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The Confession Artist
A Montana ex-cop becomes the target of a vengeful killer’s viral guessing game in a propulsive novel of suspense by a bestselling and award-winning author.
A killer dubbed the Confession Artist is posting sketches of potential victims on social media. And paranoia spreads as strangers across the nation admit to their sins—fearing the You have six days to confess or die.
Then former cop and first-year PI Crosbie Mitchell sees a sketch that bears a striking resemblance to her. How can that be? She’s a nobody from Flathead Valley, Montana. Crosbie dismisses it as an unnerving coincidence. If not for one unmistakable detail that makes the threat hard to ignore. When the FBI is contacted, they are convinced that Crosbie is the next target. So is she.
Crosbie has six days left to fess up online to something plaguing her conscience. But even if she wanted to play the killer’s game, she has more than one secret. And if she ever dares to expose them for the world to see, the truth will destroy her. That’s exactly what the Confession Artist wants.
A killer dubbed the Confession Artist is posting sketches of potential victims on social media. And paranoia spreads as strangers across the nation admit to their sins—fearing the You have six days to confess or die.
Then former cop and first-year PI Crosbie Mitchell sees a sketch that bears a striking resemblance to her. How can that be? She’s a nobody from Flathead Valley, Montana. Crosbie dismisses it as an unnerving coincidence. If not for one unmistakable detail that makes the threat hard to ignore. When the FBI is contacted, they are convinced that Crosbie is the next target. So is she.
Crosbie has six days left to fess up online to something plaguing her conscience. But even if she wanted to play the killer’s game, she has more than one secret. And if she ever dares to expose them for the world to see, the truth will destroy her. That’s exactly what the Confession Artist wants.
443 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2026
About the author
Christine Carbo
8 books579 followersChristine Carbo is the author of the Glacier Mystery novels, an ensemble series set in and around Glacier National Park, and a stand-alone psychological thriller, THE CONFESSION ARTIST. She is a recipient of the Women’s National Book Association Pinckley Prize, the Silver Falchion Award, the High Plains Book Award, and was a finalist for the Barry Award. She has an MA in English and linguistics and taught college-level courses for over a decade. She lives and writes in Montana where she draws inspiration from the wild beauty surrounding her. Find out more at ChristineCarbo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
June 11, 2026
Featuring a complicated web of dark secrets and tragic pasts, The Confession Artist asked some truly thought-provoking questions about morality and right vs wrong. Told through the eyes of a complex and nuanced female main character, who was also deeply flawed, the storyline had an onion-like feel as it explored both her well-layered backstory and the action-packed cat-and-mouse chase of the present. You see, there was a ton going on beneath the surface. With oodles of red herrings and a story thick with subplot lines, there was no telling where this original premise was going to end. Needless to say, when the big twist finally arrived, I was stunned into silence as I’d been nowhere close with any of my own armchair-sleuth guesses. And let me tell you, I came up with plenty of options as I flew through these short, addictive chapters.
Sadly, however, there were a couple of flaws. With a ton of minor plot lines and a long list of characters, it was hard to keep it all straight in the beginning. Honestly? I think this 400+ page novel could’ve probably used a bit more editing. Despite that, however, I found myself glued to the pages and finished the whole thing in one single sitting. Exploring guilt, regret, morality, trauma, and justice all while maintaining high-stakes tension and a sense of foreboding, the intense introspection and vivid descriptions all balanced out to produce a gold-star read. Don’t get me wrong, it could have been improved, but the vast majority of this book was an utter home run. So if you love dark tales of psychological suspense with a procedural feel in the vein of Jane Harper or Tana French, give this one a try. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
A killer dubbed the Confession Artist is posting sketches of potential victims on social media. And paranoia spreads as strangers across the nation admit to their sins―fearing the consequences: You have six days to confess or die.
Then former cop and first-year PI Crosbie Mitchell sees a sketch that bears a striking resemblance to her. How can that be? She’s a nobody from Flathead Valley, Montana. Crosbie dismisses it as an unnerving coincidence. If not for one unmistakable detail that makes the threat hard to ignore. When the FBI is contacted, they are convinced that Crosbie is the next target. So is she.
Crosbie has six days left to fess up online to something plaguing her conscience. But even if she wanted to play the killer’s game, she has more than one secret. And if she ever dares to expose them for the world to see, the truth will destroy her. That’s exactly what the Confession Artist wants.
Thank you Christine Carbo and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 1, 2026
Content warning: violence, animal death, police brutality, domestic abuse, child death, gun violence, racism, sexism, murder, toxic relationship, sexual harassment, stalking, grief, mention of: rape
Sadly, however, there were a couple of flaws. With a ton of minor plot lines and a long list of characters, it was hard to keep it all straight in the beginning. Honestly? I think this 400+ page novel could’ve probably used a bit more editing. Despite that, however, I found myself glued to the pages and finished the whole thing in one single sitting. Exploring guilt, regret, morality, trauma, and justice all while maintaining high-stakes tension and a sense of foreboding, the intense introspection and vivid descriptions all balanced out to produce a gold-star read. Don’t get me wrong, it could have been improved, but the vast majority of this book was an utter home run. So if you love dark tales of psychological suspense with a procedural feel in the vein of Jane Harper or Tana French, give this one a try. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
A killer dubbed the Confession Artist is posting sketches of potential victims on social media. And paranoia spreads as strangers across the nation admit to their sins―fearing the consequences: You have six days to confess or die.
Then former cop and first-year PI Crosbie Mitchell sees a sketch that bears a striking resemblance to her. How can that be? She’s a nobody from Flathead Valley, Montana. Crosbie dismisses it as an unnerving coincidence. If not for one unmistakable detail that makes the threat hard to ignore. When the FBI is contacted, they are convinced that Crosbie is the next target. So is she.
Crosbie has six days left to fess up online to something plaguing her conscience. But even if she wanted to play the killer’s game, she has more than one secret. And if she ever dares to expose them for the world to see, the truth will destroy her. That’s exactly what the Confession Artist wants.
Thank you Christine Carbo and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 1, 2026
Content warning: violence, animal death, police brutality, domestic abuse, child death, gun violence, racism, sexism, murder, toxic relationship, sexual harassment, stalking, grief, mention of: rape
May 4, 2026
Not for Me
While I speed read this all the way to the end just to see what happens, I thought the first 60% or so of the book was boring. I had no interest in the main characters and the plot seemed to jump all over the place.
While I speed read this all the way to the end just to see what happens, I thought the first 60% or so of the book was boring. I had no interest in the main characters and the plot seemed to jump all over the place.
May 4, 2026
Truth or Die
A killer is posting sketches online with a demand they confess within six days or die. The body count rises and press attention grows. The a sketch that looks remarkably like a former cop turned p.i. is published. She has plenty of secrets and plenty of problems. She is trying to prove a native woman's death was not accidental and endeavours to help her troubled sister. But the killer is relentless.
I confess I found this a slow go.This book was not suspenseful. Too much talk, too many past traumas and unbelievable situations. I identified the killer at first appearance and sadly really did not care. None of the characters is relatable, likable or interesting. Drags on and is completely forgettable. Pass
A killer is posting sketches online with a demand they confess within six days or die. The body count rises and press attention grows. The a sketch that looks remarkably like a former cop turned p.i. is published. She has plenty of secrets and plenty of problems. She is trying to prove a native woman's death was not accidental and endeavours to help her troubled sister. But the killer is relentless.
I confess I found this a slow go.This book was not suspenseful. Too much talk, too many past traumas and unbelievable situations. I identified the killer at first appearance and sadly really did not care. None of the characters is relatable, likable or interesting. Drags on and is completely forgettable. Pass
February 5, 2026
Title: The Confession
Author: Christine Carbo
Summary:
“You have six days to confess or die” A serial killer is using social media to post sketches of each victim. No name, No location, No confirmation who the next target is. Do you look like the sketch? The only way to save yourself is by posting a confession of your sins. After 3 sketches have been posted, 2 people are dead and 1 saved by his confession. When the 4th sketch comes out and looks a lot like Crosbie Mitchell, she doesn’t believe it’s her. As an ex-cop, now PI, Crosbie decides to find the killer instead of confessing. Can she find the killer?? Or does she have to confess??
Pace:
I was hooked! With so much suspense throughout the book, I didn’t want to put it down. For me, it was one of those books you continued to think about until you could pick it back up.
Writing Style:
Fantastic writing style. The book flowed perfectly from beginning to end. I will be looking for more books by this author!
Characters:
The main character Crosbie fit the role perfectly. The author did a great job with all of the remaining characters from the emotionally defeated sister to the ex-coworkers at the police department.
Ending:
I was a big fan of the ending. It brought the book together and did the story justice. This was one of the endings I didn’t see coming.
I would highly recommend!
Author: Christine Carbo
Summary:
“You have six days to confess or die” A serial killer is using social media to post sketches of each victim. No name, No location, No confirmation who the next target is. Do you look like the sketch? The only way to save yourself is by posting a confession of your sins. After 3 sketches have been posted, 2 people are dead and 1 saved by his confession. When the 4th sketch comes out and looks a lot like Crosbie Mitchell, she doesn’t believe it’s her. As an ex-cop, now PI, Crosbie decides to find the killer instead of confessing. Can she find the killer?? Or does she have to confess??
Pace:
I was hooked! With so much suspense throughout the book, I didn’t want to put it down. For me, it was one of those books you continued to think about until you could pick it back up.
Writing Style:
Fantastic writing style. The book flowed perfectly from beginning to end. I will be looking for more books by this author!
Characters:
The main character Crosbie fit the role perfectly. The author did a great job with all of the remaining characters from the emotionally defeated sister to the ex-coworkers at the police department.
Ending:
I was a big fan of the ending. It brought the book together and did the story justice. This was one of the endings I didn’t see coming.
I would highly recommend!
Review of advance copy
I saw this book in the selection of Amazon first read books for May and thought the premise sounded good. The premise didn't live up to its promise. There was no jeapody, and no part of the book was thrilling. It was drawn out, dull, and the characters were forgettable. The author gets good ratings on her other series, so perhaps I picked the wrong book. Unfortunately, though, I would think twice about reading something else by this author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to receive a signed copy of The Confession Artist and as soon as I read the blurb I had a good feeling about this!
Confess or die, it’s simple right? Random sketches are popping up - no names, no clues as to who it may be - if you think you put yourself on the Confession Artist’s radar, you better confess your secrets. Two people are already dead and people are spilling their secrets left and right to try and save themselves.
When a sketch surfaces that looks eerily similar to Crosbie Mitchell, friends and family (and strangers) have already decided she’s in danger but she’s not so sure. When friends point out a very specific detail in the sketch, Crosbie’s doubt turns to fear and her fear motivates her to investigate the CA herself. With only seven days to confess or risk becoming the next voctim, Crosbie must decide if it’s safer to keep her secrets to protect herself or fess up before it’s too late.
The Confession Artist is gripping, fast paced and anxiety-inducing as the stakes are higher with every day that ticks by.
This one comes out June 1st and is sure to be the perfect read to add to your summer TBR!
Confess or die, it’s simple right? Random sketches are popping up - no names, no clues as to who it may be - if you think you put yourself on the Confession Artist’s radar, you better confess your secrets. Two people are already dead and people are spilling their secrets left and right to try and save themselves.
When a sketch surfaces that looks eerily similar to Crosbie Mitchell, friends and family (and strangers) have already decided she’s in danger but she’s not so sure. When friends point out a very specific detail in the sketch, Crosbie’s doubt turns to fear and her fear motivates her to investigate the CA herself. With only seven days to confess or risk becoming the next voctim, Crosbie must decide if it’s safer to keep her secrets to protect herself or fess up before it’s too late.
The Confession Artist is gripping, fast paced and anxiety-inducing as the stakes are higher with every day that ticks by.
This one comes out June 1st and is sure to be the perfect read to add to your summer TBR!
March 20, 2026
“Be smart, Cros. Ted Bundy was a charmer, too.”
Suspenseful game of cat and mouse. Would you confess your sins to save your life? This fast paced read is told in multiple point of views and a dual timeline. You are going to want this one on your TBR!
Suspenseful game of cat and mouse. Would you confess your sins to save your life? This fast paced read is told in multiple point of views and a dual timeline. You are going to want this one on your TBR!
May 7, 2026
Let’s get this out of the way straight out of the gate—I’m conflicted as to how I feel about this book. I’ve given it a few days since finishing to allow the dust to settle, yet here we are: no closer to a definitive.
Author Christine Carbo is, without question, one hell of a writer. Her ability to elicit visceral emotion via her text is brilliant. Here, Carbo creates a cast of characters, each distinct in his/her personality, and all completely believable. Crosbie is the female character center stage, a “failed” police officer turned PI who carries with her the burdens of her missteps while on the force. Her mistakes were profound, and they haunt her every waking moment. Since leaving her job as a cop, she has devoted her life to protecting and nurturing her adult sister Jess and Jess’s young son Sam. Jess has past baggage of her own, and Crosbie tries desperately to alleviate as much pressure as possible from her younger sister. When a serial killer begins a deadly game of cat and mouse, publishing sketches of people, one at a time, with the warning that unless they confess in six days (with no mention of WHAT they are to confess) that they will die, no one pays attention. It isn’t until the first two people in the sketches are murdered that the general public becomes invested. When the third sketched man remains very much alive after publishing a damning confession, the fires of panic are lit. The country is already abuzz with the killing spree when the sketch of victim #4 is released, and Crosbie reluctantly recognizes herself. The lion’s share of the book follows the next six days in Crosbie’s life as an intense manhunt is underway to find the killer who has been given the moniker “The Confession Artist.”
The premise is unique and finally one I haven’t seen done to death from various angles by numerous authors (as seems to be the case for a few “beating a dead horse” plots that seem to have become author favorites). The writing, as previously mentioned, is solid and pointed, each word seemingly chosen with great care to elicit maximum impact. Secondary characters are well developed, the settings are picture postcard perfect, and the mounting tension is handled with the finesse of an accomplished conductor leading an orchestra through a Wagner production. The deficit, however, is one that was infuriating given the strengths.
The format of The Confession Artist is, from the very first chapters, messy and hard to follow. It becomes a Herculean task to keep track of all the minor plot lines and the myriad characters who populate them. To connect ANY of it until the last few chapters is a wasted effort, as not enough exists for even the most astute of readers to make those connections. Add to that pages of “confessions” offered by people who think they MAY resemble the published sketches—pages that added little to move the action.
There is no huge surprise here when the great reveal finally occurs, but the strength of the writing makes that almost a non-starter. The falling action is as captivating as was the rise to the climax. Damn it, though, that structural issue was frustrating enough to over shadow what was otherwise a fabulous story.
Author Christine Carbo is, without question, one hell of a writer. Her ability to elicit visceral emotion via her text is brilliant. Here, Carbo creates a cast of characters, each distinct in his/her personality, and all completely believable. Crosbie is the female character center stage, a “failed” police officer turned PI who carries with her the burdens of her missteps while on the force. Her mistakes were profound, and they haunt her every waking moment. Since leaving her job as a cop, she has devoted her life to protecting and nurturing her adult sister Jess and Jess’s young son Sam. Jess has past baggage of her own, and Crosbie tries desperately to alleviate as much pressure as possible from her younger sister. When a serial killer begins a deadly game of cat and mouse, publishing sketches of people, one at a time, with the warning that unless they confess in six days (with no mention of WHAT they are to confess) that they will die, no one pays attention. It isn’t until the first two people in the sketches are murdered that the general public becomes invested. When the third sketched man remains very much alive after publishing a damning confession, the fires of panic are lit. The country is already abuzz with the killing spree when the sketch of victim #4 is released, and Crosbie reluctantly recognizes herself. The lion’s share of the book follows the next six days in Crosbie’s life as an intense manhunt is underway to find the killer who has been given the moniker “The Confession Artist.”
The premise is unique and finally one I haven’t seen done to death from various angles by numerous authors (as seems to be the case for a few “beating a dead horse” plots that seem to have become author favorites). The writing, as previously mentioned, is solid and pointed, each word seemingly chosen with great care to elicit maximum impact. Secondary characters are well developed, the settings are picture postcard perfect, and the mounting tension is handled with the finesse of an accomplished conductor leading an orchestra through a Wagner production. The deficit, however, is one that was infuriating given the strengths.
The format of The Confession Artist is, from the very first chapters, messy and hard to follow. It becomes a Herculean task to keep track of all the minor plot lines and the myriad characters who populate them. To connect ANY of it until the last few chapters is a wasted effort, as not enough exists for even the most astute of readers to make those connections. Add to that pages of “confessions” offered by people who think they MAY resemble the published sketches—pages that added little to move the action.
There is no huge surprise here when the great reveal finally occurs, but the strength of the writing makes that almost a non-starter. The falling action is as captivating as was the rise to the climax. Damn it, though, that structural issue was frustrating enough to over shadow what was otherwise a fabulous story.
June 16, 2026
The Confession Artist by Christine Carbo is a crime thriller which started strong and grounded, with all the elements I usually enjoy: a whodunit core, a female lead, and a trail of clues that promised an unstoppable investigation. I was genuinely hopeful when I requested the audiobook via NetGalley.
Unfortunately, we didn’t hit it off. As much as I wanted to get into the story, I found myself losing focus multiple times. The female lead wasn’t as badass or relentless as I hoped she would be; instead, her past traumas and disasters often clouded her judgment, pulling me out of the tension rather than pulling me deeper in.
The narrator had a great voice, but the soft‑spoken delivery didn’t work for me. For thrillers, I prefer narration that’s firm, grounding, and urgent which is the kind that makes you want to finish the book in one sitting, not just survive it.
What Worked:
• Strong and grounded opening
• Classic crime‑thriller elements
• Clue‑driven investigation
What Didn’t Work:
• Female lead felt held back by trauma
• Soft‑spoken narration reduced tension
• Difficulty staying focused
Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 2⭐
• Characters: 2⭐
• Writing: 3⭐
• Message: 3⭐
• Overall: 2⭐
Overall Thoughts:
A promising premise with the right ingredients, but the execution didn’t land for me. Readers who enjoy character‑heavy crime stories may still find something here, but those looking for a tight, high‑tension thriller might struggle with the pacing and narration style. Huge thanks to Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing, and the author for the advance audiobook copy.
~ JaNnA ~
Unfortunately, we didn’t hit it off. As much as I wanted to get into the story, I found myself losing focus multiple times. The female lead wasn’t as badass or relentless as I hoped she would be; instead, her past traumas and disasters often clouded her judgment, pulling me out of the tension rather than pulling me deeper in.
The narrator had a great voice, but the soft‑spoken delivery didn’t work for me. For thrillers, I prefer narration that’s firm, grounding, and urgent which is the kind that makes you want to finish the book in one sitting, not just survive it.
What Worked:
• Strong and grounded opening
• Classic crime‑thriller elements
• Clue‑driven investigation
What Didn’t Work:
• Female lead felt held back by trauma
• Soft‑spoken narration reduced tension
• Difficulty staying focused
Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 2⭐
• Characters: 2⭐
• Writing: 3⭐
• Message: 3⭐
• Overall: 2⭐
Overall Thoughts:
A promising premise with the right ingredients, but the execution didn’t land for me. Readers who enjoy character‑heavy crime stories may still find something here, but those looking for a tight, high‑tension thriller might struggle with the pacing and narration style. Huge thanks to Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing, and the author for the advance audiobook copy.
~ JaNnA ~
January 17, 2026
The Confession Artist by Christine Carbo. Thanks to @thrillerbookloverspulse for the gifted signed Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Confession Artist is a serial killer who posts a drawing of their victim online. The victim has to publicly administer to their sins or will die within six days. The next sketch looks a lot like former cop, now PI, Crosbie Mitchell, but she thinks it must be a coincidence, right?
I loved Crosby’s character. The fact that she was a cop, and the storyline behind that really added an extra layer of development. The suspense was built very well by the short chapters of the victims. You’d get to know someone shortly, what they needed to confession, and then they either did or they were murdered. These chapters made it feel like danger was coming closer and closer to Crosby, which of course it was. While a bit on the longer side, it was suspenseful and never dull.
“Reality isn’t always fair, and as a police officer and a private detective, I’ve seen enough unfairness to fill up acres and acres of sewers.”
Read this if you like:
-Unique serial killer plots
-Suspenseful reads
-Detective or PI stories
The Confession Artist comes out 6/1.
The Confession Artist is a serial killer who posts a drawing of their victim online. The victim has to publicly administer to their sins or will die within six days. The next sketch looks a lot like former cop, now PI, Crosbie Mitchell, but she thinks it must be a coincidence, right?
I loved Crosby’s character. The fact that she was a cop, and the storyline behind that really added an extra layer of development. The suspense was built very well by the short chapters of the victims. You’d get to know someone shortly, what they needed to confession, and then they either did or they were murdered. These chapters made it feel like danger was coming closer and closer to Crosby, which of course it was. While a bit on the longer side, it was suspenseful and never dull.
“Reality isn’t always fair, and as a police officer and a private detective, I’ve seen enough unfairness to fill up acres and acres of sewers.”
Read this if you like:
-Unique serial killer plots
-Suspenseful reads
-Detective or PI stories
The Confession Artist comes out 6/1.
June 8, 2026
I chose this book because it suggested a fresh spin on the part of a serial killer. The story took off fast and did all the things a thriller should do, without a dozen sex scenes, or puddles of gore that, for me, distract from a good plot. I would read more from this author.
May 29, 2026
Over-explained, over-plotted. Over it.
This author does not appear to have heard the phrase, "Show, don't tell." Too much unnecessary explanation. Too many events are described but not depicted. Description goes on too long, scenes go on too long, the book goes on too long. Overplotted with too many different things going on, many of which just do not matter. The same story could have been told with half as many pages.
This author does not appear to have heard the phrase, "Show, don't tell." Too much unnecessary explanation. Too many events are described but not depicted. Description goes on too long, scenes go on too long, the book goes on too long. Overplotted with too many different things going on, many of which just do not matter. The same story could have been told with half as many pages.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book grabbed my attention from the start. A serial killer posts a sketch of his next victim and a 6 day deadline to confess their sins or they will die.
When a private investigator sees her sketch, is it just a coincidence or not?
The book was suspenseful and makes you wonder about morality. The adrenaline rush to see what secrets are coming to light and wonder if she will meet the deadline kept me going into the wee hours of the night
The book will be released in June and it is one you won't want to miss.
When a private investigator sees her sketch, is it just a coincidence or not?
The book was suspenseful and makes you wonder about morality. The adrenaline rush to see what secrets are coming to light and wonder if she will meet the deadline kept me going into the wee hours of the night
The book will be released in June and it is one you won't want to miss.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, I loved the unique premise of releasing sketches of the victim who had six days to confess.
Next, I knew there had to be a common thread that bound all the segments together but it was well hidden.
I suspected everyone but I did sense that one person could have been well hidden but right under readers’ noses.
I thought Crosbie did the best she could but assumed way too much guilt for events.
It’s action packed and set against the glorious background of Montana, how could this thriller not be good?!
Thanks Thomas Mercer and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Next, I knew there had to be a common thread that bound all the segments together but it was well hidden.
I suspected everyone but I did sense that one person could have been well hidden but right under readers’ noses.
I thought Crosbie did the best she could but assumed way too much guilt for events.
It’s action packed and set against the glorious background of Montana, how could this thriller not be good?!
Thanks Thomas Mercer and NetGalley for the advance copy.
March 8, 2026
Sketches of people are being released to the public and told to confess their sins in 6 days or die. I love this concept for a book. The sketches are not pictures so it could be a number of people. When a sketch appears that resembles Crosbie, she has to wonder if it’s really her.
The story has a little multimedia including social media confessions which I really liked. Sometimes the chapters were a little hard to follow because it jumped people and timelines but I caught up within the first page of the chapter. This is not a slow burn but keeps the action going until the very last page.
The story has a little multimedia including social media confessions which I really liked. Sometimes the chapters were a little hard to follow because it jumped people and timelines but I caught up within the first page of the chapter. This is not a slow burn but keeps the action going until the very last page.
Did Not Finish
May 7, 2026My AFR choice. I gave it until page 117 but I decided not to carry on. I couldn't concentrate on it as there seemed to be too many different things going on. Such a shame as it started with a lot of potential and I liked the little sketches at the beginning of the chapters too.
June 25, 2026
THE CONFESSION ARTIST was a very nice thriller that I enjoyed. Whodunit vibes on this one for sure. I thought the writing was very good and I enjoyed reading about the characters. The ending put it over the top for me!
Many thanks to Christine Carbo for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.
Many thanks to Christine Carbo for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.
March 9, 2026
Thank you so much to @Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer, @thrillerbookloversthepulse and the author for the advanced reader’s physical copy in exchange for an honest review. This one is out June 1!
3.5 stars: The Confession Artist targets people who have secrets. But it’s not necessarily about what they did, moreso about what they didn’t do.
While I love the premise, to me there are a lot of side characters/plots that could have been done without. I also find when we primarily get one pov, inner dialogue can drag on a bit.
Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed this one and if you like whodunit books you may as well- it just could have been 100 pages shorter. The ending was what raised my rating. It all comes together and I did not guess who the k!ller was
3.5 stars: The Confession Artist targets people who have secrets. But it’s not necessarily about what they did, moreso about what they didn’t do.
While I love the premise, to me there are a lot of side characters/plots that could have been done without. I also find when we primarily get one pov, inner dialogue can drag on a bit.
Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed this one and if you like whodunit books you may as well- it just could have been 100 pages shorter. The ending was what raised my rating. It all comes together and I did not guess who the k!ller was
June 2, 2026
A terrifying premise, a ticking clock, a protagonist who feels so real that you want to reach out and yank her back from the brink of danger…these are the makings of an effective thriller, and Christine Carbo’s THE CONFESSION ARTIST has them in spades. When a sketch of Crosbie Mitchell, a cop turned PI, appears on social media, Crosbie is keenly aware that the “Confession Artist” has her in his sights—and if she doesn’t come clean about a past sin, she’ll become his next victim. But which sin is he after, and what will happen to Crosbie if she reveals what she’s been hiding? Carbo pits morality against a chilling modern-day revenge plot to craft a story that will drop your jaw. Exceptional.
June 9, 2026
Internet shaming seems like a ubiquitous—and ugly—feature of everyday life, but it’s only been around since several buzzy incidents in 2012 – 2013. The Confession Artist exploits the feeling of being shamed online and creates a taut, character-driven thriller that contains one scene that’s like no other I’ve read after years and years of reading crime fiction. It’s a tense, emotional scene that showcases the challenges for every human being who pulls on a police uniform and is asked to leave their personal feelings, and history, behind.
Nope! Not going to say anything more about that scene. You have to reach it on your own as you learn why PI Crosbie Mitchell is no longer on the force.
We’re mostly in Montana, Christine Carbo’s stomping ground for four previous mysteries. The Confession Artist leans a little more high-concept thriller but Carbo fans will recognize the rich character development. Crosbie Mitchell is planning to go to Dallas at the beginning of the novel with her sister Jess, an expert on genetic genealogy. Jess is expected to speak at a big crime conference. It will be Jess’s first public appearance in months. She’s climbing her way back to level emotional ground months after surviving a rape.
That’s when a fourth sketch appears on the internet. As in the previous sketches, all those being targeted have six days to confess something or be killed. Since it’s a sketch, and not a photograph, the lack of precision means the targets aren’t sure whether it’s them or not, but who doesn’t have something in their past? Confessions outnumber the sketches. But there is one murder victim in Washington State who resembles the first sketch, then a second murder victim in California who looks like the second. The internet is, of course, on fire.
And the fourth sketch looks a lot like Crosbie Mitchell. Maybe. Some details are vague, others not so much. By the time Crosbie lands in Dallas, she’s feeling in the clear. “I’m simply an anonymous human in a crowd. Nobody knows me in Dallas or, really, anywhere. Just like I told Jess last night. I’m not in the public eye like her. I live in a small town, for God’s sake, not in Seattle, not in L.A., no high-profile city some crazy killer would even think of targeting.”
The confidence doesn’t last long. Crosbie’s friends think the sketch is her and, Crosbie concedes to herself, there is that one incident “that will never stop playing in my head.” Yeah, that one.
The walls start closing in. As a P.I., Crosbie is working on a case of a dead journalist who was looking into the shady practices of an oil and gas company. There are ex-boyfriends, friends, her sister, her sister’s young son, former police department coworkers, a Rolling Stone reporter who follows her home—coincidence or not?—from Dallas and, soon, the FBI. There’s only one other person who knows about that one big moment that haunts Crosbie and there’s no chance he would “squawk.” Would he? “I would lose everything, wreck my reputation forever, lose what little career I’ve scraped back together, even go to jail,” thinks Crosbie.
As state-sanctioned punishment, public shaming was common in Colonial America. Stocks for ankles, a pillory for the head. Scarlet letters, tarring and feathering. But these were public by design. With the internet, anonymity is a breeze. Crosbie really doesn’t know where to look, although she might have a hunch about why she’s in the crosshairs.
Crosbie is so cornered and tense that she feels like she’s “biting steel,” but she also knows how to turn the tables and dig into the case—and crank up the introspection. The Confession Artist mines rich human territory about identity, guilt, regret, and public shaming all in the context of a tense—and thoughtful—thriller. You can, in fact, have both.
Nope! Not going to say anything more about that scene. You have to reach it on your own as you learn why PI Crosbie Mitchell is no longer on the force.
We’re mostly in Montana, Christine Carbo’s stomping ground for four previous mysteries. The Confession Artist leans a little more high-concept thriller but Carbo fans will recognize the rich character development. Crosbie Mitchell is planning to go to Dallas at the beginning of the novel with her sister Jess, an expert on genetic genealogy. Jess is expected to speak at a big crime conference. It will be Jess’s first public appearance in months. She’s climbing her way back to level emotional ground months after surviving a rape.
That’s when a fourth sketch appears on the internet. As in the previous sketches, all those being targeted have six days to confess something or be killed. Since it’s a sketch, and not a photograph, the lack of precision means the targets aren’t sure whether it’s them or not, but who doesn’t have something in their past? Confessions outnumber the sketches. But there is one murder victim in Washington State who resembles the first sketch, then a second murder victim in California who looks like the second. The internet is, of course, on fire.
And the fourth sketch looks a lot like Crosbie Mitchell. Maybe. Some details are vague, others not so much. By the time Crosbie lands in Dallas, she’s feeling in the clear. “I’m simply an anonymous human in a crowd. Nobody knows me in Dallas or, really, anywhere. Just like I told Jess last night. I’m not in the public eye like her. I live in a small town, for God’s sake, not in Seattle, not in L.A., no high-profile city some crazy killer would even think of targeting.”
The confidence doesn’t last long. Crosbie’s friends think the sketch is her and, Crosbie concedes to herself, there is that one incident “that will never stop playing in my head.” Yeah, that one.
The walls start closing in. As a P.I., Crosbie is working on a case of a dead journalist who was looking into the shady practices of an oil and gas company. There are ex-boyfriends, friends, her sister, her sister’s young son, former police department coworkers, a Rolling Stone reporter who follows her home—coincidence or not?—from Dallas and, soon, the FBI. There’s only one other person who knows about that one big moment that haunts Crosbie and there’s no chance he would “squawk.” Would he? “I would lose everything, wreck my reputation forever, lose what little career I’ve scraped back together, even go to jail,” thinks Crosbie.
As state-sanctioned punishment, public shaming was common in Colonial America. Stocks for ankles, a pillory for the head. Scarlet letters, tarring and feathering. But these were public by design. With the internet, anonymity is a breeze. Crosbie really doesn’t know where to look, although she might have a hunch about why she’s in the crosshairs.
Crosbie is so cornered and tense that she feels like she’s “biting steel,” but she also knows how to turn the tables and dig into the case—and crank up the introspection. The Confession Artist mines rich human territory about identity, guilt, regret, and public shaming all in the context of a tense—and thoughtful—thriller. You can, in fact, have both.
June 30, 2026
There were so many potentially great ways to put this basic plot idea into action, but sadly, this author declined to choose any of them.
Yeah, this was not great. The concept was intriguing, especially since it sounds like the kind of batshit thing a serial killer might do, and there were a lot of potential suspects. But both of those things were also part of the problem. The whole "here's a vague sketch that probably looks like a few thousand people in the country and I'm gonna kill one of them" thing feels half-baked in execution. We've all seen police sketches on the news, and I know I'm not the only one who has seen one and been like "LOL that looks like so-and-so". I recall one case where people said the sketch looked like the actor Woody Harrelson. So the idea that anyone in the country who thinks they look like the sketch is going to spill these dark secrets to the world, some of which were the kind of thing that could get the police interested in them, just felt like...really? Really?
And then our main character Crosbie is just irritating in so many ways. She seems way too foolish and childish to have been a cop, and this big deep dark secret of hers that gets hinted at for SO LONG before we finally learn what it is was so lame! I'd bet a LOT of cops in this country have a similar story. I was like, that's it? Come on. I got tired of all the flashbacks and repetitive inner musing about things in her past. It was just overdone to the point of feeling like filler, especially since the book is way longer than it needed to be.
And yeah, there are a lot of people in here, some of whom did not need to be because they were largely tangential to the central plot. By around the 75% mark, I was really done with the story and just wanted it to end, and not in the "I can't wait to see this reveal" way, which is good, because the reveal was pretty anticlimactic. It felt so out of left field and like the author was trying for a big shocking twist but instead it was just a big wtf. There were some good sort of cat-and-mouse moments that drew me in, but then it would get boring again really quick.
Meh. Not good at all.
(Also, if some weirdo killer put out a sketch that looked like me and was like CONFESS OR DIE BITCH, I'd start tossing out the most inane shit I could think of. I'd be like OKAY IT WAS ME I KIDNAPPED THE LINDBERGH BABY AND I SHOT J.R. AND I INVENTED CROCS I CONFESS!!!!!!!!)
Yeah, this was not great. The concept was intriguing, especially since it sounds like the kind of batshit thing a serial killer might do, and there were a lot of potential suspects. But both of those things were also part of the problem. The whole "here's a vague sketch that probably looks like a few thousand people in the country and I'm gonna kill one of them" thing feels half-baked in execution. We've all seen police sketches on the news, and I know I'm not the only one who has seen one and been like "LOL that looks like so-and-so". I recall one case where people said the sketch looked like the actor Woody Harrelson. So the idea that anyone in the country who thinks they look like the sketch is going to spill these dark secrets to the world, some of which were the kind of thing that could get the police interested in them, just felt like...really? Really?
And then our main character Crosbie is just irritating in so many ways. She seems way too foolish and childish to have been a cop, and this big deep dark secret of hers that gets hinted at for SO LONG before we finally learn what it is was so lame! I'd bet a LOT of cops in this country have a similar story. I was like, that's it? Come on. I got tired of all the flashbacks and repetitive inner musing about things in her past. It was just overdone to the point of feeling like filler, especially since the book is way longer than it needed to be.
And yeah, there are a lot of people in here, some of whom did not need to be because they were largely tangential to the central plot. By around the 75% mark, I was really done with the story and just wanted it to end, and not in the "I can't wait to see this reveal" way, which is good, because the reveal was pretty anticlimactic. It felt so out of left field and like the author was trying for a big shocking twist but instead it was just a big wtf. There were some good sort of cat-and-mouse moments that drew me in, but then it would get boring again really quick.
Meh. Not good at all.
(Also, if some weirdo killer put out a sketch that looked like me and was like CONFESS OR DIE BITCH, I'd start tossing out the most inane shit I could think of. I'd be like OKAY IT WAS ME I KIDNAPPED THE LINDBERGH BABY AND I SHOT J.R. AND I INVENTED CROCS I CONFESS!!!!!!!!)
June 16, 2026
Montana has been on my bucket list for a while and I was happy to virtually travel there in this book.
People are forced to face their past mistakes and indiscretions in The Confession Artist.
This one did start a bit slow, but it was definitely worth the wait. There are many characters, some interconnected and I loved how the author refreshed our memory as she mentioned a character who had been off the page for a while. All authors should do this. It didn't feel redundant and flowed nicely.
I did check this one out on audio for a bit and it was done very well. I f audio is your preferred format, this one would make for a great read.
People are forced to face their past mistakes and indiscretions in The Confession Artist.
This one did start a bit slow, but it was definitely worth the wait. There are many characters, some interconnected and I loved how the author refreshed our memory as she mentioned a character who had been off the page for a while. All authors should do this. It didn't feel redundant and flowed nicely.
I did check this one out on audio for a bit and it was done very well. I f audio is your preferred format, this one would make for a great read.
June 14, 2026
4.5 stars rounding down on Goodreads.
Wow, this is such a great thriller that had me hooked from page one! I can honestly say that it’s been such a long time since I had a book that kept my attention and had me wanting to read it every chance that I could get! So if you are a thriller lover, this one is a great option, and even better it’s available now on Kindle Unlimited!
Wow, this is such a great thriller that had me hooked from page one! I can honestly say that it’s been such a long time since I had a book that kept my attention and had me wanting to read it every chance that I could get! So if you are a thriller lover, this one is a great option, and even better it’s available now on Kindle Unlimited!
May 14, 2026
TW: Rape, rape of child.
June 13, 2026
This was excellent, I really enjoyed the characterisation of the lead people, I didn't guess the killer at all which is pretty good given the amount of murder thrillers I read.
Will be checking out the other books by Christine.
Will be checking out the other books by Christine.
May 23, 2026
plot lost me
Terrible. I honestly tried to finish. Sorry but amazon requires a minimum number of words, but this is all I could muster. .
Terrible. I honestly tried to finish. Sorry but amazon requires a minimum number of words, but this is all I could muster. .
June 9, 2026
I loved the fast paced and short chapters in this book because it kept me engaged. I was not expecting the confession artist to be who it was. if you like crime and moral dilemmas this thriller for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The classic proverb teaches that "confession is good for the soul." But for Crosbie Mitchell, it may be the only way to save her own life.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 by 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨 is a tense, action-packed thriller about a woman confronting her own mortality. A serial killer dubbed the Confession Artist has been posting sketches on social media without identifying the subjects. So many of them bear striking resemblances to numerous individuals. But the killer demands that the subject issue a full and complete confession of their wrongdoing . . . or they will die in six days. Two murders have been linked to the Confession Artist, while a third potential victim issued the requisite confession and even changed careers. He appears to have escaped death.
But the latest sketch doesn't just look distinctly like Crosbie, even though she's "a nobody from Flathead Valley, Montana." She tries to dismiss it as just a coincidence. After all, other women have been identified as the possible target, even including actor Jennifer Garner! But this sketch includes an unmistakable detail that relates squarely to Crosbie, and narrows the number of possible victims significantly. So it is impossible for her to ignore the looming threat.
Her former boyfriend, Wallace, is also the brother of one of Crosbie's best friends who died tragically ten years ago when they were college roommates. Crosbie has been consumed with guilt about what she sees as her role in Sophie's death. And Wallace believes that Crosbie should notify law enforcement about her suspicion that the killer is fixated on her. But Crosbie is a former cop with a complicated job history, so returning to the police department and interacting with her former colleagues is difficult. But she agrees and the police take her report seriously, passing it along to the FBI. And they are convinced that 𝘪𝘴 the next target. So is she.
Carbo weaves an engrossing, compelling mystery that addresses serious societal topics, including workplace sexual harassment in a law enforcement environment -- still a male-dominated profession. She also examines sexual assault and the ensuing, long-lasting trauma, as well as the consequences that flow from the decisions that Crosbie makes, both as a young woman in college and, later, as a police officer intent upon achieving the rank of detective. Crosbie has made poor choices and, in her first-person narrative, she details the far-reaching, tragic reverberations. For years, she has tormented by guilt, regret, and an obsessive need to protect her younger sister and nephew in what may be an attempt to atone for her past mistakes.
As she feverishly searches for answers and to uncover the identity of the serial killer who may be pursuing her, Crosbie's inquiry is founded upon her knowledge that only a couple of people know the 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 truth about the situations in her past that she did not handle well. As to a recent event, there is only one person with full knowledge of the facts -- at least as far as Crosbie knows -- and that individual, in particular, has even more compelling motives than Crosbie to ensure the truth remains hidden. So is it possible that she 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 the woman depicted in the latest sketch? Is it possible that she is actually being targeted in relationship to a local case she has been working as a private investigator?
As the days tick by and the identity of the Confession Artist remains a mystery, Crosbie must decide if she possess the strength to confess details about her past wrongdoing that will result in severe repercussions not just for her, but for the people she loves most in the world. She has no idea who, if anyone, she can trust and Carbo effectively places nearly every character under suspicion. Her depiction of Crosbie's inner turmoil is credible because Carbo illustrates Crosbie's inherent decency and humanity. She is well aware of her shortcomings, fueled by her angry responses to painful trauma, and how deeply she has hurt others. She wants to do the right thing, which is why readers will find themselves sympathizing with her and pondering how they would respond. Because, of course, everyone has secret aspects of their life they would not want revealed for all the world to see, discuss, and judge.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 is an engrossing and thought-provoking story that will keep readers guessing right up to its shocking conclusion.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 by 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨 is a tense, action-packed thriller about a woman confronting her own mortality. A serial killer dubbed the Confession Artist has been posting sketches on social media without identifying the subjects. So many of them bear striking resemblances to numerous individuals. But the killer demands that the subject issue a full and complete confession of their wrongdoing . . . or they will die in six days. Two murders have been linked to the Confession Artist, while a third potential victim issued the requisite confession and even changed careers. He appears to have escaped death.
But the latest sketch doesn't just look distinctly like Crosbie, even though she's "a nobody from Flathead Valley, Montana." She tries to dismiss it as just a coincidence. After all, other women have been identified as the possible target, even including actor Jennifer Garner! But this sketch includes an unmistakable detail that relates squarely to Crosbie, and narrows the number of possible victims significantly. So it is impossible for her to ignore the looming threat.
Her former boyfriend, Wallace, is also the brother of one of Crosbie's best friends who died tragically ten years ago when they were college roommates. Crosbie has been consumed with guilt about what she sees as her role in Sophie's death. And Wallace believes that Crosbie should notify law enforcement about her suspicion that the killer is fixated on her. But Crosbie is a former cop with a complicated job history, so returning to the police department and interacting with her former colleagues is difficult. But she agrees and the police take her report seriously, passing it along to the FBI. And they are convinced that 𝘪𝘴 the next target. So is she.
Carbo weaves an engrossing, compelling mystery that addresses serious societal topics, including workplace sexual harassment in a law enforcement environment -- still a male-dominated profession. She also examines sexual assault and the ensuing, long-lasting trauma, as well as the consequences that flow from the decisions that Crosbie makes, both as a young woman in college and, later, as a police officer intent upon achieving the rank of detective. Crosbie has made poor choices and, in her first-person narrative, she details the far-reaching, tragic reverberations. For years, she has tormented by guilt, regret, and an obsessive need to protect her younger sister and nephew in what may be an attempt to atone for her past mistakes.
As she feverishly searches for answers and to uncover the identity of the serial killer who may be pursuing her, Crosbie's inquiry is founded upon her knowledge that only a couple of people know the 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 truth about the situations in her past that she did not handle well. As to a recent event, there is only one person with full knowledge of the facts -- at least as far as Crosbie knows -- and that individual, in particular, has even more compelling motives than Crosbie to ensure the truth remains hidden. So is it possible that she 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 the woman depicted in the latest sketch? Is it possible that she is actually being targeted in relationship to a local case she has been working as a private investigator?
As the days tick by and the identity of the Confession Artist remains a mystery, Crosbie must decide if she possess the strength to confess details about her past wrongdoing that will result in severe repercussions not just for her, but for the people she loves most in the world. She has no idea who, if anyone, she can trust and Carbo effectively places nearly every character under suspicion. Her depiction of Crosbie's inner turmoil is credible because Carbo illustrates Crosbie's inherent decency and humanity. She is well aware of her shortcomings, fueled by her angry responses to painful trauma, and how deeply she has hurt others. She wants to do the right thing, which is why readers will find themselves sympathizing with her and pondering how they would respond. Because, of course, everyone has secret aspects of their life they would not want revealed for all the world to see, discuss, and judge.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 is an engrossing and thought-provoking story that will keep readers guessing right up to its shocking conclusion.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finished reading: May 16th 2026
"The conference-goers, and people in general... they want to zero in on the shark attacks or lightning strikes of crime - the ones least likely to occur: the violent serial killers, like this Confession Artist business. Why? Who knows?"
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
June 26, 2026
Sorry for the one star, but I definitely got annoyed with the book.
The Confession Artist
Crosbie Mitchell, a former police officer turned private investigator in Montana finds herself the subject of a serial killer known as "The Confession Artist" who posts sketches of people online and gives them six days to publicly confess their sins or die. While she tries to deny the picture looks like her, an earring her ex-boyfriend gave her is in the sketch (we hear so much about this "beautiful earring, that the book could have been 100 pages shorter!). The reader has to endure flashback after flashback of all the secrets from her past while working with law enforcement and the FBI to uncover the identity of the Confession Artist.
The novel weaves together multiple storylines involving family trauma, former police work, personal relationships, childhood events, missing people and a long list of individuals connected in various ways to Crosbie's life. Honestly, there were so many people thrown into the story and their backstories, I was often confused and tried to think, how does this fit in here?
This book had an intriguing premise. Unfortunately, almost everything after that setup was a disappointment. And Crosbie's anguish over not "honestly reporting the one detail of her co-officer's shooting of the man that raped her sister and another individual, when that man also posed a real danger to both officers" seemed like a very minor infraction and not really considered evil. This was repeated over and over again. Yes, Crosby lied by omitting a fact, but that doesn't mean she's responsible for Leon's suicide or her sister's depression.
The biggest problem was the overwhelming number of characters and side stories that seemed to have little or nothing to do with the actual mystery. New people constantly appeared, each carrying their own tragic backstory, secret, or emotional baggage. Rather than adding depth, these characters cluttered the narrative and made it difficult to remember who mattered and who didn't.
By the halfway point, I felt as if I was reading several different novels stitched together. There were former colleagues, family members, old acquaintances, romantic interests, law enforcement personnel, victims, suspects, probing journalists and assorted townspeople, many of whom seemed important when introduced but ultimately contributed very little to the resolution. Entire chapters felt devoted to characters and events that had almost no payoff.
The pacing suffered badly because of this. Every time the story appeared ready to move forward, it would detour into another character's trauma, history, or personal struggle.
Crosbie herself was difficult to connect with. Much of her decision-making felt repetitive, and she spent so much time revisiting past guilt and regrets that the actual investigation often seemed secondary. Rather than feeling like a determined investigator racing against a deadline, she frequently felt trapped in endless cycles of introspection.
The final reveal was another disappointment. After hundreds of pages of red herrings, side plots, and random connections, the solution felt less clever than exhausting. Instead of that satisfying moment when all the pieces click into place, the ending left me wondering why so much had been included at all.
A good central concept: a serial killer forcing public confessions through social media. But the story becomes buried beneath layers of unnecessary characters, disconnected subplots, and excessive backstory.
The Confession Artist
Crosbie Mitchell, a former police officer turned private investigator in Montana finds herself the subject of a serial killer known as "The Confession Artist" who posts sketches of people online and gives them six days to publicly confess their sins or die. While she tries to deny the picture looks like her, an earring her ex-boyfriend gave her is in the sketch (we hear so much about this "beautiful earring, that the book could have been 100 pages shorter!). The reader has to endure flashback after flashback of all the secrets from her past while working with law enforcement and the FBI to uncover the identity of the Confession Artist.
The novel weaves together multiple storylines involving family trauma, former police work, personal relationships, childhood events, missing people and a long list of individuals connected in various ways to Crosbie's life. Honestly, there were so many people thrown into the story and their backstories, I was often confused and tried to think, how does this fit in here?
This book had an intriguing premise. Unfortunately, almost everything after that setup was a disappointment. And Crosbie's anguish over not "honestly reporting the one detail of her co-officer's shooting of the man that raped her sister and another individual, when that man also posed a real danger to both officers" seemed like a very minor infraction and not really considered evil. This was repeated over and over again. Yes, Crosby lied by omitting a fact, but that doesn't mean she's responsible for Leon's suicide or her sister's depression.
The biggest problem was the overwhelming number of characters and side stories that seemed to have little or nothing to do with the actual mystery. New people constantly appeared, each carrying their own tragic backstory, secret, or emotional baggage. Rather than adding depth, these characters cluttered the narrative and made it difficult to remember who mattered and who didn't.
By the halfway point, I felt as if I was reading several different novels stitched together. There were former colleagues, family members, old acquaintances, romantic interests, law enforcement personnel, victims, suspects, probing journalists and assorted townspeople, many of whom seemed important when introduced but ultimately contributed very little to the resolution. Entire chapters felt devoted to characters and events that had almost no payoff.
The pacing suffered badly because of this. Every time the story appeared ready to move forward, it would detour into another character's trauma, history, or personal struggle.
Crosbie herself was difficult to connect with. Much of her decision-making felt repetitive, and she spent so much time revisiting past guilt and regrets that the actual investigation often seemed secondary. Rather than feeling like a determined investigator racing against a deadline, she frequently felt trapped in endless cycles of introspection.
The final reveal was another disappointment. After hundreds of pages of red herrings, side plots, and random connections, the solution felt less clever than exhausting. Instead of that satisfying moment when all the pieces click into place, the ending left me wondering why so much had been included at all.
A good central concept: a serial killer forcing public confessions through social media. But the story becomes buried beneath layers of unnecessary characters, disconnected subplots, and excessive backstory.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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