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Heather

Not yet published
Expected 9 Jun 26
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For readers of Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods, a small-town detective reopens an unsolved case, sending shock waves across generations of women in this gripping new mystery from the Edgar Award–winning author of Please See Us.

1994. In the myth-riddled woods of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, sixteen-year-old Annabelle Riley’s twin sister, Sabrina, has been having an affair with a mysterious older man, and Annabelle is determined to uncover what’s going on. Then, inexplicably, both sisters disappear.

In this same town years later, newly instated Police Chief Callie Hauser makes an arrest that unexpectedly resurrects details from a heartbreaking cold case. As she digs deeper, the past and the present collide, challenging everything Callie believes about right and wrong, about who she is, and about the town she’s always called home.

A propulsive mystery as incisive as it is forgiving, Heather bears a visceral reminder that the truth of a woman’s life is often complicated and unknowable—to those on the outside, and sometimes even to herself.

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 9, 2026

19385 people want to read

About the author

Caitlin Mullen

3 books430 followers
Caitlin Mullen is the author of Please See Us, which won the 2021 Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was named a New York Times best crime novel in 2020. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and children.

instagram: @caitlin_e_mullen

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5 stars
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17 (45%)
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10 (27%)
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Annie Tate Cockrum.
442 reviews77 followers
March 2, 2026
I liked it!! Very exciting and then satisfying cold case mystery! Initially it was slow but picked up quite a bit. There is a back in forth between pov and timelines that was incredibly successful in my eyes.

When I started reading it I had the thought that I didn’t want to read about a cop solving a cold case, I’d rather read about a teenager (good girls guide to murder) or a group of old people (Thursday murder club) doing that. That said and with the most minimal spoilers - this book does eventually arrive at acab.

Heather is sort of giving Mare of Easttown, the absolutely incredible Kate Winslet mini series - I recommend that show and this book with equal measure.

Thanks for the arc and looking forward to the pub date this June. This would be a great summer read!!
Profile Image for BansheeBibliophile.
240 reviews94 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 4, 2026
I am extremely grateful to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for giving me the privilege of reviewing an ALC (Advance Listener Copy) of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Heather is a wonderful slow-burn mystery that is very immersive and atmospheric. In the modern timeline, Chief of Police Callie Hauser makes an arrest that hits surprisingly close to home. While dealing with the trauma that stirs up, she uncovers shocking clues tied to a cold case from the past. In 1994, twin sisters Annabelle and Sabrina Riley are eking out a hardscrabble existence after their mother abandoned them and their father is rarely around to help. Sabrina gets caught up in a relationship with a mysterious older man, and Annabelle feels her sister pulling away. Terrified of losing the one tether to normalcy she has left, Annabelle decides to spy on her sister and find out more about the elusive stranger she only knows as The Coyote. Both sisters then disappear without a trace, and the case goes cold.

The story unfolds across the two timelines from the perspectives of Callie and the Riley sisters. The entire story is set in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, a place well known for its mythical lore and stories of hauntings. I enjoyed the way the real-life folklore of the Barrens is woven into the narrative. The sticky, summery vibes would make this a perfect seasonal read. I enjoyed the back-and-forth between the timelines, although I was a little overwhelmed by the number of characters at the start. That eventually settled down, and the story became easy to follow.

This is for sure a slow-burn narrative, but I found the pacing to be steady throughout. I have seen this compared to The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, and I definitely see similarities. I also picked up some Tana French, Ozark, and Mare of Easttown vibes. There is some suspension of disbelief required for certain elements to make sense, but nothing too far-fetched. This is as much a story of trauma and women having to make difficult choices—or having no choices available—as it is a gritty mystery. There was a nice twist about 45% of the way through that I did not see coming, and I was fully locked in by then. The audio narration was beautifully executed and added to my enjoyment of the story.

Very well written, this one will appeal to fans of slow-burn mysteries, survivor stories, crime procedurals, or anyone intrigued by the lore of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. 3.75 stars rounded up for the twist and a solid ending
Profile Image for Ciara Hartman.
Author 21 books52 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 5, 2026
🎧 Audio Review: Narration was decent, just not a fan that some of the story was in second person POV.

📝 Story Review: Decent read, but not a fave.

Moving back to her home town to help a friend in need, she leaves narcotics behind to become the new chief of police in this small town. But drugs are rampant and she plans to find out who is behind it. Derailed by a cold case that involves her mother, the chief is set on a journey to unravel the truth of what happened so many years ago in this town. And then her mother goes missing…

What I Liked: The dual timeline is an aspect I enjoyed and the story from back then was tragic and emotionally moving. - I also liked the little bit of romance the chief found during this story and how that played out as a sideline and not a main focus to detract from the mystery.

What I Didn’t Like: Second person POV is not really my thing and when we went back in time, that’s what it was. - This story moved SO SLOWLY…. I honestly felt that a third or more of it could’ve been cut out easily. - The chief of police seemed more and more incompetent, unprofessional and bumbling, the deeper into the story we went. So many clues she didn’t connect and easily dismissed. I found it hard to believe she was some big city cop before coming here because she didn’t seem to act like one. It made for a somewhat disappointing story.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

Vibes: Moving at a snails pace; a little twisty; tragic.

Tropes 👇

- Jersey Devil folklore
- Dual timelines
- Cold case reopened
- Police chief FMC 👮
- Missing person
- Drug ring
- A town filled with secrets
- Friendships are tested
- Twin siblings
- DNA tests

CW’s 👇

- Teen pregnancy
- A little religious fanaticism
- Subject of teen abortion vs birthing
- Stillbirth/abandoning newborn
- Adult preying on teen girls
- Drug use/selling
- Overdoses/teens doing drugs
- Parental neglect
- Alcoholic parent
- Dead wild animals

Audio Release Date: June 9, 2026
Audio Run Time: 11 hrs, 33 mins
Narrated By: Bailey Carr; Christine Lakin & Mia Wurgaft
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
POV: Multi; a mix of Second & Third Person

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC in return for my honest review.
Profile Image for Sacha.
2,017 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 4, 2026
3.5 stars

Mystery? Yes. Thriller? Not by my assessment. Readers who like a slow burn across multiple timelines will enjoy the pay off in this one.

Two timelines operate in the same small town. In 1990, the focal point is a pair of teenage twin sisters. These two have basically no supervision and are really dependent on each other for everything adults should be providing. It's no surprise that some real creepers get into their business. What IS surprising is how non-functional so many people around them are. The whole time I was reading these scenes, I just kept thinking about the extraordinary value of a single functioning adult or parent or guardian in a kid's life. Yeesh.

A generation later, in the same spot, Callie, the police chief, is trying to solve a cold case. While I started off very invested in Callie's story and timeline, that was hard to hold on to throughout the read. Mullen is in no rush to get readers answers, and we really have to feel the same slow walk toward resolution that Callie does. At times, I thought this book might turn into a cold case of my own!

I have mixed feelings about this read because I enjoyed it overall and aspects of it very much. The pacing felt really inconsistent to me, and I found myself several times being surprised by how little happened in a long period of listening. I am not a patient person and tend to suffer in slow burn situations, so readers who differ in these ways may have a more consistently positive experience here.

I enjoyed this enough to know I'd absolutely read more from this author.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Profile Image for ✨Poppy✨.
477 reviews30 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 6, 2026
I was immediately drawn to this one because of the gorgeous cover, it’s honestly one of those books that just begs to be picked up. The premise also sounded right up my alley: a mystery rooted in the eerie folklore of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, a twin disappearance in the 90s, and a cold case resurfacing years later.

Overall, I thought this was a solid and compelling mystery. The story moves between past and present, slowly revealing what happened to Annabelle and Sabrina while Police Chief Callie Hauser digs into the case years later. The atmosphere is really well done, with the Pine Barrens adding a haunting backdrop that fits the story perfectly.

That said, it felt a bit slow for me at times. The pacing leans more toward a gradual, character-driven unraveling of the mystery rather than a fast-paced thriller, so it took me a while to fully get into it. Still, I appreciated how carefully the story explored the complexities of the characters and the ripple effects of long-buried secrets.

I can definitely see why this is recommended for readers of The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. While that one wasn’t a personal favorite for me either, the similarities are there in the tone, the layered mystery, and the focus on atmosphere and character.

Even if it wasn’t a perfect fit for my reading preferences, it’s a thoughtful and well-crafted mystery that I think many readers will really enjoy.
Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for this ALC in exchange of my honest opinion!
Profile Image for Barbara Schultz.
4,251 reviews310 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 6, 2026
Title Heather
Author: Caitlin Mullen
Format: 🎧
Narrators: Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin and Mia Wurgaft
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Dark Mystery
Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Rating: 3 Stars
Pages: 352

1994 ~ Mysterious woods of the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
Story, is told between 1994 and present day,

The 16 year old Riley twins have been left to take care of themselves after their mother leaves them and their father spends all his time at work.
Promiscuous Sabrina finds herself involved with an older man, and Annabelle wants to find out what is ‘going on”.
They both disappear without a trace.

Present Day ~, Callie Hauser returns to her hometown which is the same town the Riley twins are from- Hauser is now the Chief of Police. When she finds a cold case that appears on her desk she decided to make it a priority.

Although this author is new to me, Mystery Thrillers are always my ‘go to’ stories. However - I really didn’t do my research on this one and soon found I was struggling with the cruelty of mankind- rape and abuse to women – certainly not an enjoyable read. I do admire with an Author tackles a tough subject but also like when there are solutions and not just foul language in frustration.
But I did hang in there as I was curious.

Want to thank Macmillan Audio for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 9, 2026.
Profile Image for ♡Lala.
41 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 5, 2026
•𝐀𝐋𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝘄•

[Heather]
🔥 Release Date: Jun 09 2026 🔥
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the advanced copy!
★★★☆☆


I really wanted to love this one. The plot sounded so intriguing, and I was hoping to get completely pulled in.

The story moves between 1990 and present day. In the earlier timeline, we follow teenage twin sisters who are basically raising themselves. Their isolation is unsettling, and the lack of competent adults around them is honestly the most horrifying part of the book. You keep waiting for someone responsible to step in, and that absence creates a creeping anxiety.

For me, the first 50% dragged quite a bit. A lot of characters are introduced early on, and it was easy to lose track of who was who. With the deliberate slower pacing, I’d look back and realize not much had actually happened. I’m probably not the most patient reader, so that definitely affected my experience.

I also wouldn’t call this a thriller. It reads more like a slow mystery. If you enjoy gradual unraveling and layered storytelling, this one will likely resonate. For me, it ended up being an unexpectedly rewarding listen once the story found its stride.
Profile Image for Madeline Church.
645 reviews182 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 14, 2026
3.5 stars! Heather is marketed to fans of The God of the Woods, and I could not agree more. Personally, I did not love that novel, but I see many similarities. The structure feels the same. The summery feeling mixed with a mystery. The writing style truly feels as though they were written by the same author. Heather is a lot more enjoyable because the story is more interesting to me!

I liked going back and forth between time. With the direction the story was going, it only made sense. I enjoyed being able to try to piece the mystery together myself with these details. The story felt a little slow at points, but once it went on more, it was less noticeable.

Thank you NetGalley, Celadon Books, & Caitlin Mullen for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Heather is released on June 9, 2026!
Profile Image for MichelleZ.
47 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 5, 2026
I really liked Heather, I couldn't get into God of the Woods, but Heather was a steady burn. It might be because I listened to the audio. The narrators were fantastic!!! Especially Christine Lakin (a new favorite narrator), Bailey Carr, and Mia Wurgaft. They kept me listening chapter after chapter.

Heather is told in 3 POV from Callie, Annabell and Blair. Callie opens a cold case from 30 years ago about a baby found in the woods. Callie is the new sheriff in town and she's starting off with a bang.

Who's baby was it and who was her mother?
You'll need to read it to find out for yourself, no spoilers here. It's also about family and what you would do or secrets you would keep for them.

I want to thank Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and Caitlin Mullen for an advanced audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.
259 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 5, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric, slow burn mystery. The dual timeline, multiple POV keeps the reader enthralled throughout the book. I really felt for Callie as she was investigating the 30 year old case of a dead baby while trying to find her missing mother.

The setting of the pine barrens in southern New Jersey piqued my interest as I grew up not far from there. The author does a wonderful job of conveying the sense of place.

The narrators are fantastic and make the listening experience wonderful.

This is not a thriller. I highly recommend to readers/listeners who enjoy a well crafted slow burn mystery.

3.75 out of 5 stars

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Profile Image for Lolyndsey.
262 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

I really enjoyed this slow burn mystery. I liked the multi pov and timelines and the themes the novel explored about women and the lives they often are forced to lead or leave.

This would’ve been a 5 star for me except I found Callies inner dialogue infuriating at times.

Still, this one gets a recommendation from me.
Profile Image for Dawn Laney.
32 reviews
February 12, 2026
A good twisty cold case mystery story. The settings were vivid and characters interesting. Satisfying conclusion with a solved case. I loved the surprise of receiving this book as an advance copy in the mail from. Celadon Books. Yay enjoyable surprise books !
Profile Image for Laura Prindable.
1,416 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 3, 2026
In 1990, twin sisters go missing. Current day, Callie, the police chief, is on the cold case. And things are not what they seem.

4 stars

Many thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Katie Henry.
184 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 3, 2026
I wanted so badly to love this one, but, I just couldn't get engaged and into it. But, I also didn't love The God of the Woods which definitely has similar vibes. If you enjoyed it, you will probably love this one! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for this ARC!
Profile Image for Ashley Sonera.
48 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 5, 2026
Great premise and really strong writing. I just didn’t feel as pulled into the story as I thought I would be. Definitely not a bad book, it just didn’t fully click for me.
Profile Image for Jenny.
65 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 26, 2026
The 16 year old Riley twins have been left to take care of themselves after their mother leaves them and their father spends all his time at work. Promiscuous Sabrina gets involved with a dangerous older man, and Annabelle soon follows. The twins disappear without a trace in 1994.

Decades later, Callie Hauser returns to her hometown, the same town the Riley twins are from, as chief of the police. A cold case comes across her desk that causes her to drop everything to solve.

Told between 1994 and present day, Heather is a well plotted, exceptionally well written, immersive novel. The description identified it as good for readers who enjoyed God of the Woods by Liz Moore, and I completely agree.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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