Heather

by Caitlin Mullen

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.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Adult, Crime

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 9, 2026

About the author

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

Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Currently a GR giveaway going on
3.5⭐
Genre ~ police procedural, crime fiction
Setting ~ New Jersey
Publication date ~ June 6, 2026
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio
Est Page Count ~ 352 (p+ 54 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 12 hours 8 minutes
Narrators ~ Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin, Mia Wurgaft
POV ~ 3rd and 2nd (Annabelle)
Featuring ~ 3 parts, small town, cold case, slow burn

Callie is our new police chief ready to set some fresh eyes on the cold case of missing sisters, Annabelle & Sabrina, from the 90's.

These 16 year old twins don't have the best home life, so as you can imagine they don't make the best choices. There are inappropriate relationships resulting in teen pregnancy and mentions of abortion, then a stillborn, abandoned baby.

Having a mix of 3rd and 2nd person narration was jarring, so I wasn't a big fan of that.

Part 2 we meet Blair in September 2023 that ramps up the story slightly.

Overall, this was fine as cold cases go, but it was very slow moving and pretty predictable. The eerie vibes were on point, though. It's worth mentioning this is not a thriller, so don't expect that going in if that's what you prefer with your mysteries.

Narration notes:
Please as punch there are 3! They all did well.

Pre-reading notes:
Obviously I have to read this one!

[Tini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow-burn, layered mystery in a haunting setting.

The New Jersey Pine Barrens have long been fertile ground for myth and mystery, and in Heather, Caitlin Mullen uses that eerie landscape to craft a slow-burning, deeply atmospheric thriller about secrets, sisterhood, and the lingering weight of the past.

The story moves between two timelines. In the present day, newly appointed police chief Callie Hauser returns to her hometown hoping to find her footing in a role that carries both professional and personal stakes. When an arrest unexpectedly resurrects details connected to the death of an infant, Callie begins investigating the cold case, as well as the long-unsolved disappearance of twin sisters Annabelle and Sabrina Riley in the mid-1990s - and it's not long before old secrets start to surface and the past begins colliding with the present.

Heather is very much a character-driven mystery, and it works beautifully on that level. Mullen takes her time exploring the complicated lives of the women at the center of the story, examining family ties, buried trauma, and the way small towns preserve both memories and secrets. The Pine Barrens themselves become almost a character in the novel, their folklore and isolating landscape providing the perfect haunting backdrop.

At times, the atmosphere and themes are reminiscent of The God of the Woods , a personal favorite of mine, particularly in the way both novels blend a missing-person mystery with a deeper exploration of family dynamics and long-held community secrets.

My main reservation with the novel itself concerns its different points of view. The twins' sections are written in second person, a stylistic choice that creates a certain distance in the narrative. As a result, those chapters occasionally feel more like a stylistic experiment than a storytelling necessity. In addition, the eventual introduction of a third perspective (Blair) doesn't always feel entirely essential to the narrative.

In the audiobook version, all three perspectives are narrated by different performers, which was an excellent choice. Christine Lakin in particular delivers a standout performance as Callie, capturing both the character's determination and her underlying vulnerability as she navigates the pressures of returning home and reopening a case everyone wants to forget about. Mia Wurgaft also provides a strong and engaging narration in her sections, though they are fewer in number. Finally, Bailey Carr narrates the perspective of the teenage twins. While her performance emphasizes the emotional fragility of the characters, the softer delivery didn't work quite as well for me - especially since I was already struggling with the second-person narration in those chapters.

The pacing of the novel leans firmly toward the slow-burn end of the thriller spectrum, prioritizing atmosphere and character over relentless twists. For readers like myself who enjoy immersive, emotionally complex mysteries, that's very much part of the appeal. Haunting, introspective, and beautifully grounded in its setting, Heather explores family, secrets, and the ways small towns hold onto the past. The result is a thoughtful and layered mystery with an unforgettable atmosphere.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

"Heather" is slated to be released on June 9, 2026.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

HEATHER
By Caitlin Mullen
Narrated by Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin, Mia Wurgaft

Buried Secrets in the Pine Barrens

3.5 rounded down
A slow-burn suspense novel set in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Heather follows Police Chief Callie Hauser as she returns to her small hometown and makes an arrest that unexpectedly reopens a cold case from the 1990s. Two sixteen-year-old twin girls vanished years earlier, and Callie’s investigation begins to unsettle the town as long-buried secrets start to surface. As past and present collide, she finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew—about the case, the town, and even herself.

This is a slower-paced, dark, and atmospheric story with a quiet sense of unease. The pacing may not work for everyone, but it suits the moody, character-driven nature of the novel. Told through dual timelines, it focuses on complex women and how their pasts, relationships, and secrets shape their lives. The writing is descriptive and layered, exploring themes of trauma and memory.

This was a solid read for me, and I’d be interested in reading more from Caitlin Mullen. The narration was very well done, and I would definitely recommend the audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

[Mikayla Larlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this—4.5 stars! A slow-burn, twisty cold case with just enough present-day drama to keep things moving. Callie was such a strong, layered character and I really enjoyed her growth. The sister dynamic felt super real, too. My only small gripe was wanting a bit more depth from a couple side characters. Overall, gripping, emotional, and definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Jamie Josephson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an ALC in exchange for honest feedback.

I’m not typically into slow burn thrillers (and this one was slowwww) however, it was so well done that it kept me intrigued throughout. It was incredibly atmospheric and the characters were complex which added to the tension intimacy of the story. It was giving “Mare of Easttown” vibes and I can absolutely envision this book as a movie or series. Definitely a haunting read that will linger in my mind.

[Annie Tate Cockrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!!

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was a heavy one.

The case itself? Really good. Tragic, uncomfortable at times and definitely not an easy read. It deals with a lot of difficult topics, teen pregnancy, grief, grooming, loss and it doesn’t shy away from them.

The story follows the disappearance of two sisters back in the `90s and then jumps years later, when a new police chief starts digging into the case again. As more details come to light, it becomes clear that things are way more complicated than they first seemed.

I really liked the multiple POVs (Annabelle & Sabrina in the `90s and Callie & a girl called Blair, in the present). They helped piece everything together and gave a fuller picture of what actually happened.

Emotionally, this book hit me really hard. It made me angry, frustrated, sad… and at times probably I wanted to scream a little. I could easily see this as a real case.

BUT.

The pacing… yeah. It’s very slow. Like, very slow. And while I understand why the story takes its time, I do think it could’ve been tighter.

That said, the audiobook narration was excellent and definitely helped bring the story to life.

Overall, this had all the elements of a really strong and amazing procedural, I just wish it moved a bit faster.

⭐ 3.75, rounded to 4

Thank you NetGalley and the gods at Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

Discussing the complex and intertwined connections in a small town, I’m really glad I chose the audiobook because there was so much to unpack!

A small-town detective reopens a cold case, impacting generations of women in this gripping mystery. The story begins in 1994 when 16-year-old Annabelle Riley investigates her twin sister Sabrina’s affair with an older man, leading to their unexplained disappearance. Years later, Police Chief Callie Hauser makes an arrest that brings haunting details of the case to light, forcing her to confront her beliefs about morality and her hometown.

This poignant and bittersweet story is divided into three parts, featuring dual timelines with Annabelle's perspective from the past and Callie’s and Blare’s viewpoints from the present. It explores three generations of women grappling with secrets, tough choices, and challenging upbringings.

We delve into Annabelle's and Sabrina’s stories, imagining the hardships they faced growing up without a mother and with a father who was emotionally absent. Then we meet Callie, who navigates her own struggles as a chief in a male-dominated world while also uncovering her unexpected connections to other characters. Lastly, we encounter Blare, who, in her distinct timeline, experiences a loving family environment. However, the twist that lies ahead takes us by surprise.

Wow, what an emotional journey! This book will certainly spark thought-provoking discussions, making it an ideal choice for book clubs. I can personally relate to it, having grown up alone without adult guidance during my formative years. Although I faced many choices, I’m thankful I discovered my own path, and in hindsight, I believe I made the right decisions.

The audiobook was fantastic, thanks to a few of my favorite narrators who truly brought the story and its emotions to life. I often found it hard to hit pause, and if you find the book a bit slow, I highly recommend listening to the audio version! The narrators matched the characters' personalities perfectly.

This story is for anyone who appreciates a slow-burn mystery rich in dark and emotional themes. It challenges you to immerse yourself in difficult situations and reminds you that, no matter where we find ourselves in the narrative, we’re all seeking our place in life. Of course, having family and support can shape who we become, but those who are less fortunate must often start over if given the chance.

The choices we make as teenagers or young adults can be tough to grasp in hindsight as adults. This book beautifully conveys the themes of trauma, grief, abandonment, and the quest for personal identity, all waiting for you to interpret in your own unique way. After all, we all have a past, and what we do with our future is up to us. However, doing the right thing is never easy. What a heartfelt story this is! Bravo!

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Olivia Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Libro.fm for the ALC!

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a complicated read for me. First, thank you to MacMillan audio and NetGalley for the advanced listener copy. I think the story was beautifully narrated, with each narrator’s voice distinct and lending to the atmospheric tone of the novel. They were a highlight for sure!!

That said, I believe this novel is best received if you let it wash over you and don’t think too closely about all the mental leaps these characters are making throughout the story, or the plot gaps that could have been fleshed out, solving these mysteries quicker. You need to suspend your disbelief for an enjoyable, emotionally charged(-ish???) read with some good twists and turns. I unfortunately did not do that for most of my listen.

There were several moments here where I found myself going “well no duh”, because the writing was trying so hard to be profound and add depth to things that didn’t need any extra emotional value! Callie is described as not knowing *~*why*~* she decides to flip through the old yearbook of the twins to see her kinda-estranged mother’s photo….well like…I can tell you why, and I don’t know if the reason is as profound as it’s written to be. Sometimes humans make choices and they don’t need three poetic metaphors as justification for each choice, especially when all three narrators are written in this very specific way. These women wind up blending into each other, save for the different perspectives they’re written in. Simpler writing would have supported the grit of this story’s themes of addiction and grimy, awful men really well.

I think the story needed either way more of Blair’s perspective leading to a reveal, or none at all. Her section felt like an afterthought, though listening to it rather than reading a print copy may have lended to this feeling. I also didn’t think the love interest was necessary in Callie’s journey for anything other than giving her a place to be while other important things happened.

I’d like to pitch this as a really good, atmospheric HBO Max show, where I think some of the elements could be served in more authentic ways. There’s a lot of really rich world building and interesting material here, if we could rely more on “show” and less on “tell”.

[Susie | rekroceisusreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heather is a small town, slow burn thriller/mystery that follows the POV of three characters, in two separate time periods. I am rating this one somewhere between 3-3.5 stars.

I liked all of the characters/character development for Callie (FMC) a lot, and I think it was due to this story being told from primarily from a 3rd person POV, which I don’t think I’ve come across often in this genre, so I found that interesting and also disorienting at times.

While the book was well written, the mystery was laid out in a way that I caught onto clues and twists 2-3 steps ahead of the author’s intention for laying them out for the reader. I also found elements of the story to be unrealistic (if what Jenna discovered as a teenager was well known by the town, I’m not convinced Callie wouldn’t have heard about it growing up via gossip, especially living in a small town) and for her credentials, Callie often acts in a way that feels more like rookie behavior rather than someone in a position of a police chief would act.

Shout out to the reference to circling words to look up in the dictionary - kids today will never know what that was like!!!!

Lastly the narrators did a wonderful job bringing all of these characters to life. I could listen to them for hours.

Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen and review prior to this book’s release on June 9th!

*** check trigger warnings if you are sensitive to certain material

[BansheeBibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Courtney Whalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the ALC of Heather in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date: June 9, 2026

Wow. This book is going to be really hard to describe, but I’ll try my best because I absolutely loved it.

This story made me feel everything— worry, anger, hope, heartbreak, dread… literally every emotion in between. I’ve seen some reviews call this a slow burn, and I can understand why, but honestly? I was hooked the entire time. I never once felt bored or disconnected. I was fully invested in these characters from start to finish.

Callie’s storyline especially stayed with me. I loved the 1994 timeline so much, and even though it wasn’t the entire focus of the book, it added exactly the kind of atmosphere and emotional weight I wanted. Add in the myths surrounding the New Jersey Pine Barrens mixed with very real human struggles, and I just couldn’t stop listening.

This isn’t a terrifying thriller in the traditional sense— it’s more about the emotional tension and the constant feeling that something heavy is sitting just beneath the surface. The mystery unfolds in such a haunting, human way that I know this story is going to stick with me for a long time.

The audio production was also incredibly well done.

If you love atmospheric mysteries with emotional depth, complicated women, cold cases, and haunting small-town secrets, I highly recommend picking this one up when it releases.

[Ali Nurmikko · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars. This was a slow burn mystery that had me gripped from the moment it started. I love a multiple POV, multiple timeline story, so this really hit the mark for me on both accounts. Callie was a reliable, honest character and you completely understood her and her actions. I didn’t really know where this was going to go and felt like everything got tied up in the end!

I was a little put off by the big idea of the cold case (deceased infant) and felt a little uneasy about that. So that is where I take off from a full 5 personally.

It’s always a plus when an audiobook includes various voice actors to make the story come alive. A well done production!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the arc!

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A soft, emotional novel, full of the grief of the female experience. The procedural elements keep the plot moving, but each chapter contains multitudes of relatable emotions that all women have felt at least once in their lives.

[Lori Baumgartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a captivating story told with very interesting characters and when all the story lines comes together they fit perfectly.

[Christina Buff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest feedback!

First things first, I wouldn’t exactly call Heather a thriller in the traditional sense. It’s more of a literary, slow-burn mystery that’s deeply atmospheric and character driven (think The God of the Woods). Personally, I love this style, but it’s certainly not for anyone seeking something fast-paced.

Heather moves between two timelines. In the present day, Callie returns to her hometown in the New Jersey Pine Barrens as the newly appointed police chief. She makes an arrest that hits close to home and rouses details of a cold case from the 1990s regarding missing sisters Annabelle and Sabrina Riley and the death of an infant.

In the mid-90s, teenage twins Annabelle and Sabrina are caught up in a complicated relationship with an older man. They’re dependent on one another for just about everything — their mother abandoned them and their father is always gone.

As Callie investigates the cold case in the present, secrets start to unravel and the two timelines begin to collide.
I loved that on the surface, it’s a cop investigating and solving a cold case mystery. But once you look a little deeper, it’s a rich social commentary. It’s equal parts family drama and literary thriller. It explores motherhood, childhood trauma, and belonging. And Caitlin Mullen does such an excellent job of weaving all of these things together to build a deeply atmospheric and moving story. I highly recommend it!

In the audiobook version, each perspective is narrated by a different voice actor, but I found their voices to be a little bit too similar. The narrator for Callie, in particular, did such a spectacular job. She made the story easy to follow and kept the listener truly invested despite the slower pacing. I also thought the soft and subtle delivery of Sabrina and Annabelle worked to really emphasize their innocence and loneliness as well.

What kept this from being a 5-star read for me was the second person point of view for the twins’ perspectives. That stylistic choice I found curious and a little confusing. I think it would’ve hit harder had the point of view remained in third or even switched to first instead of second.

Overall, I anticipate Heather to be a major hit when it releases this summer!

[Fictionophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in the summer of 2021 I read this author's debut novel, "Please See Us", and was very impressed with her writing. Needless to say, I was eager to read what she came up with next. "Heather" didn't disappoint.

Written in a dual time line format, the story follows two twin sisters back in the early 1990s. The sixteen year old girls live in a house where the mother is absent, and the father might as well be. One sister, Sabrina, rebels by dropping out of school and having a relationship with an older man. The other sister, Annabelle, works hard at school and wants to escape her life via education. Annabelle is curious though, and she makes the grave error of meeting up with her sister's 'older man', and becomes pregnant by him.

The scenes portraying Isabelle's desperation and bewilderment at how her life has been upended are written with a visceral poignancy.

Meanwhile, in the present day, Callie Hauser is the new police chief of her home town in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Formerly a big city narcotics detective, Callie came home to help out her best friend, Jane, after she was seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident. Sadly, one of the first people Callie arrests in her new position, is her very own mother, Jenna - who vanishes after her release. Callie has been estranged from her mother for years due to Jenna's substance abuse. Jenna's problems all began at a tender age when she found a dead infant in the woods. This baby was said to have had ties to Annabelle and Sabrina Riley, twin sisters who then subsequently disappeared. This cold case has Callie well and truly intrigued. But the more she investigates the case, the more she realizes that there may be ties to her own life, and her own well-being...

Then, after a while, the reader encounters a third narrator, a teenage girl named Blair. A girl whose own curiosity and nosiness will put the stability of her family in jeopardy and forever change her own life.

With themes of sexual exploitation, innocence lost, resilience, lack of agency, small town corruption, and family secrets, "Heather" will appeal to many. The only quibbles I had were the differing voice tenses. Some characters were written in first person, other characters in second person, etc. Also, I thought the story was a tad longer than it needed to be.

The narrators of this audiobook did an excellent job of keeping the characters distinct in my head. I especially liked Christine Lakin's performance of Callie's character.

In summation, Heather is an immersive, slow burn of a thriller. The characters are fully fleshed out, the setting atmospheric, and the writing is compelling. A multi-layered story, that will likely remain in your memory.

[Tarah Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callie returns to the small town she grew up in to take over as chief of police, stepping into a role that not everyone thinks she earned. While trying to prove herself, a long-buried case involving a dead infant - something tied to her own past - resurfaces and starts unraveling more than anyone expected.

This one pulled me into full detective mode almost immediately.

There are a lot of moving pieces early on - relationships, history, small-town dynamics - and you can feel pretty quickly that everyone knows more than they’re saying. I kept trying to connect everything right away, convinced I had it figured out way too early… which is always a dangerous place to be in a thriller.

And this book plays with that.

It gives you just enough to build a theory, then quietly shifts something so you’re not as confident anymore. I spent a good chunk of this book going, “okay I’ve got it”… only to realize I absolutely did not.

The first part took me a minute to settle into. There’s a lot being introduced, and I wasn’t fully hooked yet, just trying to keep track of who’s who and how everything connects. But once the story starts layering past and present together more clearly, it really picks up.

Part two is where it locked me in.

That’s when the connections start clicking, the past begins to feel more personal, and you realize how tangled everything actually is. I really liked how Mullen slowly reveals how these characters are tied to the central mystery - it’s not rushed, and each reveal adds another layer instead of just dumping answers.

Character-wise, I had a lot of mixed feelings, which honestly worked for this kind of story. No one feels completely straightforward, and the small-town relationships add that extra layer of tension where you’re constantly wondering who is protecting who - and why.

This book really leans into the idea that not everything is black and white. There are a lot of gray areas here, and by the end, you’re sitting with those choices more than just the outcome of the mystery itself.

The ending really worked for me. It’s not tied up in a neat, happy bow, but it felt satisfying and true to the story. It’s one of those endings where you understand how things landed, even if it’s not what you expected at the start.

Overall, this was a really strong 4-star read for me. It kept me guessing, made me second-guess my own theories more than once, and pulled everything together in a way that felt earned.

If you like small-town mysteries, layered timelines, and stories where the truth unfolds piece by piece, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan, and Caitlin Mullen for the advanced readers' copy in exchange for my honest thoughts and review.

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather by Caitlin Mullen
Narrated by Christine Larkin, Bailey Carr and Mia Wurgaft
12 hrs 8 minutes at regular speed 1x, 8 hours 5 minutes at 1.5x

This SLOW BURN, small town mystery opens with a Prologue which I feel took away some of the suspense from later chapters-it can be easily skipped, and returned to after the conclusion of the book-unless you prefer to be one step ahead of the Chief of Police who is investigating…

Part One:

September 2023:
Callie Hauser has returned to the small town where she grew up, to take the job as its new Police Chief. It’s a place she never expected to return to, but her best friend, Jane has been the Victim of a Hit and Run, and she needs her.

She makes an arrest of a driver who is driving under the influence, and ends up overhearing a conversation which sheds new light on two heartbreaking cold cases from the 1990’s which she feels compelled to investigate.

We are taken back to the year 1993, where we meet sixteen year old twins, Sabrina and Annabelle Riley, who are growing up in a dysfunctional household with little supervision. Both girls go about seeking validation in different ways-Sabrina by having an affair with a mysterious older man, and Annabel by photography and good grades.

Until something happens and both girls disappear, never to be seen or heard from again.

Part Two: (about 45% into the book)

A third narrator is introduced into the September 2023 narrative-that of a teenager named Blair. A decision she makes will have life changing consequences for several characters, and the pace of the book picks up some at this point.

For the most part, I enjoyed this mystery, although it was a bit predictable. Again, the prologue tipped me off to a few things which could be why. Thankfully, Blair’s chapters, though sporadic, offered something fresh.

Also, it did feel a bit too drawn out, clocking in at 12 hours, 8 minutes-especially since we are still left with gaps about quite a few things that happened between 1993 and 2023.

But, Caitlin Mullen writes some highlight worthy prose, and creates haunting atmospheres, which will keep me reaching for future titles. Do check out her debut, “Please See Us”, her award winning debut, which I awarded 5 stars!
Review: Please See Us: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Not quite 4 stars, but rounded up…

Another buddy read with Marilyn and DeAnn. There is a lot to unpack with this one and I am glad they were along for the ride!

This title will be released on June 9, 2026

Thank You to Macmillan Audio for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley shelf. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Heather knowing almost nothing, which made the experience even better. What initially caught my attention was the striking cover and the opportunity to listen early through Macmillan Audio and NetGalley. It was also my first time reading Caitlin Mullen, and it definitely won’t be my last.
This novel is a beautifully layered cold case mystery set in a quiet New Jersey Pine Barrens town, unfolding across two timelines. In 1994, teenage twins Annabelle and Sabrina Riley take center stage as Annabelle becomes increasingly uneasy about her sister’s secret relationship with an older man—right before both girls vanish. In the present, new Police Chief Callie Hauser reopens a related cold case and discovers shocking links between the past and the present.
The multiple points of view really worked well for me. Each character’s perspective added depth and kept the suspense building nicely. The story starts off slowly as it sets up the town and the characters, but once things start to connect, it’s very hard to stop listening. I got totally absorbed and couldn’t wait to see how the past and present would come together.
The audiobook production is excellent. The three narrators—Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin, and Mia Wurgaft—each bring their own style, making the different perspectives easy to follow. One narrator, whoever voices Annabelle, gives such a raw and believable performance that she quickly became my favorite. The twins’ storyline carries a lot of emotion. Their bond, struggles, and vulnerabilities feel very real and often heartbreaking.
Callie’s story adds another interesting layer. As the new police chief, she is determined and good at her job, but she constantly faces disrespect from the men on the force. Those moments feel very real and frustrating. They make her character stronger and add more tension to her investigation.
Overall, Heather is an atmospheric mystery with real emotional depth. It’s just as much about relationships — between sisters, families, and the whole town — as it is about solving the crime. The dual timelines and multiple narrators make it a gripping audiobook. The themes of memory, loss, and hidden secrets stay with you long after it ends.If you like character-driven mysteries with heart, this one is definitely worth picking up when it comes out on June 9, 2026. I’m already excited to read more from Caitlin Mullen.

Thank you so much to macmillan audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

[Arti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really surprising! Came out of nowhere and hooked me!

Heather was a complete surprise for me. While the premise sounded interesting to me, I wasn't instantly locked in when I started it and for a moment I wasn't sure if I would get invested. Then all of a sudden out of nowhere I realized I was on the edge of my seat and needed to know how this would play out! This story won't be a hit for everyone and I recognize that, but I also believe it could surprise some readers!!

Heather follows two timelines and three voices. The past with Annabelle and Sabrina and what happened to them, and the present timeline with Callie and her investigations and Blair with her curiosity. All connected through the mystery of what happened thirty years ago and how that mystery isn't done evolving still today.

Thirty years ago the Riley twins disappeared and a baby was found, deceased, by a young girl on her paper route. The case went cold and no one looked into it further. In the present day, Callie is now police chief in a small town and hears word of this cold case that bugs her and needles at her. She needs to know more and solve it if she can. She just doesn't know how much this one case is about to blow up her entire life.

I thought the characters in Heather were a little bland at first, and while some characters are absolutely props for the plot, I was really surprised to realize I suddenly cared a lot about Callie and Annabelle and I really wanted to know Blair and give her relief. This is a family drama and a mystery almost in equal measure. If you aren't into general dramas I don't think the mystery will be enough to keep you invested, admittedly.

The mystery unfolds slowly and in such a way that you can sort of see the bends coming before you have to make the turn but it really does not detract from how beautiful the ride is on the way there! The Jersey Pines are a great scenic road to your destination of family catharsis.

I was struck by the end with how much I cared about these characters and found myself with tears in my eyes as the ending played out gorgeously. No spoilers here, just know this book was really worth it.

This is an easy recommendation for me to give others. It won't be everyone's cup of tea! But I think it's worth exploring and many would enjoy this. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone wanting a true hard mystery though.

[Ciara Hartman · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧 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.

[Annie Hegedus · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw this book get compared to The God of the Woods, I knew I wanted to check it out because that's one of my favorites from last year. I liked Heather a lot in many ways, but it didn't quite satisfy those expectations for me.

First, the good: I thought Caitlin Mullen did a really great job of creating a small-town world that very much feels like what it's really like living in a rural area. She did a good job of looking at all of the ways towns and the men in them can hurt girls and women and the ways that we can work past that trauma. Though the main mystery was somewhat predictable, there were other twists and turns throughout that kept me engaged with other mysteries in the book. Also, all three of the narrators for the book were excellent. They helped bring the story to life and each voice felt really distinct to the character.

On a less complimentary note, I just really don't think we needed the romance plotline. I'm a romance reader so usually I don't mind a romantic sidequest, but it just didn't feel like it added a ton to the story for me. I would have rather had that real estate in the book used up by exploring Jane and Callie's friendship in more detail. I felt like this was trying to tackle a few too many things without really nailing all of them. There was a drug epidemic and family dynamics and thoughts around the identities we create for ourselves and the labels other people put on us. Some of that was done really well but not always consistently which made some things feel a bit uneven.

I've seen others complain about the second-person narrative parts of the book, but that didn't bother me for most of the book. It only started to get on my nerves when I got closer to the ending. I felt like the ending also fell a little flat in general for me, though, so that may not be the narrative-style's fault. The ending was a little too neat and tidy for me which might read as hopeful or optimistic to other people, but just wasn't really what I was expecting.

This definitely is a slow-burn mystery rather than a full-on thriller, but if you like stories set in rural America and enjoy multiple timelines, this is worth the read! Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

[Jill Gagnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll just say right away that small town stories, done right, have a way of being so beautifully simple with layers of story lines that can just suck me right into it. I very much enjoyed this one.
The term "slow burn" used to have a negative connotation to it for me; indicating dull and boring. But then I looked it up when I saw other reviews mentioning it and it definitely fits for this book-- lots of character and relationship building that helped set the scene for me. So again, beautifully simple done right.

Part 1 of the book alternates between the years 2023 & 1990. It starts off in '23 where you meet main character Callie and very quickly learn a few things:
1. she moved back to her small, rural hometown (unfortunately set in New Jersey) to help her best friend sort of raise her daughter after she was in a bad accident. Her husband right away seems sus
2. being the new chief of police, there's a lot of emphasis here on the teasing she receives from her male subordinates
3. there is very obviously a fractured relationship between her & her mom who is an addict and goes missing (this ruins nothing that you won't learn in the first chapter)
4. her mom apparently found an infant's body when she was younger that Callie never knew about
Callie seems to be investigating quite a few things and you're along for that ride.

In the 1990 sections you meet twins Sabrina and Annabelle, who didn't have a stellar time growing up either and are involved with some shady/slimy older men. They do their best, and you can't help but feel for them.

You're left (in a good way) wondering if & how these stories are going to circle back and relate to each other. Or at least I was.

In part 2 you meet even more characters, but the book does a good job at helping you keep track of who everyone is. You can tell things will tie together somehow, yet still aren't sure how. Part 3 (the shortest part) will do all of that for you.

Thanks NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the chance to listen to the advanced audio of this book- the audio was done well- for my honest review. Will be recommending this one and already put Caitlin Mullen's other book on my TBR list.

[Julie Maleski (juliereads_alot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Macmillan Audio #MacAudio2026 for the gifted ALC of this audiobook...this is my honest review.

🎧 Heather 🎧
Author: Caitlin Mullen
Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Audiobook Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narrators: Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin, & Mia Wurgaft
Length: 12 hours, 8 minutes

MY RATING: 4.75/5⭐
(Rounded Up To 5⭐)

Heather, the upcoming release from Caitlin Mullen, is an atmospheric, slow-burning, and character-driven literary mystery/thriller. Told in dual timelines of the past and present, the mysteries in each timeline are slowly revealed until they intersect in the most shocking and unexpected of ways.

The audiobook of this read was SO well-done! The three narrators captivated me with their performances, which perfectly balanced the emotion and the tension of the storylines.

Callie, the new police chief in a small town in New Jersey, decides to reopen a mysterious cold case from decades earlier. Chapters in the past timeline are told from the POV of teenage Annabelle, who along with her twin sister Sabrina, haven't had the easiest upbringing. What Callie begins to uncover threatens to reveal generational secrets that just might shock the entire town. This story is 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.

"We form stories about everything. But how rarely we ever know the truth, even about our own lives."

This is a literary mystery, yes, but at its core, it's also a beautiful story of forgiveness and redemption. There were portions of the book that brought me to tears, with storylines that tugged on my heartstrings.

The further into this story I got, the faster I wanted to read because the answers to the mysteries could not be revealed fast enough. If you're a fan of slow-burning literary mysteries and thrillers, dual timelines, and revelations of secrets that will leave you shook, I highly recommend you add Heather to your TBR and grab a copy when it comes out in June!

#Heather #CaitlinMullen #MacAudio2026 #partner #audiobook #ALC #fiction #literarythriller #literarymystery #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations

[Cris Estes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to libro.fm for the advanced listeners copy of Heather.

This story bounces between two timelines as well as two narration styles. The first story (told in third person pov) is that of Callie Houser (not sure of sp since this was an audiobook!) who has just moved back to her home town to help her friend who is recovering from an injury. She has also become the police chief and has re-discovered a "baby doe" case from the early 90's and becomes determined to solve the case.

The second story is about Annabel Riley (Reilly, again, unsure of spelling lol), who grew up in this same town in the 90's with her twin sister Sabrina. This story is told through second person narration, which is not a favorite of mine so it took a little bit longer for me to get into this part of the story, BUT I did get into it. Annabel and her sister were left by their mother when they were girls and their father was barely present in their lives. This of course led them both to making a lot of unfortunate but understandable decisions.

The story then bounces to a third perspective in the latter part of the book, that of Blair who is an 18 year old student trying to understand her mother, Iris, better as she learns about secrets that her mother has been hiding.

But at the heart of the story (in my opinion anyway) is the age-old story of the pressures of motherhood and the viscous view we have of women who "fail" to live up to the standards we think they should. What does it mean to be a woman...a mother? How often do we elevate people to unreasonable expectations forgetting that they were also once scared children/teenagers who, in a time of great need, were left alone to discover the cruelty of the world?

It was slightly predictable (for me anyway) and because I didn't quite care for the second person narration I've given this a 4, but if you love thrillers/mysteries with relatable characters then I would recommend picking it up! It was a fast read and I got hooked fairly quickly.

[RonRonReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounding up!

Heather by Caitlin Mullen is a slow burn mystery. Callie Hauser, a New Jersey small town police chief is combating drug crime within her community but stumbles upon a cold case involving a deceased infant—whom her mother found years back. While working on this cold case from the 90s involving twin sisters, Callie works to uncover the truth about what happened to baby doe and why she feels so tethered to this case. Told from multiple points-of-view, and dual timelines, this story captivates you with family drama, teen pregnancy, and small town secrets.

Mullens throughly developed the main characters giving lots of background and understanding where the girls came from. It makes you emotionally tied to each girl and resonate with the reason behind their actions. The book really pulled at my heart strings.
I always enjoy books with multiple POVs, especially with different narrators on audiobook! It always elevates the reading experience. The dual timelines were a hit as well. I love plots taking place the 90s. It gives the story a nostalgic feeling of life before technology took over.

There were a lottttttt of characters in the book. So much so, that I had to write them down and make little notes. And thankfully I did, since we are introduced to more characters in part two. But I was able to keep my ducks in a row! And the story over all took some time to get through. While I enjoyed the thoroughness of characters, it took a lot of time to get through. Perhaps it just felt long since it’s the solving of a cold case rather than real-time crime happening.

I did enjoy the book and would recommend! Despite the slow burn aspect of the book, the plot sucked me in and I loved the multiple POVs and dual timelines.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillian audio for the ALC!

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dual line immersive and propulsive thriller that delivers on tension and intrigue.

The dual line follows twin sisters, Annabelle and Sabrina in the 1990s and Callie Hauser in present time.

The twins are 16 and live pretty much parentless. Annabelle wants to pursue her education while Sabrina drops out of school and gets mixed with a man known as “the coyote.” Annabelle gets curious about what her sister is doing and succumbs to temptation. The girls seem then to have disappeared from the area.

In present day, Callie becomes sheriff of her hometown in the New Jersey Barren Pines. She came home to help her best friend, Jane, recover from an accident. One of the first things she does is to arrest her own mother, Jenna, who once released from jail goes missing. Jenna’s had a troubled life centering around the discovery of a dead baby in the woods. This baby is somehow linked to the twins. With her mother missing and clues related to the twins emerging, Callie pursues an investigation.

The book is packed with secrets, exploitation of minors, and small town corruption. As the author brings the two stories together, tensions arise and twists abound. The truth is finally revealed, and the reality of what family loyalty can do is searing and dark. We learn the meaning of the title at the book's end - it's interesting; you have to read or listen to the book to find out what it means (you won't be disappointed if you do).

I liked the book. I listened to it as I read it and it was well narrated. My only criticism is that I think the story could have ended sooner, but despite that, this is a really good book for anyone who loves intense family secret thrillers.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this ARC and Celedon Books for allowing me to read it as well as I listened.

[Sacha · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.