Clean Slate

Olive Hunt #1

by Brianna Labuskes

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.

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Serial Killer

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 4, 2026

Reviews

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

⭐ 3.5–3.75 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.

[Samantha Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!!

[Kelly Veit · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

I 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!

[Tiffany Schulz · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Megy Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley for this ARC!
Crime scene cleaner Olive stumbles into a serial killer's plot... OR did they want her to find out?
After living with her mother's severe OCD behavior, instead of letting it take over her life she channels it into her career as a crime scene cleaner. Which I found such a fresh take in the world thrillers and mysteries. I was so captivated by the plot of this book and pulled right into this multi POV story.
I loved the aspects of Olive's m0ther and their story. I was catching myself looking forward to those moments, which has me feeling excited to see where this series goes. This was a fun read, with great pacing and witty dialogue. I found some parts to be slightly predictable, however, it didn't bother me in the slightest, because I was having a great time with Olive in her pink biker shorts.

4 stars

[hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.


it had a good setup and I like that it seems like it will continue into another book. Some lines felt weird and like they were trying too hard to be “cool.” I also noticed random numbers on some lines that were distracting.

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this has “Olive Hunt Book 1” on Goodreads as I am super hopeful to read more books with this character! I really enjoyed how unique this was, and it kept me invested. The mystery was nicely complimented by the flashback chapters, and overall character development. This is a great read!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc

[Miesha (BookedAnBusy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told by Olive, Anthony and Darla, you get their points of view to see how the story unfolds. Olive a crime scene cleaner, and I found her to be a great character to follow. Although this was her job, she was respectful, while also questioning what was happening in what seemed to be “normal” crime scenes. Anthony was a volunteer at the community center, as well as Olive’s best friend’s father. Darla was what I would call in the high society world, and I wanted to see how everything would play out.

I enjoyed the Easter eggs that Olive was finding in the crime scenes, which made me wonder why this was happening, and who was responsible. What I loved the most was that Olive’s job was the aftermath of death, and the clues that were left at the crime scenes that Olive was tasked to clean could not be ignored especially with her attention to detail. I was suspicious of a few people, and the reveal was surprising as well as the motives. Overall, I would add this to your tbr when it comes out in August!

[Mary Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Alora Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know a thriller has me immediately when the main character isn't a detective, a profiler, or some genius cop with a divorce and a caffeine addiction. Olive Hunt cleans crime scenes for a living, which means she shows up after everyone's dramatic season finale and has to deal with the biological consequences. That alone sold me. The fact that a serial killer basically looks at her and says, "Actually, you're the main character now," sealed the deal.

Olive is one of those characters who could have been written as a walking trauma response and instead gets to be an actual person. She grew up with a mother whose contamination OCD shaped every corner of her childhood, and now she's somehow turned that experience into a career that is equal parts horrifying and weirdly compassionate. There is something deeply funny and deeply sad about a woman whose coping mechanism became industrial-strength disinfectant. The book never lets her trauma become her entire personality, which I appreciated because Olive is way more interesting than her damage.

The central mystery is catnip for anyone who likes their thrillers with a side of "you cannot be serious right now." Two apparent suicides. One strange object. A crime scene cleaner noticing things everyone else missed. Then a killer starts leaving breadcrumbs specifically for her and suddenly we're all trapped in the world's least relaxing scavenger hunt. The roses showing up on her doorstep felt like the serial killer equivalent of sliding into someone's DMs. Absolutely not. Blocked. Reported. Calling the police. Moving states.

What really worked for me is that Olive doesn't spend 300 pages hiding information from law enforcement so the plot can happen. She actually tells people things. Revolutionary behavior. She still sticks her nose where it absolutely does not belong, because otherwise we wouldn't have a book, but there was never a moment where I wanted to throw her into traffic for making the dumbest possible choice. That's rarer in thrillers than it should be.

The crime scene cleaner angle also gives the whole story a different flavor. Most murder mysteries focus on solving the crime. Olive deals with what's left behind after everyone else leaves. There's a surprising amount of heart in that. She treats victims with dignity even when they're no longer here to see it, and that added an emotional layer I wasn't expecting while reading about staged murders and terrifying floral arrangements.

Now, did I figure out a couple things before the big reveal? Sure. But Brianna Labuskes is smart enough to know that getting there matters just as much as the answer. The book keeps tossing red herrings around like Oprah giving away cars. You get a suspicion. Then another suspicion. Then a third suspicion. By the end I was side-eyeing people who probably weren't even in the book.

Also, can we talk about how much I unexpectedly loved Olive's relationships? Her friendships, her support system, the little hints of romantic tension simmering in the background. Nothing overwhelms the mystery, but it gives the story a pulse. The found family vibes sneaked up on me while I was busy trying to identify a serial killer, which feels rude, honestly.

The ending landed in that sweet spot where I felt satisfied but immediately wanted the next book. Not because of some obnoxious cliffhanger, but because Olive is exactly the kind of protagonist I want to spend more time with. She's funny without trying to be quirky, damaged without being exhausting, and stubborn in the specific way that makes fictional characters entertaining and real people impossible. Four stars from me. I'd happily let Olive investigate another murder while I sit several zip codes away and offer emotional support through text messages.

Whodunity Award: For Making Me Distrust Every Gift Basket, Bouquet, and Friendly Gesture for the Foreseeable Future

And a huge thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC. Nothing says "good time" quite like spending several hours convinced a serial killer is playing a personalized game of hide-and-seek with a crime scene cleaner. Much appreciated.

[suspenseisthrillingme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot damn, Ms. Labuskes! Just when I thought you were at the top of your game, you turn up the volume to an awe-inspiring eleven. A fast-paced, twisty, Hitchcockian thrill ride, both Clean Slate and Olive were just as good, if not better, than your very own Dr. Gretchen White, which had—up until now—been my favorite character and series. With a very Frankie Elkins-like feel thanks to the likable amateur sleuth, thought-provoking themes, and unguessable twists, it was no surprise at all that it was a one-sitting read. You see, the onion-like plotting to this cat-and-mouse game was beyond addictive as the clues piled up in this fresh take on a serial killer thriller. Not only was the crime-scene-cleaning narrator a brand-new approach to the genre, but her traumatized past, highly observant ways, and dry sense of humor all came together to create a believable prickly yet endearing individual who I couldn’t help but love. Like I said, she’s my new favorite character despite my long-term love affair with Gretchen.

So what else did I love about this clever, well-executed whodunnit? Well, in part due to the ever-growing sense of unease and the twist-packed last third, I’d have to say the pacing topped my list of favorite things after my love for the characters. An unputdownable puzzle of finely planted clues, it never slowed down—not even in the middle. Don’t get me wrong, nothing could rival the cast. From a duo of detectives who were far from incompetent jerks to side characters who I could relate to despite their morally gray ways, I was swept up in this world of well-crafted personas in the wink of an eye. But it was the low-key romance and genuine yet authentic friendship that had me swooning in my seat. Setting this first book in a series up perfectly for a sequel, my heart is in my throat as I prepare myself for the wait. After all, the somewhat open-ended conclusion has me desperate to know what happens next. So go on, grab this one now. It was the perfect combo of dark, funny, intense, and unique. Rating of 5 stars.

Read if you love(d):
- Rich people behaving badly
- Crime thrillers
- Clue-heavy mysteries
- Multiple POVs
- Games of cat-and-mouse
- Dual timelines
- Serial killer plot lines
- Emotionally complex narrators
- Amateur sleuthing
- A dry sense of humor
- Dark secrets
- Ratcheting suspense
- Revenge plots
- The Frankie Elkins series

SYNOPSIS:

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 see: These aren’t suicides. They’re murders staged to perfection.

Then the roses arrive. A vase of bloodred blooms on her doorstep. An anonymous note: 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.

Thank you Brianna Labuskes and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: August 4, 2026

Content warning: suicide/murder, death, child abuse, emotional and physical abuse, mental illness (OCD), child death, gun violence, infertility, pregnancy, mention of: infidelity, rape, terminal illness, drug overdose

[Yvonne (It's All About Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished reading: July 31st 2026


*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer/Brilliance Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***

REVIEW

Brianna Labuskes has been on my list of authors I need to try for quite some time now, but somehow I never came around to actually picking up one of her books... Until now that is. I was intially going to read one of her older books first, but I couldn't resist the sound of her newest story Clean Slate. This honestly doesn't really come as a surprise as I do have a weak spot for serial killer thrillers, but I also loved that the main character of this new series is a crime scene cleaner. This gave this crime thriller such an unique angle, and I really enjoyed my time listening to this book!

Clean Slate uses a multiple POV structure as well as multiple flashbacks to the past to tell this story, although the main focus is on our new lead character Olive Hunt of course... Or at least in the present timeline that is. The flashbacks did distracted a little in the beginning, but they were important to show how everything was connected as well as showing the motivation behind what was happening. I did prefer the present timeline though, and not just because I found Olive Hunt to be a fascinating character. I do love a good serial killer thriller, and the hunt for this one was very interesting indeed given the crime scene cleaner angle.

While things can be said about stereotypes and cliches when it comes to the characters, I personally didn't mind too much. Her troubled past does make it easy to explain why Olive Hunt is who she is today and why she is a crime scene cleaner... After the childhood she had, it's honestly impressive that she turned into a functional adult. That said, some of her behavior could get a bit frustrating, and especially her decisions towards the ending. I was also a bit worried about that potential romance element, but thankfully it was only hinted at for now.

As for the audiobook: the narrator made it really easy to listen to chapter after chapter, and I'm definitely glad I decided to experience Clean Slate in this format. Her voice fitted Olive's character very well, but I liked how she narrated the flashbacks and other POVs as well. The pace itself was a tad slow, but easily remedied and the narration still felt natural after speeding up. I definitely wouldn't mind listening to more audiobooks that use this narrator!

In short, if you are looking for a dark and gritty serial killer thriller with a crime scene cleaner angle, Clean Slate is an excellent choice. Multiple trigger warnings are definitely in place for topics including child loss, child abuse and rape, but if you don't mind your thrillers on the dark side, it's an excellent story despite the somewhat rickety ending.

[Tessa Talks Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.25 stars

One-word review: Meticulous

Book vibe: A crime-scene cleaner follows a killer’s carefully placed breadcrumbs while the messier parts of her own life refuse to stay neatly contained.

My thoughts:

Have you ever wondered what happens to a crime scene after the investigators leave? I hadn’t. Not even once. So, having a crime-scene cleaner as the main character immediately made Clean Slate feel different from other serial-killer thrillers I’ve read. Olive isn’t a detective or a profiler. She’s simply very good at noticing the things other people overlook—which becomes rather inconvenient when a killer appears to be leaving clues specifically for her.

I loved Olive Hunt. She’s flawed, relatable, and completely genuine. There’s nothing overly polished or superhuman about her, even when she’s doing something brave. She makes mistakes. She has baggage. She doesn’t always handle the people in her life well. Basically, she feels like a real person rather than a character carefully designed to solve a mystery.

And this may sound odd, but I even loved her name. Olive feels like such an old-fashioned name for a relatively young woman, and it somehow adds to her everywoman quality. There’s something almost timeless about her. She could be any woman trying to keep her life together while quietly carrying far more than anyone realizes.

Her profession fits her background so well, too. Olive has built a career around entering the aftermath of someone else’s worst moment and making the space livable again. Knowing what she has experienced makes that choice feel both practical and intensely personal. It isn’t just a clever job added to make the premise stand out. It tells us something important about who she is.

I also enjoyed the complicated web of family and friendships surrounding Olive. These relationships aren’t tucked away until the mystery needs an emotional moment. They are always there—messy, frustrating, loving, and sometimes painful. That made the danger feel more genuine because Olive has an actual life that could be damaged by what she’s chasing. She isn’t investigating inside a bubble.

My one issue was the pacing. The chapters are long, and the middle came to feel a little too repetitive. Olive would make a discovery, question what it meant, and then not quite move forward. After a while, I found myself checking how many pages were left in a chapter. Not the best sign when a serial killer is sending roses to someone’s doorstep. The story does regain its momentum, but some tightening in that middle section would have made the tension even stronger.

What I loved most, though, was how completely everything fit together. Even the smaller details have a reason for being there. Olive’s work, her past, her relationships, the strange objects at the scenes—it all connects without feeling as though the pieces have been forced into place. I had several of those wonderfully satisfying “Ohhh, of course” moments when something clicked.

Clean Slate is a clever psychological thriller with an unusually relatable main character and a premise that feels genuinely fresh. Olive Hunt alone would convince me to pick up another book featuring her. Hopefully, this won’t be the last time we see her.

Floral Verdict: 🌹 A Rose
The middle may need a little pruning, but Olive and the wonderfully well-connected mystery made this one very easy to recommend.

[Jessica Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Over the River PR for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions, as always, are my own.

I went into Clean Slate expecting a solid thriller and came out having read most of it in a single afternoon, which is always the best sign a book is working exactly as intended.

This is the launch of Brianna Labuskes's new Olive Hunt series, and it centers on Olive, a crime scene cleaner who has spent nearly a decade scrubbing away the aftermath of other people's worst days as a way of managing her own childhood trauma. It's a genuinely great premise for a thriller. Olive isn't a cop or a journalist stumbling into a case, she's someone whose entire professional life trains her to read a room the way most people read a face, and that expertise is what tips her off when two supposed suicides and then a third death start looking like something else entirely: murders staged with real precision. When an arrangement of roses and an anonymous thank-you show up on her doorstep, the case stops being abstract and starts being about her.

What Labuskes does well here, drawing on the same instincts that have made her Dr. Gretchen White and Raisa Susanto series work, is trust her premise instead of overselling it. Olive's job gives the book a specificity that a lot of serial-killer thrillers don't bother with, the procedural detail of what a staged scene actually looks like versus a real one is where the tension lives, and it's more effective than another round of detective interrogation scenes would have been. Olive herself is prickly in a believable way rather than a quirky-damaged way; her numbness reads as hard-fought rather than as a shorthand for "traumatized woman," and the book is patient about peeling that back.

The pacing holds up well across the middle section, which is often where series openers start to sag under the weight of setup. Labuskes keeps escalating the personal stakes (that anonymous admirer thread is genuinely unsettling) rather than just adding bodies. Where I felt the seams a little was in some of the secondary characters, particularly on the investigative side, who don't get quite the same texture as Olive and occasionally exist mostly to move information along. It's a common first-in-series growing pain, absolutely not a dealbreaker.

If you like your thrillers with an unusual professional hook and a heroine who's allowed to be genuinely strange rather than palatably quirky, this is a strong new series opener from an author with a real track record in the genre, and I'm already looking forward to where she takes Olive next.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Tropes/Themes: Serial killer thriller, crime scene cleaner, unconventional heroine, staged murders, childhood trauma

Tea Pairing: Blood orange black tea. Sharp, a little unsettling, and just red enough

Song Pairing: "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish. Quiet menace hiding in plain sight

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new-to-me author Brianna Labuskes has hooked me on her writing with Clean Slate, the first book in a new series. This crime and psychological thriller features professional crime scene cleaner Olive Hunt who uses her work to cope with childhood trauma. However, this week she starts to discover hidden clues linking seemingly unrelated staged deaths. She soon realizes a serial killer is leaving breadcrumbs specifically for her to find. This sets her on an amateur sleuth quest while also communicating with local detectives Cormac Sullivan and Donovan Mitchell.

After working for a large crime scene cleaner for a while, Olive started her own business and has been on her own for about 10 years. After a traumatic childhood, she uses her work to “erase” the suffering of others. She has a high threshold for horror and becomes a reluctant investigator. She shares a house with her grandmother, is detail-oriented, and she’s organized. She’s also observant, respectful of the victims, and inquisitive.

The author brings a fresh perspective using a crime scene cleaner as the protagonist rather than a law enforcement officer. This brings a novel approach to the aftermath of a crime. Additionally, Olive is memorable and will stay with me for a long time. From her resilience to her coping mechanisms, she is unique. The novel is also atmospheric and provides descriptions of the biohazard cleaning process. My main quibble is that the pacing of slow at times. The graphic imagery of some of the crime scenes may be triggering for some individuals. Themes include trauma, justice, class dynamics, and survival.

Overall, this crime thriller and psychological thriller is intense, gripping, atmospheric, and uses multi-perspectives and shifting viewpoints to give readers a broader view of the people and events. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

Thomas and Mercer and Brianna Labuskes provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 4, 2026.
-------------------
My 4.32 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

[Shania Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This multi-POV thriller completely unraveled me like in the most thrilling yet mind-bending way. Briana Labuskes tells a tale of a narrative that slowly unpeels the idea of a powerful, wealthy, greedy family that has a lot of skeletons in their closets.

What began as a procedural look into a crime scene clean-up transcends into a daunting exploration of privilege, negligence and calculated harm. Each perspective adds a new piece to the puzzle, each chapter zanier than the last and the increase of this sense of unease. The writing is atmospheric and deliberate, allowing the terrifying truth to come to the surface. All of this, heavy with an unprecedented feeling when everything hits all at once.

I found myself visibly “traumatized” between the victims and the brevity of the situation became more revealing through every chapter. Olive, I found her to be a completely compelling and resilient protagonist. As a crime scene cleaner, she exists in the aftermath of tragedy, tasted with the removal of the physical evidence that something terrible took place there only whiles ago… However this leads her to not want to let the truth be swept under the rug. I watched as she put together the clues, finding little Easter eggs that were placed strategically throughout each individual crime scene, all while she tried not to get herself into some deep trouble. She ultimately cracked the case, realizing that every victim - every life that once held value - was taken because of a wealthy family’s greed.

The discoveries of each victim, including the connection to a baby product handed to new parents from the local community centre - carried an even more disturbing secret that led families to grieve their bundles of joy in such a tragic way.. and this stuck with me even as I closed the book.. and I might not shake this feeling any time soon. Clean Slate is a dark, thought provoking and unforgetable thriller that leaves you shook to your core even after the final word’s been read.

[Karly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ a good new series from a good old author!!

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.

I really like Brianna Labuskes some of her books can be hit or miss but by and large I really enjoy her books. This one was no exception. This is a new series by the looks of it and I had a lot of fun with Olive.

Olive was quirky, and a different character than we have seen from this author’s series before. I really liked that she was a crime scene cleaner, she has her own hang ups with her mum’s background, and then the dynamic between her and the cop I liked.

The bombshell of the twists, loved it so many red herrings it really kept me guessing… it was really well done. I also really enjoyed the cliffhanger at the end setting us up for another book… the thing I hate is that now I have to wait for the second book. BUT I will be getting that the minute I can!!!

I am hooked, really enjoyed it and 100% will keep going with this series.

Overall, great characters, great story and unique too. If you like this author I recommend giving this a go.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[TheNovelNomad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean Slate immediately distinguishes itself with a perspective that feels both original and quietly unsettling. Centering the narrative around a crime scene cleaner gives the story a fascinating vantage point—someone whose job exists in the aftermath, where the emotional and physical residue of violence still lingers. It’s a smart narrative choice, and Brianna Labuskes uses it to build tension in ways that feel fresh within the thriller genre.

Olive Hunt is an especially compelling protagonist because she doesn’t fit neatly into the traditional mold of investigative heroes. Her work requires precision, composure, and an ability to notice the things others might overlook, and that careful attention to detail becomes one of the novel’s most effective storytelling tools. Watching those instincts pull her deeper into something far more complicated creates a suspense that feels deliberate rather than rushed.

What I appreciated most is how the novel balances atmosphere with momentum. The tone carries an undercurrent of unease, yet the pacing keeps the story moving steadily forward. Labuskes clearly understands how to let tension accumulate gradually—through observation, small discoveries, and the growing realization that some patterns are too deliberate to ignore.

There’s also something intriguing about how the story plays with control and vulnerability. Olive’s profession is built on restoring order to chaos, yet the events unfolding around her refuse to stay contained. That tension between composure and danger gives the narrative an edge that keeps the reader fully engaged.

By the end, Clean Slate feels like the start of something promising: a psychological thriller with a distinctive voice, a protagonist worth following, and a premise that opens the door to many more compelling stories.

[J.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean Slate hooked me with Olive and her initial business being a crime scene cleaning service called Clean Slate. It was just a cool premise the locked me into the story. I also think the contemporary vocabulary and the the setting pulled me in because it not something I typically read. It sets up great for what ends up being

I liked the different PoVs and timelines even though it took me a little bit to track everyone’s ages/where we were in the story. There are enough details dropped in the PoVs that I eventually got a hang of it.

Olive is an interesting character to follow because the setting and her personality connects to how she grew up. Things like outfits or how she reacts to cleaning up things are becuase of a mental health/familial trauma that was unique and vivid in how it was described.

The blend of very specific cleaning terminology with Dexter like crime scene observations was fun. It helped me rationalize Olive’s thought process really well as the plot progresses.

I did have a few issues with the formatting. Some text conversations weren’t clearly separated, and a few times when the setting changed without much of a break, so I had to reread a few sections. That may have just been the eARC formatting though. Some of the descriptions also felt a little overdone at times but I think it’s still unique to the voice of the characters.

There are a lot of red herrings, and it kept me guessing. The plot was easy to move through once I got used to the timeline jumps.

Overall, I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary mysteries with messy family history, unique crime scene details, and plenty of suspects. There are a lot of red herrings, and it kept me guessing so I gave it 4.25/5 ⭐️

Thank you to Brianna Labuskes, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for the eARC!

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olive Hunt is a crime cleaner and has seen it all. Her history makes her perfect for this job, and even though she is a one woman show, she is known to be one of the best. She pays attention to every little detail and always gives everything she has at every scene. When she gets called to a scene that seems too clean for this hotel and then finds an old newspaper article in a place no one else would have checked to clean, she knows something is off. This article also has ties to her childhood growing up at the PTCC, the local community center. Always covering herself, she turns the clipping into the police and explains where she found it. But when she finds another clue at another scene and then a third, all at different locations and all different types of deaths, she knows there's a serial killer out there and she just might have become a target herself. She has been called to all of the scenes and this killer is hiding clues in only places she would find it. What is really happening? As she starts to dig into things herself, she does uncover pieces here and there but the police are not happy with her side investigation. Even though she often is uncovering information they need, they also need her to stand down and let them investigate. She knows she is close to figuring it out, but is she ready to face the truth of what she is finding and how it all ties together from the past. I really enjoyed this storyline, and that the POV was from a character like Olive, I enjoyed that we got the background of her past that gave insight into how she got to where she is and why. I also am looking forward to another novel and hope it's tied to the case that Sully decided to look more into! Thank you to the author and publisher for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Britney Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, please! An astonishing 5 out of 5 stars from me! I absolutely devoured this story and was completely captivated from the very first page.

The world of crime scene clean up has always fascinated me with its unique mix of grim reality and meticulous detail, and the way the author brought Olive’s job to life was nothing short of brilliant. This narrative, centered around Olive and the challenges and complexities of her profession, was definitively a perfect story for me. It offered a compelling, nuanced look into a career often overlooked in fiction.

I was instantly and deeply invested in the central "what is going on, who done what" mystery. The narrative expertly wove together the intricacies of the clean-up work with a thrilling, suspenseful plot, keeping me utterly hooked from the start to the finish. The mounting suspense was a masterclass in pacing, propelling me through the pages with an urgent desire to uncover the truth.

The chapters were so tightly written and fast-paced, which made this book an absolute joy to read. It was the perfect story for a cozy afternoon—a true "set down and take all in in one setting" kind of read. The momentum never lagged, and the storytelling was both efficient and deeply engaging, making it impossible to put down.

I am incredibly thankful to #NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book to review. To my even greater excitement, I discovered that this phenomenal book is only the first in a series! Knowing that this is just the beginning fills me with anticipation. I simply cannot wait to dive back into Olive's world and see what mysteries and challenges await her next. More, please!

#cleanslate #briannalabuskes

[Linda]

When panic is the enemy, you hold fast.

That's what guides Olive Hunt throughout her life. She's seen it all from gory crime scenes to heartbreaking suicides. Is she a cop you say? Not hardly. Olive is called eventually in the aftermath as a final note. She's a crime scene cleaner working in the busy metropolis of Atlanta.

Crime scene cleaners are mentioned briefly or not at all in our favorite mystery/thrillers. Silent phantoms bearing the tools of their trade. Brianna Labuskes opens a whole new territory in Clean Slate. She's chosen Olive Hunt to step forward as her latest female lead character.....and Olive will get your attention from page one.

Olive has opened her own business after apprenticeship with another crime scene cleaning company. But nothing has prepared her for the intensity of this job as does her own private life. (Believe me, you'll have a catch in your throat when details emerge about Olive's childhood.) Her van could use an upgrade, but her thoroughness has gotten her attention from the local police and private customers.

Olive zooms into details. She knows when something is way off at a scene. She's been finding little ziplock bags hidden in strange places in three deaths in a row. Her antennae is up for good reason. Not wanting to carry this info on her own, Olive contacts Detective "Sully" Sullivan. She tries to convince the police that there may well be a serial killer in their midst. Initially, they blow Olive off. But when the little treasures are continuously left for Olive personally, the police get involved. But they have to go by the book......and Olive herself....not so much.

Brianna Labuskes can do no wrong in my book. (Oh, pun intended.) I've read tons of her books. She is one solid writer. Labuskes knows her way around a crime scene as they appear in her novels. Her choice of a crime scene cleaner is brilliant. We'll view crimes with a fresh pair of eyes with mucho experience on those situations that veer off the road. And Olive's demeanor and personality step forward with her talent of just knowing.

Clean Slate is the first book in this series. As I always say, get in on the ground floor as it happens. Olive Hunt is someone you'd be dying to meet.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to the talented Brianna Labuskes for the opportunity.

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olive Hunt is a crime scene cleaner so meticulous that she finds clues left behind that even the police missed. That could be because the deaths are staged to look like suicides, so they aren’t treated with the same precision that obvious murders would be. She tries to warn the detectives in charge of the cases, but of course, they don’t believe her at first. It’s not until she uncovers items from multiple scenes that they finally listen to her and realize that there’s a serial killer on the loose.

There are plenty of suspects once Olive starts researching the victims and their connections. And she can’t help feeling that she’s connected too, as if the killer knows she will be the one going over the scenes, looking for evidence only she can find. But why her, and why are they going after these victims in the first place? The answers are out there, but does she really want to know?

The plot is intricate with red herrings and misdirection all over the place. It’s more about the why than the who, and it does make you question your concept of justice. But it was a bit of a stretch that a cleaner could continually involve herself in an investigation with no further repercussions from the detectives than stern warnings. And everyone she’d go and talk to was more than happy to do so, even though she’s not involved in any official capacity and is basically just being nosy. It seemed a little too lighthearted to resemble how an actual investigation would be carried out. Entertaining, but not too realistic.

My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the free advanced reading copy of this book.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean Slate is the kind of thriller that creeps up on you quietly, then refuses to let go. It opens with the cool detachment of a crime scene, but there’s an emotional undercurrent running beneath every page, carried by Olive Hunt — a woman who has spent nearly a decade cleaning away the remnants of other people’s worst moments. She’s built her life on control, on wiping things clean, on never letting anything get too close. So when a series of supposed suicides begins to feel wrong in her bones, that shift is as compelling as the mystery itself.

There’s a slow, deliberate tightening of tension as Olive notices the details everyone else overlooks: the strange item appearing at each scene, the pattern no one wants to acknowledge, the roses left on her doorstep like a taunt. The atmosphere thickens beautifully — seedy motel rooms, polished hotel suites, the quiet dread of being watched. It’s less about jump scares and more about that creeping sense of inevitability, of being drawn into something dark and personal.

What really elevates the story is Olive herself. She’s sharp, wounded, and quietly resilient, and the deeper she’s pulled into the killer’s orbit, the more the novel becomes a study of trauma, identity, and the ways we try to rewrite our own histories. The suspense builds with a steady, confident hand, and by the time the truth surfaces, it feels both shocking and strangely inevitable.

Dark, atmospheric, and emotionally layered, Clean Slate is a psychological thriller that lingers — not just for its twists, but for the haunting humanity at its core.

With thanks to Brianna Labuskes, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[sussu is reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm gonna be honest with you, I had never heard of Labuskes when I picked this book up on Netgalley. I was in a mood for a mystery and figured a crime scene cleaner sounded like an excellent protagonist, but I wasn't exactly expecting a groundbreaking piece of fiction. And I'm not saying this is groundbreaking, but it's exactly what I want from a good mystery and a good book in general! I finished reading maybe 15 minutes ago and I've already added four books from Labuskes' backlist to my TBR.

What I enjoyed most were the characters. My issue with mysteries tends to be unbelievable main characters, who are either charicatures or try hards or otherwise people I don't care to read about. Here we have characters that are multi faceted, and even the sleazy guys aren't all bad. And although there were some very light romancy vibes, they can't even be called a sub-plot and absolutely nothing twitched, clenced, throbbed, tightened or quivered. The writing was good in other ways too, clearly well edited and distinct without distracting from the reading experience.

The plot was well balanced when it came to feeding the reader the clues, and while I didn't get the whole picture until it was revealed, it all did make sense in the end and I didn't feel like I was purposefully mislead at any point. As a final point, I also felt the writing was pretty self aware and acknowledged a lot of cliches and tropes. The background themes are also pretty heavy without getting graphic or exploitative, which I also appreciated.

I will absolutely be reading the next book in the series, and while I wait I'll be diving into the author's previous series.

[Another Read by Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

🧹 🧼 🩸 ARC REVIEW 🩸 🧼 🧹

PUB DATE:Aug 3rd 2026

My Rating : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 4 Dark Squeaky Clean Additive Stars 👀

“Cleaning was inherently messy. I cleaned up shit. I cleaned up blood. I cleaned up semen and rotten foods and I touched maggots that had fallen out of people’s skulls. I did everything my mom would have died before doing.”

“And you’re not the devil. In fact, you’re nothing more than just a greedy excuse for a human. And that? That’s about as mundane as it gets.”

Who’s looking for their next pulse pounding summer thriller 🤷🏻‍♀️ Have I got a book Rec for you !!

Clean Slate is a fast paced multiple POV & dual timeline darkly compelling read and I was obsessed 🤩

Olive is a crime scene cleaner and nothing makes her squirmy. Until one day a crime scene leaves her shook to the core and she can’t stop thinking about it 🤔

Olive then decides to take matters into her own hands after another call for a crime scene cleanup …she finds something at a scene that leads her to believe there’s a serial killer doing these crimes .

The writing was solid and tight and I love when a character starts doing their own investigating and if Olive isn’t careful she could find herself having someone else cleaning up 🧽 her own blood 😱

The first 75% of this book was so captivating and engaging I was so curios to see how it would pan out , the last 25% did get a little muddled & a bit confusing but was still satisfying!!

If you like multiple POV, dual timelines, smart protagonist, dark mysteries and found family then be sure to add this one to your TBR !!

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Brianna Labuskes for this Gleaming chilling ARC !!

[Ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - I was intrigued by the premise of Clean Slate, and Olive's character did not disappoint! I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a short mystery that incorporates themes of power and social class. However, for a book slightly over 300 pages, I found myself bored at times, and I was not itching to keep reading until the final 10%. I would have preferred the content to focus on developing Olive's character alongside those of the other players, OR focus on the social class narratives, as it is such a big deal in Atlanta. Dabbling between both just left for a plot that made me feel slightly unresolved at the end, and I wasn't moved by the social issues, like I would with a S.A. Cosby book. That being said, I was wondering how this could possibly be a series, and the cliffhanger at the end affirmed my interest in continuing to see what happens!

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Brianna Labuskes for the ARC of this book.

What Didn't Work for Me
I think the book did a good job of laying out the clues for the reader to determine how the book would end. However, I was not satisfied with Anthony's role in everything. Since he was described as being almost like a father figure to Olive, I didn't understand why he would be okay triggering her with the flowers and the clues. In addition, I would prefer more clues about Naomi throughout the book. Some of the events did start to feel repetitive, so changing those out for more insight into Anthony, Naomi, and Darla could help me make more sense of the ending.