Dead Girls Tell No Tales

by Carissa Ann Lynch

Some stories refuse to die.

In the forgotten corners of small-town Indiana, Adriana McMahon serves up nuts and fudge at the mall while hiding from her dark past. When her seventeen-year-old coworker, Rebel James, drops off a bloodstained notebook full of stories about missing girls, Adriana recognizes a haunting pattern—one leading straight to New Day High School, where her own nightmare began decades ago.

Then Rebel disappears and the bodies of dead girls start appearing.

Each murder mirrors one of Rebel's stories with terrifying precision. But they also hint at Adriana's own past and a secret she hasn't told a soul. But how could Rebel, or anyone, have known? It's not long before the police are asking questions . . . and Adriana doesn't have the right answers.

As body count rises, Adriana must Is Rebel crying out for help, or luring her into a twisted game? The truth might cost Adriana everything—including her life.

317 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 1, 2026

About the author

Besides my family, my greatest love in life is books. Reading them, writing them, holding them, smelling them…well, you get the idea. I’ve always loved to read, and some of my earliest childhood memories are me, tucked away in my room, lost in a good book. I received a five dollar allowance each week, and I always — always — spent it on books. My love affair with writing started early, but it mostly involved journaling and writing silly poems. Several years ago, I didn’t have a book to read so I decided on a whim to write my own story, something I’d like to read. It turned out to be harder than I thought, but from that point on I was hooked. My first and second books were released by Sarah Book Publishing: This Is Not About Love and Grayson’s Ridge. I’m a total genre-hopper. Basically, I like to write what I like to read: a little bit of everything! I reside in Floyds Knobs, Indiana with my husband, three children, and massive collection of books. I have a degree in psychology and worked as a counselor.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adrianna is an author with writer's block. When writing is how you make your living, it is devastating. Forced to find a job just to make the rent, she meets a troubled girl named Rebel. Rebel wants to be a writer, and asks doe Adrianna to teach her and coach her for a contest. But when Rebel goes missing...and a body is found...Adrianna is suddenly the prime suspect.

This book is simply beautiful. There is so much heart and emotion, you can feel what the characters are feeling. They are messy, imperfect, with pasts that are sometimes best left forgotten. All of it feels so REAL. I love it when a book makes me feel something, and this one hits the mark.

It is so twisty. I had thoughts of where it would go...and was so caught off guard. Its a great thriller, a fantastic mystery, and an amazing story.

[rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! At first, I didn’t know what was going to happen, I was just simply enjoying it. Every time I thought it was getting good, it got even better. This was truly such a good read. It kept me intrigued, entertained, hooked, and rooting for these characters! I would read this book again for the first time if I could, without a doubt. I’m super thankful I got to read this book early!

[Denise Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read this arc and I am so grateful! Adriana is hiding from her dark past when her coworker drops off a blood stained notebook filled with stories about missing girls. The her coworker disappears and dead bodies appear.

This was stuffed with tension and suspense. Lots of drama, rumors and even revenge. A must read!

Release date August 1, 2026