The Signature Line

by Nicole Annbury

The Year of Self is a program many women have manifested. However, for some, the only way out is through death.

The dark reality of Dr. Carmella Carey becomes exposed as her facade of a feminist therapist comes to light. When she promotes her controversial therapy program on TV, it draws the ire of a disgruntled men’s rights advocate, Dylan Foster. When his threats go unheeded, his actions become breaking news.

She built an empire. He plans to tear it down.

A serial killer is after the women in Dr. Carey's program, and the threats are getting closer to her, but she dismisses them. Dylan harbors anger towards the women in the program and specifically wants to find his ex-girlfriend, who was an early follower of Dr. Carey’s. An assistant and a lawyer joined Dr. Carey’s team; however, neither can control their boss or her actions.

The ultimate price for power and control.


Dr. Carey has a secret life that she keeps hidden from the women of the Year of Self. As Dr. Carey's empire grows and Dylan's mission intensifies, they find themselves on a collision course, each seeking their own version of freedom, power, and revenge.

Genres: Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Psychological Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Murder Mystery

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 13, 2026

About the author

Nicole Annbury is a writer of dark fiction in the thriller, psychological suspense, and mystery genres.

She currently lives in Indiana with her husband and three cats. When she's not writing, she enjoys nature walks, true crime documentaries, reality TV viewing and going on drives with her husband.
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Reviews

[Courtney Tew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole has done it again! What a thrilling second novel with some of the most interesting, despicable characters. No one is safe in this book, which keeps you on the edge of your seat! Dr Carey runs a women’s self improvement program that she runs as more of a cult, and as the book progresses we meet more members of this program who are not finding the results they were promised. The rules are insane, as is Dr Carey. This group catches the eye of Dylan- part time mens activist full time loser. His sole “ mission” is to stop Dr. Carey and put women back where they “ belong”

If you like fast paced thrillers this one is definitely for you! There are many POVs which keeps it interesting, never knowing exactly what will happen next.

Can’t wait for more from Nicole Annbury!!

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Signature Line” by Nicole Annbury is an intense, edge-of-your-seat thriller that hooked me from the very first page.
Dr. Carmella Carey has built a powerful empire around The Year of Self, a controversial therapy program promising transformation for women—but beneath her polished feminist façade lies a far darker truth. As a serial killer, Dylan, begins targeting women involved in the program, the tension escalates fast.
What makes this story so compelling is the collision of power, control, obsession, and revenge. Carmella’s refusal to acknowledge the danger closing in around her only heightens the suspense, while Dylan’s rage-fueled mission adds an unsettling psychological layer. This story is full of secrets, manipulation, and morally gray characters at every turn.
Dark, gripping, and thought-provoking, The Signature Line kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. A chilling exploration of ambition and the ultimate cost of control—this one absolutely delivers.

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Signature Line is packed with revenge, control, and obsession, pulling you into a dark and compelling story from the very first page. Told through multiple POVs, the narrative is sharp, twisty, and expertly layered, keeping the tension high throughout.

The writing is flawless and utterly captivating, making it impossible to put down. The storyline is tight and suspenseful, with twists that genuinely caught me off guard and added depth to an already gripping plot. Every reveal feels intentional and satisfying.

A smart, intense read that keeps you guessing until the very end—highly recommended for fans of psychological suspense and dark thrillers.

Thank you Nicole Annbury and KM Lit Services for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo Nicole Annbury!!! I thought her first book “The Final Sentence” was good, but “The Signature Line” blew me away. I loved to hate the characters, and hated to love the characters. Several of the unsuspecting plot twists just added to the suspense build up of the finale. I finished it last night before I went to bed and when I woke this morning I was bummed that I couldn’t read more. Maybe I shouldn’t have read it so fast, but I literally couldn’t put I down. Thanks Nicole, I cannot wait to see what you write next. I’m definitely a fan!!! Bottom line … I highly recommend, you will not be disappointed.

[MommySnarksALot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Nicole Annbury’s first book, but The Signature Line is even better! The plot is fast paced and the multiple points of view give a well-rounded look into all sides of the action. The main character, Dr. Carmella Carey is someone I loved to hate. If you enjoy thrillers filled with questionable morals, read this book.

[Nicole Annbury]

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing The Signature Line. As my sophomore book, I hope it finds its readers like my debut, The Final Sentence, did. I thoroughly enjoyed writing The Signature Line with characters like Dr. Carmella Carey and Dylan Foster. Both are complex and unforgettable, and I hope you never manifest either of them into your own lives!
I hope you enjoy this book, and if you did, please let me know!
All my best, Nicole. 🤍

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Signature Line is a dark, compelling psychological thriller that digs into the messy intersection of self‑help culture, ambition, and the dangerous people drawn to both. From the opening chapters, it’s clear that Dr. Carmella Carey is not the glossy feminist icon she presents to the world — and watching that carefully curated façade crack is one of the book’s most gripping pleasures.

The “Year of Self” program is such a clever backdrop: aspirational on the surface, quietly sinister underneath. As women flock to Dr. Carey’s brand of empowerment, the story slowly reveals the cost of that devotion — and the lengths she’ll go to maintain control. The tension ratchets up beautifully once Dylan Foster enters the picture, his resentment simmering into something far more volatile. His obsession with the program, and with finding his ex‑girlfriend, adds a chilling counterpoint to Dr. Carey’s own hunger for influence.

What really elevates the novel is how it balances its dual threats: a serial killer targeting the program’s followers and the psychological warfare unfolding between Carey and Dylan. Both storylines feed into each other, creating a sense of dread that never lets up. The supporting cast — especially Carey’s increasingly uneasy assistant and lawyer — adds texture and moral complexity as they struggle to navigate the fallout of her choices.

This is a story about power: who has it, who wants it, and what happens when someone decides they deserve it at any cost. It’s twisty, atmospheric, and full of sharp observations about the self‑help industry and the vulnerabilities it exploits.

A dark, engrossing read that lingers long after the final page.

with thanks to Nicole Annbury, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Signature Line by Nicole Annbury is a sharp, unsettling dive into the collision of self‑help culture, feminist branding, and the rage simmering beneath modern gender politics. Dr. Carmella Carey’s glossy “Year of Self” program looks empowering on the surface, but Annbury quickly peels back the veneer to reveal something far more complicated and dangerous. When a men’s‑rights extremist begins targeting the women in Carey’s orbit, the tension escalates into a gripping, news‑cycle‑ready thriller that feels disturbingly plausible.

Annbury balances social commentary with propulsive suspense, crafting characters who are flawed, compelling, and often morally ambiguous. The pacing is tight, the stakes rise steadily, and the twists land with impact. Fans of psychological suspense and dark, character‑driven thrillers will find plenty to sink into here.

If you like multiple points of view and suspense with social commentary with a little bit of “wow, humanity is exhausting”, this one delivers.

[Clara Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole Annbury’s "The Signature Line" pulled me in from the very beginning. Dr. Carmella Carey is a character who follows you off the page and lingers long after the story ends. Her program, "The Year of Self," sounds empowering for women on the surface, but the deeper each woman goes, the more unsettling and cult-like it becomes.

In her second novel, Annbury delivers the same exceptional depth of character that made her first book so compelling. Her characters are written so vividly they feel as though they could step right into the room with you. I truly can’t get enough of this author’s writing.

This story takes readers deep into the mind of a woman with ruthless intentions, alongside Dylan, a character who takes Dr. Carey’s message personally and becomes consumed by it. He will stop at nothing to seek his revenge.

I am grateful to the author for allowing me to read an advance reader copy of this book prior to publication; all opinions are my own.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

So on one side of the ring you have a psychologist (with piercing green eyes and perfect blonde hair) preying on traumatized woman and signing them on to an anti-man group—basically for life. On the other, we have an incel (who lives in his parents' basement, natch), trying to create his own movement, the Mandate. Both are extremely unpleasant and one-dimensional characters. It's difficult to find anyone to root for in this novel—even the people swept up in the chaos. If you want a beach read about people you just hate (not love to hate), this might be for you.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

[E.D. Hackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Signature Line is a multi-POV thriller about a serial killer seeking revenge for what/who he believed led his girlfriend to ghost him. It was fast paced and each chapter revealed the psychology behind the killer and the woman he was after.
There’s so much I want to say but I don’t want any spoilers to slip!
If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that dives into feminism v masculinity and how people get trapped in cults, you’ve found your book!

Thank you to the author for sharing her book with me before publication. This is my honest opinion.