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Heather
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.
This program features multicast narration.
1990. 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, who she is, and 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.
A Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books
This program features multicast narration.
1990. 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, who she is, and 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.
A Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books
13 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 9, 2026
About the author
Caitlin Mullen
3 books615 followersCaitlin 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
instagram: @caitlin_e_mullen
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,165 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5⭐
Genre ~ police procedural, crime fiction
Setting ~ New Jersey
Publication date ~ June 9, 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 .
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!
Genre ~ police procedural, crime fiction
Setting ~ New Jersey
Publication date ~ June 9, 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 .
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!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️ How rarely do we know the truths even about our own lives?
Two missing girls, one cold case, thirty years of silence. This is a story of a small town that harbored a lot of dark secrets. Set in Pine Barrens, NJ, this is mystery/literary thriller that follows two timelines and 3 distinct narrators.. each telling a story that serves as a reminder that a woman's life is often complicated and unknowable and when a voice is lost, a lot of truth is lost with it.
1994. A 16 year old Sabrina is having an affair with a mysterious older man. Her twin sister Annabelle is determines to uncover what is going on. Then, inexplicably both sisters disappear.
2023. A small town detective, Callie, reopens an unsolved case when she makes an arrest that resurrects details of the heartbreaking past.
Body of a baby is found in the woods. No one knows whose baby it is, how it got there or who is involved. The case goes cold and silent for the next 30 years until Callie, a newly instated police chief officer, makes an arrest that opens a little crack in the cold case. The arrest sets off a chain of events, bringing Callie closer to the truth but she was not expecting to find something that is far more deeper, messier and personal.
Heather is a slow burn mystery full of suspense. While the pacing is slow at times, the story is laced with emotionally shocking moments and is more of a character driven crime fiction. I had a little trouble following the narration the first 15% and then I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I listened to the first 70% of the narration in one sitting and finished the rest the next day, also in one sitting. I loved Callies character--she was driven, on top of things, an embodiment of what I'd call a great detective and police officer. She just kept digging and digging some more and all this digging ticked a few people off (total red flags!) and she just wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted. All this digging just added more tension to the narrative, I seriously started to think I was part of the investigation! Ha!
The noisiness of the third narrator was probably my favorite part of the story. A girls own curiosity opens a can of worms. I loved how everything unfolded and readers should be prepared for emotional depth that covers dark subjects: teen pregnancy, loss, stillbirth, sexual exploitation.
Narrator: Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin, Mia Wurgaft
Duration 12 hours 2 minutes
Speed: 1.5x
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author, Caitlin Mullen for an early ALC.
Publication date: June 9, 2026
Two missing girls, one cold case, thirty years of silence. This is a story of a small town that harbored a lot of dark secrets. Set in Pine Barrens, NJ, this is mystery/literary thriller that follows two timelines and 3 distinct narrators.. each telling a story that serves as a reminder that a woman's life is often complicated and unknowable and when a voice is lost, a lot of truth is lost with it.
1994. A 16 year old Sabrina is having an affair with a mysterious older man. Her twin sister Annabelle is determines to uncover what is going on. Then, inexplicably both sisters disappear.
2023. A small town detective, Callie, reopens an unsolved case when she makes an arrest that resurrects details of the heartbreaking past.
Body of a baby is found in the woods. No one knows whose baby it is, how it got there or who is involved. The case goes cold and silent for the next 30 years until Callie, a newly instated police chief officer, makes an arrest that opens a little crack in the cold case. The arrest sets off a chain of events, bringing Callie closer to the truth but she was not expecting to find something that is far more deeper, messier and personal.
Heather is a slow burn mystery full of suspense. While the pacing is slow at times, the story is laced with emotionally shocking moments and is more of a character driven crime fiction. I had a little trouble following the narration the first 15% and then I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I listened to the first 70% of the narration in one sitting and finished the rest the next day, also in one sitting. I loved Callies character--she was driven, on top of things, an embodiment of what I'd call a great detective and police officer. She just kept digging and digging some more and all this digging ticked a few people off (total red flags!) and she just wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted. All this digging just added more tension to the narrative, I seriously started to think I was part of the investigation! Ha!
The noisiness of the third narrator was probably my favorite part of the story. A girls own curiosity opens a can of worms. I loved how everything unfolded and readers should be prepared for emotional depth that covers dark subjects: teen pregnancy, loss, stillbirth, sexual exploitation.
Narrator: Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin, Mia Wurgaft
Duration 12 hours 2 minutes
Speed: 1.5x
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author, Caitlin Mullen for an early ALC.
Publication date: June 9, 2026
June 24, 2026
Deeper than I thought it would be. Engrossing story of betrayal and redemption.
Calliope "Callie" Hauser has returned to her small hometown to take the role of chief of police after the current chief is forced into retirement. There's some history with her family in town, so she's not exactly welcomed with open arms. On patrol, she pulls over a drunk driver that just happens to be her mother, which leads to Callie discovering some secrets from the past about a set of missing twins and a dead baby found in the woods. As Callie begins to investigate, she uncovers many layers of mystery.
This is such a multi-layered story. As the reader moves back and forth between the past and the present, there is more to this than just the mysterious deaths and disappearances. The dark and foreboding atmosphere of long held grievances and secrets, the abuse of power, trauma, grief, and the effects that those things have on a life moving forward.
I can't say that the mystery is all that difficult to figure out, but this book is more about the journey to unearth the truth and bring redemption to those who have lived under the pressure of lies for so long. I listened to the audiobook and the three narrators do an excellent job of giving voice to the different women. I admired Callie and her quest for the truth despite what it cost her.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Calliope "Callie" Hauser has returned to her small hometown to take the role of chief of police after the current chief is forced into retirement. There's some history with her family in town, so she's not exactly welcomed with open arms. On patrol, she pulls over a drunk driver that just happens to be her mother, which leads to Callie discovering some secrets from the past about a set of missing twins and a dead baby found in the woods. As Callie begins to investigate, she uncovers many layers of mystery.
This is such a multi-layered story. As the reader moves back and forth between the past and the present, there is more to this than just the mysterious deaths and disappearances. The dark and foreboding atmosphere of long held grievances and secrets, the abuse of power, trauma, grief, and the effects that those things have on a life moving forward.
I can't say that the mystery is all that difficult to figure out, but this book is more about the journey to unearth the truth and bring redemption to those who have lived under the pressure of lies for so long. I listened to the audiobook and the three narrators do an excellent job of giving voice to the different women. I admired Callie and her quest for the truth despite what it cost her.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
July 21, 2026
A small New Jersey town, a newly reopened cold case, and lots of secrets… these three things have the makings of a really good novel.
In the present day, Callie is the newly installed police chief of the small New Jersey town in which she grew up. Not everyone is happy with her new position, especially her male subordinates. Trying to prove herself to them, she takes on extra shifts, and in doing so, she stumbles across a cold case that has a personal connection to her.
Rewind to the 90s… Annabelle and Sabrina are teenage twin sisters caught up in something over their heads.
Both storylines come together with the revelation of a ton of secrets and end with a satisfying conclusion.
Heather was definitely a slow burn, character-driven mystery that had me hooked from page one. While the mystery itself is not tough to solve, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book. I was completely sucked in to the characters as well as the dark, moody atmosphere of the Pine Barrens.
Keep this book in mind if you’re in the mood for more of a slow burn mystery that focuses on small town secrets.
In the present day, Callie is the newly installed police chief of the small New Jersey town in which she grew up. Not everyone is happy with her new position, especially her male subordinates. Trying to prove herself to them, she takes on extra shifts, and in doing so, she stumbles across a cold case that has a personal connection to her.
Rewind to the 90s… Annabelle and Sabrina are teenage twin sisters caught up in something over their heads.
Both storylines come together with the revelation of a ton of secrets and end with a satisfying conclusion.
Heather was definitely a slow burn, character-driven mystery that had me hooked from page one. While the mystery itself is not tough to solve, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book. I was completely sucked in to the characters as well as the dark, moody atmosphere of the Pine Barrens.
Keep this book in mind if you’re in the mood for more of a slow burn mystery that focuses on small town secrets.
July 26, 2026
Heather is an atmospheric, character-driven mystery that slowly unravels a decades-old disappearance alongside a present-day cold case investigation. While it's a slower-paced suspense novel, the richly layered story, emotional depth, and immersive audiobook narration kept me completely invested from beginning to end.
June 13, 2026
The inner spine promises a "gripping new thriller" that "sends shockwaves across generations." What I got was a slow-burn cold case anchored to one of the least competent protagonists I've read in the genre.
Callie Hauser is the new Chief of Police, which I'm told means overseeing all cases — yet she's almost never at work, fixated on a single cold case she stumbles into. When she is at work, her male employees walk over her like a doormat at a ski lodge, and she takes it. She's not a feminist so much as a collection of contradictions: she assumes everything a man says is about sex and loathes them for it — except the guy she just met, who calls her "no-bullshit vibes" (sir, receipts?) and whom she trusts to take her out on the water, the second-date equivalent of an unpopular hike trail. Pulling off a glove reminds her of the way men remove a condom. High schoolers ignoring her makes her, a woman in her thirties, depressed. Pick a person.
As a cop she's worse. I knew who did it on page 27. Callie's still saying "wait, what?" on page 300. She doesn't deduce a single thing that isn't handed to her in the most literal terms — at one point she puts her phone away the one moment she actually needs it. Her internal monologue even cliffhangers like 1960s Batman: Will she survive? Tune in next week. And naming a character Damien in a book that also invokes religion and the Jersey Devil — real subtle.
Here's the thing: remove yourself from Callie and the story threads work. I liked pivoting between Annabelle, Sabrina, and Blair, watching them intersect. The bite mark reveal landed. The plot-convenient DNA test didn't bother me. And this is less a generation-shaking thriller than a quiet study of what you lose when you can't learn from your parents — Callie can't even muster feeling for her own mother.
It's not a book you can't put down. But it's not one you give up on either — until the last two chapters, where you finish purely because you're already this far.
Callie Hauser is the new Chief of Police, which I'm told means overseeing all cases — yet she's almost never at work, fixated on a single cold case she stumbles into. When she is at work, her male employees walk over her like a doormat at a ski lodge, and she takes it. She's not a feminist so much as a collection of contradictions: she assumes everything a man says is about sex and loathes them for it — except the guy she just met, who calls her "no-bullshit vibes" (sir, receipts?) and whom she trusts to take her out on the water, the second-date equivalent of an unpopular hike trail. Pulling off a glove reminds her of the way men remove a condom. High schoolers ignoring her makes her, a woman in her thirties, depressed. Pick a person.
As a cop she's worse. I knew who did it on page 27. Callie's still saying "wait, what?" on page 300. She doesn't deduce a single thing that isn't handed to her in the most literal terms — at one point she puts her phone away the one moment she actually needs it. Her internal monologue even cliffhangers like 1960s Batman: Will she survive? Tune in next week. And naming a character Damien in a book that also invokes religion and the Jersey Devil — real subtle.
Here's the thing: remove yourself from Callie and the story threads work. I liked pivoting between Annabelle, Sabrina, and Blair, watching them intersect. The bite mark reveal landed. The plot-convenient DNA test didn't bother me. And this is less a generation-shaking thriller than a quiet study of what you lose when you can't learn from your parents — Callie can't even muster feeling for her own mother.
It's not a book you can't put down. But it's not one you give up on either — until the last two chapters, where you finish purely because you're already this far.
June 24, 2026
Inject literary thrillers into my veins for the summer plz this was so good
July 17, 2026
A dual timeline, small town crime novel following a recently promoted police chief who is set on uncovering the secrets involving a 30 year old cold case, finding herself personally tangled in the mystery.
Set in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, the same setting as the Sopranos episode Pine Barrens where Christopher and Paulie are lost in the snow (“you’re not gonna believe this. He killed sixteen Czechoslovakians. The guy was an interior decorator.”) this was a very picturesque read and the evocative prose made this feel more literary fiction than straight up thriller.
The plot was engaging and evenly paced, and even though I figured out pretty early on what the twist would be, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. I read half of this physically then listened to the other half on audiobook and the narrators also did an incredible job.
I agree with the blurb that if you liked The God of the Woods you will probably like this.
Set in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, the same setting as the Sopranos episode Pine Barrens where Christopher and Paulie are lost in the snow (“you’re not gonna believe this. He killed sixteen Czechoslovakians. The guy was an interior decorator.”) this was a very picturesque read and the evocative prose made this feel more literary fiction than straight up thriller.
The plot was engaging and evenly paced, and even though I figured out pretty early on what the twist would be, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. I read half of this physically then listened to the other half on audiobook and the narrators also did an incredible job.
I agree with the blurb that if you liked The God of the Woods you will probably like this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
June 9, 2026
Thank you Celadon Books for sending me a free advance copy!
I read Caitlin Mullen’s book, PLEASE SEE US, back in 2019. My book memory is not the best so I looked over the review I had posted on Goodreads and I’m glad I did as it refreshed my memory on the author’s writing style. She takes her time setting the stage and there’s a purpose to her writing that you just don’t get very often with this genre. She’s telling a broader, thoughtful story rather than just a whodunit type read.
Callie Hauser has moved back to her hometown in New Jersey to help take care of her best friend who is recovering from an accident. Callie is the chief of police much to the chagrin of her male subordinates. She reopens a cold case that is bound to uncover long buried secrets.
Starts off slow but I put my faith in the author and eventually became invested especially after other characters’ POVs were worked into the story. It’s a bleak read but it’s necessary to show the reality of life for girls and women. The mystery itself isn’t all that shocking and unfortunately that says a lot about where we are at as a society. But that’s kinda the whole point of the book.
I read Caitlin Mullen’s book, PLEASE SEE US, back in 2019. My book memory is not the best so I looked over the review I had posted on Goodreads and I’m glad I did as it refreshed my memory on the author’s writing style. She takes her time setting the stage and there’s a purpose to her writing that you just don’t get very often with this genre. She’s telling a broader, thoughtful story rather than just a whodunit type read.
Callie Hauser has moved back to her hometown in New Jersey to help take care of her best friend who is recovering from an accident. Callie is the chief of police much to the chagrin of her male subordinates. She reopens a cold case that is bound to uncover long buried secrets.
Starts off slow but I put my faith in the author and eventually became invested especially after other characters’ POVs were worked into the story. It’s a bleak read but it’s necessary to show the reality of life for girls and women. The mystery itself isn’t all that shocking and unfortunately that says a lot about where we are at as a society. But that’s kinda the whole point of the book.
July 27, 2026
an emotional slowburn mystery about two missing girls, one rural small town, and a web of interwoven traumas. predictable twists, but powerful emotional content. also ACAB. RTC!
July 24, 2026
Everyone seems to love this, but I did not. It is not a bad book by any means, but it had a lot of problems IMO.
This mystery focuses on Cassie, a hotshot NJ state cop who leaves her prestigious department and moves back to her creepy, insular hometown in South Jersey when her best friend is grievously injured and needs support for her and her family. This creates the first unbelievable element of the story. Callie is a hotshot cop, but she is 30. She is instantly made Chief when the long-time and powerful Police Chief (also her mentor and something of a father figure to her) retires. Given her age, this seems like an unlikely occurrence. Also, I don't think the outgoing police chief just gets to pick their successor anywhere. Or at least anywhere but this town. She walks onto an all-male force who resents her being made Chief over one of their own (understandably!) and who refuse to be led by her. The cops, it is immediately hinted, are also powerful, somewhat corrupt, and almost to a man standard-bearers for the patriarchy. The dynamics here are interesting, but other than the cult-like relationship between the retired chief and the other officers, Mullen doesn't explore that much. That is too bad because doing so would have complexified the central story in cool ways.
And what about that central story? Cassie (for reasons that would be a spoiler, but are interesting) sets herself to getting answers in a 30-year-old cold case in which a baby was found in the woods, dead from exposure, at the same time a teenage girl disappeared. There are lots of assumptions to be made here, and I made them, and I was wrong about many of them. In addition, not long after Cassie gets to town, her mother, an alcoholic from whom she has long been estranged, disappears. It is a lot, in addition to being Chief of Police (which seems to take up little of her time), caring for her friend's 3-year old, and starting up a romance with a hot marine sciences geek. All that said, I rather liked the current day part of the story even with its flaws. It flowed well, and surprised me in good ways much of the time.
Cassie's chapters are interspersed with flashback chapters from Annabelle, which are related to the baby mystery. I can't say much about her or those chapters without spoiling. I will say two things though, that are about form and foundation and not storyline. First, these chapters are written in second-person. Second-person is hard to do well, and Mullen does not overcome that hurdle. I hated the narration. I found it precious and clumsy. Second, Mullen seems ot think that before Google people did not have access to information. It is made a big deal of that Annabelle was super smart, but everything she does makes her seem thick as a brick. Yes, she is young and afraid, but that only explains a tiny fraction of the things she does and does not do. She has a list of life-and-death problems to deal with, and she never so much as goes to the library, to a teacher, to social services, to get information. The internet was a huge game-changer when it comes to access to information, but we were not staring at fire and waiting for the gods to determine our fates before that. I came up in the 70's and 80's, and as callow and ill-informed as my friends and I might have been, we would have worked to actually solve some of the issues here. It makes no sense that super-smart Annabelle, who had adults around her offering help and access to a library, would have done and not done the things she did and did not do. Girl, read a Judy Blume book at least!
In addition to liking a lot of Cassie's story, I loved the sense of place Mullen created. South Jersey is a very different place than North Jersey, which is basically a jumble of NYC suburbs. South Jersey is rural and mostly pretty poor (with the exception of a few Philly suburbs). In the center of it all is the Pine Barrens. In addition to being (IMO) the title of the single best episode of The Sopranos, the Pines is a massive, sparsely inhabited forest filled with marshes and streams that are all brown and gooky and look like if you fell in, you would dissolve in moments. There are actual ghost towns dotted about, and lots of shacks with "keep out" signs, which all look as hazardous and as potentially fatal as the brown streams. It is one of the spookiest places I have ever been. Mullen, who I think grew up there, does a phenomenal job of taking us to The Pines and acknowledging how forbidding a place it is while also highlighting its glory. It was, hands down, my favorite part of the book.
Overall, I liked reading most of this, no regrets, but I don't get the love. I love a fuck-the-patriarchy tale, especially one that highlights how women's power is an illusion and that no matter what we do, men can always snatch it back when they want to. Mullen did good things with that messaging. But there was a lot here that did not work, and the Annabelle chapters were really unpleasant for me, not because they told a painful story (they do) but because I hated the voice and the decision to make her a genius or a moron as the story required.
This mystery focuses on Cassie, a hotshot NJ state cop who leaves her prestigious department and moves back to her creepy, insular hometown in South Jersey when her best friend is grievously injured and needs support for her and her family. This creates the first unbelievable element of the story. Callie is a hotshot cop, but she is 30. She is instantly made Chief when the long-time and powerful Police Chief (also her mentor and something of a father figure to her) retires. Given her age, this seems like an unlikely occurrence. Also, I don't think the outgoing police chief just gets to pick their successor anywhere. Or at least anywhere but this town. She walks onto an all-male force who resents her being made Chief over one of their own (understandably!) and who refuse to be led by her. The cops, it is immediately hinted, are also powerful, somewhat corrupt, and almost to a man standard-bearers for the patriarchy. The dynamics here are interesting, but other than the cult-like relationship between the retired chief and the other officers, Mullen doesn't explore that much. That is too bad because doing so would have complexified the central story in cool ways.
And what about that central story? Cassie (for reasons that would be a spoiler, but are interesting) sets herself to getting answers in a 30-year-old cold case in which a baby was found in the woods, dead from exposure, at the same time a teenage girl disappeared. There are lots of assumptions to be made here, and I made them, and I was wrong about many of them. In addition, not long after Cassie gets to town, her mother, an alcoholic from whom she has long been estranged, disappears. It is a lot, in addition to being Chief of Police (which seems to take up little of her time), caring for her friend's 3-year old, and starting up a romance with a hot marine sciences geek. All that said, I rather liked the current day part of the story even with its flaws. It flowed well, and surprised me in good ways much of the time.
Cassie's chapters are interspersed with flashback chapters from Annabelle, which are related to the baby mystery. I can't say much about her or those chapters without spoiling. I will say two things though, that are about form and foundation and not storyline. First, these chapters are written in second-person. Second-person is hard to do well, and Mullen does not overcome that hurdle. I hated the narration. I found it precious and clumsy. Second, Mullen seems ot think that before Google people did not have access to information. It is made a big deal of that Annabelle was super smart, but everything she does makes her seem thick as a brick. Yes, she is young and afraid, but that only explains a tiny fraction of the things she does and does not do. She has a list of life-and-death problems to deal with, and she never so much as goes to the library, to a teacher, to social services, to get information. The internet was a huge game-changer when it comes to access to information, but we were not staring at fire and waiting for the gods to determine our fates before that. I came up in the 70's and 80's, and as callow and ill-informed as my friends and I might have been, we would have worked to actually solve some of the issues here. It makes no sense that super-smart Annabelle, who had adults around her offering help and access to a library, would have done and not done the things she did and did not do. Girl, read a Judy Blume book at least!
In addition to liking a lot of Cassie's story, I loved the sense of place Mullen created. South Jersey is a very different place than North Jersey, which is basically a jumble of NYC suburbs. South Jersey is rural and mostly pretty poor (with the exception of a few Philly suburbs). In the center of it all is the Pine Barrens. In addition to being (IMO) the title of the single best episode of The Sopranos, the Pines is a massive, sparsely inhabited forest filled with marshes and streams that are all brown and gooky and look like if you fell in, you would dissolve in moments. There are actual ghost towns dotted about, and lots of shacks with "keep out" signs, which all look as hazardous and as potentially fatal as the brown streams. It is one of the spookiest places I have ever been. Mullen, who I think grew up there, does a phenomenal job of taking us to The Pines and acknowledging how forbidding a place it is while also highlighting its glory. It was, hands down, my favorite part of the book.
Overall, I liked reading most of this, no regrets, but I don't get the love. I love a fuck-the-patriarchy tale, especially one that highlights how women's power is an illusion and that no matter what we do, men can always snatch it back when they want to. Mullen did good things with that messaging. But there was a lot here that did not work, and the Annabelle chapters were really unpleasant for me, not because they told a painful story (they do) but because I hated the voice and the decision to make her a genius or a moron as the story required.
May 22, 2026
thank you to netgalley, caitlin mullen, and celadon books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
release date: june 9th, 2026
oof. this was an emotional read. every woman in this book deserves so much better and more. it took a while for me to get into this book because it is veryyy slow in the beginning. that was my only complaint with this book. that, and there seemed to be too many side characters but omg no! i was so wrong - it is the side characters that truly bring this plot together. halfway through the book, you realize why and how every detail, minute or not, is very important. and by then, you won't be able to put this book down. the riley sisters have definitely made an impact on me.
release date: june 9th, 2026
oof. this was an emotional read. every woman in this book deserves so much better and more. it took a while for me to get into this book because it is veryyy slow in the beginning. that was my only complaint with this book. that, and there seemed to be too many side characters but omg no! i was so wrong - it is the side characters that truly bring this plot together. halfway through the book, you realize why and how every detail, minute or not, is very important. and by then, you won't be able to put this book down. the riley sisters have definitely made an impact on me.
June 20, 2026
3.75⭐️ Rounded up (bc it deserves it)
Part litfic, part thriller, and part women's fiction... Heather was a book that reminded me, in so many ways, of The God of the Woods mixed with Clemence Michallon's feminist leaning approach to writing thrillers, with a sharp analysis of female pain passed from generation to generation and long held town secrets.
With larger than life, multilayered characters, drama up to the eyeballs, a beyond nostalgiac setting, and beautiful writing... I really enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. Initially in the first 40 pages I was wondering when the thrill would come in until I got used to Mullen's writing, which is (as I've come to learn) a style that forces you to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
While the plot may be somewhat predictable and on the lighter side, the writing and characterization were absolutely heartfelt and beautifully written. I was definitely crying at the end, and seeing the love between Annabelle and her sister Sabrina made the whole book just feel like something more ... deeper, more nuanced, more complicated.
That said, I felt really really satisfied with the ending in a way I didn't with God of the Woods, and liked the main characters a fair amount more. Definitely worth the time and read. Just know going in, it's more litfic/women's fiction than a true fast paced thriller-thriller.
Part litfic, part thriller, and part women's fiction... Heather was a book that reminded me, in so many ways, of The God of the Woods mixed with Clemence Michallon's feminist leaning approach to writing thrillers, with a sharp analysis of female pain passed from generation to generation and long held town secrets.
With larger than life, multilayered characters, drama up to the eyeballs, a beyond nostalgiac setting, and beautiful writing... I really enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. Initially in the first 40 pages I was wondering when the thrill would come in until I got used to Mullen's writing, which is (as I've come to learn) a style that forces you to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
While the plot may be somewhat predictable and on the lighter side, the writing and characterization were absolutely heartfelt and beautifully written. I was definitely crying at the end, and seeing the love between Annabelle and her sister Sabrina made the whole book just feel like something more ... deeper, more nuanced, more complicated.
That said, I felt really really satisfied with the ending in a way I didn't with God of the Woods, and liked the main characters a fair amount more. Definitely worth the time and read. Just know going in, it's more litfic/women's fiction than a true fast paced thriller-thriller.
April 28, 2026
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.
July 23, 2026
A 5 star read!! I was invested in this book from the first page to the last and it was an absolutely fantastic story. Multiple POVs and dual timelines with this plot, it was so good. I actually can’t praise this book enough I just really loved it. A perfect mystery thriller in my opinion!!
The narrators of the audiobook Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin, and Mia Wurgaft were such great voices for the characters, I loved their tones and the emotions they put behind the voices.
The book is in the POV of Annabelle who goes missing with her sister Sabrina after Sabrina is having an affair with an older man who can easily cover his tracks and then it’s in the POV of Callie who many years after the girls disappearances is the chief of police in the same town and is working on solving a cold case which might have something to do with the girls disappearances.
This book was just so good please go read it!! Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook!! Caitlin Mullen might be a genius author and I can’t wait to read more from this author!!
The narrators of the audiobook Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin, and Mia Wurgaft were such great voices for the characters, I loved their tones and the emotions they put behind the voices.
The book is in the POV of Annabelle who goes missing with her sister Sabrina after Sabrina is having an affair with an older man who can easily cover his tracks and then it’s in the POV of Callie who many years after the girls disappearances is the chief of police in the same town and is working on solving a cold case which might have something to do with the girls disappearances.
This book was just so good please go read it!! Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook!! Caitlin Mullen might be a genius author and I can’t wait to read more from this author!!
April 21, 2026
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!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
July 11, 2026
For fans of Long Bright River or Kala
July 8, 2026
Phenomenal mystery / thriller novel! The story and writing is just as beautiful and gripping as the cover art!
I love mysteries like this one where they're led by strong intelligent female leads who courageously investigate mysteries that have been dismissed or mismanaged in order to uncover the truth and bring their communities to a better place.
This book is in my top 3 thrillers of 2026!
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the gifted copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. It was such a pleasure and honour to read this one!
I love mysteries like this one where they're led by strong intelligent female leads who courageously investigate mysteries that have been dismissed or mismanaged in order to uncover the truth and bring their communities to a better place.
This book is in my top 3 thrillers of 2026!
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the gifted copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. It was such a pleasure and honour to read this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
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.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
June 12, 2026
DNF @33%
Great 3 dnf in a row kkkkkkk i blame headlights because i want that feeling.
This one was boring and very slow pace, the theme of investigation is around drugs (which im not a fan) and we also have other pov (which is in 2 person). I didnt care about nobody, nothing happens and her mother is missing and she went on a date. im sorry what?
Not for me. Sometimes i feel kinda guilty about dnf but them i remeber, why would i make myself not have a good time? onyl to finish a book? no thanks. But i need something entertaining now
Great 3 dnf in a row kkkkkkk i blame headlights because i want that feeling.
This one was boring and very slow pace, the theme of investigation is around drugs (which im not a fan) and we also have other pov (which is in 2 person). I didnt care about nobody, nothing happens and her mother is missing and she went on a date. im sorry what?
Not for me. Sometimes i feel kinda guilty about dnf but them i remeber, why would i make myself not have a good time? onyl to finish a book? no thanks. But i need something entertaining now
March 16, 2026
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.
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.
July 30, 2026
If you're the kind of reader who ends up contemplating whether you need to pull out a whiteboard to keep track of everyone's names, personalities, and connections, then this book is absolutely for you. The number of times I had to pause and remind myself who each character was, was honestly ridiculous. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but there are a lot of characters to keep up with.
That said, this book completely held my attention. Even though it's a slow-burn mystery, I actually love that. I enjoy feeling completely lost, racing toward the ending to figure out the truth. The anxiety of wondering, Who can I trust? Who tricked me? What clues did I miss? is one of my favorite parts of reading mysteries, and this book absolutely delivered on that.
Is it a perfect book? No. But I genuinely loved reading it. There were moments when I wanted to throw the book across the room because I had absolutely no idea what was going on. Every single person became a suspect at some point, and I couldn't settle on a single theory.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. It felt unique, gripping, and, at times, surprisingly emotional and tender. It's the kind of mystery that keeps you questioning everything until the very end and that's exactly what I was hoping for.
That said, this book completely held my attention. Even though it's a slow-burn mystery, I actually love that. I enjoy feeling completely lost, racing toward the ending to figure out the truth. The anxiety of wondering, Who can I trust? Who tricked me? What clues did I miss? is one of my favorite parts of reading mysteries, and this book absolutely delivered on that.
Is it a perfect book? No. But I genuinely loved reading it. There were moments when I wanted to throw the book across the room because I had absolutely no idea what was going on. Every single person became a suspect at some point, and I couldn't settle on a single theory.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. It felt unique, gripping, and, at times, surprisingly emotional and tender. It's the kind of mystery that keeps you questioning everything until the very end and that's exactly what I was hoping for.
June 6, 2026
Heather by Caitlin Mullen is the kind of slow burn mystery that gradually wraps itself around you and refuses to let go. Set against the eerie backdrop of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, the story weaves together a decades old disappearance and a present day investigation, creating an atmospheric and deeply layered cold case mystery. The alternating timelines are equally compelling, and I found myself just as invested in uncovering what happened to Annabelle and Sabrina in 1994 as I was in following Police Chief Callie Hauser’s present day search for answers. Mullen takes her time building the story, but every piece feels intentional, resulting in a rich, character driven mystery packed with emotional weight and complexity.
The audiobook elevates the experience even further. Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin, and Mia Wurgaft each deliver phenomenal performances, bringing depth, vulnerability, and distinct voices to the multiple perspectives. Their narration captures the emotional range of the novel beautifully, from grief and longing to determination and heartbreak, pulling me even deeper into the story. The shifts between past and present feel seamless in audio, and each narrator helps create an immersive listening experience that enhances the haunting atmosphere.
While slower paced thrillers don’t always work for me, Heather kept me fully engaged from beginning to end. This is less about nonstop twists and more about unraveling the complicated lives, secrets, and choices that ripple across generations. Thoughtful, atmospheric, and emotionally resonant, it’s an excellent pick for readers who enjoy police procedurals, cold case mysteries, and character driven suspense that takes its time developing but delivers a rewarding payoff.
The audiobook elevates the experience even further. Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin, and Mia Wurgaft each deliver phenomenal performances, bringing depth, vulnerability, and distinct voices to the multiple perspectives. Their narration captures the emotional range of the novel beautifully, from grief and longing to determination and heartbreak, pulling me even deeper into the story. The shifts between past and present feel seamless in audio, and each narrator helps create an immersive listening experience that enhances the haunting atmosphere.
While slower paced thrillers don’t always work for me, Heather kept me fully engaged from beginning to end. This is less about nonstop twists and more about unraveling the complicated lives, secrets, and choices that ripple across generations. Thoughtful, atmospheric, and emotionally resonant, it’s an excellent pick for readers who enjoy police procedurals, cold case mysteries, and character driven suspense that takes its time developing but delivers a rewarding payoff.
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!!
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!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
June 21, 2026
I deeply did not enjoy this book. It was predictable, the characters were undercooked, and the tropes are so. tired. nearly all the women are victims, nearly all the men suck and/or are predators, and the lady cop is only good cop because she’s a lady. If I wanted grim reality, I would read non-fiction.
June 28, 2026
Callie has become a small town police chief, back in her hometown where she grew up. It's not where she'd hoped she'd end up, but it's not all bad. Even when she's forced to pick her mom up for suspected drunk driving or possibly drugs, it's sometimes better to know where she is than not.
But Callie is soon drawn into cold case of a new born baby, freshly born, found in the forest - assumed left there shortly after birth. But back in 1994, they didn't have many resources and certainly weren't testing for DNA, so it'd gone cold years before. But now there's new questions, new wonders if there is any DNA to test, anything to try to solve this long forgotten case. It's a nice distraction for Callie, who is struggling with her injured best friend and mother drama.
This one took me no time getting hooked right in. I really liked Callie and her struggle being back in her hometown, looking after her mom, looking after her best friend. Even though she'd grown up there, it wasn't back in 1994 so that time and her looking into the mystery left her pushing people she knew about a time, rumors and thing she knew little about.
I found the other POV, the time in 1994 of sisters, of growing up, mom's leaving and absentee dads, a little more distracting. I can see why we needed it, to fill in the holes that Callie never would have discovered, but I found it slowed the story down a bit, really got into the nitty gritty of each of the lives from then. But much of the story is really Callie's story and I was hooked to the mystery, to the character I liked, and this little town that held too many secrets.
I also did this one as an audio and found the narration just wonderful. It really did add to the story.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
But Callie is soon drawn into cold case of a new born baby, freshly born, found in the forest - assumed left there shortly after birth. But back in 1994, they didn't have many resources and certainly weren't testing for DNA, so it'd gone cold years before. But now there's new questions, new wonders if there is any DNA to test, anything to try to solve this long forgotten case. It's a nice distraction for Callie, who is struggling with her injured best friend and mother drama.
This one took me no time getting hooked right in. I really liked Callie and her struggle being back in her hometown, looking after her mom, looking after her best friend. Even though she'd grown up there, it wasn't back in 1994 so that time and her looking into the mystery left her pushing people she knew about a time, rumors and thing she knew little about.
I found the other POV, the time in 1994 of sisters, of growing up, mom's leaving and absentee dads, a little more distracting. I can see why we needed it, to fill in the holes that Callie never would have discovered, but I found it slowed the story down a bit, really got into the nitty gritty of each of the lives from then. But much of the story is really Callie's story and I was hooked to the mystery, to the character I liked, and this little town that held too many secrets.
I also did this one as an audio and found the narration just wonderful. It really did add to the story.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
July 7, 2026
4.5 Set in a small town where everybody knows almost everyone else. The story flows through a few POV's with interesting characters. I did not expect the ending but thought it was very good. Love this author's writing style.
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June 25, 2026Read my full review of Heather, with Jen's Quick Take to help you decide if the book is for you AND protected spoilers on Jen Ryland Reviews
I really loved Heather, which reminded me of both Long Bright River (more than God of the Woods!) and Mare of Easttown. Callie, the female police chief in a small New Jersey town has a bunch of issues: her mother's substance abuse disorder, a mysterious heroin dealer in town, her best friend's injuries from a hit-and-run accident, and the cold case of Baby Doe, a newborn abandoned to die in the early 90s.
The story has a past-present narrative that shifts back and forth from the 2020s to the 1990s, with multiple POV characters. All the seemingly random pieces of the puzzles that Callie is finding slowly fall into place.
Highly recommend this one!
I really loved Heather, which reminded me of both Long Bright River (more than God of the Woods!) and Mare of Easttown. Callie, the female police chief in a small New Jersey town has a bunch of issues: her mother's substance abuse disorder, a mysterious heroin dealer in town, her best friend's injuries from a hit-and-run accident, and the cold case of Baby Doe, a newborn abandoned to die in the early 90s.
The story has a past-present narrative that shifts back and forth from the 2020s to the 1990s, with multiple POV characters. All the seemingly random pieces of the puzzles that Callie is finding slowly fall into place.
Highly recommend this one!
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