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Behind Every Smile
We think our homes are safe and our neighbors have the best intentions...until it's too late.
When Avery and her family move to a secluded island in the Puget Sound, she believes it’s the perfect place to call home. It’s quiet, safe, and friendly. The kind of place where everyone knows your name.
But when her husband takes a job on a crabbing boat in Alaska, Avery is left alone with her teenage daughter. Soon, the isolation that once felt peaceful turns threatening. Ferries are unreliable, storms knock out the power, and someone dangerous is watching them.
The neighbors are kind. They’re always helpful, always near. But their generosity soon feels like something darker. Their smiles linger too long. Their visits never end. And as Avery struggles to tell friend from foe, she’s pulled into a game she doesn’t understand.
Because it isn’t kindness. It’s obsession.
And she’s being hunted by someone she’s already let in.
When Avery and her family move to a secluded island in the Puget Sound, she believes it’s the perfect place to call home. It’s quiet, safe, and friendly. The kind of place where everyone knows your name.
But when her husband takes a job on a crabbing boat in Alaska, Avery is left alone with her teenage daughter. Soon, the isolation that once felt peaceful turns threatening. Ferries are unreliable, storms knock out the power, and someone dangerous is watching them.
The neighbors are kind. They’re always helpful, always near. But their generosity soon feels like something darker. Their smiles linger too long. Their visits never end. And as Avery struggles to tell friend from foe, she’s pulled into a game she doesn’t understand.
Because it isn’t kindness. It’s obsession.
And she’s being hunted by someone she’s already let in.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 26, 2026
The plot was good but the writing was just not there at the beginning. I think overtime the writing got better though. I do like the message at the end and the character growth.
March 27, 2026
Behind Every Smile is one of those thrillers that pulled me in quickly and kept me turning the pages, even when I was muttering at the characters under my breath.
The set-up is excellent: a remote island, a supposedly friendly community, and a woman left alone with her teenage daughter while her husband disappears off to sea. It’s the perfect recipe for unease, and Elisabeth Clure does a very good job building that creeping sense that something isn’t quite right. The atmosphere is the real star here — windswept isolation, overly friendly neighbours, and that constant feeling of being watched. You’re never quite sure who to trust, which makes it all rather addictive.
The writing itself is smooth and easy to digest, which makes this a very accessible read. It flows nicely and keeps things moving, even when the story slows down a little in places.
Now, the sticking point for me — and it really did stick in the throat — is the main character, Avery. I don’t mind flawed protagonists, but her constant anxiety, indecision, and self-doubt became a bit wearing after a while. Instead of deepening the tension, it sometimes pulled me out of the story. A few of the side characters also felt more like suspicious sketches than fully rounded people.
The plot is engaging, though not perfect. There are quite a few threads woven in, and at times it feels a little overcrowded. The twist is reasonably satisfying, even if you might spot it coming earlier than intended, and the final stretch ramps up the tension nicely.
All in all, this is a solid, atmospheric psychological thriller — not flawless, but definitely entertaining. A good choice for a rainy weekend when you fancy something tense, uneasy, and easy to slip into.
The set-up is excellent: a remote island, a supposedly friendly community, and a woman left alone with her teenage daughter while her husband disappears off to sea. It’s the perfect recipe for unease, and Elisabeth Clure does a very good job building that creeping sense that something isn’t quite right. The atmosphere is the real star here — windswept isolation, overly friendly neighbours, and that constant feeling of being watched. You’re never quite sure who to trust, which makes it all rather addictive.
The writing itself is smooth and easy to digest, which makes this a very accessible read. It flows nicely and keeps things moving, even when the story slows down a little in places.
Now, the sticking point for me — and it really did stick in the throat — is the main character, Avery. I don’t mind flawed protagonists, but her constant anxiety, indecision, and self-doubt became a bit wearing after a while. Instead of deepening the tension, it sometimes pulled me out of the story. A few of the side characters also felt more like suspicious sketches than fully rounded people.
The plot is engaging, though not perfect. There are quite a few threads woven in, and at times it feels a little overcrowded. The twist is reasonably satisfying, even if you might spot it coming earlier than intended, and the final stretch ramps up the tension nicely.
All in all, this is a solid, atmospheric psychological thriller — not flawless, but definitely entertaining. A good choice for a rainy weekend when you fancy something tense, uneasy, and easy to slip into.
December 8, 2025
If you’ve ever looked at a friendly neighbour and wondered, “What if they’re secretly plotting my demise?”, then Behind Every Smile sets up the perfect premise. A secluded island. A fragile peace. A woman alone with her teenage daughter. The stage is set for paranoia, secrets, and dread — all the ingredients for a gripping psychological thriller.
Unfortunately, while the setup had all the potential in the world, the delivery didn’t quite match the promise. The plot’s “big twist” arrived with all the subtlety of a road sign, and I saw it coming halfway through the book — which, frankly, felt like being robbed of the fun I was promised. I kept hoping for a clever reversal, a sneaky “gotcha” moment that would catch me off guard. But alas, the story stayed stubbornly predictable.
That said, the atmosphere is tense and immersive. Clure does a solid job capturing the claustrophobia of island isolation — the howling winds, unreliable ferries, and that creeping sense that everyone knows a little too much about you.
My biggest gripe? Avery. Our leading lady is, frankly, exhausting. Her constant self-pity and indecision made it hard to root for her. I’m all for flawed protagonists, but Avery takes “woe is me” to Olympic levels. By the end, I wasn’t sure if I wanted her to survive or just… hand the killer a map.
In short, Behind Every Smile is an easy, mildly entertaining read that scratches the thriller itch without leaving much of a mark. Enjoyable for a stormy weekend, but don’t expect a twist that’ll keep you awake at night.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Unfortunately, while the setup had all the potential in the world, the delivery didn’t quite match the promise. The plot’s “big twist” arrived with all the subtlety of a road sign, and I saw it coming halfway through the book — which, frankly, felt like being robbed of the fun I was promised. I kept hoping for a clever reversal, a sneaky “gotcha” moment that would catch me off guard. But alas, the story stayed stubbornly predictable.
That said, the atmosphere is tense and immersive. Clure does a solid job capturing the claustrophobia of island isolation — the howling winds, unreliable ferries, and that creeping sense that everyone knows a little too much about you.
My biggest gripe? Avery. Our leading lady is, frankly, exhausting. Her constant self-pity and indecision made it hard to root for her. I’m all for flawed protagonists, but Avery takes “woe is me” to Olympic levels. By the end, I wasn’t sure if I wanted her to survive or just… hand the killer a map.
In short, Behind Every Smile is an easy, mildly entertaining read that scratches the thriller itch without leaving much of a mark. Enjoyable for a stormy weekend, but don’t expect a twist that’ll keep you awake at night.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 1, 2026
Didn't see that coming
From the very beginning of this story we are plunged into darkness. It starts off with a heart wrenching tale of abuse and ends tragically. We then get some years post traumatic event where we meet a young, married woman named Avery. Avery and her husband have a fourteen year old daughter named Sammy and they are swimming in debt. It seems they stand to lose everything. The husband, Tom decides that the only way to fix their financial issues is to take a job on a crabbing boat somewhere in Alaska. Once he is gone, Avery and Sammy meet some new people on the island where they had only recently moved to and they soon discover that it's not the safe haven they thought it was. I thought very early on that I knew who was stalking them but I was surprised in the end. The author does a good job of keeping you guessing right up to the very end. There are a number of individuals who seem to fit the bill perfectly and every time you think you are beginning to figure it out, the story twists on itself and steers you elsewhere. It was a great story, but once we got the reveal I felt it was a bit cheap and seemed more like a gotcha moment than one with plausibility. All in all though it was a good story. I loved the storms, the power outages and the isolation of that island. It made for a great, eerie setting because whenever danger lurked and people needed help, the police had to take a ferry just to reach you.
From the very beginning of this story we are plunged into darkness. It starts off with a heart wrenching tale of abuse and ends tragically. We then get some years post traumatic event where we meet a young, married woman named Avery. Avery and her husband have a fourteen year old daughter named Sammy and they are swimming in debt. It seems they stand to lose everything. The husband, Tom decides that the only way to fix their financial issues is to take a job on a crabbing boat somewhere in Alaska. Once he is gone, Avery and Sammy meet some new people on the island where they had only recently moved to and they soon discover that it's not the safe haven they thought it was. I thought very early on that I knew who was stalking them but I was surprised in the end. The author does a good job of keeping you guessing right up to the very end. There are a number of individuals who seem to fit the bill perfectly and every time you think you are beginning to figure it out, the story twists on itself and steers you elsewhere. It was a great story, but once we got the reveal I felt it was a bit cheap and seemed more like a gotcha moment than one with plausibility. All in all though it was a good story. I loved the storms, the power outages and the isolation of that island. It made for a great, eerie setting because whenever danger lurked and people needed help, the police had to take a ferry just to reach you.
December 25, 2025
Behind Every Smile by Elisabeth Clure had all the elements I usually love in a thriller. Avery moves with her husband, Tom, and teenage daughter, Sammy, to an isolated island in the Pacific Northwest—one of those places where everyone knows everyone, secrets supposedly don’t exist, and gossip travels faster than the ferry. When Tom leaves for a three-month fishing job, Avery quickly realizes the island is far more dangerous than it appears, and that no one is entirely trustworthy.
While the premise was strong and full of potential—isolated setting, strange neighbors, constant storms—this one ultimately didn’t work for me. There was simply too much going on. The story tackles sexual assault, human trafficking, marital issues, parenting struggles with a teenager, and nearly fatal food allergies, all in one book, and it became overwhelming rather than suspenseful.
The twist felt very clear about halfway through, and the pacing suffered as a result. Lengthy, unnecessary descriptions caused the story to drag, and I often found myself thinking, “this is just… weird.” Ironically, the final 10% was the fastest-moving part of the book—until the very last chapter, which felt abrupt, forced, and oddly random.
I really wanted to love this one, but it missed the mark for me.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
While the premise was strong and full of potential—isolated setting, strange neighbors, constant storms—this one ultimately didn’t work for me. There was simply too much going on. The story tackles sexual assault, human trafficking, marital issues, parenting struggles with a teenager, and nearly fatal food allergies, all in one book, and it became overwhelming rather than suspenseful.
The twist felt very clear about halfway through, and the pacing suffered as a result. Lengthy, unnecessary descriptions caused the story to drag, and I often found myself thinking, “this is just… weird.” Ironically, the final 10% was the fastest-moving part of the book—until the very last chapter, which felt abrupt, forced, and oddly random.
I really wanted to love this one, but it missed the mark for me.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.
April 25, 2026
Left on her own as her husband leaves to work on a boat, Avery and her teenage daughter feel vulnerable, and the friendly locals on the island are maybe not as friendly as she had thought. Is she being watched? Who can she trust? No longer able to sweep her problems under the carpet, Avery has to find the inner strength to face the demons that beset her.
I found Behind Every Smile by Elizabeth Clure challenging from the very start. There is a dark sense of foreboding from the opening chapter, which deals with abuse and murder, through to the gripping climax. This is not the novel to read alone at night, but I know a lot of readers enjoy being scared. If you are one of them, then this is a book for you.
I found Behind Every Smile by Elizabeth Clure challenging from the very start. There is a dark sense of foreboding from the opening chapter, which deals with abuse and murder, through to the gripping climax. This is not the novel to read alone at night, but I know a lot of readers enjoy being scared. If you are one of them, then this is a book for you.
November 22, 2025
This is a really great thriller. Nothing like moving to a place just to have your husband leave to a crabbing boat, and you’re left in a place where you know no one.
The neighbors seem so friendly and helpful at first, but then they just seem to always be there… their smiles are lingering and it’s their time spent around you.
This book was creepy it kept me on the edge of my seat. This is a nail biting read. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen next, things shift gears. I couldn’t read this fast enough. It was a great read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The neighbors seem so friendly and helpful at first, but then they just seem to always be there… their smiles are lingering and it’s their time spent around you.
This book was creepy it kept me on the edge of my seat. This is a nail biting read. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen next, things shift gears. I couldn’t read this fast enough. It was a great read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 19, 2026
behind every smile
This was a quick, unsettling read that kept me hooked from the start. The isolated island setting really works and creates a constant feeling that something is off, even during the quieter moments. I liked trying to figure out who could be trusted and who couldn’t, and the tension builds steadily as Avery and her daughter become more cut off from the outside world. Some parts felt a bit predictable, and there were moments where the pacing slowed down, but I still stayed invested and finished it fast. Overall, it’s a creepy, suspenseful story with a strong atmosphere and an easy, engaging read for thriller fans.
This was a quick, unsettling read that kept me hooked from the start. The isolated island setting really works and creates a constant feeling that something is off, even during the quieter moments. I liked trying to figure out who could be trusted and who couldn’t, and the tension builds steadily as Avery and her daughter become more cut off from the outside world. Some parts felt a bit predictable, and there were moments where the pacing slowed down, but I still stayed invested and finished it fast. Overall, it’s a creepy, suspenseful story with a strong atmosphere and an easy, engaging read for thriller fans.
January 9, 2026
Behind Every Smile is beautifully set up to highlight the isolation of our heroine and her daughter. The characters are relatively well developed, albeit, nauseating at times.
The author took a different approach in setting up the entry of our villain. Early on, we knew they were one of a handful of people. Disappointingly, it became clear early on who the villain was, which took away a bit of the fun.
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
The author took a different approach in setting up the entry of our villain. Early on, we knew they were one of a handful of people. Disappointingly, it became clear early on who the villain was, which took away a bit of the fun.
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
March 2, 2026
Wow! Wow! Wow!
Just, wow!! This book had me hooked from the very first page!! There are a lot of trigger warnings, so be sure to check those before you read, but wowww!! This book was so good. If I could rate it more than 5 stars, I absolutely would! It was suspenseful, the characters are extremely relatable, the story will pull at your heartstrings and take you on a roller coaster of trying to figure out who is watching! I highly, highly, highly recommend!
Just, wow!! This book had me hooked from the very first page!! There are a lot of trigger warnings, so be sure to check those before you read, but wowww!! This book was so good. If I could rate it more than 5 stars, I absolutely would! It was suspenseful, the characters are extremely relatable, the story will pull at your heartstrings and take you on a roller coaster of trying to figure out who is watching! I highly, highly, highly recommend!
April 17, 2026
It's a whodunit because there are several characters who could be terrorizing poor Avery, and we know it from the start. The characters are realistic, and so is her willingness to befriend some on the island that have been rejected by others. I liked how the author developed the characters and worked in the nature of the setting, with storms, rains, ferries, isolation, etc. I liked seeing the challenge of dealing with teenage girls put in the center of a gripping horror story.
February 14, 2026
This e-book was a first for me. 1) It is the first e-book have read completely. 2) It is the first psychological thriller I have read, to my memory. I'm thinking this was a good thriller because it scared the fritters out of me. But I gave it 2 stars ("It was okay") because I realized I don't like psychological thrillers.
January 26, 2026
Behind Every Smile pulled me in right away. The isolated island setting works well, and there’s an uncomfortable feeling from the start that something isn’t quite right with the people around Avery and her daughter. I liked how the story kept me guessing about who could be trusted, and the tension builds steadily as things begin to unravel.
Not everything worked for me, though. Some of the reveals were easier to see coming than I would’ve liked, and the main character’s constant anxiety started to wear on me after a while. The book also takes on a lot of serious topics at once, which sometimes made the story feel crowded instead of sharper.
Even with those issues, I stayed invested and finished it quickly. It’s a creepy, fast read with a solid premise, and while it didn’t fully surprise me, it was still an enjoyable thriller overall.
Not everything worked for me, though. Some of the reveals were easier to see coming than I would’ve liked, and the main character’s constant anxiety started to wear on me after a while. The book also takes on a lot of serious topics at once, which sometimes made the story feel crowded instead of sharper.
Even with those issues, I stayed invested and finished it quickly. It’s a creepy, fast read with a solid premise, and while it didn’t fully surprise me, it was still an enjoyable thriller overall.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews