What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
4 days and 08:52:31
28 copies available
U.S. only
What They Did: A Novel – An Intense Suspense Story of Fierce Friendship, Deadly Secrets, and Irreversible Tragedy
Not yet published
Expected 18 Aug 26Win a free print copy of this book!
4 days and 08:52:31
28 copies available
U.S. only
A dark, character-driven crime novel about two best friends bound by a violent secret, for readers of Dennis Lehane, S.A. Cosby, and Gillian Flynn.
She keeps me safe. She keeps me wild.
Carly Rivers and Dana Lee were best friends when they were younger. Like fire and water, they always balanced each other Dana kept them wild. Carly kept them safe.
But then, a split-second decision resulted in an irreversible tragedy. To this day, neither has spoken of what happened; they share a terrible secret that sent them on separate paths, each hoping to leave the darkness behind them. Carly becomes a police officer in Florida with a beautiful house and a beautiful husband and son. For Dana, things go the other way. After a string of failed relationships and broken hearts, she finds herself in Black Ash, Michigan, working for the notorious meth dealer Warner Prince.
When Carly’s husband, also a cop, is killed in the line of duty, her son, Anthony, spins out of control. In search of his own fresh start, Anthony heads to Toledo, a stone’s throw from Dana’s home in Black Ash. As Anthony’s friendship with Dana puts him in the crosshairs of some sinister people, Dana’s and Carly’s lives come together again. Twenty-four years have passed, but the secret between them hasn’t died, and the friends soon find themselves in a situation where history is doomed to repeat itself.
Brimming with action and suspense, and tempered with a strong emotional core, Rio Youers’s gripping new novel is an intense, edge-of-your-seat story about fierce friendship, the bonds of family, and the extremes we’ll go to, to keep our loved ones safe.
She keeps me safe. She keeps me wild.
Carly Rivers and Dana Lee were best friends when they were younger. Like fire and water, they always balanced each other Dana kept them wild. Carly kept them safe.
But then, a split-second decision resulted in an irreversible tragedy. To this day, neither has spoken of what happened; they share a terrible secret that sent them on separate paths, each hoping to leave the darkness behind them. Carly becomes a police officer in Florida with a beautiful house and a beautiful husband and son. For Dana, things go the other way. After a string of failed relationships and broken hearts, she finds herself in Black Ash, Michigan, working for the notorious meth dealer Warner Prince.
When Carly’s husband, also a cop, is killed in the line of duty, her son, Anthony, spins out of control. In search of his own fresh start, Anthony heads to Toledo, a stone’s throw from Dana’s home in Black Ash. As Anthony’s friendship with Dana puts him in the crosshairs of some sinister people, Dana’s and Carly’s lives come together again. Twenty-four years have passed, but the secret between them hasn’t died, and the friends soon find themselves in a situation where history is doomed to repeat itself.
Brimming with action and suspense, and tempered with a strong emotional core, Rio Youers’s gripping new novel is an intense, edge-of-your-seat story about fierce friendship, the bonds of family, and the extremes we’ll go to, to keep our loved ones safe.
- GenresFiction
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 18, 2026
About the author
Rio Youers
93 books448 followersRio Youers is the British Fantasy and Sunburst Award–nominated author of Lola on Fire and No Second Chances. His 2017 thriller, The Forgotten Girl, was a finalist for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel. He is the writer of Refrigerator Full of Heads, a six-issue comic series from DC Comics, and Sleeping Beauties, a graphic novel based on the number-one bestseller by Stephen King and Owen King. Rio’s latest novel, The Bang-Bang Sisters, was published by William Morrow in summer 2024.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reading copy.
What They Did is quite the slow burn compared to Rio's other works, but that's not to say this is any less engaging. In fact it's quite the opposite. It's a real heavy hitter at times and will leave your jaw on the floor. Some of those latter scenes... man... they get you alright.
The character depth, as is the pacing, is right on the money. Great writing.
I really hope this novel does well for Rio. I believe his time is yet to come.
One of those novels to sit back and sink into.
Quality.
What They Did is quite the slow burn compared to Rio's other works, but that's not to say this is any less engaging. In fact it's quite the opposite. It's a real heavy hitter at times and will leave your jaw on the floor. Some of those latter scenes... man... they get you alright.
The character depth, as is the pacing, is right on the money. Great writing.
I really hope this novel does well for Rio. I believe his time is yet to come.
One of those novels to sit back and sink into.
Quality.
March 27, 2026
I’m won an arc on Netgalley of What They Did by Rio Youers. It’s a slow burn, which I normally don’t love, but I loved this one. His ability to tell a story is outstanding. I’ll definitely be reading more by him! 4.5 stars!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Two teenaged best friends. One crazy night. Two very different paths that converge again 20+ years later. This one had me feeling all the feels. It read like it could be a true story... The cycles of life and the choices we make and a mother's fierce love. While What They Did was a tragic story, it gives hope too.
May 2, 2026
Some of this book was fast-paced and suspenseful, but other chunks were slooooow. I did think it was generally well written. Didn’t love, didn’t hate. 3.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 5, 2026
I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of What we are They Did by Rio Youers through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Carly and Dana become best friends as teenagers. Their lives are filled with joy rides, movies, skinny dipping and living life as teenagers do until Dana gets into a dangerous situation. It turns out that while Carly was always the safe one she is also a lot more dark than even Dana knew. As Carly rescues Dana they commit an act that forever binds them. Because of what they did they both decided to leave town separately to rebuild their lives as adults. Carly goes on to get married to a cop and becomes one herself and they have a son named Anthony. When tragedy strikes Carly’s family as she becomes a widow she starts to feel lonely and needs her old friend Dana back. Anthony is devastated about his father’s death and makes what will be a life changing decision to go and stay in Ohio for a few months. The events that follow seem to be Carly, Dana and Anthony’s karma.
I really enjoyed this book. There were lots of twists and turns and it kept me very much engaged. I was also very satisfied with the ending. I would absolutely read another book by Rio Youers and would recommend this to other readers.
Carly and Dana become best friends as teenagers. Their lives are filled with joy rides, movies, skinny dipping and living life as teenagers do until Dana gets into a dangerous situation. It turns out that while Carly was always the safe one she is also a lot more dark than even Dana knew. As Carly rescues Dana they commit an act that forever binds them. Because of what they did they both decided to leave town separately to rebuild their lives as adults. Carly goes on to get married to a cop and becomes one herself and they have a son named Anthony. When tragedy strikes Carly’s family as she becomes a widow she starts to feel lonely and needs her old friend Dana back. Anthony is devastated about his father’s death and makes what will be a life changing decision to go and stay in Ohio for a few months. The events that follow seem to be Carly, Dana and Anthony’s karma.
I really enjoyed this book. There were lots of twists and turns and it kept me very much engaged. I was also very satisfied with the ending. I would absolutely read another book by Rio Youers and would recommend this to other readers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rio Youers’ What They Did ended up being much more emotionally layered than I expected from the premise. Yes, there’s crime, violence, drugs, buried secrets, and escalating danger, but underneath all of that this is really a story about friendship, shame, trauma, and the strange ways people stay connected long after they probably shouldn’t.
The early 2000s nostalgia immediately pulled me in. As a New England girl who also spent summers working in coastal tourist towns for wealthy vacationers, those early chapters felt very real to me. Cruising around in terrible cars nobody cared about as long as the stereo worked, intense friendships that felt like they’d last forever, making questionable choices because you were young and alive and convinced life would somehow sort itself out later. The atmosphere was spot on.
The friendship between Carly and Dana was the strongest part of the book for me. Most women have had a friendship like that at some point in life. One person is safety, the other is chaos. One keeps you grounded, the other makes life feel bigger and more dangerous and exciting. The matching tattoos, “She keeps me safe / She keeps me wild,” perfectly captured that dynamic.
What really worked for me was how adult and complicated the friendship felt decades later. They stayed digitally connected over the years, but had not seen each other face-to-face in twenty-three years, which honestly stressed me out more than some of the violence in the book. There’s something very modern and painfully believable about maintaining old friendships through texts, curated updates, and social media while quietly becoming strangers.
As a woman in my 40s, I especially connected with the idea that some friendships belong to a certain season of life. Nostalgia can make us ache for who we were with someone without necessarily meaning we should step back into each other’s lives. “Legends night ended at 26” became my running internal commentary while reading.
The book also did a good job exploring how people build fictional versions of themselves over time. Dana especially felt tragic in a very human way, constantly embellishing her life because the truth felt too lonely or painful to admit.
The violence is intense at times, particularly in the flashback sequences surrounding Trent. I appreciated that the book treated those moments as chaotic, traumatic survival rather than stylish action scenes. The emotional aftermath mattered more than shock value.
My one genuine complaint is structural: the repeated Chapter 1 resets throughout the sections personally victimized me. I understand the stylistic choice, but my brain uses chapter numbers as landmarks and I spent half the book feeling attacked by Groundhog Day Chapter 1s.
Overall, though, this was tense, emotional, thoughtful, and surprisingly poignant beneath the thriller surface. I’m glad I read it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The early 2000s nostalgia immediately pulled me in. As a New England girl who also spent summers working in coastal tourist towns for wealthy vacationers, those early chapters felt very real to me. Cruising around in terrible cars nobody cared about as long as the stereo worked, intense friendships that felt like they’d last forever, making questionable choices because you were young and alive and convinced life would somehow sort itself out later. The atmosphere was spot on.
The friendship between Carly and Dana was the strongest part of the book for me. Most women have had a friendship like that at some point in life. One person is safety, the other is chaos. One keeps you grounded, the other makes life feel bigger and more dangerous and exciting. The matching tattoos, “She keeps me safe / She keeps me wild,” perfectly captured that dynamic.
What really worked for me was how adult and complicated the friendship felt decades later. They stayed digitally connected over the years, but had not seen each other face-to-face in twenty-three years, which honestly stressed me out more than some of the violence in the book. There’s something very modern and painfully believable about maintaining old friendships through texts, curated updates, and social media while quietly becoming strangers.
As a woman in my 40s, I especially connected with the idea that some friendships belong to a certain season of life. Nostalgia can make us ache for who we were with someone without necessarily meaning we should step back into each other’s lives. “Legends night ended at 26” became my running internal commentary while reading.
The book also did a good job exploring how people build fictional versions of themselves over time. Dana especially felt tragic in a very human way, constantly embellishing her life because the truth felt too lonely or painful to admit.
The violence is intense at times, particularly in the flashback sequences surrounding Trent. I appreciated that the book treated those moments as chaotic, traumatic survival rather than stylish action scenes. The emotional aftermath mattered more than shock value.
My one genuine complaint is structural: the repeated Chapter 1 resets throughout the sections personally victimized me. I understand the stylistic choice, but my brain uses chapter numbers as landmarks and I spent half the book feeling attacked by Groundhog Day Chapter 1s.
Overall, though, this was tense, emotional, thoughtful, and surprisingly poignant beneath the thriller surface. I’m glad I read it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book started as a slow burn, and was maybe a little long, but it picked up the pace as it continued. It centers on Carly and Dana, who were best friends as teens but grew apart after a "bad incident" that they shared. 20-plus years later, Carly's son gets caught up with some unsavory people who are right in Dana's backyard, so they reconnect and old secrets are revealed while new secrets are created. There are also some flashback chapters that walk the reader through the things that happened back in their teenage years, solidifying their friendship and putting them on very different paths for the rest of their lives.
While I liked both Carly and Dana, I did feel that there was some level of characterization missing from when they were kids that I wish the author would have covered more. I can't exactly put my finger on it but there was something missing that made me have to work harder to figure out what kind of people they were in the later years. The book got more action packed as it continued and was downright terrifying at some points- it was also clear that the author didn't think anyone was exempted from bad things happening to them. I did feel like I had to suspend my disbelief a few times during the story, but I really didn't mind, as I was fully invested in the characters and their plight. The ending of the book was a surprise, but it ultimately worked well with the rest of the story even if it did catch me off-guard initially.
Overall, this was an interesting read that started off slow but picked up wildly as time went on. It could probably benefit from being edited down just a little more but was a satisfying read either way. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While I liked both Carly and Dana, I did feel that there was some level of characterization missing from when they were kids that I wish the author would have covered more. I can't exactly put my finger on it but there was something missing that made me have to work harder to figure out what kind of people they were in the later years. The book got more action packed as it continued and was downright terrifying at some points- it was also clear that the author didn't think anyone was exempted from bad things happening to them. I did feel like I had to suspend my disbelief a few times during the story, but I really didn't mind, as I was fully invested in the characters and their plight. The ending of the book was a surprise, but it ultimately worked well with the rest of the story even if it did catch me off-guard initially.
Overall, this was an interesting read that started off slow but picked up wildly as time went on. It could probably benefit from being edited down just a little more but was a satisfying read either way. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2026
3/5
Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow, and the author Rio Youers for gifting me with this ARC to review! I had a mostly enjoyable time reading it but it unfortunately didn’t stand out to me.
Liked:
-first step to being a cop…murder someone and hide the body. Listen I will almost always love this plot line for a book. Carly decided to use that experience to bring a little bit a justice to the world. I can forgive a little murder when she was 21 (murder was completely justifiable too, man wasn’t a good person).
-3 povs. I’m a sucker for multiple povs (if done properly). I liked Carly’s cop and mom brain battling it out, Anthony’s raging emotions that led to devastating consequences, and Dana’s bleak outlook on life in general (even though she kind of pissed me off as a character)
Disliked:
-this is not the lion king, please stop calling Warner a lion or using it as a metaphor every other sentence. I can handle a couple of comparisons with the villain to a deadly animal but this was just way too much. Every scene with Warner in it the character he was with would refer to him as a lion at minimum 3 times on top of Warner referring to himself as one. If you have to keep mentioning it, I think that means you aren’t really as bad ass as a lion.
-Dana blaming karma for her shitty life decisions. I don’t like when people can’t take accountability for their own actions. “I just attract bad people/things,” no ma’am you chose shitty people because you like the danger and recklessness. Genuinely she wasn’t even being forced to work for Warner! She literally could’ve gotten herself out at anytime (which she says) but chose not to.
Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow, and the author Rio Youers for gifting me with this ARC to review! I had a mostly enjoyable time reading it but it unfortunately didn’t stand out to me.
Liked:
-first step to being a cop…murder someone and hide the body. Listen I will almost always love this plot line for a book. Carly decided to use that experience to bring a little bit a justice to the world. I can forgive a little murder when she was 21 (murder was completely justifiable too, man wasn’t a good person).
-3 povs. I’m a sucker for multiple povs (if done properly). I liked Carly’s cop and mom brain battling it out, Anthony’s raging emotions that led to devastating consequences, and Dana’s bleak outlook on life in general (even though she kind of pissed me off as a character)
Disliked:
-this is not the lion king, please stop calling Warner a lion or using it as a metaphor every other sentence. I can handle a couple of comparisons with the villain to a deadly animal but this was just way too much. Every scene with Warner in it the character he was with would refer to him as a lion at minimum 3 times on top of Warner referring to himself as one. If you have to keep mentioning it, I think that means you aren’t really as bad ass as a lion.
-Dana blaming karma for her shitty life decisions. I don’t like when people can’t take accountability for their own actions. “I just attract bad people/things,” no ma’am you chose shitty people because you like the danger and recklessness. Genuinely she wasn’t even being forced to work for Warner! She literally could’ve gotten herself out at anytime (which she says) but chose not to.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book simmers.
You think you’re picking up a thriller mystery, but what you actually get is something far more layered — a suspenseful, claustrophobic gut punch of a story about grief, friendship, loss, morality, and the weight of every decision you’ve ever made.
It’s the kind of book that holds you hostage and doesn’t apologize for it.
This isn’t twisty. It’s intense. Edge-of-your-seat, hold-your-breath, stare-at-the-ceiling-when-you-put-it-down intense. The tension builds slowly, deliberately — that suffocating sense of doom never lets up, and just when you think you can breathe, it delivers another gut punch. Emotionally and narratively, this book earns every bit of that weight.
The characters and storyline are so well developed that investment happens almost without you realizing it. There’s a lived-in quality to everything — the relationships, the darkness, the moral complexity — that makes it feel less like fiction and more like something uncomfortably real.
You’re pulled into the world completely, and the darkness builds there is the kind we all know exists but don’t always want to look at directly.
What surprised me most is how much this book is about us — about the relationships we carry through life and how they shape who and where we end up. That’s what elevates it from a great thriller into something that genuinely stays with you.
This was my first Rio Youers read. It won’t be my last — I added his backlist to my TBR before I’d even fully processed the ending.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity and the ARC.
You think you’re picking up a thriller mystery, but what you actually get is something far more layered — a suspenseful, claustrophobic gut punch of a story about grief, friendship, loss, morality, and the weight of every decision you’ve ever made.
It’s the kind of book that holds you hostage and doesn’t apologize for it.
This isn’t twisty. It’s intense. Edge-of-your-seat, hold-your-breath, stare-at-the-ceiling-when-you-put-it-down intense. The tension builds slowly, deliberately — that suffocating sense of doom never lets up, and just when you think you can breathe, it delivers another gut punch. Emotionally and narratively, this book earns every bit of that weight.
The characters and storyline are so well developed that investment happens almost without you realizing it. There’s a lived-in quality to everything — the relationships, the darkness, the moral complexity — that makes it feel less like fiction and more like something uncomfortably real.
You’re pulled into the world completely, and the darkness builds there is the kind we all know exists but don’t always want to look at directly.
What surprised me most is how much this book is about us — about the relationships we carry through life and how they shape who and where we end up. That’s what elevates it from a great thriller into something that genuinely stays with you.
This was my first Rio Youers read. It won’t be my last — I added his backlist to my TBR before I’d even fully processed the ending.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity and the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rio Youers got me again.
I picked up What They Did expecting a dark, twisty thriller, and it absolutely delivered. What I didn't expect was how invested I would become in the characters and their relationships. The suspense kept me reading, but the people kept me caring.
At its heart, this is a story about friendship, family, loyalty, and the impossible choices we make for the people we love. Carly and Dana's relationship felt so real that I found myself rooting for them even when they made decisions that had me muttering, "Oh no...don't do that." They are messy, flawed, and completely believable.
More than anything, this book kept asking one question. How far would you go for someone you love? It is an easy question to answer when life is simple. It becomes a whole lot harder when every option comes with a cost. I loved that Youers never gave easy answers. He simply let the characters be human.
When I finished, I realized I wasn't thinking about my favorite twist or the most shocking scene. I was thinking about the people in my own life and wondering what I would do to protect them. Hopefully nothing that would require a defense attorney, but you never know.
If you like thrillers with action, heart, and characters who stay with you long after the last page, What They Did is an easy five stars. Rio Youers proves once again that the best thrillers are not just about surviving the danger. They are about discovering what, and who, is worth risking everything for.
I picked up What They Did expecting a dark, twisty thriller, and it absolutely delivered. What I didn't expect was how invested I would become in the characters and their relationships. The suspense kept me reading, but the people kept me caring.
At its heart, this is a story about friendship, family, loyalty, and the impossible choices we make for the people we love. Carly and Dana's relationship felt so real that I found myself rooting for them even when they made decisions that had me muttering, "Oh no...don't do that." They are messy, flawed, and completely believable.
More than anything, this book kept asking one question. How far would you go for someone you love? It is an easy question to answer when life is simple. It becomes a whole lot harder when every option comes with a cost. I loved that Youers never gave easy answers. He simply let the characters be human.
When I finished, I realized I wasn't thinking about my favorite twist or the most shocking scene. I was thinking about the people in my own life and wondering what I would do to protect them. Hopefully nothing that would require a defense attorney, but you never know.
If you like thrillers with action, heart, and characters who stay with you long after the last page, What They Did is an easy five stars. Rio Youers proves once again that the best thrillers are not just about surviving the danger. They are about discovering what, and who, is worth risking everything for.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rio Youers has a knack for mixing heart with suspense, and What They Did was no exception.
What starts as a story about a buried secret between childhood best friends Carly and Dana gradually unfolds into something much deeper and more emotionally charged. I was immediately drawn into their complicated friendship and the terrible decision that shaped the course of both of their lives. The decades-old secret gave the story real emotional weight, and I was completely invested in seeing how their past would finally catch up with them.
More than just a thriller, this is a novel about loyalty, guilt, grief, and the lasting impact of the choices we make when we're young. The suspense builds steadily, but it's the characters and their relationships that really make the book memorable. Carly and Dana feel flawed, real, and deeply human, and I found myself rooting for them even when they made difficult or questionable choices.
Yes, there are plenty of tense, gripping moments, but what stayed with me most was the emotional core of the story. Youers balances darkness with genuine feeling in a way that few thriller writers can.
What They Did is a powerful, character-driven thriller that delivers both suspense and heart. If you enjoy mysteries that make you feel as much as they make you turn the pages, this is one I'd definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What starts as a story about a buried secret between childhood best friends Carly and Dana gradually unfolds into something much deeper and more emotionally charged. I was immediately drawn into their complicated friendship and the terrible decision that shaped the course of both of their lives. The decades-old secret gave the story real emotional weight, and I was completely invested in seeing how their past would finally catch up with them.
More than just a thriller, this is a novel about loyalty, guilt, grief, and the lasting impact of the choices we make when we're young. The suspense builds steadily, but it's the characters and their relationships that really make the book memorable. Carly and Dana feel flawed, real, and deeply human, and I found myself rooting for them even when they made difficult or questionable choices.
Yes, there are plenty of tense, gripping moments, but what stayed with me most was the emotional core of the story. Youers balances darkness with genuine feeling in a way that few thriller writers can.
What They Did is a powerful, character-driven thriller that delivers both suspense and heart. If you enjoy mysteries that make you feel as much as they make you turn the pages, this is one I'd definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
What They Did is a suspenseful, dark and emotional tale of family and friendship, trauma and grief, regret and redemption. Brimming with a simmering intensity and a growing sense of dread and desperation as the inevitability of poor decisions begin closing in. Rio Youers has done it again! Delivering a captivating and weighty reading experience you won’t soon forget.
This is one of those great books that features a duality of storytelling, one moment thrilling readers with a story about crime and violence then delivering emotional gut punches that resonate with anyone who has deeply cared for someone. The thriller side has well-developed characters readers will get invested in, a tremendously developed plot that drives the book forward with urgency, and high-intensity moments that will leave you breathless. The emotional side contains a soul-searching exploration of handling grief and trauma, what family means to us and the lengths we go to protect those we love, and how true friendship never dies no matter time, space and distance. This combination comes together flawlessly to create a novel that is impossible to put down and difficult to get out of your head.
What They Did is a suspenseful, dark and emotional tale of family and friendship, trauma and grief, regret and redemption. Brimming with a simmering intensity and a growing sense of dread and desperation as the inevitability of poor decisions begin closing in. Rio Youers has done it again! Delivering a captivating and weighty reading experience you won’t soon forget.
This is one of those great books that features a duality of storytelling, one moment thrilling readers with a story about crime and violence then delivering emotional gut punches that resonate with anyone who has deeply cared for someone. The thriller side has well-developed characters readers will get invested in, a tremendously developed plot that drives the book forward with urgency, and high-intensity moments that will leave you breathless. The emotional side contains a soul-searching exploration of handling grief and trauma, what family means to us and the lengths we go to protect those we love, and how true friendship never dies no matter time, space and distance. This combination comes together flawlessly to create a novel that is impossible to put down and difficult to get out of your head.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
Twenty-five years ago, Carly and Dana were best friends as teenagers in New Jersey. But one horrible act changed their lives forever, leading to them both moving far away. Now, Carly is a police detective in Florida, she and her 20-year old son grieving the recent death of her husband. Dana's life has gone the other direction, as she's ended up associated with Warren Prince, a major drug kingpin in Michigan. When Carly's son Anthony abruptly decides to move to Ohio with a friend because he just can't deal and needs a reboot, Carly resists, but realizes she can't stop him. Instead she tries to get Dana, who lives not far from where Anthony and his shady roommates are, to look in on him. Though Dana tries not to let Anthony get close, he tracks her down and ends up meeting Prince, and despite Dana's warnings, ends up working for him. As Anthony delves deeper into a life a crime, things spiral out of control, and it might take a reunion of Carly and Dana to salvage the situation.
Another incredibly written crime thriller from Rio Youers. It took a little bit to get into, but once the story really started to roll it became his usual high-stakes, high-octane ride that fills you with dread at how rapidly disaster is looming on the horizon.
Twenty-five years ago, Carly and Dana were best friends as teenagers in New Jersey. But one horrible act changed their lives forever, leading to them both moving far away. Now, Carly is a police detective in Florida, she and her 20-year old son grieving the recent death of her husband. Dana's life has gone the other direction, as she's ended up associated with Warren Prince, a major drug kingpin in Michigan. When Carly's son Anthony abruptly decides to move to Ohio with a friend because he just can't deal and needs a reboot, Carly resists, but realizes she can't stop him. Instead she tries to get Dana, who lives not far from where Anthony and his shady roommates are, to look in on him. Though Dana tries not to let Anthony get close, he tracks her down and ends up meeting Prince, and despite Dana's warnings, ends up working for him. As Anthony delves deeper into a life a crime, things spiral out of control, and it might take a reunion of Carly and Dana to salvage the situation.
Another incredibly written crime thriller from Rio Youers. It took a little bit to get into, but once the story really started to roll it became his usual high-stakes, high-octane ride that fills you with dread at how rapidly disaster is looming on the horizon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This gripping thriller begins as a slow burn but steadily builds into an intense, emotionally charged story about grief, friendship, morality, and the lasting consequences of the past. The novel follows Carly and Dana, once inseparable as teenagers until a traumatic incident drove them apart. More than twenty years later, they are forced back into each other’s lives when Carly’s son becomes entangled with dangerous people near Dana’s home, bringing old secrets back to the surface. The alternating timelines add depth to their shared history, though the earlier chapters could have offered stronger characterization to make their adult selves feel even more fully realized. As the pace quickens, the story becomes suspenseful and often terrifying, with high emotional stakes and a sense that no one is safe. While a few moments require some suspension of disbelief, the novel’s strong atmosphere, moral complexity, and surprising ending make it a compelling and satisfying read. Ultimately, it is more than a standard thriller; it is a haunting story about how relationships shape us and how the choices we make can echo across a lifetime.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity and the ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity and the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Friendship. A buried secret. A lifetime of consequences.
At its core, What They Did is about a lifelong friendship built around a dark secret and the consequences of the choices two people made years ago. As the past collides with the present, the story explores how grief, trauma, violence, and guilt can shape—and sometimes destroy—the lives of everyone caught in the fallout.
The first half was such a slow burn that I had to actively convince myself to keep going. But somewhere along the way, I became invested in these unlikable characters, their complicated friendship, and the ugly secret that has been quietly shaping their lives for years.
Darker, grittier, and more graphic than I typically prefer—it’s a reminder that the hardest thing about bad decisions isn’t making them—it’s living with them.
I’m glad I stayed the course. The ending delivered the payoff I was hoping for and made the investment feel worthwhile.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher—William Morrow for the ARC.
At its core, What They Did is about a lifelong friendship built around a dark secret and the consequences of the choices two people made years ago. As the past collides with the present, the story explores how grief, trauma, violence, and guilt can shape—and sometimes destroy—the lives of everyone caught in the fallout.
The first half was such a slow burn that I had to actively convince myself to keep going. But somewhere along the way, I became invested in these unlikable characters, their complicated friendship, and the ugly secret that has been quietly shaping their lives for years.
Darker, grittier, and more graphic than I typically prefer—it’s a reminder that the hardest thing about bad decisions isn’t making them—it’s living with them.
I’m glad I stayed the course. The ending delivered the payoff I was hoping for and made the investment feel worthwhile.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher—William Morrow for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What They Did is a gripping and emotional thriller about friendship, secrets, and how one moment can shape the rest of a life. The story follows Carly and Dana, two women bound together by a tragic decision from their past that never really lets them go. As their lives reconnect years later, the tension builds quickly and keeps the pages turning.
What I liked most about this book was how layered the characters felt. Their loyalty to each other and to the people they love, made the story feel very real, even during the darker, more suspenseful moments. The mix of action and emotion kept the pace strong without losing the heart of the story.
At times the plot gets intense and heavy, but it fits the theme of how far people will go to protect family and friends. Overall, this was a powerful and fast-moving read.
What I liked most about this book was how layered the characters felt. Their loyalty to each other and to the people they love, made the story feel very real, even during the darker, more suspenseful moments. The mix of action and emotion kept the pace strong without losing the heart of the story.
At times the plot gets intense and heavy, but it fits the theme of how far people will go to protect family and friends. Overall, this was a powerful and fast-moving read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This crime thriller is an emotional story about two childhood friends, Carly and Dana, who committed a terrible crime when they were young, and moved past it without ever speaking about that horrible time in their lives. Decades later, they get together again, but it’s Carly’s son who is in trouble. Present day suspense collides with past misdeeds to bring about all of the suspense in this novel.
Youers writes with an emotional clarity rarely seen in thrillers. Both Carly and Dana are flawed individuals but try to be good people, and it’s easy to like them, even with their flaws.
I loved this book so much. It’s starts off slow and ends with a big payoff. I found it thought-provoking and deeply emotional at times. If you like more character-driven thrillers, you’ll love this one.
Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow for the eARC.
Youers writes with an emotional clarity rarely seen in thrillers. Both Carly and Dana are flawed individuals but try to be good people, and it’s easy to like them, even with their flaws.
I loved this book so much. It’s starts off slow and ends with a big payoff. I found it thought-provoking and deeply emotional at times. If you like more character-driven thrillers, you’ll love this one.
Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wasn’t a fan of how the chapters were set up. The story moved pretty slowly, and at times it was hard to tell whether I was reading necessary backstory or just filler. There was a lot of information that didn’t feel relevant to the main storyline, which made it difficult to stay engaged. I honestly found myself pushing to finish it. There was also more violence — and more detailed descriptions of it — than I personally prefer. The repeated abuse and demeaning treatment of women was uncomfortable to read. That said, the ending was strong. It tied up all the loose ends and didn’t leave the reader guessing about what happened. It wasn’t what I expected, but overall, it wasn’t a bad book — just not quite the right fit for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the gifted copy!
What They Did is a haunting, emotionally charged story about the long shadows of the past and the secrets people carry for years. This book isn’t just about suspense it’s about consequences, guilt, and how one moment can ripple through an entire lifetime.
The writing is atmospheric and tense, with characters that feel deeply human and flawed. The story slowly tightens its grip, pulling you deeper into a web of choices and unresolved history. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause and reflect, not just rush to the end.
If you like character-driven suspense with emotional depth and a lingering impact, this one will stay with you.
What They Did is a haunting, emotionally charged story about the long shadows of the past and the secrets people carry for years. This book isn’t just about suspense it’s about consequences, guilt, and how one moment can ripple through an entire lifetime.
The writing is atmospheric and tense, with characters that feel deeply human and flawed. The story slowly tightens its grip, pulling you deeper into a web of choices and unresolved history. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause and reflect, not just rush to the end.
If you like character-driven suspense with emotional depth and a lingering impact, this one will stay with you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What They Did" is a thought-provoking mystery that is sure to keep you engaged. It features a complex plot with an intriguing subplot. You will follow Anthony on his journey of self-discovery after a life altering event. As he encounters significant challenges the deeper he delves into his new life. While I initially anticipated a certain direction for the story, I was pleasantly surprised to be mistaken. Although I felt it lost a little momentum at times, I generally found it enjoyable, and I particularly appreciated the emotions evoked by Youers.
Thank you to Rio Youers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review before publication.
Thank you to Rio Youers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review before publication.
July 3, 2026
📱Thank you NetGalley & William Morrow for the e-ARC of this book!
I have mixed feelings about this one. It definitely is a mystery/thriller, just in a different way than what I was anticipating. I found myself getting really annoyed with each of the main characters and that took away from the story for me.
Overall, there was definitely some good suspense throughout and it was pretty action-packed and took turns I wasn’t expecting. I just didn’t absolutely love it but I think some people really would.
I have mixed feelings about this one. It definitely is a mystery/thriller, just in a different way than what I was anticipating. I found myself getting really annoyed with each of the main characters and that took away from the story for me.
Overall, there was definitely some good suspense throughout and it was pretty action-packed and took turns I wasn’t expecting. I just didn’t absolutely love it but I think some people really would.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3🌟
An engaging story about choices people make and the paths they choose follow due to grief and trauma.
I really liked that there were more than 2 povs. It was nice to get both women's perspectives as well as the son's.
Had dislikable characters (love that) and ones I wanted to hug and smack at the same time.
It was a bit slow but still enjoyable.
Thanks to William Morrow and Rio Youers for sending me an Arc to review.
An engaging story about choices people make and the paths they choose follow due to grief and trauma.
I really liked that there were more than 2 povs. It was nice to get both women's perspectives as well as the son's.
Had dislikable characters (love that) and ones I wanted to hug and smack at the same time.
It was a bit slow but still enjoyable.
Thanks to William Morrow and Rio Youers for sending me an Arc to review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
♧Netgalley ARC ♧
I enjoyed the premise of the novel -Good vs evi, dealing with the consequences of bad/poor decisions, making life choices to rectify previous wrongs.
Each character's perspective was a nice touch. Would have been interesting to have a few chapters from Warner's POV. Really get into what he felt made him how he is/ was.
Overall, good read. Took some time to get into it and took longer than usual to finish. ★★★&1/2
I enjoyed the premise of the novel -Good vs evi, dealing with the consequences of bad/poor decisions, making life choices to rectify previous wrongs.
Each character's perspective was a nice touch. Would have been interesting to have a few chapters from Warner's POV. Really get into what he felt made him how he is/ was.
Overall, good read. Took some time to get into it and took longer than usual to finish. ★★★&1/2
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advance copy. The story starts off a bit slow, but the buildup is well worth it. Carley and Dana were childhood friends who eventually drifted apart, only to be brought back together by unexpected circumstances. The novel explores the idea of searching for something you think you need, only to realize you never truly did. The ending stands out for its realism no fairytale wrap up, just an honest conclusion grounded in the real world.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A dark slow-burn with flashes of suspense, though the pacing often dragged and the plot felt overly convoluted and very wordy. The writing itself was strong, but the story never fully clicked for me.
The cast was packed with dislikable yet strangely compelling characters that I wanted to both hug and smack. Not a favorite at all, but readers who enjoy messy, atmospheric thrillers may connect with it more than I did.
Thank you NetGalley and Rio Youers for the ARC of this book.
The cast was packed with dislikable yet strangely compelling characters that I wanted to both hug and smack. Not a favorite at all, but readers who enjoy messy, atmospheric thrillers may connect with it more than I did.
Thank you NetGalley and Rio Youers for the ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts and review:
This book starts off strong, and I was hooked at first, but about 30% of the way through, I found that I no longer cared about what was going on in the story. It no longer held my attention long enough to care about what the deep, dark secret driving the women in the story was. I probably could have pushed through to the end, but it is hard to enjoy a story that you don't care about.
This book starts off strong, and I was hooked at first, but about 30% of the way through, I found that I no longer cared about what was going on in the story. It no longer held my attention long enough to care about what the deep, dark secret driving the women in the story was. I probably could have pushed through to the end, but it is hard to enjoy a story that you don't care about.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was an intense read, with the pacing of a thriller and the character development of a more literary novel. It didn't quite have the mystery or surprises usually found in thrillers, but the quick unfolding of the story helped to make the sometimes difficult material easier to push through. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Rio Youers for the eARC!
Multiple POVs are always a win for me. It was a slow burn which isn’t usually my favorite but the pace was necessary to really paint a mental picture of everything happening. If someone told me this was a true story I would have believed it! This was my first read of Rio’s and I’m looking forward to more!
Multiple POVs are always a win for me. It was a slow burn which isn’t usually my favorite but the pace was necessary to really paint a mental picture of everything happening. If someone told me this was a true story I would have believed it! This was my first read of Rio’s and I’m looking forward to more!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had a hard time getting into this book at first because it felt slow in the beginning, but as the story unfolded, I became more invested. The timeline moves between the past and present, which took some getting used to, but once it clicked, it added so much depth to the story. This is a multiple pov story with a slowburn that’s needed for a good ending.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to netgalley for this earc in exchange for my honest review! This is my first Rio book and boy am I impressed! Once you get into it, it is fast paced and action packed. I wasn’t left with any lingering questions and never saw some of the twists coming! A must read if you love a good thriller.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews