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River's Reckoning : Addictive psychological thriller with a twist
The man who's haunted her for twenty years finally has a name.
Getting answers means looking evil in the eye.
FBI Agent River Collins just closed the biggest case of her career—a cult that murdered children in ritualistic ceremonies. But the investigation revealed something far worse.
The mastermind has been in federal prison for fifteen years.
And he's been orchestrating everything from inside.
The Shepherd. The man who trained River's childhood captors. Who's been tracking her FBI career through a network of devoted followers.
He believes River is the unfinished work that must be completed.
Now prison records reveal dozens of visitors. Years of correspondence. Instructions for operations River hasn't discovered yet.
And when people close to River start disappearing, she realizes that the Shepherd's endgame is already in motion.
River Collins survived once by running.
This time, she's done running.
This time, she's going to end it.
Perfect for fans of Mary Stone, Elle Gray, and dark psychological thrillers with complex female protagonists.
The explosive conclusion to The Shepherd arc.
Getting answers means looking evil in the eye.
FBI Agent River Collins just closed the biggest case of her career—a cult that murdered children in ritualistic ceremonies. But the investigation revealed something far worse.
The mastermind has been in federal prison for fifteen years.
And he's been orchestrating everything from inside.
The Shepherd. The man who trained River's childhood captors. Who's been tracking her FBI career through a network of devoted followers.
He believes River is the unfinished work that must be completed.
Now prison records reveal dozens of visitors. Years of correspondence. Instructions for operations River hasn't discovered yet.
And when people close to River start disappearing, she realizes that the Shepherd's endgame is already in motion.
River Collins survived once by running.
This time, she's done running.
This time, she's going to end it.
Perfect for fans of Mary Stone, Elle Gray, and dark psychological thrillers with complex female protagonists.
The explosive conclusion to The Shepherd arc.
- GenresThriller
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2026
43 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Kate Gable
44 books435 followersKate Gable loves a good mystery that is full of suspense. She grew up devouring psychological thrillers and crime novels as well as movies, tv shows and true crime.
Her favorite stories are the ones that are centered on families with lots of secrets and lies as well as many twists and turns. Her novels have elements of psychological suspense, thriller, mystery and romance.
Kate Gable lives in Southern California with her husband, son, a dog and a cat. She has spent more than twenty years in this area and finds inspiration from its cities, canyons, deserts, and small mountain towns.
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Her favorite stories are the ones that are centered on families with lots of secrets and lies as well as many twists and turns. Her novels have elements of psychological suspense, thriller, mystery and romance.
Kate Gable lives in Southern California with her husband, son, a dog and a cat. She has spent more than twenty years in this area and finds inspiration from its cities, canyons, deserts, and small mountain towns.
Want to read a FREE Book?
https://www.subscribepage.com/kategab...
Check out her books here:
www.kategable.com
Join my Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/83385...
Write her here:
Kate@kategable.com
Bonus Points: Follow me on BookBub and Goodreads!
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 3, 2026
RIVER’S RECKONING is the fourth instalment in Kate Gable’s contemporary adult RIVER COLLINS FBI MYSTERY thriller series focusing on FBI Special Agent Rebecca ‘River’ Collin’s, and the final instalment in ‘The Shepherd’ arc line.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from first person (River) and third person perspectives RIVER’S RECKONING is the culmination of four instalments focusing on a two decade mystery. At the age of twelve, River Collin’s was abducted and held prisoner for close to two years, a prisoner of a madman who called himself The Shepherd. With the approach of the Equinox, the past begins to circle our story line heroine, demanding her return to complete that which had only begun but as the players begin to reveal and amass, River is pulled into the world to which she never wanted to return, a world with a collection of familiar faces, some of whom had betrayed her at the deepest level.
The world building follows River Collins ,and FBI Agent Emma Bertanelli as they begin to unravel the various pathways and connections to our heroine’s past but as the lies reveal themselves, secrets will crumble, leaving River wondering where everything went wrong. The past is demanding the return of River Collins, and the people in River’s life will be targeted to ensure River’s cooperation.
The secondary and supporting characters are familiar and determined, including the return of River’s lover Dr. Aiden Watkins, FBI Special Agents Emma Bertanelli, and Special Agent in Charge Eric Sewark; River’s sister Leslie, and their parents Thomas and Elizabeth. The requisite evil has many faces.
RIVER’S RECKONING is a fast paced story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, obsession and madness, and dysfunctional family values in the face of religious cults and spiritual grooming. The character driven premise is edgy and dramatic; the characters are desperate, determined and charismatic.
copy supplied for review
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from first person (River) and third person perspectives RIVER’S RECKONING is the culmination of four instalments focusing on a two decade mystery. At the age of twelve, River Collin’s was abducted and held prisoner for close to two years, a prisoner of a madman who called himself The Shepherd. With the approach of the Equinox, the past begins to circle our story line heroine, demanding her return to complete that which had only begun but as the players begin to reveal and amass, River is pulled into the world to which she never wanted to return, a world with a collection of familiar faces, some of whom had betrayed her at the deepest level.
The world building follows River Collins ,and FBI Agent Emma Bertanelli as they begin to unravel the various pathways and connections to our heroine’s past but as the lies reveal themselves, secrets will crumble, leaving River wondering where everything went wrong. The past is demanding the return of River Collins, and the people in River’s life will be targeted to ensure River’s cooperation.
The secondary and supporting characters are familiar and determined, including the return of River’s lover Dr. Aiden Watkins, FBI Special Agents Emma Bertanelli, and Special Agent in Charge Eric Sewark; River’s sister Leslie, and their parents Thomas and Elizabeth. The requisite evil has many faces.
RIVER’S RECKONING is a fast paced story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, obsession and madness, and dysfunctional family values in the face of religious cults and spiritual grooming. The character driven premise is edgy and dramatic; the characters are desperate, determined and charismatic.
copy supplied for review
March 4, 2026
RIVER’S RECKONING is the fourth book in the River Collins FBI Mystery Thriller series. This is a dark, suspenseful psychological thriller that has jaw-dropping twists. This story gathers momentum with each page turned, had me captivated from the first page, and no amount of guessing could have prepared me for what went down.
With FBI Agent River Collin’s traumatic escape and survival when she was young, the past is ever present here, and in ways both relatable and surprising. River finds out the name of the person responsible for what happened to her when she was 12 years old. The twisted secret of deadly rituals is about to explode into the open, upending the almost perfect lives of River, a doctor, family, and her partner. The mastermind of the cult who has a chilling track record along with his devoted followers are hiding in plain sight, waiting for the right time to attack. The more River delve into the case, the more labyrinthine it gets—causing so many questions and few answers. As the case becomes more complicated and dangerous, it becomes clear that she has to stop the mastermind and his devoted followers before any of her loved ones and people she cares about are targeted. What happens next? Well, read this heart pounding suspenseful psychological thriller as you try to find who the attackers are and find yourself waiting with bated breath for the last book. If you enjoy a story with loads of suspense, surprising twists, danger, and ominous cults, you’ve found your literary nirvana. Enjoy the ride! Kate Gable creates a world, plot, and characters that linger long after the last sentence of the last page. I highly RECOMMEND this book.
With FBI Agent River Collin’s traumatic escape and survival when she was young, the past is ever present here, and in ways both relatable and surprising. River finds out the name of the person responsible for what happened to her when she was 12 years old. The twisted secret of deadly rituals is about to explode into the open, upending the almost perfect lives of River, a doctor, family, and her partner. The mastermind of the cult who has a chilling track record along with his devoted followers are hiding in plain sight, waiting for the right time to attack. The more River delve into the case, the more labyrinthine it gets—causing so many questions and few answers. As the case becomes more complicated and dangerous, it becomes clear that she has to stop the mastermind and his devoted followers before any of her loved ones and people she cares about are targeted. What happens next? Well, read this heart pounding suspenseful psychological thriller as you try to find who the attackers are and find yourself waiting with bated breath for the last book. If you enjoy a story with loads of suspense, surprising twists, danger, and ominous cults, you’ve found your literary nirvana. Enjoy the ride! Kate Gable creates a world, plot, and characters that linger long after the last sentence of the last page. I highly RECOMMEND this book.
March 8, 2026
I feel like I struck "Gold" when I found Kate Gable's books! I've loved this book series about River Collins, FBI agent and child kidnapping survivor. I wasn't sure I could emotionally handle the horrors she faced reliving her own childhood trauma, but it's done very tastefully, yet left me sad and haunted by her pain.
Kate does an incredible job of developing the characters and their relationships. I have loved reading about Aiden and River's amazing friendship and the deep unselfish love they now share.
This book solidified for me the wisdom of this author for me! Family is so important to me and I've struggled with River's estrangement from her parents. Now it's completely understandable and I concur with River's decision her own personal healing comes first! I've watched the relationship grow between River and her sister, Leslie. Children trauma affects everyone in the family differently but no one is unharmed. The United front they created was inspiring but so was their independent decisions and support for each other concerning their parents. What a brave step for Leslie to make as she vigilantly watches over her children. I think being a parent herself and not the actual kidnapped victim allows Leslie to make different decisions that hopefully will be a stepping stone for the whole family!
Look at me go on and on about people that aren't even real, but these characters feel real and dear to some of us. Thank you Kate for these well written, thrilling, tearful, and heartwarming books. Maybe it's the "Math Major" in me but I also appreciate how well edited they are!
Kate does an incredible job of developing the characters and their relationships. I have loved reading about Aiden and River's amazing friendship and the deep unselfish love they now share.
This book solidified for me the wisdom of this author for me! Family is so important to me and I've struggled with River's estrangement from her parents. Now it's completely understandable and I concur with River's decision her own personal healing comes first! I've watched the relationship grow between River and her sister, Leslie. Children trauma affects everyone in the family differently but no one is unharmed. The United front they created was inspiring but so was their independent decisions and support for each other concerning their parents. What a brave step for Leslie to make as she vigilantly watches over her children. I think being a parent herself and not the actual kidnapped victim allows Leslie to make different decisions that hopefully will be a stepping stone for the whole family!
Look at me go on and on about people that aren't even real, but these characters feel real and dear to some of us. Thank you Kate for these well written, thrilling, tearful, and heartwarming books. Maybe it's the "Math Major" in me but I also appreciate how well edited they are!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is book four in The FBI Agent River Collins Mystery Thriller series. River is in a difficult situation as she feels like she is being hunted by her past but as more clues emerge it starts taking over her life because she needs answers. The more people that are arrested the stronger the connection to River becomes and she feels like she is not safe anywhere except in Aidan’s arms who is the man who she loves but now they are starting to scare her family and also anyone who is close to her but River is so strong and will not give up or be blackmailed but it is making her more determined to keep those close to her safe and protected but sometimes that isn’t enough and someone always get in the crosshairs, how will it all end and will River be able to keep them all away from the threat or is it already too late, only time will tell what the outcome will be in the end. This book will take you on the biggest rollercoaster ride of your life while having you holding your breath wondering what will happen next. I couldn’t put this book down and I ended up reading it until the early hours of the morning as it was so addictive and kept my attention throughout. The twists and turns kept coming at a break neck speed along with drama, danger, suspense, betrayal, stalking, kidnapping, action, hope and other situations that will have you turning the pages. Kate Gable is an amazing author and writer and I can’t wait to read more of her books in the future as her books are definitely a must read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An excellente suspenseful thriller that kept me reading past my bedtime. River is an amazing FBI agent but also a survival victim. She’s once again confronted with the satanic monster who abducted her at age twelve, who still hunts her dreams after twenty years and wants to pursue where he left off. The psychological mind games and torture she endured have hunted her to this day. The case is not over, even though her abductee is incarcerated for life , he still manages to operate from within the prison walls . Determined to stop him, River must face him again, where she learns truths that shatter her and puts people she loves in danger . This book is dark with sensitive issues such as; kidnapping and abuse, mind control and stalking. I highly recommend this book for those who crave dark suspenseful thrillers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An excellent, suspenseful thriller that kept turning page after page. River is an exceptional FBI agent, but she is also a survivor. Once again, she is confronted by the satanic monster who abducted her at the age of twelve. Even after twenty years, he continues to haunt her dreams and is determined to finish what he started. The psychological mind games and torture she endured still torment her to this day. Although her abductor is incarcerated for life, he still manages to operate from within the prison walls. Determined to stop him, River must face him once more, uncovering truths that shatter her and put her loved ones in danger. This book delves into dark themes such as kidnapping, abuse, mind control, and stalking. I highly recommend it for those who crave gripping, suspenseful thrillers.
February 28, 2026
The fourth book in the River Collins FBI series that grabs you from the beginning and never lets you go. Continue to haunt River is her past when she was kidnapped at the age of 12 and put through a tortuous time before she was able to escape. Knowing that the monster, who is known as The Shephard is behind bars should have made her less fearful and should have calmed her a little, but when she finds she is the Shepard's unfinished business, and that he has minions working for him that he's be directing from the jail, she decides it is time end it. We are taken on an edge of your seat, wild ride with so many twists and turns, can River finally end it or will she be consumed. This is a great addition to the entire series. I highly recommend the entire series. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
April 12, 2026
I love the overall plot of this series, but it bothers me that some details are carrying over book to book. In the third book river and her bf were getting a two bedroom apt together. Then this book starts and that’s not what was happening. She was going to let her apt go and move into his. But there’s no explanation on why things are changed? There’s other little things too like her sister’s living arrangements. And at the end details with the suspect and the scene they got her to tell the details they needed. I don’t understand why things can’t just be smoothly transitioned book to book and within the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
River's childhood was marked by unimaginable horrors. She escaped but the cult which held her wants her back. That brings back memories and nightmares. It's her job to put them away, but to do it she had to move past the history and follow the facts.
Facts and intuition lead her search. She works well in the team to collect data, but at times it's more than she can bear. Very few are close to her, those that are will be in danger. Follow her drive, the facts and everything she has learned since childhood to solve the case.
Facts and intuition lead her search. She works well in the team to collect data, but at times it's more than she can bear. Very few are close to her, those that are will be in danger. Follow her drive, the facts and everything she has learned since childhood to solve the case.
February 28, 2026
If I could give this more than five stars, I would. River's life is one based on survival. As a child, she endured, survived and escaped more trauma than anyone should. She became an FBI agent, but has always been haunted by her past, and yet is driven enough to handle cases thrown her way....even those with a link to her past. This book has it all, trauma, drama, action, intensity, and emotion. It draws you in from the start and is hard to put down. It will keep you invested to the very last page. Don't miss it! Kate Gable never disappoints.
March 5, 2026
Even though River’s abductor is behind bars for life she still gets the bad dreams and sense of unease. This book has a lot going on for River and her partner Aiden is also targeted now. Can River get to the bottom of this after all these years and finally put a stop Strickland’s plans for her. This is a fast paced read and you won’t want to put it down. Will River finally get the peace that she deserves and what exactly did her parents get involved with before she was even born that she has paid the price for. A great series highly recommended
March 3, 2026
River’s Reckoning by Kate Gable is the thrilling story of River, an FBI agent with a horrific past. A past that is about to come roaring back…full force…and threatening everyone around her. She is determined to overcome the past and those responsible for it. But, the danger involved and the closure to the case she’s working on…all hinge on those ghosts from her past….Fantastic police procedural story!!!
February 28, 2026
I'm obsessed with River Collins FBI mysteries. A thriller that's sure to keep you on the edge from the start between the twists, trauma, drama and new discoveries plus an old nemesis this book is one helluva wild ride. This book is beyond what you could expect from a regular thriller the memories that come slamming back into River's head could possibly destroy her.
March 2, 2026
This story kept me engaged throughout. Once again River comes face to face with her past. Unexpected secrets are revealed and people she thought she knew, she realises that they were not to be trusted. With a broken heart, River keeps digging to bring all of the kidnappers down and will stop at nothing to get justice. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
March 17, 2026
the story line
one minute they are in separate houses then they move in together then they haven’t yet. they are together for 2 years at one point last case was 3 months ago so that don’t add up. love the idea it bothers me about the time line. i read a ton of books a year and like this series if the timeline added up
one minute they are in separate houses then they move in together then they haven’t yet. they are together for 2 years at one point last case was 3 months ago so that don’t add up. love the idea it bothers me about the time line. i read a ton of books a year and like this series if the timeline added up
Review of advance copy
FBI agent River Collins escaped the Shepherd and his flock once, but she is still his target even behind bars. The Shepherd's flock is still out doing his bidding. A suspense filled novel that I could not stop reading.
February 28, 2026
This is a very interesting read with its two and drama soup keep the suspense flowing Would River be able to eliminate the cult leader before he can get to her first.Read to find out.My review is voluntary for I received an arc copy of this boy.
March 1, 2026
This is the fourth book in the River Collins FBI series. This psychological thriller grabbed me right away and didn’t let go! The plot is interesting and intriguing. Lots of twists, turns and suspense. A satisfying ending.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! This was so suspenseful and scary. It was great for her to get a little closure.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this book. I like how it ended. she finally got her closure. there were some good twists. as always Kate Gable has written an amazing story. I highly recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thoroughly enjoyed this awesome story, can't wait to read more of River.
March 1, 2026
Well-written, right on the threshold of scary, relieved by the fact that she is a survivor, past-tense.
March 2, 2026
This was a awesome story about River and who is behind what is giving on and solving who it is from her past and getting them. Thank you for this great story with suspense and action.
March 18, 2026
A great and action packed addition to the River series. Looking forward to the 5th book in June!
April 6, 2026
loved this book! River is trying to close the case on the cult and cult leader but danger comes to the people she loves. can she save the one man that has stayed by her side or will she be too late?
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews