What do you think?
Olive Hunt #1
Clean Slate
A crime scene cleaner is on the trail of a serial killer in a breathtaking novel of psychological suspense by USA Today bestselling author Brianna Labuskes.
Death pays well for Olive Hunt, a crime scene cleaner who channels her childhood traumas into erasing the suffering of others. After nearly ten years, she’s seen it all. Nothing rattles her anymore.
Until now.
Two back-to-back suicides. A seedy motel. An upscale Atlanta hotel. No connection—except that Olive discovers the same strange item at each scene. Then a third body drops. Olive knows what the police refuse to These aren’t suicides. They’re murders staged to perfection.
Then the roses arrive. A vase of bloodred blooms on her doorstep. An anonymous Thank you.
She’s found him. A serial killer who’s been leaving breadcrumbs only she can see. A killer who’s been cleaning up his work—knowing she’ll clean up after him. A killer who wants her to follow.
And follow she must. No matter how terrifying the trail becomes.
Death pays well for Olive Hunt, a crime scene cleaner who channels her childhood traumas into erasing the suffering of others. After nearly ten years, she’s seen it all. Nothing rattles her anymore.
Until now.
Two back-to-back suicides. A seedy motel. An upscale Atlanta hotel. No connection—except that Olive discovers the same strange item at each scene. Then a third body drops. Olive knows what the police refuse to These aren’t suicides. They’re murders staged to perfection.
Then the roses arrive. A vase of bloodred blooms on her doorstep. An anonymous Thank you.
She’s found him. A serial killer who’s been leaving breadcrumbs only she can see. A killer who’s been cleaning up his work—knowing she’ll clean up after him. A killer who wants her to follow.
And follow she must. No matter how terrifying the trail becomes.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2026
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August 4, 2026
Clean Slate by Brianna Labuskes, narrated by Sarah Naughton, introduces readers to one of the most unusual protagonists I’ve encountered in a thriller. Olive Hunt doesn’t investigate crimes for a living—she cleans up after them. Blood spatter, brains, and every other reminder of violence are part of her daily routine. Years spent restoring horrific crime scenes have given her an uncanny ability to recognize when something isn’t quite right, making her an unexpected but compelling person to notice details others overlook.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the novel is Olive herself. She lives with contamination OCD, seemingly rooted in childhood abuse, and her compulsions shape nearly every part of her life. She showers multiple times a day and scrubs her hands until they are raw, creating an interesting contrast with a career that constantly exposes her to the aftermath of violent deaths. Rather than defining her by her diagnosis, the story shows both the challenges she faces and the resilience she has developed.
When Olive notices unsettling similarities among three crime scenes, she can no longer dismiss her instincts. What begins as the observations of a crime scene cleaner gradually evolves into an investigation involving detectives and a serial killer who appears to be leaving clues specifically for her. As more suspects emerge and nearly everyone seems to be hiding something, the mystery remains engaging and difficult to unravel.
What stayed with me most was Olive’s motivation. I found myself wondering whether her drive to clean crime scenes—and later to follow a killer who seems intent on drawing her in—is connected to her OCD. Perhaps she is compelled to restore order, to put broken pieces back together, or perhaps her curiosity simply outweighs her instinct for self-preservation. Either way, it adds an extra layer of psychological depth to both her character and the investigation.
The pacing keeps the story moving, balancing character development with suspense so there is always another clue or revelation pulling the reader forward. I was consistently interested in seeing where Olive’s instincts would lead and how the mystery would ultimately come together.
Sarah Naughton delivers an impressive narration, distinguishing a large cast of characters while conveying Olive’s emotional struggles and determination. Her performance makes it easy to follow the many perspectives and enhances the tension throughout the investigation.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing an advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the novel is Olive herself. She lives with contamination OCD, seemingly rooted in childhood abuse, and her compulsions shape nearly every part of her life. She showers multiple times a day and scrubs her hands until they are raw, creating an interesting contrast with a career that constantly exposes her to the aftermath of violent deaths. Rather than defining her by her diagnosis, the story shows both the challenges she faces and the resilience she has developed.
When Olive notices unsettling similarities among three crime scenes, she can no longer dismiss her instincts. What begins as the observations of a crime scene cleaner gradually evolves into an investigation involving detectives and a serial killer who appears to be leaving clues specifically for her. As more suspects emerge and nearly everyone seems to be hiding something, the mystery remains engaging and difficult to unravel.
What stayed with me most was Olive’s motivation. I found myself wondering whether her drive to clean crime scenes—and later to follow a killer who seems intent on drawing her in—is connected to her OCD. Perhaps she is compelled to restore order, to put broken pieces back together, or perhaps her curiosity simply outweighs her instinct for self-preservation. Either way, it adds an extra layer of psychological depth to both her character and the investigation.
The pacing keeps the story moving, balancing character development with suspense so there is always another clue or revelation pulling the reader forward. I was consistently interested in seeing where Olive’s instincts would lead and how the mystery would ultimately come together.
Sarah Naughton delivers an impressive narration, distinguishing a large cast of characters while conveying Olive’s emotional struggles and determination. Her performance makes it easy to follow the many perspectives and enhances the tension throughout the investigation.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing an advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Happy belated publication day 8//4/26🥳
Additional thoughts are now posted.
I need to think on this one a bit. I actually might have to read (read-aloud) the last several chapters. Things went a little wonky for me and I feel like I missed something, even though I was paying attention the entire time. I enjoyed the first 75% of the book much more than the last 25%, I know that for sure. But I am not understanding some of the reactions of a couple of characters, which is why I feel like I might have missed something. It’s bothering me enough to take the time to go back and see if it did!! (3/31/26, posted maybe an hour after finishing.)
Rating posted: 3/31/26, 3.75-4⭐️’s rounded up to 4
More thoughts to come
—————
More thoughts👇
When I read the blurb for this book on NetGalley, I was immediately intrigued. (The blurb on goodreads is the same.) I have never read a book with the MC as a crime scene cleaner. And one about clues from a killer being left for her. Knowing she is the ONLY person who will find them. Well heck yes, I wanted to read this!
Olive Hunt is the crime scene cleaner and finder of the clues left behind. I loved Olive. Her backstory hurt my heart. Her strength and the respect she has for her job was incredible.
She wasn’t one of those annoying people who hides the clues she came across, thank goodness or I wouldn’t have enjoyed this book so much!, she went straight to the police knowing she found something unusual.
Even though she was basically brushed off the first time, she went back to the police when it happened again. When a potential serial killer leaves you clues, you go to the police!!! You don’t keep it to yourself and drive Marta nuts. So yay Olive!!!
Does that mean she stopped investigating on her own? Nope, not at all, but she relayed her findings to the police. Did she misrepresent herself a few times to get some answers, sure, but not in an overly obnoxious or annoying way. I mean, a serial killer essentially reached out to her. She didn’t choose to be reached out to!! Personally, I would have been like here you go detectives, I will be thousands of miles away until you find this person. But I am a wuss. Olive is not. She doesn’t want fame or credit for finding a killer, she just wants the killing to stop.
So, maybe I had a few big things figured out ahead of time, just some of those early on inklings that sometimes happen. But I was okay with that, I didn’t know for sure until I knew for sure.
As stated in my initial reaction when I finished the book, I did go back and re-read a small part of it. I am still baffled by some of the reactions to Olive. The killer reached out to her!!! I am not going to spoil anything and say more, but I am curious if people who read this will figure out what I am referring to and if they do, what their thoughts on it are. Definitely share some spoiler free comments in the comment section if you have thoughts on it. We could talk in code!!!
I thought the ending/wrap up/conclusion was a little, not sure what the word is. I used wonky up above. That’s not exactly right. But it was something that didn’t overly impress me in parts, I guess, for as much as I had been into the first 75% of the book.
I will definitely be on the lookout for book #2 in this series! We are given a little insight as to a possible plot line for it and I am already curious! It wasn’t a cliffhanger, I am not a fan of those. Just a little dangle of something to look forward to!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book (and again for the much appreciated read aloud option). All thoughts are my own. I am ready for more Olive and book 2!!
Expected publication date: August 4, 2026
A few thoughts posted: 3/31/26
Rating posted: 3/31/26
More thoughts posted: 4/2/26
Belated reposting for publication day: 8/9/26
Additional thoughts are now posted.
I need to think on this one a bit. I actually might have to read (read-aloud) the last several chapters. Things went a little wonky for me and I feel like I missed something, even though I was paying attention the entire time. I enjoyed the first 75% of the book much more than the last 25%, I know that for sure. But I am not understanding some of the reactions of a couple of characters, which is why I feel like I might have missed something. It’s bothering me enough to take the time to go back and see if it did!! (3/31/26, posted maybe an hour after finishing.)
Rating posted: 3/31/26, 3.75-4⭐️’s rounded up to 4
More thoughts to come
—————
More thoughts👇
When I read the blurb for this book on NetGalley, I was immediately intrigued. (The blurb on goodreads is the same.) I have never read a book with the MC as a crime scene cleaner. And one about clues from a killer being left for her. Knowing she is the ONLY person who will find them. Well heck yes, I wanted to read this!
Olive Hunt is the crime scene cleaner and finder of the clues left behind. I loved Olive. Her backstory hurt my heart. Her strength and the respect she has for her job was incredible.
She wasn’t one of those annoying people who hides the clues she came across, thank goodness or I wouldn’t have enjoyed this book so much!, she went straight to the police knowing she found something unusual.
Even though she was basically brushed off the first time, she went back to the police when it happened again. When a potential serial killer leaves you clues, you go to the police!!! You don’t keep it to yourself and drive Marta nuts. So yay Olive!!!
Does that mean she stopped investigating on her own? Nope, not at all, but she relayed her findings to the police. Did she misrepresent herself a few times to get some answers, sure, but not in an overly obnoxious or annoying way. I mean, a serial killer essentially reached out to her. She didn’t choose to be reached out to!! Personally, I would have been like here you go detectives, I will be thousands of miles away until you find this person. But I am a wuss. Olive is not. She doesn’t want fame or credit for finding a killer, she just wants the killing to stop.
So, maybe I had a few big things figured out ahead of time, just some of those early on inklings that sometimes happen. But I was okay with that, I didn’t know for sure until I knew for sure.
As stated in my initial reaction when I finished the book, I did go back and re-read a small part of it. I am still baffled by some of the reactions to Olive. The killer reached out to her!!! I am not going to spoil anything and say more, but I am curious if people who read this will figure out what I am referring to and if they do, what their thoughts on it are. Definitely share some spoiler free comments in the comment section if you have thoughts on it. We could talk in code!!!
I thought the ending/wrap up/conclusion was a little, not sure what the word is. I used wonky up above. That’s not exactly right. But it was something that didn’t overly impress me in parts, I guess, for as much as I had been into the first 75% of the book.
I will definitely be on the lookout for book #2 in this series! We are given a little insight as to a possible plot line for it and I am already curious! It wasn’t a cliffhanger, I am not a fan of those. Just a little dangle of something to look forward to!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book (and again for the much appreciated read aloud option). All thoughts are my own. I am ready for more Olive and book 2!!
Expected publication date: August 4, 2026
A few thoughts posted: 3/31/26
Rating posted: 3/31/26
More thoughts posted: 4/2/26
Belated reposting for publication day: 8/9/26
August 7, 2026
I like Brianna Labruskes. I was a fan of her Gretchen White thriller series as well as her historical fiction story The Boxcar Library and have since added several of her other books to my to-read list. Labruskes is a good writer and storyteller and definitely has a knack for creating interesting characters. So, I was excited to check out her new thriller series about a forensic cleaner, Olive Hunt. This was definitely a hit with me, and I look forward to more Olive Hunt.
The book summary introduces the primary storyline of Olive discovering items in plastic bags stuffed in places the police missed, but that Olive didn’t miss in her clean-up of the scenes. The items lead Olive to believe that the “suicides” were staged and that they are connected to another death five years earlier from someone that Olive knew as a teenager hanging out at the local community center, PT-Dub.
Because of Olive’s lifelong relationship to the PT-Dub and one of PT-Dubs long standing volunteers, Anthony and Anthony’s daughter, Leah, Olive feels compelled to find out who is leaving these items and how they are connected, much to the dismay of Det Sullivan. Throughout the story, Det Sullivan, aka Sully, is forever scolding Olive about getting involved and staying out of the case.
It’s not long before Olive realizes that the killer is specifically leaving clues where they know only Olive will find them, apparently someone who is knowledgeable of Olive’s cleaning OCD. Something that is the result of her upbringing with a mother who was an abusive OCD cleaner with Olive as a child.
The character development of Olive and a couple of other characters was well done. The pacing was pretty steady throughout. The storyline was interesting. Once again, the story of a crime scene cleaner was definitely unique and just quirky enough to make it entertaining. The writing was well done too. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.2 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #ThomsMercer #CleanSlate
The book summary introduces the primary storyline of Olive discovering items in plastic bags stuffed in places the police missed, but that Olive didn’t miss in her clean-up of the scenes. The items lead Olive to believe that the “suicides” were staged and that they are connected to another death five years earlier from someone that Olive knew as a teenager hanging out at the local community center, PT-Dub.
Because of Olive’s lifelong relationship to the PT-Dub and one of PT-Dubs long standing volunteers, Anthony and Anthony’s daughter, Leah, Olive feels compelled to find out who is leaving these items and how they are connected, much to the dismay of Det Sullivan. Throughout the story, Det Sullivan, aka Sully, is forever scolding Olive about getting involved and staying out of the case.
It’s not long before Olive realizes that the killer is specifically leaving clues where they know only Olive will find them, apparently someone who is knowledgeable of Olive’s cleaning OCD. Something that is the result of her upbringing with a mother who was an abusive OCD cleaner with Olive as a child.
The character development of Olive and a couple of other characters was well done. The pacing was pretty steady throughout. The storyline was interesting. Once again, the story of a crime scene cleaner was definitely unique and just quirky enough to make it entertaining. The writing was well done too. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.2 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #ThomsMercer #CleanSlate
September 15, 2026
I gave this book a real go, even though:
- The one other Brianna Labuskes book I read (The Lies You Wrote) proved a total fail.
-Outside of children's books, I cannot stand the "amateur sleuth" storyline (it always strikes me as fake and obnoxious), like stop sticking your nose in other people's business already.
- I didn't particularly like Olive (she felt staged and had a strong NLOG vibe, which please no).
- The budding romance between Olive and the police detective (Sully?) was ill-fitting and cringey.
- The deaths masterminded by the cruel villain were OTT and scripted; real issues surrounding violence perpetrated against women were ignored in favor of sensationalism.
I did like the descriptions of cleaning up crime scenes, but I'm weird like that.
There was a point (around 60%) when I realized I was wasting my time with this boring and rather predictable mystery. I still finished but probably shouldn't have.
- The one other Brianna Labuskes book I read (The Lies You Wrote) proved a total fail.
-Outside of children's books, I cannot stand the "amateur sleuth" storyline (it always strikes me as fake and obnoxious), like stop sticking your nose in other people's business already.
- I didn't particularly like Olive (she felt staged and had a strong NLOG vibe, which please no).
- The budding romance between Olive and the police detective (Sully?) was ill-fitting and cringey.
- The deaths masterminded by the cruel villain were OTT and scripted; real issues surrounding violence perpetrated against women were ignored in favor of sensationalism.
I did like the descriptions of cleaning up crime scenes, but I'm weird like that.
There was a point (around 60%) when I realized I was wasting my time with this boring and rather predictable mystery. I still finished but probably shouldn't have.
August 8, 2026
Clean Slate by Brianna Labuskes is the first in the Olive Hunt series.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas and Mercer, and the author (Brianna Labuskes), for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was really good.
I already love the characters. Olive, Leah, Nana, Anthony and now Sully. All the characters have been somewhat fleshed out, even in this first book. Olive's childhood was a nightmare! I imagine we will learn more about Nana and Sully in future books, and I can't wait! The dialogue between the characters feels very natural.
The plot was good, the pacing fast. The dual time-lines and different perspectives were well done. Although it was somewhat predictable, the journey was fun, and very entertaining. There was a bit at the end that I definitely did not see coming. I even liked the "sort-of" romance building between Olive and Sully.
Anyway, definitely looking forward to the next book. So, until next time ....
For a more thorough review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, my own synopsis of the book, its author information and a favorite quotation or two from this book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
August 13, 2026
Creepy, clever, and addictive!
𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄 is a dark, gripping thriller that introduces us to Olive Hunt, a crime scene cleaner who has spent nearly a decade cleaning up the aftermath of other people’s worst moments. Her unusual profession, meticulous attention to detail, and complicated childhood have given her a unique ability to notice the things others overlook. Still, when two deaths that appear to be suicides begin to look suspiciously similar, Olive realizes someone is staging murders and leaving clues behind specifically for her.
The writing is gritty and atmospheric. The characters are flawed, impulsive, and meticulous. And the plot is a twisty, suspenseful tale full of secrets, trauma, deception, red herrings, misdirection, staged murders, hidden connections, family history, danger, psychological manipulation, and a killer who seems determined to make Olive part of the game.
Overall, 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄 is a smart, tense, fantastic beginning to the brand-new Olive Hunt series by Labuskes, and I will be eagerly waiting to see what trouble Olive Hunt finds herself cleaning up next!
𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄 is a dark, gripping thriller that introduces us to Olive Hunt, a crime scene cleaner who has spent nearly a decade cleaning up the aftermath of other people’s worst moments. Her unusual profession, meticulous attention to detail, and complicated childhood have given her a unique ability to notice the things others overlook. Still, when two deaths that appear to be suicides begin to look suspiciously similar, Olive realizes someone is staging murders and leaving clues behind specifically for her.
The writing is gritty and atmospheric. The characters are flawed, impulsive, and meticulous. And the plot is a twisty, suspenseful tale full of secrets, trauma, deception, red herrings, misdirection, staged murders, hidden connections, family history, danger, psychological manipulation, and a killer who seems determined to make Olive part of the game.
Overall, 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄 is a smart, tense, fantastic beginning to the brand-new Olive Hunt series by Labuskes, and I will be eagerly waiting to see what trouble Olive Hunt finds herself cleaning up next!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have to say, there’s something extra fun about reading a thriller where the main character is a crime scene cleaner… while playing Crime Scene Cleaner (new levels are out yaaay!)
Overall, I think this book was good, but I did not loved it as much as I thought I will.
The concept is really interesting and I liked seeing the cleaning aspect woven into the story. Even though there are quite a few of those scenes, I wouldn’t say it felt particularly creepy, more engaging and different from your usual thriller setup.
The pacing was a mix for me. Some parts were very bingeable, while others slowed down a bit and lost my attention. The book actually started really strong, but somewhere on the way, it felt like it lost some of that intensity… until the last 10–15%, which definitely picked things up again.
I also found parts of the story a bit predictable. Not in a bad way, but it didn’t fully surprise me either.
That said, I did find myself more intrigued by the ending, which leans a bit into a cliffhanger. And now I’m definitely curious to see where the story goes next.
There are also some psychological elements connected to Olive’s past that felt really interesting, I wish we explored those a bit more. (Also... trying my best not to write spoilers, but why on Earth did Anthony put Olive through all these stuff? He is supposed to protect her, yet it felt like he played with her and all her triggers)
Overall, a solid and engaging read with a unique concept, even if it didn’t fully wow me.
3.75 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
Overall, I think this book was good, but I did not loved it as much as I thought I will.
The concept is really interesting and I liked seeing the cleaning aspect woven into the story. Even though there are quite a few of those scenes, I wouldn’t say it felt particularly creepy, more engaging and different from your usual thriller setup.
The pacing was a mix for me. Some parts were very bingeable, while others slowed down a bit and lost my attention. The book actually started really strong, but somewhere on the way, it felt like it lost some of that intensity… until the last 10–15%, which definitely picked things up again.
I also found parts of the story a bit predictable. Not in a bad way, but it didn’t fully surprise me either.
That said, I did find myself more intrigued by the ending, which leans a bit into a cliffhanger. And now I’m definitely curious to see where the story goes next.
There are also some psychological elements connected to Olive’s past that felt really interesting, I wish we explored those a bit more. (Also... trying my best not to write spoilers, but why on Earth did Anthony put Olive through all these stuff? He is supposed to protect her, yet it felt like he played with her and all her triggers)
Overall, a solid and engaging read with a unique concept, even if it didn’t fully wow me.
3.75 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
March 31, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book
Wow, what a masterpiece. This book doesn’t release for months and I’m already craving book two. And the reveals?? OMG you won’t guess either of them. If thrillers are for you, please pick this up!!!
Wow, what a masterpiece. This book doesn’t release for months and I’m already craving book two. And the reveals?? OMG you won’t guess either of them. If thrillers are for you, please pick this up!!!
August 7, 2026
Big thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!
*This one is available now*
I really enjoyed the crime scene cleaner angle to this one, it gave the story something a little different than your usual meddling character. I loved our MC's nonchalant attitude paired with her absolute determination to figure out what was going on. The cat and mouse vibes also kept things moving and made this an easy read to stay interested in for the most part.
That said, I definitely had to suspend some disbelief when it came to how involved she was able to get in the police investigation. And on top of that, her mom's storyline felt pretty irrelevant until the very end, where it seemed mostly like setup for a second book.
And then we have the billionaire men, sexual assault, and powerful people covering it all up storyline. It's not that it can't work, but I've read some version of this SO many times at this point that it just didn't feel particularly fresh or surprising here.
While this wasn't my favorite read from this author, it was still entertaining, quick, and I liked the main character enough that I'd probably continue the series!
*This one is available now*
I really enjoyed the crime scene cleaner angle to this one, it gave the story something a little different than your usual meddling character. I loved our MC's nonchalant attitude paired with her absolute determination to figure out what was going on. The cat and mouse vibes also kept things moving and made this an easy read to stay interested in for the most part.
That said, I definitely had to suspend some disbelief when it came to how involved she was able to get in the police investigation. And on top of that, her mom's storyline felt pretty irrelevant until the very end, where it seemed mostly like setup for a second book.
And then we have the billionaire men, sexual assault, and powerful people covering it all up storyline. It's not that it can't work, but I've read some version of this SO many times at this point that it just didn't feel particularly fresh or surprising here.
While this wasn't my favorite read from this author, it was still entertaining, quick, and I liked the main character enough that I'd probably continue the series!
September 7, 2026
A Cleaner Who Notices What Everyone Else Missed - yep, that’s Olive Hunt.
Olive Hunt has spent nearly ten years cleaning up after death. Blood, trauma, horrific crime scenes—very little shocks her anymore. But when she cleans two apparent suicides and notices the same unusual item at both scenes, she begins to wonder why no one else seems interested in the connection.
Then another body appears.
The premise of Clean Slate is definitely its strongest feature. Making Olive a crime-scene cleaner rather than a detective gives the investigation an unusual angle, especially since she has access to details most people would never see—or would prefer not to see. When someone begins leaving clues specifically for her, including a rather ominous delivery of bloodred roses, things become considerably more personal.
I liked Olive and the crime-scene-cleaning aspect, but the story itself didn’t quite rise above an average thriller for me. She’s smart, but comes off a little too cocky. Interesting enough to finish, just not one that left a particularly strong impression.
3 Stars
Olive Hunt has spent nearly ten years cleaning up after death. Blood, trauma, horrific crime scenes—very little shocks her anymore. But when she cleans two apparent suicides and notices the same unusual item at both scenes, she begins to wonder why no one else seems interested in the connection.
Then another body appears.
The premise of Clean Slate is definitely its strongest feature. Making Olive a crime-scene cleaner rather than a detective gives the investigation an unusual angle, especially since she has access to details most people would never see—or would prefer not to see. When someone begins leaving clues specifically for her, including a rather ominous delivery of bloodred roses, things become considerably more personal.
I liked Olive and the crime-scene-cleaning aspect, but the story itself didn’t quite rise above an average thriller for me. She’s smart, but comes off a little too cocky. Interesting enough to finish, just not one that left a particularly strong impression.
3 Stars
August 16, 2026
When I first read the synopsis for Clean Slate, I saw that the main character Olive Hunt was a crime scene cleaner and I was in. This was a subject matter I’ve never seen before and I was intrigued.
And oh my, I was not disappointed! Not only did I learn so much more than I thought possible about cleaning up after bodily parts like blood splatter, brain matter, bodily functions, etc., (who knew honeysuckle was an ingredient for cleaning) we also learn all about contamination OCD and how Olive was abused as a child because of it. We find out why Olive is so good at her job because of what she suffered through as a child.
Crime scene cleaning and contamination OCD aside, this psychological suspense had me guessing the entire way through. Olive starts to suspect that the crime scenes she’s been hired to clean are the results of homicides by the same person instead of accidents or heart attacks or self harm.
I really enjoyed Olive’s character along with her best friend Leah, and her Nana. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series.
*Thanks so much to Thomas & Mercer and to OTRPR for the gifted ARC!*
And oh my, I was not disappointed! Not only did I learn so much more than I thought possible about cleaning up after bodily parts like blood splatter, brain matter, bodily functions, etc., (who knew honeysuckle was an ingredient for cleaning) we also learn all about contamination OCD and how Olive was abused as a child because of it. We find out why Olive is so good at her job because of what she suffered through as a child.
Crime scene cleaning and contamination OCD aside, this psychological suspense had me guessing the entire way through. Olive starts to suspect that the crime scenes she’s been hired to clean are the results of homicides by the same person instead of accidents or heart attacks or self harm.
I really enjoyed Olive’s character along with her best friend Leah, and her Nana. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series.
*Thanks so much to Thomas & Mercer and to OTRPR for the gifted ARC!*
March 16, 2026
Olive is a crime scene cleaner, coming in to scrub and sanitize a room after something dark and nefarious has happened within. But now she is also part criminal investigator. She is hot on the trail of a serial killer that seems to be leaving messages specifically for her. She is a few steps ahead of the detectives investigating the case, even after promising that she’ll leave it alone and let them do their job. Olive also has some personal issues of her own that she also needs to “clean up” as well. The reader alternates between what Olive is investigating and what Olive endured growing up.
Mostly all of the characters are flawed (aren’t we all) but feel very authentic. Part police procedural, mostly suspense thriller, Clean Slate is the first in a series I’ll be looking forward to continuing!
Thank you Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Mostly all of the characters are flawed (aren’t we all) but feel very authentic. Part police procedural, mostly suspense thriller, Clean Slate is the first in a series I’ll be looking forward to continuing!
Thank you Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
August 8, 2026
New series and what a gripping start with a very unusual perspective for a main character in a thriller series or at least one that i haven’t come across many times before.
A game of cat and mouse and so many clues to be found by Olive at the crime scenes that she needs to clean up after the detectives process them. She reminded me of Morgan from High Potential in many ways, but she’s also her own unique character that I come to live throughout this story.
The story itself it’s gripping and intriguing and I’m looking forward to read more in this series because it’s one that I highly recommend to anyone that enjoys intriguing and engaging characters and plot twists.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own
A game of cat and mouse and so many clues to be found by Olive at the crime scenes that she needs to clean up after the detectives process them. She reminded me of Morgan from High Potential in many ways, but she’s also her own unique character that I come to live throughout this story.
The story itself it’s gripping and intriguing and I’m looking forward to read more in this series because it’s one that I highly recommend to anyone that enjoys intriguing and engaging characters and plot twists.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own
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July 28, 2026I highly recommend Clean Slate and didn't realize it was going to be a series until I came here to write this. Hooray!
Did you love Sunshine Cleaning? Me too. Imagine that as a murder story, and you'd have this book.
Olive runs a crime scene cleaning company in Atlanta. One day, while cleaning a scene, she finds something odd. Then it happens again, making her wonder if the two deaths (neither deemed suspicious) are linked. Maybe they are both ... murders?
I get a little frustrated with all the dual timeline books these days, but this one used the technique with skill and purpose, giving us necessary backstory in a compelling way.
If you like amateur detective stories with quirky protagonists and cases that will keep you guessing, give this title a try!
Did you love Sunshine Cleaning? Me too. Imagine that as a murder story, and you'd have this book.
Olive runs a crime scene cleaning company in Atlanta. One day, while cleaning a scene, she finds something odd. Then it happens again, making her wonder if the two deaths (neither deemed suspicious) are linked. Maybe they are both ... murders?
I get a little frustrated with all the dual timeline books these days, but this one used the technique with skill and purpose, giving us necessary backstory in a compelling way.
If you like amateur detective stories with quirky protagonists and cases that will keep you guessing, give this title a try!
August 25, 2026
Awesome Read
This was a very good book! I'll be interested to see how the 2nd book goes! This book got me from the start! The ending was poetic in my opinion!
This was a very good book! I'll be interested to see how the 2nd book goes! This book got me from the start! The ending was poetic in my opinion!
August 20, 2026
Right away when I read the description, I knew this was going to be a book for me! Serial killer {always a YES!} crime scene cleaner {I’m highly fascinated with this occupation!}, psychological thriller {my favorite!}
I really liked Olivia & was quickly drawn in to her world. Especially when we uncover her past. So much to unpack there! This was a fast paced, suspense filled ride that I would gladly take again!
Can’t wait for book 2!
I really liked Olivia & was quickly drawn in to her world. Especially when we uncover her past. So much to unpack there! This was a fast paced, suspense filled ride that I would gladly take again!
Can’t wait for book 2!
August 13, 2026
Clean Slate had such an interesting premise, and Olive was easily my favorite part of the book. As a crime scene cleaner who begins noticing clues connecting what appear to be unrelated suicides, she made for a smart, funny, and engaging main character. I especially enjoyed that her job gave her a unique perspective that allowed her to notice things others overlooked.
The mystery itself kept me curious, and I liked the cat-and-mouse element between Olive and the killer. However, there were a lot of moving parts, and at times I felt like there was almost too much going on. It made the story a little harder to follow than I would have liked and took away from some of the suspense for me.
While it didn’t completely wow me, I’d definitely be interested in reading more featuring Olive.
The mystery itself kept me curious, and I liked the cat-and-mouse element between Olive and the killer. However, there were a lot of moving parts, and at times I felt like there was almost too much going on. It made the story a little harder to follow than I would have liked and took away from some of the suspense for me.
While it didn’t completely wow me, I’d definitely be interested in reading more featuring Olive.
August 4, 2026
: I really liked the crime scene cleaner premise of this one. It’s such a unique perspective for a thriller protagonist, and it immediately grabbed my attention. Olive is a strong, likable main character, and I enjoyed following her as she unraveled a mystery that was layered and surprisingly complex. There’s also a budding romance between Olive and one of the detectives on the case, which added a nice touch without overshadowing the mystery.
My biggest issue was the pacing. The story moved pretty slowly for most of the book, and I never felt that sense of urgency or intensity I look for in a thriller. It didn’t really kick into high gear until the final chapters, so the middle felt a bit one-note. Even so, it’s a well-written debut with an intriguing concept, and I enjoyed it enough that I’d definitely consider picking up the second book in the series to see where Olive’s story goes.
I ended up listening to this one and it’s narrated by Sarah Naughton. I thought she did a fine job and gave Olive her own personality.
My biggest issue was the pacing. The story moved pretty slowly for most of the book, and I never felt that sense of urgency or intensity I look for in a thriller. It didn’t really kick into high gear until the final chapters, so the middle felt a bit one-note. Even so, it’s a well-written debut with an intriguing concept, and I enjoyed it enough that I’d definitely consider picking up the second book in the series to see where Olive’s story goes.
I ended up listening to this one and it’s narrated by Sarah Naughton. I thought she did a fine job and gave Olive her own personality.
August 8, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book completely got under my skin. 🖤
I went into this one expecting a dark, twisty psychological thriller, but I ended up becoming so invested in Olive and everything she was carrying with her. There’s something about a character who has been through so much and has learned to turn her pain into something that helps others that really stayed with me.
Olive is a crime scene cleaner, so she’s seen things most people couldn’t imagine. She’s learned not to let the darkness get to her… until she realizes that the deaths she’s cleaning up aren’t what they seem.
Two deaths. Then another. The same strange clue. And then those blood-red roses appearing at her door with a simple “Thank you.” 🌹
That part seriously gave me chills.
What I loved most was how personal the story became. This wasn’t just about catching a killer—it felt like the killer was deliberately pulling Olive deeper and deeper into his world, almost as if he knew exactly how to get inside her head.
I felt anxious for her, frustrated for her, and completely desperate to know what was going to happen next. The tension just kept building until I genuinely didn’t want to put this book down.
Dark, emotional, creepy, and completely addictive. If you love psychological thrillers with complicated characters, disturbing secrets, and a seriously chilling cat-and-mouse game, you need this one on your TBR. 🖤📚
**Five huge stars from me!** ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book completely got under my skin. 🖤
I went into this one expecting a dark, twisty psychological thriller, but I ended up becoming so invested in Olive and everything she was carrying with her. There’s something about a character who has been through so much and has learned to turn her pain into something that helps others that really stayed with me.
Olive is a crime scene cleaner, so she’s seen things most people couldn’t imagine. She’s learned not to let the darkness get to her… until she realizes that the deaths she’s cleaning up aren’t what they seem.
Two deaths. Then another. The same strange clue. And then those blood-red roses appearing at her door with a simple “Thank you.” 🌹
That part seriously gave me chills.
What I loved most was how personal the story became. This wasn’t just about catching a killer—it felt like the killer was deliberately pulling Olive deeper and deeper into his world, almost as if he knew exactly how to get inside her head.
I felt anxious for her, frustrated for her, and completely desperate to know what was going to happen next. The tension just kept building until I genuinely didn’t want to put this book down.
Dark, emotional, creepy, and completely addictive. If you love psychological thrillers with complicated characters, disturbing secrets, and a seriously chilling cat-and-mouse game, you need this one on your TBR. 🖤📚
**Five huge stars from me!** ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 5, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Clean Slate pulled me in from the very first chapter — the premise is incredibly intriguing, and I found myself instantly absorbed in the aftermath of the murders and the unsettling atmosphere surrounding them. The storyline is bold, and although the baby deaths are deeply disturbing, they undeniably add a haunting weight to the narrative.
I spent most of the book rooting for Olive and her perspective. Watching her navigate the wreckage of what happened, trying to make sense of the chaos, was one of the strongest parts of the story. Her chapters kept me invested.
That said, the pacing let me down at times. Certain sections felt slow, and I occasionally struggled to push through. A few plot points left me confused or felt unnecessary, as though they didn’t quite earn their place in the overall arc.
After such a big, tension‑filled build‑up, the ending didn’t land the way I hoped. It felt flatter than expected, especially considering how gripping the premise was.
Overall, an intriguing and atmospheric read with strong character moments — but uneven pacing and a disappointing conclusion kept it from being a full hit for me.
Clean Slate pulled me in from the very first chapter — the premise is incredibly intriguing, and I found myself instantly absorbed in the aftermath of the murders and the unsettling atmosphere surrounding them. The storyline is bold, and although the baby deaths are deeply disturbing, they undeniably add a haunting weight to the narrative.
I spent most of the book rooting for Olive and her perspective. Watching her navigate the wreckage of what happened, trying to make sense of the chaos, was one of the strongest parts of the story. Her chapters kept me invested.
That said, the pacing let me down at times. Certain sections felt slow, and I occasionally struggled to push through. A few plot points left me confused or felt unnecessary, as though they didn’t quite earn their place in the overall arc.
After such a big, tension‑filled build‑up, the ending didn’t land the way I hoped. It felt flatter than expected, especially considering how gripping the premise was.
Overall, an intriguing and atmospheric read with strong character moments — but uneven pacing and a disappointing conclusion kept it from being a full hit for me.
August 7, 2026
Oooh cannot wait for book two
August 9, 2026
A good police procedural from the perspective of a crime scene cleaner, but I forgot the whole story the minute I finished.
June 20, 2026
ARC review
Solid 4.5 stars for this book one in a hopeful series with unexpected heart and twists and turns that keep you guessing. I didn’t know what to expect going into this, but the charm of the characters and speed in which the case evolves is just perfect
Olive is our main girl, coming from trauma, she owns a crime scene clean up business, and lately things have gotten interesting for her. She finds herself working with the police, mostly against their will, but finds herself quite good at her detective skills. Think “High Potential” tv series-like. Olive is young and interesting and in no way perfect, which makes her so likable. The police are almost secondary to this investigation, but present enough to give the reader the format you crave in a thriller.
The ending was so well done I was shocked I hadn’t allowed myself to think this way, and was very happy to have been pleasantly surprised. Overall just a great story, easy to read, like watching a movie with a friend. I hope this series continues as I would love to see what Olive does next.
Solid 4.5 stars for this book one in a hopeful series with unexpected heart and twists and turns that keep you guessing. I didn’t know what to expect going into this, but the charm of the characters and speed in which the case evolves is just perfect
Olive is our main girl, coming from trauma, she owns a crime scene clean up business, and lately things have gotten interesting for her. She finds herself working with the police, mostly against their will, but finds herself quite good at her detective skills. Think “High Potential” tv series-like. Olive is young and interesting and in no way perfect, which makes her so likable. The police are almost secondary to this investigation, but present enough to give the reader the format you crave in a thriller.
The ending was so well done I was shocked I hadn’t allowed myself to think this way, and was very happy to have been pleasantly surprised. Overall just a great story, easy to read, like watching a movie with a friend. I hope this series continues as I would love to see what Olive does next.
March 31, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
Olive is a crime scene cleaner - the best due to a traumatic childhood with an OCD mother. She stumbled upon something while cleaning a crime scene, and another, and another. She realizes she has caught the attention of a serial killer. This leads her down a road of corruption and twists and turns.
I think people that like shoes like CSI will enjoy this. It’s set up to be the first of a series with Olive solving crimes.
I thought this premise was interesting and I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, it fell flat. I didn’t ever feel attached to Olive or any other characters. The plot felt too convoluted. I personally really struggled with the details surrounding the victims - every time she named the victim and cause of death it gave me the ick. The dual timeline felt like an odd choice as well. Some of the flashbacks felt unnecessary. Looking back, I should have DNFd at 15% when I first felt like it wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.
Olive is a crime scene cleaner - the best due to a traumatic childhood with an OCD mother. She stumbled upon something while cleaning a crime scene, and another, and another. She realizes she has caught the attention of a serial killer. This leads her down a road of corruption and twists and turns.
I think people that like shoes like CSI will enjoy this. It’s set up to be the first of a series with Olive solving crimes.
I thought this premise was interesting and I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, it fell flat. I didn’t ever feel attached to Olive or any other characters. The plot felt too convoluted. I personally really struggled with the details surrounding the victims - every time she named the victim and cause of death it gave me the ick. The dual timeline felt like an odd choice as well. Some of the flashbacks felt unnecessary. Looking back, I should have DNFd at 15% when I first felt like it wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.
March 18, 2026
I’ve got mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed the main character. I just felt that the pacing was definitely off. I didn’t enjoy the jumps back in time and I felt like they didn’t really add anything that couldn’t have been figured out in the present. The premise was really interesting. A crime scene cleaner stumbles onto a serial killer. The main character also had an interesting childhood. I do feel like the author was just setting up to start a series at the end, and left on an unsuspected kind of cliff hanger. This will be out in August of 2026.
August 31, 2026
Revenge Grows Like An Aggressive Cancer
Olive Hunt runs her own crime scene cleaning service. When she finishes a cleanup, she hurries home to clean up and get ready to join her lifelong girlfriend at a party. Just before leaving, she receives a call from a regular customer, the owner of a less-than-reputable nearby motel, requesting a rush cleanup. The occupant committed suicide by cutting his wrists in the bathtub. It’s an easy, quick job, so she goes. The first thing she notices is that the room was clean to begin with, as if someone had come in and thoroughly cleaned it. Zero chance of that happening at this motel. On her last check, she runs her bare fingers to make sure she didn’t miss anything. In the tub faucet, she finds a tiny Ziploc bag. Inside is a news article about some of the overdoses that occurred within the span of a week five years ago. She takes it home. From this, an innocent and intriguing cozy mystery begins.
For the main storyline, there are three threads. The first is Hunt’s own investigation into the events that have enveloped her. She hands the baggies over to the detectives on the case. Soon, she is cleaning up another suicide. During her final check, she finds another baggie. Then more cleanups follow, with more baggies found. She begins receiving bouquets of red roses, thanking her for her assistance. Hunt understands that she is right in the middle of these murders and must get to the bottom of it. Two flashback threads then provide the reader with a wealth of information leading up to the overdoses and more. They are needed for the reader to understand how the characters fit into the current time narrative. They continue to the present day. The novel proceeds at a comfortable pace, as most of the main storyline consists of dialogue and internal thought, with the only action occurring at the end. I was not bored by this method of telling the story because the tension was maintained as the murders continued. Hunt’s investigation focuses on various characters. Most of the chapters are narrated by Olive Hunt. While there are several twists and turns, as the novel approaches the end, one significant twist I did not expect occurs. Other characters narrate several chapters, providing readers with a more detailed view of what is happening. My attention was captured and maintained to the end of the novel.
The major B-storyline is the relationship between Olive Hunt and her best friend, Leah Last. Much of Hunt’s background is provided in this thread. Her thoughts and flashbacks fill in the rest. Next is another important thread that provides much of the background on Darla Rutherford and Naomi Sutton. Next is the relationship between Naomi and her husband. Cutter Sutton. Others are not as extensively developed. The two are between Cutter Sutton and Anthoney Lest, and between Hunt and Detective Sullivan. The motive for the deaths is well hidden, and understanding their motives and beliefs is important to this novel.
Only one aspect that could cause readers to stop reading is present in this novel. There are no intimate scenes. However, after-the-fact observations reveal a crime against a woman. It is important to understand the motivations in the novel. Vulgar language is noticeable, with rude and impious language at a lower level. As for violence, all murders are described after the crime scenes have been released by the police, so the descriptions are more clinical. Live-action violence occurs at the end. Its level could be on broadcast TV. I believe most readers should be able to read this novel without any problems with these aspects.
While the novel started on a deficit because I am not a fan of modern cozy mysteries, the only thing I found was that Hunt was given more leeway than I think police would usually allow. What I liked, the author did an excellent job of keeping the killer hidden until the end, without a surprise reveal. At the end of the novel, two B-storylines were still open. One is an intriguing hint for the second novel. I think it is very unlikely that a second serial killer would use her as a conduit to the police, so how will her enhanced skill figure into the next novel, and how will her new friend figure in? This novel is advertised as book 1 of 2.
I have read seven of the author’s previous novels and purchased six others. She is one of my Must-Read authors. I highly recommend this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it and rate it 5 stars.
I received a free, pre-publication e-book of this novel from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. My review is based solely on my reading experience. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Olive Hunt runs her own crime scene cleaning service. When she finishes a cleanup, she hurries home to clean up and get ready to join her lifelong girlfriend at a party. Just before leaving, she receives a call from a regular customer, the owner of a less-than-reputable nearby motel, requesting a rush cleanup. The occupant committed suicide by cutting his wrists in the bathtub. It’s an easy, quick job, so she goes. The first thing she notices is that the room was clean to begin with, as if someone had come in and thoroughly cleaned it. Zero chance of that happening at this motel. On her last check, she runs her bare fingers to make sure she didn’t miss anything. In the tub faucet, she finds a tiny Ziploc bag. Inside is a news article about some of the overdoses that occurred within the span of a week five years ago. She takes it home. From this, an innocent and intriguing cozy mystery begins.
For the main storyline, there are three threads. The first is Hunt’s own investigation into the events that have enveloped her. She hands the baggies over to the detectives on the case. Soon, she is cleaning up another suicide. During her final check, she finds another baggie. Then more cleanups follow, with more baggies found. She begins receiving bouquets of red roses, thanking her for her assistance. Hunt understands that she is right in the middle of these murders and must get to the bottom of it. Two flashback threads then provide the reader with a wealth of information leading up to the overdoses and more. They are needed for the reader to understand how the characters fit into the current time narrative. They continue to the present day. The novel proceeds at a comfortable pace, as most of the main storyline consists of dialogue and internal thought, with the only action occurring at the end. I was not bored by this method of telling the story because the tension was maintained as the murders continued. Hunt’s investigation focuses on various characters. Most of the chapters are narrated by Olive Hunt. While there are several twists and turns, as the novel approaches the end, one significant twist I did not expect occurs. Other characters narrate several chapters, providing readers with a more detailed view of what is happening. My attention was captured and maintained to the end of the novel.
The major B-storyline is the relationship between Olive Hunt and her best friend, Leah Last. Much of Hunt’s background is provided in this thread. Her thoughts and flashbacks fill in the rest. Next is another important thread that provides much of the background on Darla Rutherford and Naomi Sutton. Next is the relationship between Naomi and her husband. Cutter Sutton. Others are not as extensively developed. The two are between Cutter Sutton and Anthoney Lest, and between Hunt and Detective Sullivan. The motive for the deaths is well hidden, and understanding their motives and beliefs is important to this novel.
Only one aspect that could cause readers to stop reading is present in this novel. There are no intimate scenes. However, after-the-fact observations reveal a crime against a woman. It is important to understand the motivations in the novel. Vulgar language is noticeable, with rude and impious language at a lower level. As for violence, all murders are described after the crime scenes have been released by the police, so the descriptions are more clinical. Live-action violence occurs at the end. Its level could be on broadcast TV. I believe most readers should be able to read this novel without any problems with these aspects.
While the novel started on a deficit because I am not a fan of modern cozy mysteries, the only thing I found was that Hunt was given more leeway than I think police would usually allow. What I liked, the author did an excellent job of keeping the killer hidden until the end, without a surprise reveal. At the end of the novel, two B-storylines were still open. One is an intriguing hint for the second novel. I think it is very unlikely that a second serial killer would use her as a conduit to the police, so how will her enhanced skill figure into the next novel, and how will her new friend figure in? This novel is advertised as book 1 of 2.
I have read seven of the author’s previous novels and purchased six others. She is one of my Must-Read authors. I highly recommend this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it and rate it 5 stars.
I received a free, pre-publication e-book of this novel from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. My review is based solely on my reading experience. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
August 24, 2026
I did NOT expect Clean Slate to be a five-star read. I went into it for book club, worried that the first book in a series about a crime scene cleaner getting pulled into a murder investigation would be too procedural and crime-of-the-week for me. The beginning didn’t exactly prove me wrong. It was slower, there was a lot of detail about Olive’s work, and I wasn’t immediately hooked. Then, almost without me noticing, this book completely hijacked my brain.
Olive Hunt owns a crime scene cleaning business, and after cleaning a motel room where a man supposedly died by suicide, she finds something the police missed. Soon it becomes clear that someone is killing people, staging the deaths, and deliberately leaving clues where Olive will find them. I loved that Olive doesn’t suddenly become a brilliant amateur detective for the convenience of the plot. Her ability to notice things comes directly from what she does for a living, and the crime scene cleaning becomes an important part of the mystery rather than a quirky occupation pasted onto it.
The character writing is what really pushed this to five stars for me. Brianna Labuskes gives just enough detail to make these people feel real and make me care about them without drowning me in information I don’t need. Even better, those little details often end up mattering. Characters I initially thought I understood became much more complicated as the story went on, and nobody felt like a cardboard cutout labeled GOOD PERSON or BAD PERSON.
One quote perfectly captures what I loved about this:
“We didn’t love statues, anyway. We loved people, for all their flaws and bad choices and wrong turns and complexities.”
YES. Give me people who make terrible choices for reasons I can understand. Let me love someone and still be furious with them. Let good people screw up and terrible people have recognizably human qualities.
There’s also the possibility of romance, and this is exactly how I like it handled in a thriller. There’s chemistry and enough little moments to make me interested, but it never suffocates the actual story. Give me a simmer. I don’t need romance boiling over the entire stove.
My only warning is to give this one some room if, like me, you need immediate momentum. I was genuinely bored at first, and I’m not going to rewrite my reading experience just because I ended up loving it. The immersion and tension build gradually, but all that groundwork started paying off in ways I absolutely did not anticipate.
After a disappointing reading month filled with books that either didn’t work for me or simply didn’t leave much of an impression, Clean Slate reminded me how much I love having a book completely take over my brain. I cared about these characters, I wanted to solve the mystery, and I was thinking about it when I wasn’t reading.
Five stars, earned the hard way. And I am VERY happy this is only the beginning of Olive Hunt’s story.
Olive Hunt owns a crime scene cleaning business, and after cleaning a motel room where a man supposedly died by suicide, she finds something the police missed. Soon it becomes clear that someone is killing people, staging the deaths, and deliberately leaving clues where Olive will find them. I loved that Olive doesn’t suddenly become a brilliant amateur detective for the convenience of the plot. Her ability to notice things comes directly from what she does for a living, and the crime scene cleaning becomes an important part of the mystery rather than a quirky occupation pasted onto it.
The character writing is what really pushed this to five stars for me. Brianna Labuskes gives just enough detail to make these people feel real and make me care about them without drowning me in information I don’t need. Even better, those little details often end up mattering. Characters I initially thought I understood became much more complicated as the story went on, and nobody felt like a cardboard cutout labeled GOOD PERSON or BAD PERSON.
One quote perfectly captures what I loved about this:
“We didn’t love statues, anyway. We loved people, for all their flaws and bad choices and wrong turns and complexities.”
YES. Give me people who make terrible choices for reasons I can understand. Let me love someone and still be furious with them. Let good people screw up and terrible people have recognizably human qualities.
There’s also the possibility of romance, and this is exactly how I like it handled in a thriller. There’s chemistry and enough little moments to make me interested, but it never suffocates the actual story. Give me a simmer. I don’t need romance boiling over the entire stove.
My only warning is to give this one some room if, like me, you need immediate momentum. I was genuinely bored at first, and I’m not going to rewrite my reading experience just because I ended up loving it. The immersion and tension build gradually, but all that groundwork started paying off in ways I absolutely did not anticipate.
After a disappointing reading month filled with books that either didn’t work for me or simply didn’t leave much of an impression, Clean Slate reminded me how much I love having a book completely take over my brain. I cared about these characters, I wanted to solve the mystery, and I was thinking about it when I wasn’t reading.
Five stars, earned the hard way. And I am VERY happy this is only the beginning of Olive Hunt’s story.
August 17, 2026
(3.25*)
Clean Slate by Brianna Labuskes is a new 2026 release and currently available on Kindle Unlimited, and the premise was honestly what caught my attention right away. The story follows Olive Hunt, a crime scene cleaner who has spent nearly a decade cleaning up the aftermath of death. When she notices the same strange item at multiple crime scenes that have been ruled suicides, she begins to suspect they’re actually connected murders. Soon, a serial killer is leaving clues specifically for Olive, turning her crime-scene cleanup work into an unexpected investigation.
I thought the concept was cool, as I’ve always been interested in careers that involve crime scene investigation or even the crime-scene-cleaning side of things, so having that be such a major part of the story immediately caught my eye. I loved getting that perspective and seeing how Olive’s job connects her to the investigation in a way that a typical detective story wouldn’t. I really wanted to love this one because the premise was right up my alley, but I just don’t think the actual story kept the same momentum that the premise promised.
Unfortunately, I don’t think the execution hit quite the way I expected it to. For me, the book became a little long-winded. There were quite a few flashbacks that I felt weren’t necessary to the overall story, and while I understand that the backstory was meant to give us more insight into Olive and her history, but some of it felt like it could have been trimmed down without losing anything important. I also found myself feeling like certain information was repeated — if I understood a particular piece of the investigation or a character’s history, I didn’t necessarily need to hear the same idea revisited several times. That repetition slowed down the pacing for me and made the story feel longer than it needed to be.
Overall, this was a really cool premise that just didn’t quite land for me the way I hoped it would. I enjoyed the crime-scene-cleaner angle and the idea behind the investigation, but there were some areas that I found it hard to stay invested.
Clean Slate by Brianna Labuskes is a new 2026 release and currently available on Kindle Unlimited, and the premise was honestly what caught my attention right away. The story follows Olive Hunt, a crime scene cleaner who has spent nearly a decade cleaning up the aftermath of death. When she notices the same strange item at multiple crime scenes that have been ruled suicides, she begins to suspect they’re actually connected murders. Soon, a serial killer is leaving clues specifically for Olive, turning her crime-scene cleanup work into an unexpected investigation.
I thought the concept was cool, as I’ve always been interested in careers that involve crime scene investigation or even the crime-scene-cleaning side of things, so having that be such a major part of the story immediately caught my eye. I loved getting that perspective and seeing how Olive’s job connects her to the investigation in a way that a typical detective story wouldn’t. I really wanted to love this one because the premise was right up my alley, but I just don’t think the actual story kept the same momentum that the premise promised.
Unfortunately, I don’t think the execution hit quite the way I expected it to. For me, the book became a little long-winded. There were quite a few flashbacks that I felt weren’t necessary to the overall story, and while I understand that the backstory was meant to give us more insight into Olive and her history, but some of it felt like it could have been trimmed down without losing anything important. I also found myself feeling like certain information was repeated — if I understood a particular piece of the investigation or a character’s history, I didn’t necessarily need to hear the same idea revisited several times. That repetition slowed down the pacing for me and made the story feel longer than it needed to be.
Overall, this was a really cool premise that just didn’t quite land for me the way I hoped it would. I enjoyed the crime-scene-cleaner angle and the idea behind the investigation, but there were some areas that I found it hard to stay invested.
August 25, 2026
Synopsis:
Olive Hunt has spent nearly a decade cleaning crime scenes while trying to escape the trauma of her own past. When she discovers the same unusual clue at two apparent suicides—and another suspicious death soon follows—she becomes convinced that someone is disguising murders as suicides.
A bouquet of red roses and an anonymous message confirm that the killer knows who she is and has been deliberately leading her from one scene to the next. Determined to uncover the truth, Olive follows the clues into a dangerous game with a murderer who seems to anticipate her every move.
Review:
This was a book club pick, and I’ll admit I wasn’t excited about reading it at first—but I’m so glad I did. It turned out to be a great read.
The story is told from Olive, Anthony, and Darla’s points of view, giving us a broader perspective on everything happening. It also alternates between “now” and “then.” Olive narrates the present-day chapters, while Anthony and Darla’s chapters take place in the past. Initially, we don’t know exactly when “then” is, but we eventually realize that these chapters cover different periods leading up to the present.
The characters are well-developed and continue to grow throughout the book. The writing is smooth and easy to read, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested and turning the pages.
This is listed as the first book in a series, and the ending suggests that more Olive Hunt stories are coming—especially now that Olive has discovered she likes the idea of pursuing justice. With new questions surrounding her father’s murder, there is plenty left to explore. I’ll definitely read the next book, and I’m especially interested in seeing where Olive and Sully go as a couple.
This is. Good choice if you like sharp independent woman and mysteries.
Olive Hunt has spent nearly a decade cleaning crime scenes while trying to escape the trauma of her own past. When she discovers the same unusual clue at two apparent suicides—and another suspicious death soon follows—she becomes convinced that someone is disguising murders as suicides.
A bouquet of red roses and an anonymous message confirm that the killer knows who she is and has been deliberately leading her from one scene to the next. Determined to uncover the truth, Olive follows the clues into a dangerous game with a murderer who seems to anticipate her every move.
Review:
This was a book club pick, and I’ll admit I wasn’t excited about reading it at first—but I’m so glad I did. It turned out to be a great read.
The story is told from Olive, Anthony, and Darla’s points of view, giving us a broader perspective on everything happening. It also alternates between “now” and “then.” Olive narrates the present-day chapters, while Anthony and Darla’s chapters take place in the past. Initially, we don’t know exactly when “then” is, but we eventually realize that these chapters cover different periods leading up to the present.
The characters are well-developed and continue to grow throughout the book. The writing is smooth and easy to read, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested and turning the pages.
This is listed as the first book in a series, and the ending suggests that more Olive Hunt stories are coming—especially now that Olive has discovered she likes the idea of pursuing justice. With new questions surrounding her father’s murder, there is plenty left to explore. I’ll definitely read the next book, and I’m especially interested in seeing where Olive and Sully go as a couple.
This is. Good choice if you like sharp independent woman and mysteries.
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