025
The title alone is enough to draw in any thriller fan including me!
I had mixed emotions the whole way through with regards to the main characters especially Harriet. They were a little hard to relate to and connect with but they certainly grow and develop during the book.
I had no idea who the killer was. I didn't go out of my way to try and guess but not a chance I saw that twist coming. Just brilliant.
Really well written too. I found it easy to read and easy to distinguish the past and present timelines.
Hugely enjoyable and a delight to read.
I had mixed emotions the whole way through with regards to the main characters especially Harriet. They were a little hard to relate to and connect with but they certainly grow and develop during the book.
I had no idea who the killer was. I didn't go out of my way to try and guess but not a chance I saw that twist coming. Just brilliant.
Really well written too. I found it easy to read and easy to distinguish the past and present timelines.
Hugely enjoyable and a delight to read.
October 2, 2025
I Need Your Help Burying a Body
~ K.J. Reed
Izzy, Libby, and Alix - three best friends bound by a promise to always protect one another. When Alix proposes a Halloween photoshoot in Wister Woods’ long-forgotten graveyard, the girls have no idea that the secrets buried there won’t stay hidden for long – or the lengths of one promise will extend.
Reed delivers a cast of characters who feel strikingly real - each with flaws, vulnerabilities, and the kind of raw, complicated dynamics we’ve all seen in friendships. There’s the take-charge leader, the loyal follower, and the quiet one with unexpected edges. As the story unfolds across shifting timelines, each girl evolves in ways that reveal new depths, pushing them down diverging paths while tightening the reader’s grip on the pages.
Reed gives us that cinematic feel, pulling your right into the atmosphere allowing you to experience the journey as if you were right there. Chilling detail immerses readers in everything from the scenes in Wister Woods, tense police interrogations, to the fragile balance of young friendships. The pacing is razor-sharp, flowing seamlessly between past and present until it lands on the shocking conclusion that will linger long after the final page.
I Need Your Help Burying a Body is more than a thriller - it’s a haunting exploration of friendship, loyalty, love, loss, mental health, and the shadows we can’t always bury. If you’re searching for your next psychological thriller - one that grips from the first page and leaves your jaw on the floor don’t wait. This is the one.
I would like to thank K.J. Reed for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for I Need Your Help Burying a Body. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
~ K.J. Reed
Izzy, Libby, and Alix - three best friends bound by a promise to always protect one another. When Alix proposes a Halloween photoshoot in Wister Woods’ long-forgotten graveyard, the girls have no idea that the secrets buried there won’t stay hidden for long – or the lengths of one promise will extend.
Reed delivers a cast of characters who feel strikingly real - each with flaws, vulnerabilities, and the kind of raw, complicated dynamics we’ve all seen in friendships. There’s the take-charge leader, the loyal follower, and the quiet one with unexpected edges. As the story unfolds across shifting timelines, each girl evolves in ways that reveal new depths, pushing them down diverging paths while tightening the reader’s grip on the pages.
Reed gives us that cinematic feel, pulling your right into the atmosphere allowing you to experience the journey as if you were right there. Chilling detail immerses readers in everything from the scenes in Wister Woods, tense police interrogations, to the fragile balance of young friendships. The pacing is razor-sharp, flowing seamlessly between past and present until it lands on the shocking conclusion that will linger long after the final page.
I Need Your Help Burying a Body is more than a thriller - it’s a haunting exploration of friendship, loyalty, love, loss, mental health, and the shadows we can’t always bury. If you’re searching for your next psychological thriller - one that grips from the first page and leaves your jaw on the floor don’t wait. This is the one.
I would like to thank K.J. Reed for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for I Need Your Help Burying a Body. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
October 4, 2025
Oh, this is good!
I don't know where to begin.
First, the title: yes please, BRILLIANT, I'm in.
Second, the writing/pacing: I wanted to abandon everything else and just read.
Third, the characters: oh yes, love them. Very complex and gritty, I was trying to suss them all out!
Finally, the ending: yaaaaas! 🤣 And somehow it still gets better after the initial 'reveal'.
Highly recommend!
I don't know where to begin.
First, the title: yes please, BRILLIANT, I'm in.
Second, the writing/pacing: I wanted to abandon everything else and just read.
Third, the characters: oh yes, love them. Very complex and gritty, I was trying to suss them all out!
Finally, the ending: yaaaaas! 🤣 And somehow it still gets better after the initial 'reveal'.
Highly recommend!
October 27, 2025
A perfect tale for October, this was such a fun read!
Fast paced and twisted it kept me gripped throughout.
Huge thanks to the author for having me as part of their arc team.
Fast paced and twisted it kept me gripped throughout.
Huge thanks to the author for having me as part of their arc team.
November 13, 2025
I Need Your Help Burying a Body by K.J. Reed – Review
✨ Available on Kindle Unlimited ✨
This book was such a ride. From the title alone, I knew I was in for something juicy, but I did NOT expect to love it as much as I did. It gave me serious Pretty Little Liars vibes (without the shit ending) small-town secrets, messy friendships, lies layered on top of lies and I was obsessed
The pacing was perfect. It hooked me straight away, and I found myself flying through chapters because I just had to know who to trust and what was really going on. The friend dynamics were chaotic in the best way you never quite know who’s telling the truth, and that tension kept me guessing the whole time.
And that ending. Oh my god, that plot twist was just 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. Just when I thought I had it figured out, K.J. Reed flipped everything on its head. It was clever, satisfying, and tied the story together in a way that made me sit there like WELL, didn't see THAT coming.
Themes / vibes:
🕵️♀️ Small-town secrets
🕵️♀️ Fast paced
🕵️♀️ Female friendships gone wrong
🕵️♀️ Pretty Little Liars energy
🕵️♀️ Twists, tension & betrayal
It’s twisty, addictive, and full of those 'just one more chapter' moments that make you forget what time it is. K.J. Reed did NOT miss with this one, I loved every second.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✨ Available on Kindle Unlimited ✨
This book was such a ride. From the title alone, I knew I was in for something juicy, but I did NOT expect to love it as much as I did. It gave me serious Pretty Little Liars vibes (without the shit ending) small-town secrets, messy friendships, lies layered on top of lies and I was obsessed
The pacing was perfect. It hooked me straight away, and I found myself flying through chapters because I just had to know who to trust and what was really going on. The friend dynamics were chaotic in the best way you never quite know who’s telling the truth, and that tension kept me guessing the whole time.
And that ending. Oh my god, that plot twist was just 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. Just when I thought I had it figured out, K.J. Reed flipped everything on its head. It was clever, satisfying, and tied the story together in a way that made me sit there like WELL, didn't see THAT coming.
Themes / vibes:
🕵️♀️ Small-town secrets
🕵️♀️ Fast paced
🕵️♀️ Female friendships gone wrong
🕵️♀️ Pretty Little Liars energy
🕵️♀️ Twists, tension & betrayal
It’s twisty, addictive, and full of those 'just one more chapter' moments that make you forget what time it is. K.J. Reed did NOT miss with this one, I loved every second.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 1, 2026
This was quite the wild ride. Set in the then (2014) and now (2024) we meet Izzy and her friends, who are hiding one too many secrets clearly and then Harriet who is trying to discover those secrets. Not just for her job, but for her own personal reasoning too.
What comes from all this is quite a thrilling adventure - there were so many things I expected to happen, twists I thought I was clever enough to get, but nothing rounded up like I thought it would. It kept me guessing to the very last minute. What a journey!
The characters are quite mixed. I didn't always like them, and then sometimes I sympathised with them. However, this was a good portrayal. It makes them real. And are you ever going to like everyone in a thriller novel? I'd also like to add the author does a good job with intrusive thoughts!
For a chunky novel, I devoured it quickly. I'd love to say more but it's hard to do without spoilers, so if you like thrillers... I recommend this one! It keeps you turning pages.
What comes from all this is quite a thrilling adventure - there were so many things I expected to happen, twists I thought I was clever enough to get, but nothing rounded up like I thought it would. It kept me guessing to the very last minute. What a journey!
The characters are quite mixed. I didn't always like them, and then sometimes I sympathised with them. However, this was a good portrayal. It makes them real. And are you ever going to like everyone in a thriller novel? I'd also like to add the author does a good job with intrusive thoughts!
For a chunky novel, I devoured it quickly. I'd love to say more but it's hard to do without spoilers, so if you like thrillers... I recommend this one! It keeps you turning pages.
May 9, 2026
4.5*
This was an absolute blast!
I had the honor of meeting her at AATA last October and after reading Smile for Me before I went, I just knew I had to grab her other books.... so I have these amazing books personalised and signed! 😍
She is an amazing woman and her husband was lovely and friendly too! 🫶
This book had me running through so many theories 😅 and none of them were what happened in the end! So bravo you outsmarted me with this one 🤣
I loved how it went from 1st person pov to 3rd person pov depending on where in the story you are!
The characters all have you thinking it could be them including some none MCs 😅
3 best friends... 1 deadly night... nothing was the same after ...
The mental health rep in this was done brilliantly!
There is death, gore, betrayal and heartbreak. I loved it!
This was an absolute blast!
I had the honor of meeting her at AATA last October and after reading Smile for Me before I went, I just knew I had to grab her other books.... so I have these amazing books personalised and signed! 😍
She is an amazing woman and her husband was lovely and friendly too! 🫶
This book had me running through so many theories 😅 and none of them were what happened in the end! So bravo you outsmarted me with this one 🤣
I loved how it went from 1st person pov to 3rd person pov depending on where in the story you are!
The characters all have you thinking it could be them including some none MCs 😅
3 best friends... 1 deadly night... nothing was the same after ...
The mental health rep in this was done brilliantly!
There is death, gore, betrayal and heartbreak. I loved it!
October 18, 2025
Talk about a twisted good read. From the title alone I was invested. In fact the title was why I chose this book. From jump the story grabbed my attention and held it. Just the first few chapters I found myself shouting red flag and that's crazy. The storyline, the characters, the plot, the pacing...everything was perfectly crafted. I loved the flip of past and present. It really gave the story its edge. The story was filled with mystery and suspense. The twist was one that left me floored and the ending was one I didn’t see coming.
October 6, 2025
Luckily I had the day off work when I started reading this because I didn't want to stop! This is not only a thriller, but a look at love, friendship, and mental health.
October 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this book I’ve only just discovered this author but this won’t b my last book i predicted the plot however it still didn’t disappoint at all
November 1, 2025
Really loved the storyline in this book! Did not see the twist coming at the end either. The author has truly nailed this! Easy to read, flows well and hard to put down!
October 27, 2025
A solid 4 stars!
A fairly slow paced first half. Some of the writing felt so much like a YA/New Adult book and it was a little cringey at times. I did end up skim reading some parts as there wasn’t really a lot happening.
However, the second half was a lot better! The pace picked up, and one aspect I really liked were the police interview chapters woven in throughout the book. I had no idea about the twist and it left my jaw on the floor! I don’t think I’ve actually read a twist like this one before so it was refreshing.
Will definitely be reading more books by this author.
A fairly slow paced first half. Some of the writing felt so much like a YA/New Adult book and it was a little cringey at times. I did end up skim reading some parts as there wasn’t really a lot happening.
However, the second half was a lot better! The pace picked up, and one aspect I really liked were the police interview chapters woven in throughout the book. I had no idea about the twist and it left my jaw on the floor! I don’t think I’ve actually read a twist like this one before so it was refreshing.
Will definitely be reading more books by this author.
October 25, 2025
This book hooked me from the first page. Izzy, Libby, and Alix bury a fake body in hopes of having a magnificent photo shoot leading to an epic Halloween party. But is that the only thing they buried? I had to keep reading to find out, and the twist had my jaw on the floor. SUCH a good read that will leave you stunned. Can’t wait to read more by this author!
December 14, 2025
Wow!
As psychological thrillers go, this one ticks all of the boxes!
K.J.Reed is a new author to me, but,if this one is representative of her work
I will be reading much more from her incredible mind very soon.
Excellent!
As psychological thrillers go, this one ticks all of the boxes!
K.J.Reed is a new author to me, but,if this one is representative of her work
I will be reading much more from her incredible mind very soon.
Excellent!
September 27, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of I Need Your Help Burying a Body by K.J. Reed, and I can honestly say it’s one of the most gripping thrillers I’ve read this year. The title alone promises mischief, suspense, and a wicked sense of humour — and the book delivers all that and more.
Synopsis:
Some secrets refuse to stay buried.
Ten years ago, Izzy, Libby, and Alix buried a fake body – deep in the woods and tied with a red bow. It was a harmless prank. A bit of fun for Halloween. But that night, something happened. Something real. And the three girls swore to take it to their graves.
Now, Alix is missing. Libby has been arrested. And in the quiet town of Willow Grove, a body has been found in that same spot. Wrapped in a white sheet and tied with another red bow. And Izzy might be the only one who can uncover the truth.
They thought it was just a game. But someone never stopped playing.
This book had me hooked from the very first page. I loved the way K.J. Reed shifted between the past and present, slowly unravelling what really happened that night while keeping the tension alive in the current-day storyline. The writing is fast-paced without ever feeling rushed, and the dialogue feels sharp and natural, pulling you right into the drama of small-town secrets.
What really stood out to me were the characters. Each of the women is flawed, layered, and utterly believable. I found myself caring deeply about Izzy in particular, as she tries to piece together the truth whilst facing her own past. The dynamic between the three girls – both then and now – really drives the story, and I loved how Reed captured the messy complexities of friendship, loyalty, and betrayal.
The twists were brilliant. Just when I thought I had everything worked out, Reed pulled the rug out from under me. And that ending? I was left reeling. It’s rare for a thriller to surprise me this much, and it’s even rarer for one to balance the darkness with such wit and energy.
I absolutely loved this book and cannot thank K.J. Reed enough for letting me read it early. It’s smart, addictive, and a total rollercoaster. If you’re looking for a thriller that keeps you turning the pages late into the night, this is it.
Highly recommend!
Synopsis:
Some secrets refuse to stay buried.
Ten years ago, Izzy, Libby, and Alix buried a fake body – deep in the woods and tied with a red bow. It was a harmless prank. A bit of fun for Halloween. But that night, something happened. Something real. And the three girls swore to take it to their graves.
Now, Alix is missing. Libby has been arrested. And in the quiet town of Willow Grove, a body has been found in that same spot. Wrapped in a white sheet and tied with another red bow. And Izzy might be the only one who can uncover the truth.
They thought it was just a game. But someone never stopped playing.
This book had me hooked from the very first page. I loved the way K.J. Reed shifted between the past and present, slowly unravelling what really happened that night while keeping the tension alive in the current-day storyline. The writing is fast-paced without ever feeling rushed, and the dialogue feels sharp and natural, pulling you right into the drama of small-town secrets.
What really stood out to me were the characters. Each of the women is flawed, layered, and utterly believable. I found myself caring deeply about Izzy in particular, as she tries to piece together the truth whilst facing her own past. The dynamic between the three girls – both then and now – really drives the story, and I loved how Reed captured the messy complexities of friendship, loyalty, and betrayal.
The twists were brilliant. Just when I thought I had everything worked out, Reed pulled the rug out from under me. And that ending? I was left reeling. It’s rare for a thriller to surprise me this much, and it’s even rarer for one to balance the darkness with such wit and energy.
I absolutely loved this book and cannot thank K.J. Reed enough for letting me read it early. It’s smart, addictive, and a total rollercoaster. If you’re looking for a thriller that keeps you turning the pages late into the night, this is it.
Highly recommend!
October 20, 2025
Holy smokes, this might be K.J. Reed's best book yet! I genuinely couldn't put this one down, and that ending...WHAT!!
Three best friends Libby, Izzy and Alix buried a fake body in the woods when they were teens, but years later, a real body, buried the exact same way, turns up in the exact same spot they left the fake body, and is determined to be around the same age. Told from alternating POVs of present-day Izzy, past Izzy, and journalist Harriet, I was immediately intrigued by the story and had so many theories as to who the killer could be. This was a wild ride, and if you're looking for something spooky to read this October, this is one you'll want on your TBR!
Three best friends Libby, Izzy and Alix buried a fake body in the woods when they were teens, but years later, a real body, buried the exact same way, turns up in the exact same spot they left the fake body, and is determined to be around the same age. Told from alternating POVs of present-day Izzy, past Izzy, and journalist Harriet, I was immediately intrigued by the story and had so many theories as to who the killer could be. This was a wild ride, and if you're looking for something spooky to read this October, this is one you'll want on your TBR!
September 8, 2025
Thriller fans you won't want to miss this one! The twists absolutely blew my head off. I had the absolute pleasure of editing this book and there wasn't a single thing that I saw coming. I highly recommend checking this one out when it goes live at the end of the month!
March 12, 2026
Too many plot holes/ left over questions
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews