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She Made Me Do It
I trusted her. I shouldn’t have…
Samantha Valentine didn’t drift into my life, she collided with it. Soon it was like we had been friends forever. She told me everything about her perfect life, but I always felt there was something she was leaving out.
Then one night, I get a frantic call from Samantha, hysterical and begging me to protect her from her boyfriend. Rushing to her house, instinct takes over and soon my heart is hammering out of my chest as I stand over the body of a man I had never met before this evening.
But by the time the police arrive, Samantha has vanished. The officers tell me that there is no record of her anywhere. The woman I thought was my friend has tricked me into killing a perfect stranger.
As the police slip the handcuffs on my wrists, I know I’ve made a terrible mistake. By protecting a woman I never really knew, I’ve destroyed my life. Who is Samantha really, and why did she make me do this? She’s taken everything from me, but she has no idea how far I will go to get the truth…
A gripping psychological thriller absolutely packed with twists. Perfect for fans of T.M. Logan, Frieda McFadden and Daniel Hurst.
Samantha Valentine didn’t drift into my life, she collided with it. Soon it was like we had been friends forever. She told me everything about her perfect life, but I always felt there was something she was leaving out.
Then one night, I get a frantic call from Samantha, hysterical and begging me to protect her from her boyfriend. Rushing to her house, instinct takes over and soon my heart is hammering out of my chest as I stand over the body of a man I had never met before this evening.
But by the time the police arrive, Samantha has vanished. The officers tell me that there is no record of her anywhere. The woman I thought was my friend has tricked me into killing a perfect stranger.
As the police slip the handcuffs on my wrists, I know I’ve made a terrible mistake. By protecting a woman I never really knew, I’ve destroyed my life. Who is Samantha really, and why did she make me do this? She’s taken everything from me, but she has no idea how far I will go to get the truth…
A gripping psychological thriller absolutely packed with twists. Perfect for fans of T.M. Logan, Frieda McFadden and Daniel Hurst.
334 pages, Paperback
Published January 7, 2026
567 people are currently reading
834 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
March 20, 2026
What a twisty, fun thriller! Enjoyed it immensely.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Holy cow! This book is crazy good!! so wild, so clever, so addictive. I did not want to stop reading, I had no idea how it was all going to play out, and that ending was brilliant. This is fantastic series, and can easily be read as a stand-alone .
I don’t want to say too much about this plot, you need to go in as blind as possible. Part police procedural, part twisty thriller, She Made Me Do It is a must read. I was forever questioning what I thought I knew and those are the best kinds of books right. It kept me guessing the whole way, and my feelings about certain characters were forever changing.
Just read this and be stunned. Thank you so much to Bookouture on NetGalley for this amazing book to read early. Out on January 12th.
I don’t want to say too much about this plot, you need to go in as blind as possible. Part police procedural, part twisty thriller, She Made Me Do It is a must read. I was forever questioning what I thought I knew and those are the best kinds of books right. It kept me guessing the whole way, and my feelings about certain characters were forever changing.
Just read this and be stunned. Thank you so much to Bookouture on NetGalley for this amazing book to read early. Out on January 12th.
February 28, 2026
➡️ Did this book's female protagonist get unjustly sent to prison for protecting a woman she never knew?
Or was the woman she allegedly protected a figment of her imagination?
When this woman gets released from prison, it's revenge time.
Five stars for talented author Anna-Lou Weatherley and narrator James Lailey.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thumbs down and zero stars for Audible's production crew. 👎👎👎
I listened to the audiobook. Although narrator James Lailey's performance was outstanding, the book needed at least one female narrator since it unfolded from male and female POVs.
The transitions between the POVs were sloppy, making it frequently difficult to discern who was saying what.
I have listened to all the books in this series, and I am a Detective Dan fan.
All books in this series are Audible Plus freebies.
I will be eagerly awaiting Book #10!
February 4, 2026
I have been ill and not reading therefore the length of time taken to finish this does not reflect my feelings!
The only thing that was missing from this book was more development of Dans character, his personal life was missing from this novel
The only thing that was missing from this book was more development of Dans character, his personal life was missing from this novel
December 1, 2025
Detective Dan Riley is back!
She Made Me Do It is book number 9 in this brilliant detective series and I was very excited to get the chance to read it early.
As always I went in completely blind and I was absolutely bowled over by this cleverly written book. The pace is fast, the twists are on point, and the big reveal is jaw dropping. This psychological thriller is utterly addictive so make sure you clear your schedule and settle in with some snacks.
Anna-Lou Weatherly, this is your best Dan Riley yet!! Highly recommend!
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC to read and review.
Publication day for She Made Me Do It is 12/1/26
She Made Me Do It is book number 9 in this brilliant detective series and I was very excited to get the chance to read it early.
As always I went in completely blind and I was absolutely bowled over by this cleverly written book. The pace is fast, the twists are on point, and the big reveal is jaw dropping. This psychological thriller is utterly addictive so make sure you clear your schedule and settle in with some snacks.
Anna-Lou Weatherly, this is your best Dan Riley yet!! Highly recommend!
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC to read and review.
Publication day for She Made Me Do It is 12/1/26
February 24, 2026
2 stars
Sadly this book lost me in the fist chapters and never got me back. The whole premise did not work for me and therefore, the idea of poor innocent victim searching for revenge and in the process she is outsmarting everybody and is 3 steps ahead of the detectives and all the police force.
So what didn't work for me? The idea that a person, who could be totally infatuated and manipulated by another can go as far as to commit murder. And that...in close proximity, because stabbing someone with a knife is quite the act. She never saw the guy being violent. Heck! She never saw the guy period. Not together with his friend, not happy or sad, not in any instance. All hearsay. And yet, let me stick a knife into you, cause someone said you are dangerous...... I mean...you really are a danger to society if that's all it takes to murder someone....
Sadly this book lost me in the fist chapters and never got me back. The whole premise did not work for me and therefore, the idea of poor innocent victim searching for revenge and in the process she is outsmarting everybody and is 3 steps ahead of the detectives and all the police force.
So what didn't work for me? The idea that a person, who could be totally infatuated and manipulated by another can go as far as to commit murder. And that...in close proximity, because stabbing someone with a knife is quite the act. She never saw the guy being violent. Heck! She never saw the guy period. Not together with his friend, not happy or sad, not in any instance. All hearsay. And yet, let me stick a knife into you, cause someone said you are dangerous...... I mean...you really are a danger to society if that's all it takes to murder someone....
February 20, 2026
She Made Me Do It by Anna Lou Weatherly
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I gave this book 4 stars because the mystery was interesting but the character dynamics were the real hook. Even once I suspected where it was going, I stayed invested watching Erin chase the truth while Detective Dan Riley tried to figure out whether she was a victim, a witness, or the problem.
Why I Loved It
Erin is a frustrating but compelling lead. She truly believes she protected her friend Samantha Valentine when she killed a man years earlier, yet nobody ever believed her and she lost her freedom for it. Coming out of the psychiatric hospital and trying to rebuild a life while still clinging to Samantha gives her this desperate energy that drives the entire story.
Then another crime happens. Same situation. Same explanation. A woman named Tilley claims she acted to protect Samantha Valentine.
That is where the book gets fun.
Erin spirals because she knows Samantha exists, but the world keeps treating Samantha like a figment of her illness. The psychiatrist’s diagnosis hangs over everything and even Dan Riley has to question her reliability.
“I’m not saying she’s innocent. I’m saying she believes she is.”
When Tilley enters, the tension shifts from mystery to obsession. Erin stops running from her past and starts hunting it.
The reveal that Tilley is Samantha and Samantha is actually Julie lands well because it reframes the entire book. Erin was never crazy in the way everyone assumed. She was manipulated.
What Worked Well
Detective Dan Riley absolutely carries this story. He is patient and humane even when Erin makes herself look guilty over and over again. He never dismisses her outright but never blindly trusts her either. He walks that middle line the whole book.
“You can be telling the truth and still be wrong.”
His home life adds weight. His family is struggling and you feel how tired he is beneath the professionalism. He wants justice but he also wants certainty, and this case refuses to give him clean answers.
The psychological angle works because the author never rushes it. You spend most of the book unsure if Erin is uncovering a conspiracy or reliving a delusion.
“She didn’t make you do anything. She just knew exactly what you’d do.”
The climax in the apartment is strong. Erin confronting Tilley while Dan pieces it together separately feels earned instead of convenient.
What Could Have Been Better
The twist becomes guessable once the second crime mirrors the first too perfectly. The emotional payoff still works, but the surprise factor is lighter than the buildup suggests.
Malcolm’s role feels a little thin considering how important he may be to Erin’s ending. He reads more like possibility than character.
Final Thoughts
This is less a whodunit and more a question of belief. Erin spends the entire novel trying to prove she was never crazy, while Dan tries to determine whether truth and perception can even be separated in this case.
And honestly, Dan Riley is why I will keep reading this series. The mystery was good, but his quiet empathy and the strain on his family life gave the story its weight.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I gave this book 4 stars because the mystery was interesting but the character dynamics were the real hook. Even once I suspected where it was going, I stayed invested watching Erin chase the truth while Detective Dan Riley tried to figure out whether she was a victim, a witness, or the problem.
Why I Loved It
Erin is a frustrating but compelling lead. She truly believes she protected her friend Samantha Valentine when she killed a man years earlier, yet nobody ever believed her and she lost her freedom for it. Coming out of the psychiatric hospital and trying to rebuild a life while still clinging to Samantha gives her this desperate energy that drives the entire story.
Then another crime happens. Same situation. Same explanation. A woman named Tilley claims she acted to protect Samantha Valentine.
That is where the book gets fun.
Erin spirals because she knows Samantha exists, but the world keeps treating Samantha like a figment of her illness. The psychiatrist’s diagnosis hangs over everything and even Dan Riley has to question her reliability.
“I’m not saying she’s innocent. I’m saying she believes she is.”
When Tilley enters, the tension shifts from mystery to obsession. Erin stops running from her past and starts hunting it.
The reveal that Tilley is Samantha and Samantha is actually Julie lands well because it reframes the entire book. Erin was never crazy in the way everyone assumed. She was manipulated.
What Worked Well
Detective Dan Riley absolutely carries this story. He is patient and humane even when Erin makes herself look guilty over and over again. He never dismisses her outright but never blindly trusts her either. He walks that middle line the whole book.
“You can be telling the truth and still be wrong.”
His home life adds weight. His family is struggling and you feel how tired he is beneath the professionalism. He wants justice but he also wants certainty, and this case refuses to give him clean answers.
The psychological angle works because the author never rushes it. You spend most of the book unsure if Erin is uncovering a conspiracy or reliving a delusion.
“She didn’t make you do anything. She just knew exactly what you’d do.”
The climax in the apartment is strong. Erin confronting Tilley while Dan pieces it together separately feels earned instead of convenient.
What Could Have Been Better
The twist becomes guessable once the second crime mirrors the first too perfectly. The emotional payoff still works, but the surprise factor is lighter than the buildup suggests.
Malcolm’s role feels a little thin considering how important he may be to Erin’s ending. He reads more like possibility than character.
Final Thoughts
This is less a whodunit and more a question of belief. Erin spends the entire novel trying to prove she was never crazy, while Dan tries to determine whether truth and perception can even be separated in this case.
And honestly, Dan Riley is why I will keep reading this series. The mystery was good, but his quiet empathy and the strain on his family life gave the story its weight.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2025
She Made me Do It
By: Anna- Lou Weatherley
Pub date: Jan 12, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Imagine trusting someone with your life. A friendship is supposed to be based on bonds, truth and more.
Suddenly you find yourself standing over a dead man. The man your friend told you was not a good man. The police obviously suspect you.
As the book unravels the police tell you there is no evidence your friend! Is Erin going crazy? Did her best friend Samantha really exist?
One crazy ride. Love this authors work. So many twists down to the last page.
By: Anna- Lou Weatherley
Pub date: Jan 12, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Imagine trusting someone with your life. A friendship is supposed to be based on bonds, truth and more.
Suddenly you find yourself standing over a dead man. The man your friend told you was not a good man. The police obviously suspect you.
As the book unravels the police tell you there is no evidence your friend! Is Erin going crazy? Did her best friend Samantha really exist?
One crazy ride. Love this authors work. So many twists down to the last page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
SHE MADE ME DO IT BY ANNA-LOU WEATHERLEY
Release date set for the 12th of January 2026
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
This book absolutely deserves the 5 stars.
Two of my friends have already read this book and they both rated it 5 stars so I had very high hopes for this one and it was brilliant.
Didn't want to put it down.
Amazing characters.
Questionable characters.
Them twists 🤯.
I really didn't see that coming at all.
High highly recommend this book when it comes out ☺
Release date set for the 12th of January 2026
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
This book absolutely deserves the 5 stars.
Two of my friends have already read this book and they both rated it 5 stars so I had very high hopes for this one and it was brilliant.
Didn't want to put it down.
Amazing characters.
Questionable characters.
Them twists 🤯.
I really didn't see that coming at all.
High highly recommend this book when it comes out ☺
March 2, 2026
I have loved this series until now. Am I the only one that was bored through this entire book?
January 27, 2026
Worth it!! Alright, I read this one in far too many sittings than I’d hoped to, so I do think that definitely impacted the flow of the story for me personally. Having said that, the plot was unhinged in the best of ways, the author really did have me guessing for quite some time as to the outcome (I did have an inkling that turned out to be correct around 2/3 through), and it was incredibly refreshing to read a thriller that differentiated itself from so many others. I realise my review doesn’t sound overly positive, haha, yet I really do recommend this read for a welcome change of pace!
Read
January 12, 2026No one is who they say they are nor are things like they are presented.
However, DCI Riley, Dan the Man is on the case and will set things to rights.
I enjoyed riding along as the picture became less muddled and more clear as Dan sifted through the case and flushed out the truth.
I may have not have guessed correctly on some of the subplots but my sleuthing skills are becoming more finely honed with each new read.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the early read.
However, DCI Riley, Dan the Man is on the case and will set things to rights.
I enjoyed riding along as the picture became less muddled and more clear as Dan sifted through the case and flushed out the truth.
I may have not have guessed correctly on some of the subplots but my sleuthing skills are becoming more finely honed with each new read.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the early read.
March 26, 2026
Detective Dan is at it again 🫶
I absolutely love this man, and James Lailey the narrator.
This was the biggest head scratcher I have probably ever read *insert Charlie Day meme here* i loved every second.
I absolutely love this man, and James Lailey the narrator.
This was the biggest head scratcher I have probably ever read *insert Charlie Day meme here* i loved every second.
March 9, 2026
Loved this one, I think it’s the best yet in the series. Had me guessing the whole time.
March 22, 2026
Wooo wee! I love this series so much and devour it every time. What an interesting and original storyline. Wow. I hope this series never ends. On Audible 4.4
December 18, 2025
Another amazing Detective Dan Riley book. Usually in a series, you get sick of the characters or the stories get boring. Often in a series, the first is the best and it’s downhill from there. Not with Detective Dan Riley. Each book is better than the last. The case was fascinating. The back and forth and not knowing what to believe. I love Dan’s character. He’s a great detective and truly cares about other people. This series is a must read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
She Made Me Do It is a thrilling book that I read way too fast! It's book 9 in the Detective Dan Riley series by Anna-Lou Weatherley, but you can easily read it as a standalone. How far would you go to help a friend? That's a question you'll think about as you read this book. Erin Santos is a lonely young woman with no family and no close friends. She had a traumatic childhood, witnessing unspeakable things, and those things still affect her. When she meets Samantha Valentine it seems like they've been friends forever. They spend a lot of time together and Erin has never had more fun in her life.
One night Samantha calls in a panic telling Erin that her boyfriend is threatening her and she needs help. Erin rushes over and before she knows it the body of a dead man is lying at her feet. When the police arrive, somehow Samantha is gone! When the police tell Erin that there's no record of a Samantha Valentine living here or ever being seen here, things take a turn. The woman Erin thought was her best friend had tricked her into killing the man she said was her boyfriend. As the police slip on the handcuffs and lead Erin away, she knows she's made a terrible decision.
Who is Samantha and why would she do this to Erin? What will Erin do when she gets out? How will she clear her name when Samantha Valentine doesn't exist and the police don't believe her? I read She Made Me Do It in one day and I'm telling you to clear your day and enjoy this riveting thriller! I'm still thinking about this book and telling people about it because it's that good. I rate She Made Me Do It 5 stars with my very highest recommendation. If you love thrillers this one will keep you on edge and guessing until the end. The book comes out January 12 and should be added to your TBR pile now! I thought I had it figured out early on, but I didn't. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of She Made Me Do It in exchange for a fair review. #SheMadeMeDoIt
One night Samantha calls in a panic telling Erin that her boyfriend is threatening her and she needs help. Erin rushes over and before she knows it the body of a dead man is lying at her feet. When the police arrive, somehow Samantha is gone! When the police tell Erin that there's no record of a Samantha Valentine living here or ever being seen here, things take a turn. The woman Erin thought was her best friend had tricked her into killing the man she said was her boyfriend. As the police slip on the handcuffs and lead Erin away, she knows she's made a terrible decision.
Who is Samantha and why would she do this to Erin? What will Erin do when she gets out? How will she clear her name when Samantha Valentine doesn't exist and the police don't believe her? I read She Made Me Do It in one day and I'm telling you to clear your day and enjoy this riveting thriller! I'm still thinking about this book and telling people about it because it's that good. I rate She Made Me Do It 5 stars with my very highest recommendation. If you love thrillers this one will keep you on edge and guessing until the end. The book comes out January 12 and should be added to your TBR pile now! I thought I had it figured out early on, but I didn't. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of She Made Me Do It in exchange for a fair review. #SheMadeMeDoIt
January 20, 2026
I honestly don’t know how I didn’t discover the creator of the Detective Dan Riley series earlier.
Although this book is the 9th in the series, it can be read completely as a standalone.
You have no family, no friends. Then, at exactly such a moment, you meet someone. They touch your heart, and in a very short time, a strong bond forms, as if you’ve been friends for years.
Then one night…
You receive a frantic, hysterical phone call from your friend Samantha. She says she’s afraid of her boyfriend and begs you to protect her. You rush to her house. During a struggle, before the boyfriend can kill the two of you, you manage to incapacitate him. You look down and see him lying on the floor, covered in blood… but Samantha is gone.
When the police arrive, things become even more horrifying. There is no record of Samantha anywhere. The police tell you that the woman you thought was your friend never actually existed. She had manipulated you into killing a complete stranger. Even worse, the police believe that because of childhood trauma, you are schizophrenic and that you invented Samantha.
As handcuffs are placed on my wrists, I realize this:
By trying to protect a woman I never truly knew, I destroyed my life.
Who was Samantha?
And why did she make me do this?
From beginning to end, it’s a book with nonstop pace—full of mystery, tension, and surprises—that constantly makes you question whether Samantha really existed or not. A truly gripping read.
I also really liked the character of Detective Dan Riley.
I will definitely read the rest of the series.
Although this book is the 9th in the series, it can be read completely as a standalone.
You have no family, no friends. Then, at exactly such a moment, you meet someone. They touch your heart, and in a very short time, a strong bond forms, as if you’ve been friends for years.
Then one night…
You receive a frantic, hysterical phone call from your friend Samantha. She says she’s afraid of her boyfriend and begs you to protect her. You rush to her house. During a struggle, before the boyfriend can kill the two of you, you manage to incapacitate him. You look down and see him lying on the floor, covered in blood… but Samantha is gone.
When the police arrive, things become even more horrifying. There is no record of Samantha anywhere. The police tell you that the woman you thought was your friend never actually existed. She had manipulated you into killing a complete stranger. Even worse, the police believe that because of childhood trauma, you are schizophrenic and that you invented Samantha.
As handcuffs are placed on my wrists, I realize this:
By trying to protect a woman I never truly knew, I destroyed my life.
Who was Samantha?
And why did she make me do this?
From beginning to end, it’s a book with nonstop pace—full of mystery, tension, and surprises—that constantly makes you question whether Samantha really existed or not. A truly gripping read.
I also really liked the character of Detective Dan Riley.
I will definitely read the rest of the series.
April 15, 2026
This is the first Anna Lou Wetherley book I have read, but it won't be the last.
Imagine committing Murder to protect your friend from her abusive spouse, but then your friend disappears without a trace, leaving you to take the wrap for the whole thing. That's where Erin finds herself and, after serving six years in a psychiatric hospital, she is determined to prove her innocence. However, when an identical crime is committed soon after her release, she finds herself once again a suspect. Can she uncover the truth before it's too late.
A fabulously twisty psychological thriller that will keep you up all night to find out what happens next.
Imagine committing Murder to protect your friend from her abusive spouse, but then your friend disappears without a trace, leaving you to take the wrap for the whole thing. That's where Erin finds herself and, after serving six years in a psychiatric hospital, she is determined to prove her innocence. However, when an identical crime is committed soon after her release, she finds herself once again a suspect. Can she uncover the truth before it's too late.
A fabulously twisty psychological thriller that will keep you up all night to find out what happens next.
February 25, 2026
3.5*. I love the Dan Riley series but this isn't one of my favourites. I love Riley's character and the development of his personal life we learn about throughout the books.
I found this story to be an entertaining enough listen that I finished it in two days but it did feel a bit more chaotic and messy than Weatherley's previous books.
Side note, was this an advert for Baccarat Rouge? It's giving the same vibe as The Bulgari Connection by Fay Weldon and that was actually an advert for Bulgari.
I found this story to be an entertaining enough listen that I finished it in two days but it did feel a bit more chaotic and messy than Weatherley's previous books.
Side note, was this an advert for Baccarat Rouge? It's giving the same vibe as The Bulgari Connection by Fay Weldon and that was actually an advert for Bulgari.
January 16, 2026
She Made Me Do It is book 9 in the Detective Dan Riley series. One of the many things I love about this series is that all of these books can be read as stand alones. It didn’t take me long to become invested in this story. It’s an addictive and fast paced read that at times had me gasping out loud. As always with this series the characters are well developed and who to trust is the big question. This is more than a police crime thriller it has a psychological element to it as well. Two of my favourite genres. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from this author .
Did Not Finish
April 7, 2026This writing style is just painful. The characters are so annoying that I became annoyed I couldn’t do it after 50% I’ve read too many writing styles like this one that the story line had great potential for the book to just be okay…on to the next
December 2, 2025
Another thrilling case for Dan Riley that was super fun to watch unfold!
January 18, 2026
Unhinged. A decent psychological thriller but it got frustrating and confusing after a point.
March 11, 2026
Loved this. Loved the twists.
March 25, 2026
It has parts where it goes much too slowly. The author gives so many details that the storyline stalls. I found myself skimming just to get on with the story.
March 9, 2026
I keep going on these thriller side quests on Audible and this one was honestly quite worth it.
I’m waiting to read a thriller that I can confidently rate 5 stars and am yet to find one—maybe next time!!
I’m waiting to read a thriller that I can confidently rate 5 stars and am yet to find one—maybe next time!!
April 16, 2026
I enjoyed this Luther style mystery. Interesting story that made you ask, '...but how?'
April 17, 2026
Ooh! I enjoyed this but, Gezo, I feel I needed to take notes on who was who, talk about keeping you on your toes
Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews