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She Made Me Do It
I trusted her. I shouldn’t have…
Samantha Valentine didn’t drift into my life, she collided with it. Soon it was like we had been friends forever. She told me everything about her perfect life, but I always felt there was something she was leaving out.
Then one night, I get a frantic call from Samantha, hysterical and begging me to protect her from her boyfriend. Rushing to her house, instinct takes over and soon my heart is hammering out of my chest as I stand over the body of a man I had never met before this evening.
But by the time the police arrive, Samantha has vanished. The officers tell me that there is no record of her anywhere. The woman I thought was my friend has tricked me into killing a perfect stranger.
As the police slip the handcuffs on my wrists, I know I’ve made a terrible mistake. By protecting a woman I never really knew, I’ve destroyed my life. Who is Samantha really, and why did she make me do this? She’s taken everything from me, but she has no idea how far I will go to get the truth…
A gripping and page-turning psychological thriller absolutely packed with twists. Perfect for fans of T.M. Logan, Frieda McFadden and Daniel Hurst.
Samantha Valentine didn’t drift into my life, she collided with it. Soon it was like we had been friends forever. She told me everything about her perfect life, but I always felt there was something she was leaving out.
Then one night, I get a frantic call from Samantha, hysterical and begging me to protect her from her boyfriend. Rushing to her house, instinct takes over and soon my heart is hammering out of my chest as I stand over the body of a man I had never met before this evening.
But by the time the police arrive, Samantha has vanished. The officers tell me that there is no record of her anywhere. The woman I thought was my friend has tricked me into killing a perfect stranger.
As the police slip the handcuffs on my wrists, I know I’ve made a terrible mistake. By protecting a woman I never really knew, I’ve destroyed my life. Who is Samantha really, and why did she make me do this? She’s taken everything from me, but she has no idea how far I will go to get the truth…
A gripping and page-turning psychological thriller absolutely packed with twists. Perfect for fans of T.M. Logan, Frieda McFadden and Daniel Hurst.
- GenresMystery Thriller
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 12, 2026
279 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Holy cow! This book is crazy good!! so wild, so clever, so addictive. I did not want to stop reading, I had no idea how it was all going to play out, and that ending was brilliant. This is fantastic series, and can easily be read as a stand-alone .
I don’t want to say too much about this plot, you need to go in as blind as possible. Part police procedural, part twisty thriller, She Made Me Do It is a must read. I was forever questioning what I thought I knew and those are the best kinds of books right. It kept me guessing the whole way, and my feelings about certain characters were forever changing.
Just read this and be stunned. Thank you so much to Bookouture on NetGalley for this amazing book to read early. Out on January 12th.
I don’t want to say too much about this plot, you need to go in as blind as possible. Part police procedural, part twisty thriller, She Made Me Do It is a must read. I was forever questioning what I thought I knew and those are the best kinds of books right. It kept me guessing the whole way, and my feelings about certain characters were forever changing.
Just read this and be stunned. Thank you so much to Bookouture on NetGalley for this amazing book to read early. Out on January 12th.
February 4, 2026
I have been ill and not reading therefore the length of time taken to finish this does not reflect my feelings!
The only thing that was missing from this book was more development of Dans character, his personal life was missing from this novel
The only thing that was missing from this book was more development of Dans character, his personal life was missing from this novel
December 1, 2025
Detective Dan Riley is back!
She Made Me Do It is book number 9 in this brilliant detective series and I was very excited to get the chance to read it early.
As always I went in completely blind and I was absolutely bowled over by this cleverly written book. The pace is fast, the twists are on point, and the big reveal is jaw dropping. This psychological thriller is utterly addictive so make sure you clear your schedule and settle in with some snacks.
Anna-Lou Weatherly, this is your best Dan Riley yet!! Highly recommend!
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC to read and review.
Publication day for She Made Me Do It is 12/1/26
She Made Me Do It is book number 9 in this brilliant detective series and I was very excited to get the chance to read it early.
As always I went in completely blind and I was absolutely bowled over by this cleverly written book. The pace is fast, the twists are on point, and the big reveal is jaw dropping. This psychological thriller is utterly addictive so make sure you clear your schedule and settle in with some snacks.
Anna-Lou Weatherly, this is your best Dan Riley yet!! Highly recommend!
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC to read and review.
Publication day for She Made Me Do It is 12/1/26
November 28, 2025
She Made me Do It
By: Anna- Lou Weatherley
Pub date: Jan 12, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Imagine trusting someone with your life. A friendship is supposed to be based on bonds, truth and more.
Suddenly you find yourself standing over a dead man. The man your friend told you was not a good man. The police obviously suspect you.
As the book unravels the police tell you there is no evidence your friend! Is Erin going crazy? Did her best friend Samantha really exist?
One crazy ride. Love this authors work. So many twists down to the last page.
By: Anna- Lou Weatherley
Pub date: Jan 12, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Imagine trusting someone with your life. A friendship is supposed to be based on bonds, truth and more.
Suddenly you find yourself standing over a dead man. The man your friend told you was not a good man. The police obviously suspect you.
As the book unravels the police tell you there is no evidence your friend! Is Erin going crazy? Did her best friend Samantha really exist?
One crazy ride. Love this authors work. So many twists down to the last page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
SHE MADE ME DO IT BY ANNA-LOU WEATHERLEY
Release date set for the 12th of January 2026
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
This book absolutely deserves the 5 stars.
Two of my friends have already read this book and they both rated it 5 stars so I had very high hopes for this one and it was brilliant.
Didn't want to put it down.
Amazing characters.
Questionable characters.
Them twists 🤯.
I really didn't see that coming at all.
High highly recommend this book when it comes out ☺
Release date set for the 12th of January 2026
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
This book absolutely deserves the 5 stars.
Two of my friends have already read this book and they both rated it 5 stars so I had very high hopes for this one and it was brilliant.
Didn't want to put it down.
Amazing characters.
Questionable characters.
Them twists 🤯.
I really didn't see that coming at all.
High highly recommend this book when it comes out ☺
January 27, 2026
Worth it!! Alright, I read this one in far too many sittings than I’d hoped to, so I do think that definitely impacted the flow of the story for me personally. Having said that, the plot was unhinged in the best of ways, the author really did have me guessing for quite some time as to the outcome (I did have an inkling that turned out to be correct around 2/3 through), and it was incredibly refreshing to read a thriller that differentiated itself from so many others. I realise my review doesn’t sound overly positive, haha, yet I really do recommend this read for a welcome change of pace!
Read
January 12, 2026No one is who they say they are nor are things like they are presented.
However, DCI Riley, Dan the Man is on the case and will set things to rights.
I enjoyed riding along as the picture became less muddled and more clear as Dan sifted through the case and flushed out the truth.
I may have not have guessed correctly on some of the subplots but my sleuthing skills are becoming more finely honed with each new read.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the early read.
However, DCI Riley, Dan the Man is on the case and will set things to rights.
I enjoyed riding along as the picture became less muddled and more clear as Dan sifted through the case and flushed out the truth.
I may have not have guessed correctly on some of the subplots but my sleuthing skills are becoming more finely honed with each new read.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the early read.
December 18, 2025
Another amazing Detective Dan Riley book. Usually in a series, you get sick of the characters or the stories get boring. Often in a series, the first is the best and it’s downhill from there. Not with Detective Dan Riley. Each book is better than the last. The case was fascinating. The back and forth and not knowing what to believe. I love Dan’s character. He’s a great detective and truly cares about other people. This series is a must read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
She Made Me Do It is a thrilling book that I read way too fast! It's book 9 in the Detective Dan Riley series by Anna-Lou Weatherley, but you can easily read it as a standalone. How far would you go to help a friend? That's a question you'll think about as you read this book. Erin Santos is a lonely young woman with no family and no close friends. She had a traumatic childhood, witnessing unspeakable things, and those things still affect her. When she meets Samantha Valentine it seems like they've been friends forever. They spend a lot of time together and Erin has never had more fun in her life.
One night Samantha calls in a panic telling Erin that her boyfriend is threatening her and she needs help. Erin rushes over and before she knows it the body of a dead man is lying at her feet. When the police arrive, somehow Samantha is gone! When the police tell Erin that there's no record of a Samantha Valentine living here or ever being seen here, things take a turn. The woman Erin thought was her best friend had tricked her into killing the man she said was her boyfriend. As the police slip on the handcuffs and lead Erin away, she knows she's made a terrible decision.
Who is Samantha and why would she do this to Erin? What will Erin do when she gets out? How will she clear her name when Samantha Valentine doesn't exist and the police don't believe her? I read She Made Me Do It in one day and I'm telling you to clear your day and enjoy this riveting thriller! I'm still thinking about this book and telling people about it because it's that good. I rate She Made Me Do It 5 stars with my very highest recommendation. If you love thrillers this one will keep you on edge and guessing until the end. The book comes out January 12 and should be added to your TBR pile now! I thought I had it figured out early on, but I didn't. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of She Made Me Do It in exchange for a fair review. #SheMadeMeDoIt
One night Samantha calls in a panic telling Erin that her boyfriend is threatening her and she needs help. Erin rushes over and before she knows it the body of a dead man is lying at her feet. When the police arrive, somehow Samantha is gone! When the police tell Erin that there's no record of a Samantha Valentine living here or ever being seen here, things take a turn. The woman Erin thought was her best friend had tricked her into killing the man she said was her boyfriend. As the police slip on the handcuffs and lead Erin away, she knows she's made a terrible decision.
Who is Samantha and why would she do this to Erin? What will Erin do when she gets out? How will she clear her name when Samantha Valentine doesn't exist and the police don't believe her? I read She Made Me Do It in one day and I'm telling you to clear your day and enjoy this riveting thriller! I'm still thinking about this book and telling people about it because it's that good. I rate She Made Me Do It 5 stars with my very highest recommendation. If you love thrillers this one will keep you on edge and guessing until the end. The book comes out January 12 and should be added to your TBR pile now! I thought I had it figured out early on, but I didn't. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of She Made Me Do It in exchange for a fair review. #SheMadeMeDoIt
January 20, 2026
I honestly don’t know how I didn’t discover the creator of the Detective Dan Riley series earlier.
Although this book is the 9th in the series, it can be read completely as a standalone.
You have no family, no friends. Then, at exactly such a moment, you meet someone. They touch your heart, and in a very short time, a strong bond forms, as if you’ve been friends for years.
Then one night…
You receive a frantic, hysterical phone call from your friend Samantha. She says she’s afraid of her boyfriend and begs you to protect her. You rush to her house. During a struggle, before the boyfriend can kill the two of you, you manage to incapacitate him. You look down and see him lying on the floor, covered in blood… but Samantha is gone.
When the police arrive, things become even more horrifying. There is no record of Samantha anywhere. The police tell you that the woman you thought was your friend never actually existed. She had manipulated you into killing a complete stranger. Even worse, the police believe that because of childhood trauma, you are schizophrenic and that you invented Samantha.
As handcuffs are placed on my wrists, I realize this:
By trying to protect a woman I never truly knew, I destroyed my life.
Who was Samantha?
And why did she make me do this?
From beginning to end, it’s a book with nonstop pace—full of mystery, tension, and surprises—that constantly makes you question whether Samantha really existed or not. A truly gripping read.
I also really liked the character of Detective Dan Riley.
I will definitely read the rest of the series.
Although this book is the 9th in the series, it can be read completely as a standalone.
You have no family, no friends. Then, at exactly such a moment, you meet someone. They touch your heart, and in a very short time, a strong bond forms, as if you’ve been friends for years.
Then one night…
You receive a frantic, hysterical phone call from your friend Samantha. She says she’s afraid of her boyfriend and begs you to protect her. You rush to her house. During a struggle, before the boyfriend can kill the two of you, you manage to incapacitate him. You look down and see him lying on the floor, covered in blood… but Samantha is gone.
When the police arrive, things become even more horrifying. There is no record of Samantha anywhere. The police tell you that the woman you thought was your friend never actually existed. She had manipulated you into killing a complete stranger. Even worse, the police believe that because of childhood trauma, you are schizophrenic and that you invented Samantha.
As handcuffs are placed on my wrists, I realize this:
By trying to protect a woman I never truly knew, I destroyed my life.
Who was Samantha?
And why did she make me do this?
From beginning to end, it’s a book with nonstop pace—full of mystery, tension, and surprises—that constantly makes you question whether Samantha really existed or not. A truly gripping read.
I also really liked the character of Detective Dan Riley.
I will definitely read the rest of the series.
January 16, 2026
She Made Me Do It is book 9 in the Detective Dan Riley series. One of the many things I love about this series is that all of these books can be read as stand alones. It didn’t take me long to become invested in this story. It’s an addictive and fast paced read that at times had me gasping out loud. As always with this series the characters are well developed and who to trust is the big question. This is more than a police crime thriller it has a psychological element to it as well. Two of my favourite genres. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from this author .
December 2, 2025
Another thrilling case for Dan Riley that was super fun to watch unfold!
January 18, 2026
Unhinged. A decent psychological thriller but it got frustrating and confusing after a point.
December 2, 2025
This is my first book in this detective series. There were so many twists and turns all throughout. Not only did you not know who to trust, it takes a lot to know who the female characters actually are. This book was a great read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another crazy wild ride by Anna-Lou Weatherly in this ninth outing with DCI Dan Riley. And what a ride it is! I do love this author; her style is addictive and engaging with likable main characters, even the questionable ones.
We meet Erin seven years prior having just fatally stabbed Ari Hussein whilst protecting her best friend from his abuse. But what if it was all smoke and mirrors? Soon Erin, who happily told the police everything thinking it would help her case, had sealed her own fate and found herself locked up for manslaughter. And her bestie? Nowhere to be found.
Fast forward to present day London and Tilly Ward has just been found at a similar scene. She has just fatally stabbed Milo Harrison whilst protecting her best friend from his subsequent abuse. The same best friend Erin had protected seven years ago. Samantha Valentine. Coincidence?
DCI Dan Riley surveys the scene and nothing escapes his notice. Not the body on the floor, the knife by his side, the shoes behind the door or the shaking diminutive woman in the next room who had inflicted the fatal wound. Dan is drawn to her story from the start. It's far too complex to be fabricated, surely.
And then the Erin Santos file falls across his desk. And he begins an investigation down the proverbial rabbit hole, unable to let that nagging feeling at the back of his mind go. Something about this whole scenario just doesn't add up. And it's up to Dan Riley and his team to find out what.
As per usual, we are delved straight into the madness and mayhem from the very first page and throughout the entire tale, the reader is pondering what is real and what isn't. It's the kind of tale that messes with your head but Riley and the team were not to be thwarted like the Yorkshire police who dropped the ball far too early in Erin's case, dismissing her as delusional. The question is, is she really delusional? And even if she is, the police had a duty of care to investigate her claims fully instead of dismissing her as a nutjob. And yet, we are left wondering were they right all along? Or did they drop the ball?
Another cracking read by Anna-Lou that had me race through it in under 24 hours (two sittings), despite my somewhat dry spell with reading just now. I thoroughly enjoyed this twisted tale. And can't wait for Dan Riley's next outing.
I would like to thank #AnnaLouWeatherley, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #SheMadeMeDoIt in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
We meet Erin seven years prior having just fatally stabbed Ari Hussein whilst protecting her best friend from his abuse. But what if it was all smoke and mirrors? Soon Erin, who happily told the police everything thinking it would help her case, had sealed her own fate and found herself locked up for manslaughter. And her bestie? Nowhere to be found.
Fast forward to present day London and Tilly Ward has just been found at a similar scene. She has just fatally stabbed Milo Harrison whilst protecting her best friend from his subsequent abuse. The same best friend Erin had protected seven years ago. Samantha Valentine. Coincidence?
DCI Dan Riley surveys the scene and nothing escapes his notice. Not the body on the floor, the knife by his side, the shoes behind the door or the shaking diminutive woman in the next room who had inflicted the fatal wound. Dan is drawn to her story from the start. It's far too complex to be fabricated, surely.
And then the Erin Santos file falls across his desk. And he begins an investigation down the proverbial rabbit hole, unable to let that nagging feeling at the back of his mind go. Something about this whole scenario just doesn't add up. And it's up to Dan Riley and his team to find out what.
As per usual, we are delved straight into the madness and mayhem from the very first page and throughout the entire tale, the reader is pondering what is real and what isn't. It's the kind of tale that messes with your head but Riley and the team were not to be thwarted like the Yorkshire police who dropped the ball far too early in Erin's case, dismissing her as delusional. The question is, is she really delusional? And even if she is, the police had a duty of care to investigate her claims fully instead of dismissing her as a nutjob. And yet, we are left wondering were they right all along? Or did they drop the ball?
Another cracking read by Anna-Lou that had me race through it in under 24 hours (two sittings), despite my somewhat dry spell with reading just now. I thoroughly enjoyed this twisted tale. And can't wait for Dan Riley's next outing.
I would like to thank #AnnaLouWeatherley, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #SheMadeMeDoIt in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
November 26, 2025
Wow... This book was truly spectacular. The story begins with Erin Santos, accused of the murder of a random man, who was "abusing" her best friend, Samantha Valentine. Strangely, after Erin had committed this treacherous act... Samantha had disappeared. Gone. Her address, name, and social media history never seemed to exist. Labelled 'psychotic,' Erin is admitted into a psychiatric ward. Seven years later, Samantha manipulates yet another vulnerable woman (Tilly Ward) into believing they are best friends. And history repeats itself, as Tilly is convicted for the first-degree murder of a civilian whom Samantha claims has been "abusing" her. So who really is Samantha? And why has she yet again appeared in Erin's life?
Right from the start, this book is packed with action and suspense. I was genuinely so desperate to find answers to all the questions, I couldn't put it down till I was finished. It seemed like every single chapter was filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very last page. MY JAW WAS LITERALLY ON THE FLOOR AT THE END. The final "confession" scene was literal perfection, and I was HOOKED.
Also, the characters?!?!? So fantastically executed. Erin was depicted as an individual whom I felt like you couldn't FULLY trust; there was something amiss in her characteristics (again, the author loved to keep us guessing). Detective Dan Riley was a brilliant character who could pick up on the smallest of details.
My only question was that if Erin wanted to change her identity, why didn't she wear contacts.....?
Overall, this was an incredibly gripping and engaging book, perfect for thriller/mystery fans who love a page-turning novel!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending this e-book for review consideration. All opinions are my own
Right from the start, this book is packed with action and suspense. I was genuinely so desperate to find answers to all the questions, I couldn't put it down till I was finished. It seemed like every single chapter was filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very last page. MY JAW WAS LITERALLY ON THE FLOOR AT THE END. The final "confession" scene was literal perfection, and I was HOOKED.
Also, the characters?!?!? So fantastically executed. Erin was depicted as an individual whom I felt like you couldn't FULLY trust; there was something amiss in her characteristics (again, the author loved to keep us guessing). Detective Dan Riley was a brilliant character who could pick up on the smallest of details.
My only question was that if Erin wanted to change her identity, why didn't she wear contacts.....?
Overall, this was an incredibly gripping and engaging book, perfect for thriller/mystery fans who love a page-turning novel!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending this e-book for review consideration. All opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
WOWZA! Talk about a thrilling, gripping, shocking, page turner!!!!! She Made Me Do It had my attention from the very first page and never let go! I was completely immersed in the plot, finger crossed and doing my best to figure out what was going next! This book was like being on a wild, adrenaline filled roller coaster ride! This is the ninth book in the Dan Riley series but will work perfectly as a stand-alone novel. Whew! What a book. I loved the mystery, the tension, the suspense, the not knowing when the other shoe was going to drop!
Imagine meeting someone who you become fast friends with. Someone who is fun, engaging, and makes you feel good. Imagine that you would do anything to help your friend when she is in need. That someone is Samantha Valentine! Erin and Samantha become close friends, and Erin does something to save her friend and her friend vanishes, leaving Erin in a heap of trouble!
Detective Dan Riley is a great character. He is intelligent, diligent, hardworking, and open-minded. When he takes on a case, he is like a dog with a bone, unwilling to let go until he figures things out.
This book was beyond addictive. It is my favorite one in the series! I loved the pacing, the tension, the twists, the reveals, the suspense, and the HOLY CRAP twist that had me picking my jaw up off the floor. Holy Moly!
If you have not read this series before, you are seriously missing out! As I mentioned earlier, this book works perfectly as a stand-alone. It's wonderfully written, well thought out, gripping, and hard to put down!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Imagine meeting someone who you become fast friends with. Someone who is fun, engaging, and makes you feel good. Imagine that you would do anything to help your friend when she is in need. That someone is Samantha Valentine! Erin and Samantha become close friends, and Erin does something to save her friend and her friend vanishes, leaving Erin in a heap of trouble!
Detective Dan Riley is a great character. He is intelligent, diligent, hardworking, and open-minded. When he takes on a case, he is like a dog with a bone, unwilling to let go until he figures things out.
This book was beyond addictive. It is my favorite one in the series! I loved the pacing, the tension, the twists, the reveals, the suspense, and the HOLY CRAP twist that had me picking my jaw up off the floor. Holy Moly!
If you have not read this series before, you are seriously missing out! As I mentioned earlier, this book works perfectly as a stand-alone. It's wonderfully written, well thought out, gripping, and hard to put down!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
December 4, 2025
She Made Me Do It - she pulled me in right from the first chapter!
This is once again one of those great thrillers that starts as a slow-burner, making you swipe your screen in anticipation to see where it's going. And before you know it, it's 3 a.m. and you're bleary-eyed and grateful that the wild story on your Kindle wasn't about your life.
This was my first Anna-Lou Weatherley's book, and I was a fast fan of her engaging writing style. The characters felt super real and (albeit I've never had to deal with London police or a murder investigation) super relatable and well developed. Especially given the sharp nuances of two rather similar female characters that made the reader spin with a delightful whodunit guessing game.
I think the plot was very original, presenting rather unusual murder investigation timelines and circumstances from the first chapters, making you instantly curious how they're related. And, of course, nothing's as it seems and everything's the way you thought it might be but wasn't...until it was..or not?! It's a brilliantly twisty female focused plot.
I absolutely love a good London mystery and will be looking forward to reading more from this amazing author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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This is once again one of those great thrillers that starts as a slow-burner, making you swipe your screen in anticipation to see where it's going. And before you know it, it's 3 a.m. and you're bleary-eyed and grateful that the wild story on your Kindle wasn't about your life.
This was my first Anna-Lou Weatherley's book, and I was a fast fan of her engaging writing style. The characters felt super real and (albeit I've never had to deal with London police or a murder investigation) super relatable and well developed. Especially given the sharp nuances of two rather similar female characters that made the reader spin with a delightful whodunit guessing game.
I think the plot was very original, presenting rather unusual murder investigation timelines and circumstances from the first chapters, making you instantly curious how they're related. And, of course, nothing's as it seems and everything's the way you thought it might be but wasn't...until it was..or not?! It's a brilliantly twisty female focused plot.
I absolutely love a good London mystery and will be looking forward to reading more from this amazing author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I’ve always been a huge fan of Dan, so I was really looking forward to the next instalment in this series.
Normally, I would recommend reading a series in order—especially because of the personal lives of the main characters. And although it’s often said that the books can be read as standalones, I still believe you miss out on something when you don’t follow the sequence.
However, for this book I’m happy to make an exception, because the main focus here lies on the case rather than on the protagonist’s private life, and it would be a shame to skip it. So I’d say: definitely read it, whether you’ve read the others or not—but even better, just read the whole series! You won’t regret a single second.
I think I may have already revealed in the previous paragraph how I feel about this book (lol), but I’d still like to go a little deeper into it.
Dan and his sidekick are fantastic characters, and Dan is an incredibly empathetic person. He has a way of putting people at ease like no one else, which builds trust and helps him uncover things others might not. Always useful during a murder investigation.
The author does an excellent job of creating confusion. I found myself wanting to believe Erin, yet the doubt kept lingering. I couldn’t make head nor tail of the case, which kept the story fascinating, gripping, and tense until the very last page.
This is exactly the kind of thriller I love.
I enjoyed every second I invested in this book and can wholeheartedly recommend it.
For me, everything worked perfectly—so it’s a full 5 stars.
Thank you
Normally, I would recommend reading a series in order—especially because of the personal lives of the main characters. And although it’s often said that the books can be read as standalones, I still believe you miss out on something when you don’t follow the sequence.
However, for this book I’m happy to make an exception, because the main focus here lies on the case rather than on the protagonist’s private life, and it would be a shame to skip it. So I’d say: definitely read it, whether you’ve read the others or not—but even better, just read the whole series! You won’t regret a single second.
I think I may have already revealed in the previous paragraph how I feel about this book (lol), but I’d still like to go a little deeper into it.
Dan and his sidekick are fantastic characters, and Dan is an incredibly empathetic person. He has a way of putting people at ease like no one else, which builds trust and helps him uncover things others might not. Always useful during a murder investigation.
The author does an excellent job of creating confusion. I found myself wanting to believe Erin, yet the doubt kept lingering. I couldn’t make head nor tail of the case, which kept the story fascinating, gripping, and tense until the very last page.
This is exactly the kind of thriller I love.
I enjoyed every second I invested in this book and can wholeheartedly recommend it.
For me, everything worked perfectly—so it’s a full 5 stars.
Thank you
December 6, 2025
Anna-Lou Weatherley’s She Made Me Do It is a taut, addictive psychological thriller that pulls you straight into the dangerous allure of friendship gone wrong. From the moment Samantha Valentine crashes into the narrator’s life, the story hums with unease—her charm is magnetic, her secrets unsettling, and her sudden disappearance devastating.
The novel pivots on a single, shocking night: a frantic call, a body on the floor, and a betrayal that unravels everything the narrator thought they knew. Weatherley masterfully layers suspense with emotional tension, blurring the lines between trust and manipulation, loyalty and destruction. The police may see only guilt, but the real mystery lies in Samantha herself—who she is, what she wants, and why she orchestrated such a devastating trap.
What makes this book so compelling is its pace and atmosphere. Every chapter tightens the knot, every revelation deepens the sense of dread, and yet it’s impossible to stop reading.Weatherley’s prose is sharp and immersive, keeping you hooked as the narrator’s life spirals out of control in the hunt for truth.
This is a thriller that thrives on twists and emotional stakes, perfect for readers who love stories where nothing—and no one—is what they seem. Dark, gripping, and impossible to put down, She Made Me Do It is a reminder that sometimes the most dangerous people are the ones we let closest to us.
My thanks to Anna-Lou Weatherley, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The novel pivots on a single, shocking night: a frantic call, a body on the floor, and a betrayal that unravels everything the narrator thought they knew. Weatherley masterfully layers suspense with emotional tension, blurring the lines between trust and manipulation, loyalty and destruction. The police may see only guilt, but the real mystery lies in Samantha herself—who she is, what she wants, and why she orchestrated such a devastating trap.
What makes this book so compelling is its pace and atmosphere. Every chapter tightens the knot, every revelation deepens the sense of dread, and yet it’s impossible to stop reading.Weatherley’s prose is sharp and immersive, keeping you hooked as the narrator’s life spirals out of control in the hunt for truth.
This is a thriller that thrives on twists and emotional stakes, perfect for readers who love stories where nothing—and no one—is what they seem. Dark, gripping, and impossible to put down, She Made Me Do It is a reminder that sometimes the most dangerous people are the ones we let closest to us.
My thanks to Anna-Lou Weatherley, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
December 29, 2025
She Made Me Do It by Anna-Lou Weatherly
This is book nine in the Detective Dan Riley series, but the way this book was written, I had no issue jumping right in. The context was provided that allowed me to feel like I knew these characters and could follow their stories.
This was fast-paced and intense. The way the story started at a 10 and just maintained that level of intensity was bananas. I liked Erin. She had something awful happen to her, and she wanted justice and revenge. And she deserved it.
But the way this story spiraled before coming together was brilliant. The writing was top-tier, and I was engaged. I could not stop reading- because every page, every chapter, just put me deeper into this twisted tale.
I loved Dan Riley. He was such a bold character, with charm, charisma, and an immediate confidence that made him likable. I want to read the previous eight books, so those will go to the TBR for when I have time.
This was such a well-rounded story, with alternating narrators and a cast of characters that brought the words to life. The way this book careened to a plot twist was unhinged in the best way. I was left speechless, and just had to keep reading to find out what happened next.
I can see why readers love Dan Riley. He is everything you want in a strong lead character, and he wins you over with his integrity. I will definitely continue this series.
Publication date: January 12, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture
This is book nine in the Detective Dan Riley series, but the way this book was written, I had no issue jumping right in. The context was provided that allowed me to feel like I knew these characters and could follow their stories.
This was fast-paced and intense. The way the story started at a 10 and just maintained that level of intensity was bananas. I liked Erin. She had something awful happen to her, and she wanted justice and revenge. And she deserved it.
But the way this story spiraled before coming together was brilliant. The writing was top-tier, and I was engaged. I could not stop reading- because every page, every chapter, just put me deeper into this twisted tale.
I loved Dan Riley. He was such a bold character, with charm, charisma, and an immediate confidence that made him likable. I want to read the previous eight books, so those will go to the TBR for when I have time.
This was such a well-rounded story, with alternating narrators and a cast of characters that brought the words to life. The way this book careened to a plot twist was unhinged in the best way. I was left speechless, and just had to keep reading to find out what happened next.
I can see why readers love Dan Riley. He is everything you want in a strong lead character, and he wins you over with his integrity. I will definitely continue this series.
Publication date: January 12, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture
December 3, 2025
I normally don't read series but I make an exception for Dan Riley books- he is a great character and I enjoy solving mysteries right along with him. This was an overall fast-paced read that I finished in less than a day. It centers on 2 different women who murdered a complete stranger in order to save their best friend Samantha's life. The issue is that no one can seem to track down Samantha, making the circumstances of the cases much more suspicious.
I like the way the story was set up, with an initial situation that doesn't get resolved until years pass and something similar happens. I had no idea what twists were coming and felt that Dan and his team did a great job in investigating what was going on and following the right threads. I am always happy to notice the small things that he notices too. The series does a good job of balancing police procedural aspects with psychological thriller aspects, giving deep insight into both the police work and the characters' personalities without being long or boring about it. The mystery was sound and there were believable red herrings included. I really liked the end of the book and felt like it lined up perfectly with the rest of the story.
Overall, another winner for me and I look forward to the next Dan Riley book. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I like the way the story was set up, with an initial situation that doesn't get resolved until years pass and something similar happens. I had no idea what twists were coming and felt that Dan and his team did a great job in investigating what was going on and following the right threads. I am always happy to notice the small things that he notices too. The series does a good job of balancing police procedural aspects with psychological thriller aspects, giving deep insight into both the police work and the characters' personalities without being long or boring about it. The mystery was sound and there were believable red herrings included. I really liked the end of the book and felt like it lined up perfectly with the rest of the story.
Overall, another winner for me and I look forward to the next Dan Riley book. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2026
Samantha Valentine didn't gently enter Erin's life, she crashed into it. One minute she was a stranger, the next she felt like Erin's lifelong friend. Her life seemed flawless, yet something about her stories never quite added up. Then came the phone call. Samantha, crying hysterically, begging Erin to save her from her boyfriend. Erin ran to Samantha's house without thinking, Instinct taking over. And then Erin finds herself standing over a dead man. By the time the police arrived, Samantha was gone. No trace. No record. According to them she never existed at all. Now with Erin accused of murder, she needs answers. Who is Samantha Valentine? Why did she choose Erin? And how far does Erin need to go to uncover the truth?
She Made Me Do It is the kind of psychological thriller where you truly can't trust anyone. I flew through this book, fueled by short chapters, rising dread, and the constant feeling that something is wrong, you just don't know what it is yet. Erin and Samantha's friendship is unsettling in the best way. Samantha is charming, mysterious, and impossible to pin down and watching everything unravel is equal parts frustrating and addictive. If you love thrillers about manipulation, twisted friendships, and being gaslit into oblivion, this is absolutely the perfect read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Anna-Lou Weatherley, and Bookouture for this eARC! Thank you so much to Bookouture for having me on this book tour!
She Made Me Do It is the kind of psychological thriller where you truly can't trust anyone. I flew through this book, fueled by short chapters, rising dread, and the constant feeling that something is wrong, you just don't know what it is yet. Erin and Samantha's friendship is unsettling in the best way. Samantha is charming, mysterious, and impossible to pin down and watching everything unravel is equal parts frustrating and addictive. If you love thrillers about manipulation, twisted friendships, and being gaslit into oblivion, this is absolutely the perfect read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Anna-Lou Weatherley, and Bookouture for this eARC! Thank you so much to Bookouture for having me on this book tour!
November 27, 2025
“She Made Me Do It” sounds like every parent’s nightmare. Now you have to figure out who the real culprit is. If you think it’s bad for parents, imagine being the police. You respond to the call only to find the person who called you standing over a body holding a bloody knife. And her response, she did it to protect her and her friend. And wasn’t that friend there just a minute ago. Or does she even exist. Literally, that is the first few pages of this novel. And what a novel idea it is.
So I don’t know if all of the rest of the Detective Dan Riley mysteries go this way, but man, this one is fast paced right out of the gate. Good luck catching your breath. Also, I love how the main character of the series shares the spotlight with another character.
The villain in this novel is evil, evil, evil. Did I mention they are evil? The lengths they will go to so they can pull off their schemes.
The only bad part about this being my first novel in the series is that with a full stack of books to read, I now I have to read the previous 8 books of this series. So good.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
So I don’t know if all of the rest of the Detective Dan Riley mysteries go this way, but man, this one is fast paced right out of the gate. Good luck catching your breath. Also, I love how the main character of the series shares the spotlight with another character.
The villain in this novel is evil, evil, evil. Did I mention they are evil? The lengths they will go to so they can pull off their schemes.
The only bad part about this being my first novel in the series is that with a full stack of books to read, I now I have to read the previous 8 books of this series. So good.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
January 1, 2026
Dan Riley #9
Samantha Valentine didn't drift into my life, she collided with it. Soon it was like we had been friends forever. She told me everything about her perfect life, but I always felt she was leaving something out. The one night, I get a frantic call from Samantha, hysterical and begging her to protect her from her boyfriend. Rushing to her house, instinct takes over and soon my heart is hammering out of my chest as I stand over the body of a man I had never met before that evening. By the time the police arrive, Samantha has vanished. The officers tell me there is no record of her anywhere. The woman I thought was my friend has tricked me into killing a perfect stranger.
I love this series. There were so many twists that my head was spinning. This action-packed read is filled with suspense, good strong characters and the plot is intriguing. This is an emotionally tense read. I couldn't wait until they found Samantha, needing to know her reasons for what she had done.
Published 12th January 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #AnnaLouWeatherly for my ARC of #SheMadeMeDoIt in exchange for an honest review.
Samantha Valentine didn't drift into my life, she collided with it. Soon it was like we had been friends forever. She told me everything about her perfect life, but I always felt she was leaving something out. The one night, I get a frantic call from Samantha, hysterical and begging her to protect her from her boyfriend. Rushing to her house, instinct takes over and soon my heart is hammering out of my chest as I stand over the body of a man I had never met before that evening. By the time the police arrive, Samantha has vanished. The officers tell me there is no record of her anywhere. The woman I thought was my friend has tricked me into killing a perfect stranger.
I love this series. There were so many twists that my head was spinning. This action-packed read is filled with suspense, good strong characters and the plot is intriguing. This is an emotionally tense read. I couldn't wait until they found Samantha, needing to know her reasons for what she had done.
Published 12th January 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #AnnaLouWeatherly for my ARC of #SheMadeMeDoIt in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2026
This season has fully engaged me at the very onset and made me remember why this detective series is so special. This is just too fresh and intense even now, and the story makes you pay your full attention. I entered without having heard anything about the plot, and was immediately sucked into the pacing that is sharp and the tension building.
The twists are clever and well timed always going in the unusual direction of the story. My thought process was going in the right direction when I was shocked by the turn taken by the story. The psychological aspect was particularly impressive in this one, excavating the depths of motives and manipulation to a chilling and very real effect.
Dan Riley truly shines here. This was his best performance so far happenings wise as well as professionally, and I enjoyed watching things play out within his sphere. It was a strong and gratifying conclusion, one that you remember upon finishing the last page. It is a fast, addictive, and unputtable book. Strongly suggested to the viewers of the series and those who enjoy a good crime thriller.
ARC REVIEW
The twists are clever and well timed always going in the unusual direction of the story. My thought process was going in the right direction when I was shocked by the turn taken by the story. The psychological aspect was particularly impressive in this one, excavating the depths of motives and manipulation to a chilling and very real effect.
Dan Riley truly shines here. This was his best performance so far happenings wise as well as professionally, and I enjoyed watching things play out within his sphere. It was a strong and gratifying conclusion, one that you remember upon finishing the last page. It is a fast, addictive, and unputtable book. Strongly suggested to the viewers of the series and those who enjoy a good crime thriller.
ARC REVIEW
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
Release: Jan 12, 2026
Author: Anna Lou Weatherley
Publisher: Bookoture
Rating: 4.25★
What starts as a new friendship quickly turns into a nightmare. Samantha Valentine seems like the perfect friend—open, charming, and a little too put together—but when she calls in a panic, claiming her boyfriend is threatening her, everything spirals out of control. The narrator rushes to help and ends up standing over a dead body, believing she acted to protect Samantha. Then the police arrive… and Samantha is gone. No records. No proof she ever existed.
This book is fast, addictive, and full of “wait—WHAT?” moments. The twists come hard and often, and the manipulation is genuinely unsettling. Watching the friendship unravel is tense and creepy, and the story does a great job showing how one bad decision can destroy everything. If you love psychological thrillers about betrayal, gaslighting, and not knowing who to trust, this one will pull you in and not let go.
Favorite Quote:
“Some people don’t lie with words—they lie with the version of themselves they let you see.”
Author: Anna Lou Weatherley
Publisher: Bookoture
Rating: 4.25★
What starts as a new friendship quickly turns into a nightmare. Samantha Valentine seems like the perfect friend—open, charming, and a little too put together—but when she calls in a panic, claiming her boyfriend is threatening her, everything spirals out of control. The narrator rushes to help and ends up standing over a dead body, believing she acted to protect Samantha. Then the police arrive… and Samantha is gone. No records. No proof she ever existed.
This book is fast, addictive, and full of “wait—WHAT?” moments. The twists come hard and often, and the manipulation is genuinely unsettling. Watching the friendship unravel is tense and creepy, and the story does a great job showing how one bad decision can destroy everything. If you love psychological thrillers about betrayal, gaslighting, and not knowing who to trust, this one will pull you in and not let go.
Favorite Quote:
“Some people don’t lie with words—they lie with the version of themselves they let you see.”
January 18, 2026
I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Bookouture.
This is a Detective Dan Riley thriller, and I remembered enjoying one of the previous books, so I was interested in this one.
At the start of the book, I tried to put myself in the shoes of the main character, Erin, to imagine how it would feel to be in her place. Erin thought Samantha was her best friend, but who was Samantha really?
Samantha didn't seem like the kind of character that appealed to me, but I could see why she may have been appealing to Erin, and to others. I found that as I kept reading, both Erin and Samantha became more ambiguous, more of a mystery to me, and I was never sure what to expect when I turned the page.
This book was clever, twisty and gripping. Detective Dan Riley is a likeable character, and this has sparked my interest in reading more of the series.
Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is a Detective Dan Riley thriller, and I remembered enjoying one of the previous books, so I was interested in this one.
At the start of the book, I tried to put myself in the shoes of the main character, Erin, to imagine how it would feel to be in her place. Erin thought Samantha was her best friend, but who was Samantha really?
Samantha didn't seem like the kind of character that appealed to me, but I could see why she may have been appealing to Erin, and to others. I found that as I kept reading, both Erin and Samantha became more ambiguous, more of a mystery to me, and I was never sure what to expect when I turned the page.
This book was clever, twisty and gripping. Detective Dan Riley is a likeable character, and this has sparked my interest in reading more of the series.
Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
January 23, 2026
She Made Me Do It by Anna-Lou Weatherley is the 9th book in the excellent Detective Dan Riley series and what an excellent series. It has been an absolutely unputdownable and addictive psychological thriller and I have been hooked! from the start. I love the main character Detective Dan Riley and he is like a dog with a bone in every case he works on and will work every hours he can to solve the case. He will turn every stone to find out what happened to solve his case. This book was excellent and full of brilliant twists and turns throughout that will have you turning the pages to find out what happens next!
Now, one of the things I have loved about this series, is that all of these books can be read as a standalone, but I do recommend you go back and read all of these, they will not disappoint and the main character is just excellent!
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.
Now, one of the things I have loved about this series, is that all of these books can be read as a standalone, but I do recommend you go back and read all of these, they will not disappoint and the main character is just excellent!
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review,
Erin killed a man who she thought was her friend Samantha's abusive fiancee and once he was dead, Samantha disappeared without a trace and Erin went to jail. Now several years later it appears that Samantha is at it again, with a woman named Tilly who was duped in the same way, Dan Riley quickly realizes the connection and works with Erin and Tilly to uncover the truth about Samantha.
I really like this series a lot. I always look forward to Dan Riley's latest case and this was a compelling one. I was very engaged and flew through this book in a hurry. I really wanted to know what was going on and I was not disappointed with the outcome. Another really good read and I look forward to the next one in the series.
Erin killed a man who she thought was her friend Samantha's abusive fiancee and once he was dead, Samantha disappeared without a trace and Erin went to jail. Now several years later it appears that Samantha is at it again, with a woman named Tilly who was duped in the same way, Dan Riley quickly realizes the connection and works with Erin and Tilly to uncover the truth about Samantha.
I really like this series a lot. I always look forward to Dan Riley's latest case and this was a compelling one. I was very engaged and flew through this book in a hurry. I really wanted to know what was going on and I was not disappointed with the outcome. Another really good read and I look forward to the next one in the series.
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