Don't Look Away: A Novel

by Daniel Kenitz

From the author of The Perfect Home comes a harrowing domestic crime thriller where a former defense attorney is forced out of retirement to defend her husband—now the prime suspect in the serial murder case terrorizing Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Leslie Woodhouse’s most exciting days should be behind her. In a past life, she was a defense attorney with a reputation for finding loopholes in high-profile cases. Now, she’s enjoying a modest retirement in Florida in a seaside condo with her mild-mannered husband, Robert. The only things that get her heart rate up now are late-night coffees, playful banter with her beloved older sister, and the the serial killer ravaging Florida’s Gulf Coast has just made his first mistake. An eight-year-old girl has seen his face and lived.

To Leslie, the murderer is little more than a morbid fascination—until she comes home to flashing police lights. Robert is arrested, accused of being the Gulf Coast Killer. Leslie is convinced of his innocence, and despite warnings not to represent her husband, she starts work on his defense. But as she unravels the facts, she can’t shake the unanswered questions. What was Robert’s DNA doing at the scene of the crime? And if she’s right to defend Robert, then who is the real Gulf Coast Killer, and why is he framing her husband?

Don’t Look Away is a twisty, compulsively readable thriller that what do we owe one another— and what are the consequences of ignoring the truth?

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery

320 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2026

About the author

Daniel Kenitz is a freelance writer and the author of the "The Perfect Home," and the forthcoming domestic crime thriller "Don't Look Away." He has also published several short stories, including the Pushcart Prize-nominated A Hand to the Plow (2022, Red Rock Review), Tickleneck (2022, Spotlong Review), The Cycle (2021, Evening Street Review), Seen (2020, Every Day Fiction), The Parent License (2020, The Virginia Normal), and Sunset 9037 (2013, Strangelet Magazine). Visit his author website for more information.

Reviews

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

This is a genuine legal thriller (meaning that we see all the action happening in real time). The story takes place on the Florida Gulf Coast where a serial killer is terrorizing the area. Leslie, a former public defender, is shocked when her husband Robert is arrested and charged. The story is narrated by Leslie, Robert, and Robert's son Wes (father and son have a strained relationship.)

Leslie was a great main character and I liked the legal wrangling. The pace was fast and the overall vibe was tense and suspenseful!

I was less excited about the ending, which got a little weird, but that is definitely the trend these days, and I have to accept that ;)

Thanks to Scribner books for the advance copy. I'd definitely try another book by this author!

[Alli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Dan Kenitz and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy of this thriller.

What makes this novel stand out is that the mystery isn’t who the serial killer is—you know that almost immediately. Instead, the story becomes a tense and emotionally layered exploration of family, shame, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love. Wrapped inside a fast-paced serial killer chase are deeper questions about morality and our responsibilities to one another.

The narrative alternates between Leslie, Robert, and Weston, and each perspective adds another layer of complexity to the story. I appreciated that no character felt one-dimensional; even when I disagreed with their choices, I could still understand their motivations (mostly). That emotional nuance made the book impossible to put down. I found myself sympathizing with everyone at different points, but by the end, I was firmly Team Leslie.

Sharp, suspenseful, and deeply character-driven, this is the kind of thriller that keeps the pages turning while also giving you plenty to think about after the final chapter.

When it releases on July 7th, definitely add this one to your list.

[Marisha (MarishaReadsALot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Scribner for the gifted ARC!

Retired defense attorney, Leslie, is forced back into the courtroom when her husband Robert is accused of being the notorious Gulf Coast Killer. Her search for the truth quickly turns dangerous.

I really enjoyed this book! It is extremely well written and unsettling, especially because there aren’t a ton of twists and turns like you’d expect in a thriller. From my perspective, it was a very high stakes cat and mouse game.

I really enjoyed the emphasis on the legal aspects of Robert’s trial, but without spoiling anything I wanted to reach into the book and shake Robert!!! IYKYK

Highly recommend this one to fellow legal thriller fans!

[KaseyG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick synopsis: A retired defense attorney’s husband is accused of being a serial killer on Florida’s gulf coast.
Thoughts: This one kept me on the edge of my seat! It was a super bingeable thriller that I listened to in pretty much one sitting. I did figure out what was going on pretty early on, but there were still a lot of twists that surprised me. The multiple point of view narration was really well done and kept me entertained.

Read this if you like:
🌴 Florida setting
🌴 retired main characters
🌴 courtroom procedural
🌴 serial killer

[booked.with.julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if the person you love most… might be a serial killer?!

Leslie thought she had left her old life as a defense attorney behind. But when her husband is arrested and accused of being a serial killer, she’s pulled right back in…this time fighting for him. But the more she digs the less certain she feels he is innocent.

This one truly hooked me right away. It’s a compelling domestic thriller that blends legal drama. With a pace that will keep you engaged throughout, you’ll be sure to keep turning the pages!

[Tana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one hooked me from the very beginning and never really let go. I loved that the mystery wasn’t about who—it was about why. The characters were layered, the relationships were complicated, and the storyline kept me guessing.

I also really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes legal aspects, which added another layer to the story. Even when I wasn’t quite sure where it was heading, I stayed completely invested because I genuinely cared about the characters and wanted to understand how everything connected.

The ending wasn’t quite a perfect five-star finish for me, but it was close enough that I’m happily rounding up. If you enjoy character-driven thrillers with a unique mystery, complex relationships, and a legal twist, I’d definitely recommend this one.

MY RATING: 4.5★
My specific rating key and descriptions can be found on my profile page.

[Love_booksforlife Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retired defense attorney Leslie gets the call that she never wanted: her husband Robert is under arrest for the serial killings plaguing Florida. She jumps into action to defend him, working hard to prove that he's not the Gulf Coast Killer.

This was a fun one! I really liked the mystery and was captivated from beginning to end. The court room drama section was probably my favorite. I loved seeing how Leslie operated as a defense attorney. You really see her struggle with wanting to believe her husband while also doubting him when the evidence starts stacking up against him. You get a whole cast of side-characters that also steal the show. Overall, this was an engaging thriller!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy!

[Judy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A razor-sharp domestic drama where a retired defense attorney must navigate the treacherous inner circles of a serial killer investigation, hitting too close to home."

BLIND MARITAL LOYALTY VS. UNDENIABLE FORENSIC EVIDENCE.

In DON'T LOOK AWAY, thriller author Daniel Kenitz delivers a deeply atmospheric, tension-soaked Gulf Coast, modern psychological crime mystery.

Elevator Pitch
A peaceful seaside retirement turns into a high-stakes, paranoid nightmare when a former defense attorney is forced out of retirement to represent her own husband after he is arrested as a notorious Gulf Coast serial killer.

Setting
(Madre Island, FL) The sun-drenched, deceptively peaceful seaside landscape of Florida’s Gulf Coast, moving between a quiet retirement condo and a high-stakes, media-frenzied courtroom.

Vibe
Claustrophobic, high-tension, and deeply paranoid.

Genre
Domestic Crime Thriller / Psychological Suspense / Courtroom Drama

Themes
~The Blind Spots of Marital Loyalty and Devotion
~The Consequences of Deliberately Ignoring the Truth
~The Heavy Burden of What We Owe the People We Love
~The Dark Secrets Hiding Under the Glare of Paradise

Standout Characters
~Leslie Woodhouse: A fierce, retired defense attorney whose brilliant mind becomes her own worst enemy as she fights to save her husband.

~Robert Woodhouse: Her seemingly mild-mannered husband, whose arrest for a string of horrific serial murders exposes a lifetime of hidden layers.

~The Gulf Coast Killer: A calculating, faceless predator terrorizing Florida who may be hiding right under Leslie's roof.

Author Writing Standout
Daniel Kenitz excels at delivering a rich, incredibly twisty narrative structure packed with relentless psychological pacing. He captures the legal arena with total authenticity while maintaining an ever-present sense of domestic dread that makes you question every character's innocence.

Takeaway
The truth doesn't care about your loyalty—and looking away from it will only ensure your own destruction.

Title Significance
Don't Look Away serves as a literal, haunting warning to Leslie and the reader alike; once you uncover the first thread of a lie, you cannot close your eyes to the horrifying reality of who is standing right next to you.

Metaphor
Leslie’s late-night coffees—brewed to keep her awake through mountains of defense files—perfectly symbolize her desperate fight against the darkness trying to swallow her marriage, pushing her mind to the absolute brink of exhaustion.

Why You Should Read
A fiercely captivating, edge-of-your-seat contemporary thriller that blends high-stakes courtroom mechanics with a deeply intimate, devastating marriage-in-crisis plot.

My Thoughts
Don't Look Away by the brilliant Daniel Kenitz is a total five-star domestic thriller masterpiece!

It turns into this incredible, fast-paced, high-stakes psychological cat-and-mouse game where Leslie has to figure out if she's protecting an innocent man or walking straight into a trap. The tension is top-tier, the legal writing is flawless, and it's the ultimate popcorn thriller!

The narrative tension is a total psychological adrenaline rush that keeps you turning pages at a breakneck clip. Kenitz crafts an exceptionally clever, dark puzzle where the protagonist is an unforgettable, fiercely competent woman caught in an impossible emotional vise. The dialogue is sharp, the Florida atmosphere is palpable, and the final sequence of reveals will completely floor you. As a long-time Florida resident, I always enjoy thrillers set in my backyard.

Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
"A stellar, five-star crime thriller that firmly establishes Daniel Kenitz as a top-tier voice in modern psychological suspense."

Recs/Read Alikes
If you enjoyed the fast-paced, high-stakes suspense of Don't Look Away by Daniel Kenitz, you will love these thrillers, combining complex marital secrets, legal or investigative angles, and shocking twists that keep you questioning who to trust.

~The Perfect Home by Daniel Kenitz: If you love the author's writing style, his debut novel features the same intricately plotted domestic tension and dark, multi-layered family secrets.

~Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
~Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh
~Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay
~The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
~Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
~Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

Special thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: July 7, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars
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July 2026 Must-Read Books

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

Thank you Netgalley and Scribner for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

This book was so so good early on. The premise was super unique and the intense dynamic between the main three characters truly set things up for a wild ride. As the narrative pressed forward however I felt all of the potential the author built up slowly went by the wayside and by the end I was just really disappointed in the way things unfolded. With a small Florida town in the tight grips of a serial murderer who absolutely will not stop, a former lawyer named Leslie is thrown right into the thick of it all when her husband Robert gets arrested for the horrific crimes. It is quickly revealed though that his estranged son Wes is actually the real culprit and he is actively setting up his dad to take the fall.

The plot then shifts between all three perspectives as we get some deep insight into why Wes is completely hell bent on seeing his father go down for the slayings and how maybe Robert is secretly aware of his son's dark wrongdoings. We also follow whether or not Leslie can finally get to the truth behind it all before she herself lands right in the dangerous crosshairs of this madman. I found that base concept really fascinating. The author took away the standard whodunit aspect of the thriller by revealing the killer early on leaving us only with the burning question as to why. The father-son dynamic was interesting to see play out as more of their toxic history came into focus and that left Leslie on the outside looking in simply trying to piece together whether her partner was truly the mastermind behind the crimes and if not why someone would be trying to frame him so perfectly.

I just felt like as the chapters moved forward the core motives of the son and the true reason behind his ultimate master plan were just not worthy of becoming a notorious serial killer. I never got a genuine sense that these dark urges were just waiting to be released via the sharp end of a knife and the volatile relationship between him and his dad throughout his childhood did not reach the extreme level where dropping bodies left and right would somehow solve anything. I spent the entire middle portion of the read just questioning that logic a lot and once I finally reached the finale all of the massive potential the early sections built up just fizzled out. The excitement of the tense cat-and-mouse game between these three main players simply did not materialize the way I had originally hoped. Furthermore, I did not enjoy the ending at all and I found myself wanting much more depth from the Wes character in general. It ended up being a pretty basic thriller when it was all said and done and if the execution was just a tad bit better I really could see this one being a top tier read. Unfortunately that just was not the case here.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫—𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝'𝐯𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐬, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞—but 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲, 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠. 𝐖𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.

Leslie Woodhouse thought she had closed the door on this part of her life. Once a defense attorney known for navigating impossible cases, she’s now settled into a quieter routine in Florida with her husband Robert. Then a serial killer stalking the Gulf Coast makes a mistake, and suddenly Leslie’s life collides with it in the worst possible way. She comes home to flashing lights, and Robert is arrested. Not questioned. Not suspected. Arrested. Accused of being the killer. Convinced of his innocence, Leslie steps back into a world she thought she left behind, determined to prove her husband's innocence. The problem is, the deeper she digs, the less certain everything becomes.

This is one of those thrillers that knows exactly how to get under your skin without relying on nonstop twists and turns. The tension builds in that slow, tightening way where every new piece of information feels like it should help but somehow only makes things worse. I loved the way this played with certainty, especially Leslie’s. She starts from a place of absolute belief in her husband, and watching that belief get tested over and over again is where the story really hits. And yes, I had my theories. Yes, I was wrong.

What stuck with me most is how quietly unsettling the central theme is. We all like to think we’d know; that we’d recognize danger, that we’d see the cracks in the people closest to us. This book builds up that assumption and then calmly dismantles it. By the end, it leaves you sitting with that uncomfortable question, turning it over in your head long after the final page. Because hindsight might feel sharp until you realize how much you never saw coming. Many thanks to Scribner Books for this early copy that will release July 7, 2026.

[Jill Newberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of 'whodunits' and courtroom dramas, 'Don't Look Away' threads the taut thrills of a classic serial killer saga with the high-stakes intimacy of family bonds gone awry: causing the reader to ask, alongside the characters, "How well do you really know the people in your life?" and, maybe more importantly, "Do you trust them?"

Masterfully written with crisp, surprising descriptions and emotional twists and turns, the fast-paced, shifting first-person points of view lend both a strong voice and a modern approach to a classically character-centered mystery that explores a powerful theme in thoughtful and unexpected ways.

Likable characters, though decidedly flawed, take you on their own emotional journeys, tipping the readers' sympathies one way, then the other. Because coming to terms with the underlying and even uncomfortable truths about themselves and their relationships - and deciding to accept, or reject, what they uncover - is central to unspooling this tightly-wound mystery. And getting closer to the truth increases their peril, leaving the reader breathless as characters and plot advance as one: a page-turner in every sense of the word.

Like Kenitz' debut novel, 'The Perfect Home', 'Don't Look Away' is compellingly readable – you’ll easily devour it in a weekend, on a plane, or at the top of your stack of summer reads. Both meld a delightfully readable, twisty true crime premise, that could've been ripped from your favorite podcast, with compelling yet flawed characters you can feel as you read them face every part of a gut-wrenching plot: leaving you guessing what's coming next on every page and thoroughly surprised by its final twist.

[Aurora Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Former defense attorney Leslie Woodhouse is pulled out of retirement when her husband becomes the prime suspect in a string of serial murders along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
The serial killer case is the core of the story, but the true focus is the family relationships, moral questions, and emotional conflicts.

The multiple POV really highlighted the sense of dread and it was fun seeing everyone react to what we knew was coming.

The relationship between Leslie and her sister feels deep but there’s very little to go on between Leslie and husband Robert. They barely speak to each other throughout the entire story and I couldn’t get a handle on their relationship even before everything kicked off. For a character led domestic thriller, I found the emotional depth lacking across most of the cast.

The court case was probably my favorite part - plenty of suspense - maybe predictable but very satisfying.

The tension comes from the consequences, not from solving a mystery. I personally found nothing surprising, twisty or revealy. Fair warning - a lot of Goodread reviewers disagree with me.

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This is ultimately a domestic suspense wrapped around a court case. It’s gripping and compelling and focuses on emotional resolution and character choices rather than a jaw-dropping twist.

Thank you Scribner and NetGalley for this gifted ARC.

🎧 Narrated by Nancy Linary, Fred Sanders, Gary Tiedemann
📖 Release 07•07•26 | 320 pages | 8h 30m

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nestle away on the sleepy island of Madre, a retired defense attorney and her husband lives an untroubled seaside dream lulled by the sounds of the Gulf. But when a string of chilling murders make waves up north along the western coast, Leslie Woodhouse’s reluctant return to the spotlight feeds the media frenzy of yet another infamous case. Incriminating evidence is hard to ignore but Robert’s alleged involvement in the Gulf Coast crimes has his wife desperately grasping for answers. Will coming to his defense save their marriage and his good name?

In this high-stakes legal thriller, Leslie is an OCD lapsed Catholic of 25 years with a heavy moral conscience and brooding past to match. Expect a steady burning domestic crime thriller with all your Amens, Hail Marys, and Patron Saints invited to the party because Robert Woodhouse is going to need it. Nonetheless, it was a captivating courtroom battle of wits that had me wonder what secrets hid behind the suspect’s unusual eyes and odd demeanor. With ever increasing tensions between characters and an unexpected twisty end I did not foresee, I enjoyed the deeper lines of questioning and different POVs that ultimately led to the final resolve. This novel had me endlessly debating which was far worse: the sins of omission or the blind complacency of a marriage steeped in ambiguity?




Thank you Scribner / Simon & Schuster for a free copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Megan Magee · Rating 4 out of 5]

60 something year old Leslie is married to Robert, mother to Steph, and a very good defense lawyer. When her immediate family gets embroiled in a legal scandal, she must do her best to free her husband from the threat of permanent prison, but at what cost? The journey it takes to get there almost costs her everything- including her other family members. With the Florida Gulf Coast killer potentially being one and the same person as Leslie's husband, there is a race against time to get to the bottom of any and all accusations. This one, for everything it has going on, could perhaps be easily spoiled if I go into too much detail, so I'll leave any synopsis explanations at that. I would say this is for fans of legalese and courtroom thrillers, family lore told amidst heavy topics, and slower paced crime thrillers. I enjoyed its unpredictability and even had a few deep gasps from it. Don't Look Away was truly very engaging and lives up to its name. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Scribner for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Stacy40pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t Look Away by Daniel Kenitz. Thanks to @scribnerbooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Leslie was once a well known defense attorney, but now is retired and spends her days in her seaside condo with her mild mannered husband, Richard. When Richard is accused as being the area’s newest serial killer, The Gulf Coast Killer, she jumps back in her role as a defense attorney.

This one is interesting because we have more insight into the murders than one usually has in a book about a serial killer. It’s more about family dynamics and secrets. It is a bit of a courtroom and defense thriller as well, which were some of my favorite parts. I liked how there was a line that Leslie had to tie from defense attorney and spouse.

“The hard things either kill you or become the whole reason you live.”

Read if you like:
-Serial killer tropes
-Courtroom thrillers
-Defense attorney procedurals

Don’t Look Away comes out 7/7.

[Dom Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t Look Away had a premise that genuinely hooked me. It’s about a defense attorney forced to defend her own husband when evidence points to him as a serial killer terrorizing Florida. That setup is compelling and I was fully on board going in.

Where it lost me was the pacing of the mystery itself. The intrigue that makes thrillers work for me, which is that slow burn of not knowing dissipated earlier than I would have liked and I found it hard to stay as invested once that happened. The characters also didn’t quite land for me personally, though I can see what the story was going for with them.

That said I think this one would work really well for readers who are newer to the thriller genre or who prefer a more straightforward read over a slow burn. The bones of a good story are there and Daniel Kenitz clearly has a strong concept. Three stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Full of Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a looooaded thriller. @booked.with.Julia and I had three books in the running and she let me pick the next #jnsbuddyreads book and I went with Don’t Look Away!

First of all…. Wow. I would say this was a thriller told in reverse in a way. Very early on you know who is guilty. From there all these layers are peeled back.

DON’T LOOK AWAY was a character study, about a marriage with secrets, the cost of those secrets, and about how little you know those closest to you.

I would say to be the attorney she was Leslie had some pretty serious blinders that on, and I would say Robert was…. So many things and none of them good.

There was a mental health rep featured in this book that was unexpected and amazing. I felt so seen. The term OCD is very much overused but it was featured in this book in the most authentic way.

This was an awesome thriller that thriller lovers will love!

[Jody Blanchette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great thriller. It has just the right amount of everything I need when looking for the perfect thriller/ suspense novel. It starts off with introducing our serial killer, then the main characters and off to the courtroom and justice. It’s a sprinkling of the perfect amount of everything I look for by specific authors, but in one book.
Leslie and Robert are an older couple, who seem to have it all. Then Robert is arrested under suspicion he is a serial killer. Leslie defends him in court, but has her suspicions. I loved Leslie as a badass elderly woman who is fierce with family. But Robert left a bad taste in my mouth. The reveal does nothing to make me like him any more.
Each section of the book is thrilling. I especially loved the final part of the book where all is revealed and chaos begins. This book was fast moving with never a dull moment.

[Chanelle Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Don’t Look Away by Daniel Kenitz.

I went into this excited because I loved his first book and this did not disappoint. I finished it in about 18 hours because I genuinely couldn’t put it down. The FMC is a powerhouse lawyer, super sharp and strong in a way that actually feels believable. The MMC is unlikable right from the start, which honestly made it even more interesting to read.

I loved how the story unfolds through multiple POVs. It keeps you guessing the whole time. You’re constantly questioning who’s telling the truth or if any of them are. No spoilers, but the boat scene had me literally yelling “that MFer” out loud.

Fast paced, tense, and really easy to get hooked on.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @scribnerbooks for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

PLOT OVERVIEW: A retired defense attorney must defend her husband after he's arrested for multiple murders, but the growing evidence raises serious questions about his innocence.

MY THOUGHTS:This domestic thriller unfolds through the perspectives of LESLIE, the wife and lawyer; ROBERT, the husband and accused; and an unsettling THIRD PERSON. We learn the identity of the serial killer early on. The characters are well-developed, especially Leslie, who navigates complex legal issues while struggling with trusting her husband. I was hooked from the start. The conclusion was surprising, although it felt a bit drawn out after the big reveal. Overall, it’s an intriguing story that's perfect for fans of domestic thrillers with a hint of legal drama.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this police procedural thriller. It can be slower paced at times but it steadily builds tension and leaves you questioning everything and everyone. The short chapters had me flying through this book in one sitting. You get a few answers early on but there is so much more to uncover and just when you think you know everything you’re hit with a wtf twist. I switched between the physical and audio, the audiobook is full cast with narration from Nancy Linari, Fred Sanders, and Gary Tiedemann. It was very easy to follow in either format. This is my first book from this author but I'll be sure to check out his back list now. Thank you to Scribner Books and Simon Audio for my gifted copies.

[Alyssa Towns (Swantkoski) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the Advance Reader’s Edition!*

Daniel Kenitz does it again! This wickedly brilliant domestic crime thriller beautifully blends family secrets, legal drama, and an abundance of suspenseful moments that kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next. Instantly gripping, the prologue sets the scene for non-stop page-turning ahead. Kenitz has a knack for developing well-crafted characters that make you choose which side you’re on (team Leslie Woodhouse!). Ending with an unforgettable, heart-wrenching climax, this story delivers every juicy, well-loved aspect of an irresistible thriller, with an eerie aura from the front cover to the back.

[Robbie Sheerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully witty and devilishly sharp. Don’t Look Away is a well crafted and imaginative crime novel full of fun characters and intriguing themes. Kenitz has a unique way of making you feel like you know these characters, that you’ve strolled the same sidewalks and sat at the same kitchen islands sipping coffee as them.

Each chapter is dedicated to a persons viewpoint giving this story multiple dimensional insights into mistrust, trauma and hopelessness.

A phenomenal fun read and I look forward to exploring more by this devastatingly good author with his sprinkles of sarcasm and humor.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leslie Woodhouse, a former public defender, must defend her husband Robert when someone frames him for a series of murders.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the book very much! It's a great thriller, and there are moments when I gasped out loud because I was so nervous for what would happen to the characters.

I also appreciated that Leslie was a strong, older woman. We tend to think of older women as weak and invisible, but Leslie showed that's not the case.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @scribnerbooks for the gifted advance reader copy!

Retired criminal defense attorney Leslie Woodhouse must defend her husband who is the prime suspect in a serial murder case terrorizing Florida’s Gulf Coast.

This domestic crime thriller grabbed my attention from the start! The killer is revealed early on, but the tension does not let up. I loved the riveting courtroom scenes and complicated relationship dynamics that played out. It’s a unique and solid crime thriller that really makes you think - how well do we really know the ones we hold dear?

Rating 4⭐️

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A serial killer terrorizing the Florida Gulf Coast? An estranged and mysterious son? Three main characters all with a distinct pov? Sign me up!

Leslie is a retired criminal defense attorney living with her second husband Robert in a beachfront condo they can’t really afford, but she is living her best life. There is a serial killer on the loose, the Gulf Coast Killer, and after a little girl escapes after her mom is attacked and kidnapped, Robert becomes a prime suspect

This was twisty and unique and the ending—holy smokes. This was a unique take on the serial killer trope and will seriously make you question how well you know the people around you. I can’t wait to rea more from this author.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

With his second novel, Kenitz has established himself as an author to watch in the thriller space.

Don't Look Away almost feels like a self-contained trilogy; each of the first three parts is a different style of thriller: part one is a traditional murder mystery, part two is a legal thriller, and part three is a home invasion/domestic thriller. Combined with alternating chapters told from three perspectives, it makes for an exciting, fast-paced read.

[Scott Lovelace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a crazy intense thriller. Retired attorney Leslie never expected to be defending her husband in a murder case, much less a serial murder case. The Gulf Coast Killer. This multiple point of view legal thriller is nothing like I have read in quite a while. Secrets, family, revenge and questions galore, this reads almost like a true crime story. Very intense and unsettling at times, atmospheric, you can sense the courtroom drama and the gulf breeze. Highly recommended!

[Dawn Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Wow! Leslie, a retired attorney who lives in Florida with her husband Robert. They are enjoying retirement until she comes home to flashing lights and her husband being taken away. They say his DNA is at the murder scene- how can this be? Can she defend her husband? Is he the Gulf Coast murderer?

[GK Daffu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy and Fast

This book was a quick, atmospheric thriller with a strong sense of dread and just enough twists that kept me turning pages. The small-town tension and danger really worked for me, even if some character choices and emotional beats felt a little thin. Definitely a solid, bingeable read. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.