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You'll Be Sorry
From a #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a gripping, edge-of-your-seat standalone that chills: A newlywed couple each with their own secrets. An abandoned luxury lodge with a horrific decades-old mystery. And a small mountain town where everyone believes they know everything about their neighbors…except they don’t.
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 4, 2026
About the author
Lisa Gardner
107 books21.3k followersLisa Gardner is the #1 New York Times bestselling thriller author of the Frankie Elkin series, as well as the Detective D.D. Warren, the FBI Profilers and the PI Tessa Leoni series.
Her current suspense novels feature Frankie Elkin, an everyday, average person who specializes in finding missing people. When the locals have given up, when the media has never bothered to care, Frankie takes on the challenge. From looking for a missing teen in inner city Boston to searching for a missing hiker in the wilds of Wyoming to rescuing a possibly kidnapped girl on a remote island in the Pacific, Frankie is on the case!
Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with two crazy pups. When not writing, Lisa loves to hike, play cribbage, and, of course, read!
Her current suspense novels feature Frankie Elkin, an everyday, average person who specializes in finding missing people. When the locals have given up, when the media has never bothered to care, Frankie takes on the challenge. From looking for a missing teen in inner city Boston to searching for a missing hiker in the wilds of Wyoming to rescuing a possibly kidnapped girl on a remote island in the Pacific, Frankie is on the case!
Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with two crazy pups. When not writing, Lisa loves to hike, play cribbage, and, of course, read!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 522 reviews
August 12, 2026
There were things I really liked about this one but unfortunately it ended up being pretty average for me.
I love this author and I was really looking forward to a standalone by her; the premise (and first half) had me so intrigued. It could totally just be a “me” problem but I found myself confused quite a bit, and the pacing felt inconsistent to the point I started losing interest.
I’d still recommend trying it yourself if you’re a fan of hers, it just fell a bit short for me sadly.
I love this author and I was really looking forward to a standalone by her; the premise (and first half) had me so intrigued. It could totally just be a “me” problem but I found myself confused quite a bit, and the pacing felt inconsistent to the point I started losing interest.
I’d still recommend trying it yourself if you’re a fan of hers, it just fell a bit short for me sadly.
August 13, 2026
It was a dark and stormy night...when the the entire Dixon family — mom, dad, four kiddos — vanished without a trace. 👀
Thirty years later, the case that rocked a small New England community remains a mystery.
A young couple purchases the Dixon's abandoned home that's been left frozen in time and, well, old secrets that lie buried begin to surface.
I thoroughly enjoyed the most recent unputdownable thriller by bestselling author Lisa Gardner.
If you're a fan of Gardner, Lisa Jewell, Tana French, or Karin Slaughter, I don't think you'll be sorry if you add this one to your book pile. [see what I did there? 😘]
August 7, 2026
When I started reading this book, and up to pretty much, halfway through, I had a sense of dread, and foreboding, with my arms resembling goose flesh. Lisa Gardner has a special knack of reeling the reader in, and making them live each dreadful moment as if IRL.
One of the founding families of the town, The Dixon’s, one stormy night vanish into thin air, leaving a trail of bloody footprints, with only their new “stray” dog alerting the police to the scene. Thirty years later, uber rich and newly wed couple, Raquel and Theo Collins have bought the vast property, with the stunning views. One day a dog similar to the Dixon’s, arrives, and starts digging on their property, revealing a disused well…housing a skeleton…
This was my first book by this author, and I was totally gripped throughout, so I will definitely be reading a lot more of her books. This was a tense, eerie, and chilling, small town mystery thriller, with a lot of secrets, past and present. I loved the relationship between Raquel and Theo, and the love they have for each other. I also really liked the new police chief, Mandy Grady, who is trying to follow in her father’s footsteps, and unravel this great mystery which has baffled the town for over thirty years. Highly recommended.
5 ⭐️
Thanks to Lisa Gardner, the publisher, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
Available: 13 August 2026
One of the founding families of the town, The Dixon’s, one stormy night vanish into thin air, leaving a trail of bloody footprints, with only their new “stray” dog alerting the police to the scene. Thirty years later, uber rich and newly wed couple, Raquel and Theo Collins have bought the vast property, with the stunning views. One day a dog similar to the Dixon’s, arrives, and starts digging on their property, revealing a disused well…housing a skeleton…
This was my first book by this author, and I was totally gripped throughout, so I will definitely be reading a lot more of her books. This was a tense, eerie, and chilling, small town mystery thriller, with a lot of secrets, past and present. I loved the relationship between Raquel and Theo, and the love they have for each other. I also really liked the new police chief, Mandy Grady, who is trying to follow in her father’s footsteps, and unravel this great mystery which has baffled the town for over thirty years. Highly recommended.
5 ⭐️
Thanks to Lisa Gardner, the publisher, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
Available: 13 August 2026
August 6, 2026
You’ll Be Sorry by Lisa Gardner
Mystery, thriller.
Rachel and Theo Collins buy a home in remote New Hampshire. It was on the market for years because of an unsolved family disappearance thirty years ago. They may make it into a B&B but plans are still fluid. A stray dog shows up and befriends the couple. Then the dog finds an old well and mysteries unravel from there.
Sheriff Mandy Grady, following in her late father’s footsteps, has always been intrigued by the unsolved family disappearance. When old bones are found at the bottom of the well, she has to question if it has anything to do with the missing family.
🎧 via a second read, the audio is narrated by Hillary Huber. Fantastic overall experience. An occasional echo, or back ground noise in the audiobook gives a creepy factor to the story. One in particular actually gave me a quite a scare. I deliberately decided to listen in the daylight hours and I’m sure happy I made that choice.
Chilling story. Held me in thrall the entire way through.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Mystery, thriller.
Rachel and Theo Collins buy a home in remote New Hampshire. It was on the market for years because of an unsolved family disappearance thirty years ago. They may make it into a B&B but plans are still fluid. A stray dog shows up and befriends the couple. Then the dog finds an old well and mysteries unravel from there.
Sheriff Mandy Grady, following in her late father’s footsteps, has always been intrigued by the unsolved family disappearance. When old bones are found at the bottom of the well, she has to question if it has anything to do with the missing family.
🎧 via a second read, the audio is narrated by Hillary Huber. Fantastic overall experience. An occasional echo, or back ground noise in the audiobook gives a creepy factor to the story. One in particular actually gave me a quite a scare. I deliberately decided to listen in the daylight hours and I’m sure happy I made that choice.
Chilling story. Held me in thrall the entire way through.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
August 15, 2026
Setting: Shereford, New Hampshire.
A small idyllic town.
Everyone in the community knows everyone
else’s family, history & business.
The rumor mill is faster than an official meeting.
“Shereford’s not just a place, …it’s an identity.”
Police Chief: Amanda Grady, a strong woman following in her late father’s footsteps.
“You are your father’s daughter.”
“She was the chief police, she was her Father’s daughter.”
Time frame: Current while trying to find out what happened to a family that disappeared 30 years ago.
“An entire family of six, active, rambunctious, well known, vanished without a trace.”
Plus, historical (fictional?) information from the 1790s.
Multiple POVs.
Fast Paced.
Witches and treasure are involved, too (par for New England’s history).
“Ding dong bell, the witch is in the well.
Red witch, blue witch, black or white;
One for love, one for fright;
One will dance all night long;
One will see you dead and gone.
Ding dong bell, the witch is in the well.
Night’s a-coming; She draws near; Winds a-howling
Which one’s here?”
- Rhyme by Lisa Gardner with the help of her friend, Fred Paulitz
One of my favorite lines in the book is this.
“She had a talent for creating magic.”
I enjoyed You’ll Be Sorry, a standalone novel, by Lisa Gardner. I hope you enjoy this novel!
Interviews with Lisa Gardner in regard to this book can be found on social media.
Two that I watched include the following.
1) A Mighty Blaze: Crime Time with Hank Phillippi Ryan, August 3, 2026.
2) The Poisoned Pen Bookstore with Barbara Peters, August 3, 2026.
A small idyllic town.
Everyone in the community knows everyone
else’s family, history & business.
The rumor mill is faster than an official meeting.
“Shereford’s not just a place, …it’s an identity.”
Police Chief: Amanda Grady, a strong woman following in her late father’s footsteps.
“You are your father’s daughter.”
“She was the chief police, she was her Father’s daughter.”
Time frame: Current while trying to find out what happened to a family that disappeared 30 years ago.
“An entire family of six, active, rambunctious, well known, vanished without a trace.”
Plus, historical (fictional?) information from the 1790s.
Multiple POVs.
Fast Paced.
Witches and treasure are involved, too (par for New England’s history).
“Ding dong bell, the witch is in the well.
Red witch, blue witch, black or white;
One for love, one for fright;
One will dance all night long;
One will see you dead and gone.
Ding dong bell, the witch is in the well.
Night’s a-coming; She draws near; Winds a-howling
Which one’s here?”
- Rhyme by Lisa Gardner with the help of her friend, Fred Paulitz
One of my favorite lines in the book is this.
“She had a talent for creating magic.”
I enjoyed You’ll Be Sorry, a standalone novel, by Lisa Gardner. I hope you enjoy this novel!
Interviews with Lisa Gardner in regard to this book can be found on social media.
Two that I watched include the following.
1) A Mighty Blaze: Crime Time with Hank Phillippi Ryan, August 3, 2026.
2) The Poisoned Pen Bookstore with Barbara Peters, August 3, 2026.
August 9, 2026
Unfortunately, this one really didn’t work for me.
I spent a lot of the book feeling confused and questioning what was actually going on. There were so many things that didn’t make sense to me, and instead of making me curious, the unanswered questions just became frustrating. I kept waiting for everything to come together, but when it finally did, I was left thinking… seriously? 😭
The story also felt way too long for what it was. I think it could have been much shorter and more effective without all the extra parts that dragged the story out.
I really wanted to enjoy this one, but by the end I was mostly just ready for it to be over. The premise had potential, but the execution just felt messy and, honestly, a little stupid at times.
Definitely not for me.
I spent a lot of the book feeling confused and questioning what was actually going on. There were so many things that didn’t make sense to me, and instead of making me curious, the unanswered questions just became frustrating. I kept waiting for everything to come together, but when it finally did, I was left thinking… seriously? 😭
The story also felt way too long for what it was. I think it could have been much shorter and more effective without all the extra parts that dragged the story out.
I really wanted to enjoy this one, but by the end I was mostly just ready for it to be over. The premise had potential, but the execution just felt messy and, honestly, a little stupid at times.
Definitely not for me.
September 3, 2026
AudioBook Review
Who doesn’t love a book that features a dog and the narrator being Hillary Huber? If you love audiobooks, she knocks it outta the park with this narration!
A family of six disappeared from a home thirty years ago. They were never found. Now, a new couple moves into the home. Only thing, the dog discovers some bones.
A lot of this reminded me of the show Bones. Forensics were highly fascinating. On top of that, they threw in some witchy stuff which I will always love.
I enjoyed it and highly recommend both formats.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Grand Central Pub for the gifted copy.
Who doesn’t love a book that features a dog and the narrator being Hillary Huber? If you love audiobooks, she knocks it outta the park with this narration!
A family of six disappeared from a home thirty years ago. They were never found. Now, a new couple moves into the home. Only thing, the dog discovers some bones.
A lot of this reminded me of the show Bones. Forensics were highly fascinating. On top of that, they threw in some witchy stuff which I will always love.
I enjoyed it and highly recommend both formats.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Grand Central Pub for the gifted copy.
August 21, 2026
I have loved Gradner's Frankie Elkin's series so was thrilled to get a copy of this latest book!
Wow. I LOVED this. The mystery of a decades ago disappearance has plagued a small mountain town for over 30 years, and the daughter of the Sheriff at the time, Mandy Grady has just become Chief Sheriff. She is determined to solve the murder that had her father obsessed for all those years.
The mystery is plotted superbly well, dropping crumbs and twists along to keep me turning pages.
This is a superb read and my new favourite Gardner novel. Fantastic.
Wow. I LOVED this. The mystery of a decades ago disappearance has plagued a small mountain town for over 30 years, and the daughter of the Sheriff at the time, Mandy Grady has just become Chief Sheriff. She is determined to solve the murder that had her father obsessed for all those years.
The mystery is plotted superbly well, dropping crumbs and twists along to keep me turning pages.
This is a superb read and my new favourite Gardner novel. Fantastic.
July 29, 2026
Eerie, twisty, tense small town mystery about crimes both past and present. I loved the interlocking POVs and the intrigue of solving a very puzzling cold case. There were almost too many details and twists at times but I ultimately enjoyed the ending.
There are dogs in this book! They are safe and well-loved!
Content warnings: rape (descriptions of/not on the page), child loss, infertility
There are dogs in this book! They are safe and well-loved!
Content warnings: rape (descriptions of/not on the page), child loss, infertility
August 8, 2026
Thank you Grand Central Publishing for my gifted arc. All opinions are my own.
Unfortunately this one missed the mark for me big time. I’ve read and enjoyed this author before so I was expecting a dark and twisty thriller but instead I got a confusing story where I didn’t connect with any of the characters besides the dog.
Don’t go into this one thinking it’s a thriller or crime fiction. The beginning had me intrigued but then I quickly lost interest and never recovered.
This had the makings for a great thriller but went in a completely different direction. I’m bummed!
Unfortunately this one missed the mark for me big time. I’ve read and enjoyed this author before so I was expecting a dark and twisty thriller but instead I got a confusing story where I didn’t connect with any of the characters besides the dog.
Don’t go into this one thinking it’s a thriller or crime fiction. The beginning had me intrigued but then I quickly lost interest and never recovered.
This had the makings for a great thriller but went in a completely different direction. I’m bummed!
August 15, 2026
Thank you @grandcentralpub #partner for the gifted copy!! 🥰🫶 This was my first @lisagardnerbks book and it was SO creepy!! 4.5 stars
I went back and forth between the physical copy and the audiobook… so I didn’t have to put it down. Let me just tell you that the audiobook made it even more creeptastic. 😂 There was one point that the sound effects made me jump so much that I looked around to make sure nobody saw me. 😬😂🤷♀️Highly recommend!!
Soooo.. you decide to buy a new home.. yayy you!! Congrats… never mind it’s sat empty for 30 years. 🤔 Who cares that the family of five went missing 30 years ago… 😳… Don’t even mind the mess… as the house had been left.. just as it was … HELLO… 👋 Are you CRAZY?! 😳🤯
Anyways… that was my thought when a couple decides to move from Boston and pay cash 💰 for this gem of a house. Trust me… I wasn’t the only one with questions..
This was atmospheric and I was completely drawn in from the first chapter. It kept my guessing until the very end.
I went back and forth between the physical copy and the audiobook… so I didn’t have to put it down. Let me just tell you that the audiobook made it even more creeptastic. 😂 There was one point that the sound effects made me jump so much that I looked around to make sure nobody saw me. 😬😂🤷♀️Highly recommend!!
Soooo.. you decide to buy a new home.. yayy you!! Congrats… never mind it’s sat empty for 30 years. 🤔 Who cares that the family of five went missing 30 years ago… 😳… Don’t even mind the mess… as the house had been left.. just as it was … HELLO… 👋 Are you CRAZY?! 😳🤯
Anyways… that was my thought when a couple decides to move from Boston and pay cash 💰 for this gem of a house. Trust me… I wasn’t the only one with questions..
This was atmospheric and I was completely drawn in from the first chapter. It kept my guessing until the very end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s been a while since I picked up a mystery thriller and oh was it was nice to return to this genre. Very much overdue. Added bonus was this is a standalone, not connected to any of Gardner’s other series, so there were no existing dynamics to recall and every character was fresh and new. Not so the murders, though!
This story is all about the deeds from the past haunting the present. Mysteries unknown, unsolved, unresolved. And yes I mean mysteries. There are a few. Both related to the small town and also some that are brought there. But everything gets tangled up along the way to the reveals.
One of the mysteries in question felt very timely considering some of the crimes currently in circulation in our own news cycle but I love how Gardner both did and didn’t make a thing of it. I thought it very well done.
As with most small town settings, you usually get a pretty interesting cast of characters who populate said town. I can’t say anyone really stood out in that respect here, though. I think the story was strong because of the crimes as opposed to those who solved them, but the one exception? Or rather, the few exceptions? All the four leggeds. Shout out to Dog the dog and all of his relations. However, I did also like a certain woods-dwelling resident, they turned out to be a really interesting surprise.
At a certain point there were two things I did guess (correctly!) but that didn’t ruin anything for me. Instead I was pleased to have it proven right. The motivation for one of the crimes, however.. I don’t know. Still mulling that over. Big picture wise it doesn’t really matter because of so many other factors in the mix but.. it also kind of does? Anyway I’ll be poking through some reviews to see if anyone else felt the same about that. That said..
Definitely would recommend this one for fans of Gardner’s work or just fans of the genre in general.
3.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
This story is all about the deeds from the past haunting the present. Mysteries unknown, unsolved, unresolved. And yes I mean mysteries. There are a few. Both related to the small town and also some that are brought there. But everything gets tangled up along the way to the reveals.
One of the mysteries in question felt very timely considering some of the crimes currently in circulation in our own news cycle but I love how Gardner both did and didn’t make a thing of it. I thought it very well done.
As with most small town settings, you usually get a pretty interesting cast of characters who populate said town. I can’t say anyone really stood out in that respect here, though. I think the story was strong because of the crimes as opposed to those who solved them, but the one exception? Or rather, the few exceptions? All the four leggeds. Shout out to Dog the dog and all of his relations. However, I did also like a certain woods-dwelling resident, they turned out to be a really interesting surprise.
At a certain point there were two things I did guess (correctly!) but that didn’t ruin anything for me. Instead I was pleased to have it proven right. The motivation for one of the crimes, however.. I don’t know. Still mulling that over. Big picture wise it doesn’t really matter because of so many other factors in the mix but.. it also kind of does? Anyway I’ll be poking through some reviews to see if anyone else felt the same about that. That said..
Definitely would recommend this one for fans of Gardner’s work or just fans of the genre in general.
3.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
August 31, 2026
A fantastic standalone from Lisa Gardner. This one is just oozing with atmosphere. There are multiple mysteries with excellent characterization. There is also a lovable dog (or two or three) to boot! Perfect reading for Autumn nights.
Want to Read
April 16, 2026love this author!! This sounds like a great new mystery! I can't wait to read it!!
August 6, 2026
You’ll Be Sorry by Lisa Gardner is a gripping and layered mystery that keeps you on your toes from beginning to end. There is a lot happening in this story, with multiple characters and shifting perspectives, but if you stay focused, the payoff is absolutely worth it.
The novel centers around the Dixon house, recently purchased by Raquel and Theo, who are determined to restore it despite the unsettling history tied to the mysterious disappearance of the Dixon family years earlier. As the story unfolds, the truth behind what happened in that house slowly comes to light, creating an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere throughout.
One of the standout characters for me was Officer Amanda Grady. Her determination and investigative instincts made her storyline especially compelling, and I found myself most invested whenever she was working to piece together the mystery.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which added another layer to the experience. The sound effects and especially the haunting “witch song” brought the story to life in a unique way—and yes, that song will absolutely get stuck in your head!
Overall, this was an engaging and well-crafted thriller. While it can feel a bit complex at times, readers who enjoy intricate mysteries with strong characters will not be disappointed.
The novel centers around the Dixon house, recently purchased by Raquel and Theo, who are determined to restore it despite the unsettling history tied to the mysterious disappearance of the Dixon family years earlier. As the story unfolds, the truth behind what happened in that house slowly comes to light, creating an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere throughout.
One of the standout characters for me was Officer Amanda Grady. Her determination and investigative instincts made her storyline especially compelling, and I found myself most invested whenever she was working to piece together the mystery.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which added another layer to the experience. The sound effects and especially the haunting “witch song” brought the story to life in a unique way—and yes, that song will absolutely get stuck in your head!
Overall, this was an engaging and well-crafted thriller. While it can feel a bit complex at times, readers who enjoy intricate mysteries with strong characters will not be disappointed.
August 9, 2026
Cold case. Entire family disappeared 30 years ago. Let the tropes begin:
Trope 1: Cop is obsessive over cold case, dies still haunted by it. Disappearance was investigated by Chief Ian Grady, who spent his life haunted by the case, connecting clues on a wallboard like a conspiracy theorist. Ian Grady dies and it remains unsolved.
Trope 2: Grady’s daughter Mandy is a screw-up who finally gets her act together and becomes a cop like her dad. When Ian Grady dies, daughter Mandy becomes police chief by default, despite her lack of experience and there already being four other cops on the town payroll.
Trope 3: Everything Chief Mandy does is a game of WWDD: What Would Dad Do? E.g., Chief Mandy makes decisions by wondering what her father would do in this situation.
Trope 4: Wacky but brilliant crime scene investigators. Body is found in a previously unknown well. Enter a hilarious anthropologist and a sarcastic crime scene (examiner? Unclear) who shout instructions and overexplain procedures to police officers and emergency responders who should, idk, already have some familiarity with crime scenes?
Trope 5: Surprise! Cute cold case investigator! Chief Mandy encounters a handsome cold case investigator with access to seemingly unlimited resources and a shared reverence for Mandy’s dad. I smell flirtation!
Trope 6: Second POV! A beautiful, wealthy, successful woman with a mysterious, traumatic past and a gorgeous, incredibly supportive husband who’s ostensibly a brilliant businessman but somehow radiates the energy and common sense of a golden retriever puppy.
Trope 7: Mysterious third POV! Who is this first-person narrator? Why is she explaining epigenetic trauma to the reader? Is she an unreliable narrator? Keep reading to find out!
Bonus trope: Just a smidge of the supernatural/psychic/unsubstantiated insight.
Bonus bonus trope: What’s the identity of at least one of the villains? Did you have “snooty, unlikeable local historian who everybody hates” on your bingo card? Congratulations.
This a very popular author, and many people I respect seem to like this book. Heck, I’ve enjoyed at least one of her previous books. Personally, I found this one excruciating.
Trope 1: Cop is obsessive over cold case, dies still haunted by it. Disappearance was investigated by Chief Ian Grady, who spent his life haunted by the case, connecting clues on a wallboard like a conspiracy theorist. Ian Grady dies and it remains unsolved.
Trope 2: Grady’s daughter Mandy is a screw-up who finally gets her act together and becomes a cop like her dad. When Ian Grady dies, daughter Mandy becomes police chief by default, despite her lack of experience and there already being four other cops on the town payroll.
Trope 3: Everything Chief Mandy does is a game of WWDD: What Would Dad Do? E.g., Chief Mandy makes decisions by wondering what her father would do in this situation.
Trope 4: Wacky but brilliant crime scene investigators. Body is found in a previously unknown well. Enter a hilarious anthropologist and a sarcastic crime scene (examiner? Unclear) who shout instructions and overexplain procedures to police officers and emergency responders who should, idk, already have some familiarity with crime scenes?
Trope 5: Surprise! Cute cold case investigator! Chief Mandy encounters a handsome cold case investigator with access to seemingly unlimited resources and a shared reverence for Mandy’s dad. I smell flirtation!
Trope 6: Second POV! A beautiful, wealthy, successful woman with a mysterious, traumatic past and a gorgeous, incredibly supportive husband who’s ostensibly a brilliant businessman but somehow radiates the energy and common sense of a golden retriever puppy.
Trope 7: Mysterious third POV! Who is this first-person narrator? Why is she explaining epigenetic trauma to the reader? Is she an unreliable narrator? Keep reading to find out!
Bonus trope: Just a smidge of the supernatural/psychic/unsubstantiated insight.
Bonus bonus trope: What’s the identity of at least one of the villains? Did you have “snooty, unlikeable local historian who everybody hates” on your bingo card? Congratulations.
This a very popular author, and many people I respect seem to like this book. Heck, I’ve enjoyed at least one of her previous books. Personally, I found this one excruciating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2026
I went in expecting a dark thriller, as that’s typically this authors reputation, however this book felt more like a cozy mystery for the most part.
August 17, 2026
I was excited to read this story and the beginning was okay. A bit confusing but I was intrigued on how a whole family could disappear. Halfway through I couldn’t wait for this story to be over. It was so boring and just plain dull.
June 18, 2026
Generally love Lisa’s books but this one just fell flat and was far fetched and even confusing. I never felt invested in the story.
August 28, 2026
”Evil men have always been prone to evil deeds. And now, a mere two centuries later. . .the truth is coming. Take it from me. Sooner or later. . . You’ll be sorry.”
This is Lisa Gardner’s first standalone novel in more than twenty years. In between she wrote a few series including the Frankie Elkin series, which is one of my all-time favorites. So, my hopes and expectations were very high going into this one.
There is a large cast of characters to get to know and remember, but Gardner does a good job of letting the reader get to know them. They’re all written with depth and feel very authentic. Oh and, most importantly, there are dogs! And they are heroes🐕
The story starts off slowly, ramps up a bit then lags in the middle. There is a lot of information to take in and many moving parts to the story. It felt like peeling an onion🧅 there are many layers to get through. Once I got about 2/3 of the way in, there was nothing stopping me from turning the pages to figure out all of the mysteries going on within the plot line. And there are many! The twists were coming fast and furious and I was totally shocked by all of the reveals. I wasn’t able to puzzle any of them out. One in particular had me totally dumbfounded!
So, would I recommend this book? I think if you go in expecting to put on your reality suspenders, you will really enjoy this one! It’s very clear that Gardner has done a tremendous amount of research for this book. I’m excited to see what she writes next. Fingers crossed for number four in the Frankie Elkin series.🤞🏻🤞🏻
✨Thank you to Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley for the advance copy.
This is Lisa Gardner’s first standalone novel in more than twenty years. In between she wrote a few series including the Frankie Elkin series, which is one of my all-time favorites. So, my hopes and expectations were very high going into this one.
There is a large cast of characters to get to know and remember, but Gardner does a good job of letting the reader get to know them. They’re all written with depth and feel very authentic. Oh and, most importantly, there are dogs! And they are heroes🐕
The story starts off slowly, ramps up a bit then lags in the middle. There is a lot of information to take in and many moving parts to the story. It felt like peeling an onion🧅 there are many layers to get through. Once I got about 2/3 of the way in, there was nothing stopping me from turning the pages to figure out all of the mysteries going on within the plot line. And there are many! The twists were coming fast and furious and I was totally shocked by all of the reveals. I wasn’t able to puzzle any of them out. One in particular had me totally dumbfounded!
So, would I recommend this book? I think if you go in expecting to put on your reality suspenders, you will really enjoy this one! It’s very clear that Gardner has done a tremendous amount of research for this book. I’m excited to see what she writes next. Fingers crossed for number four in the Frankie Elkin series.🤞🏻🤞🏻
✨Thank you to Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley for the advance copy.
August 5, 2026
You’ll Be Sorry by @lisagardnerbks
Pub date: OUT NOW Publisher: @grandcentralpub
This may be the perfect spooky season thriller. You’ve got a mystery inside a mystery inside a mystery, and I promise you, you will not figure it out. I pride myself in figuring out twists or whodunnits before the end of the book, this one stumped me. This book not only caters to true crime fans in regards to a 30 year old disappearance, but there’s also another story being told and it is CREEPY and disturbing. If you’re looking for a cozy mystery, look elsewhere, this one is dark and will keep you on your toes!
Side note: the dog lives
Pub date: OUT NOW Publisher: @grandcentralpub
This may be the perfect spooky season thriller. You’ve got a mystery inside a mystery inside a mystery, and I promise you, you will not figure it out. I pride myself in figuring out twists or whodunnits before the end of the book, this one stumped me. This book not only caters to true crime fans in regards to a 30 year old disappearance, but there’s also another story being told and it is CREEPY and disturbing. If you’re looking for a cozy mystery, look elsewhere, this one is dark and will keep you on your toes!
Side note: the dog lives
August 23, 2026
This story is like an onion! It has so many layers and it seems almost impossible to fully understand what’s going on. And I’ll admit this story DOES pull you in a lot of directions and at times it can be confusing, but I think the general idea and plot were very intriguing. Regardless of being confused or not I still wanted to read because I had to know what happened!
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 rounded up)
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 rounded up)
August 4, 2026
This took so many twists and turns, I wasn’t sure where we’d end up until the end! Super suspenseful and engaging mystery. Creepy and eerie without being too much. A solid read for thriller lovers!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc
May 30, 2026
“Ding dong bell, the witch is in the well.”
This is Lisa’s first (highly anticipated standalone) mystery / suspense thriller in quite awhile. She is a master storyteller and I am always super excited when she releases a new book. She NEVER disappoints.
A thrilling small town, age-old cold case that is smartly paced & that’s sure to keep you glued to the edge of your seat. As the plot unfolded, I was enveloped in a sense of dread, unease, and noose-tightening tension.
My thoughts:
* Thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end.
* Masterly crafted where I found myself immersed in the world the author created.
* The setting is creepy, the atmosphere evocative & the mystery compelling.
* Deliciously twisted, clever & entertaining with unsettling damaged characters that are perfectly realized.
* A gripping memorable read which deserves all the praise.
* I devoured every word, every page, every chapter.
This was pretty much perfect for me & I’ll be recommending to everyone I know who loves mystery / suspense & a cracking good tale of twists, turns & uncertainties.
Favorite Lines: “He wasn’t just a person, he was a place, a state of being she’d never expected before and would never know again.”
“If a moth is drawn to a flame, then the Dixon family has always been my bonfire.”
Many thanks to Lisa for the gifted signed ARC. You always come through for me.
This is Lisa’s first (highly anticipated standalone) mystery / suspense thriller in quite awhile. She is a master storyteller and I am always super excited when she releases a new book. She NEVER disappoints.
A thrilling small town, age-old cold case that is smartly paced & that’s sure to keep you glued to the edge of your seat. As the plot unfolded, I was enveloped in a sense of dread, unease, and noose-tightening tension.
My thoughts:
* Thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end.
* Masterly crafted where I found myself immersed in the world the author created.
* The setting is creepy, the atmosphere evocative & the mystery compelling.
* Deliciously twisted, clever & entertaining with unsettling damaged characters that are perfectly realized.
* A gripping memorable read which deserves all the praise.
* I devoured every word, every page, every chapter.
This was pretty much perfect for me & I’ll be recommending to everyone I know who loves mystery / suspense & a cracking good tale of twists, turns & uncertainties.
Favorite Lines: “He wasn’t just a person, he was a place, a state of being she’d never expected before and would never know again.”
“If a moth is drawn to a flame, then the Dixon family has always been my bonfire.”
Many thanks to Lisa for the gifted signed ARC. You always come through for me.
May 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first Lisa Gardner book, but I’ve seen her recommended so many times by mystery and thriller readers that I was really excited to finally pick one up — and it definitely lived up to the hype for me. From the beginning I wanted to know more, and it became one of those reads where I kept thinking about it when I wasn’t reading and stayed up reading until my eyes were closing.
What really worked for me was how layered the mystery was. There wasn’t just one central mystery — there were so many additional secrets and questions unfolding throughout the story that it constantly gave me something new to focus on. I especially liked Raquel and Theo and found myself most invested in their parts of the story.
I didn’t find the twists predictable overall, which is hard to pull off in crime thrillers. My biggest issue was that some of the discoveries and connections felt a little too easy for the characters to figure out, especially involving the babies/wells storyline. Some conclusions came together much faster than I think I would realistically expect.
That said, the pacing completely worked for me. It hooked me immediately and never really let go. The ending wrapped up most of the major questions in a satisfying way, even if some resolutions felt a little convenient.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy crime mysteries with multiple interconnected secrets and fast-moving suspense.
This was my first Lisa Gardner book, but I’ve seen her recommended so many times by mystery and thriller readers that I was really excited to finally pick one up — and it definitely lived up to the hype for me. From the beginning I wanted to know more, and it became one of those reads where I kept thinking about it when I wasn’t reading and stayed up reading until my eyes were closing.
What really worked for me was how layered the mystery was. There wasn’t just one central mystery — there were so many additional secrets and questions unfolding throughout the story that it constantly gave me something new to focus on. I especially liked Raquel and Theo and found myself most invested in their parts of the story.
I didn’t find the twists predictable overall, which is hard to pull off in crime thrillers. My biggest issue was that some of the discoveries and connections felt a little too easy for the characters to figure out, especially involving the babies/wells storyline. Some conclusions came together much faster than I think I would realistically expect.
That said, the pacing completely worked for me. It hooked me immediately and never really let go. The ending wrapped up most of the major questions in a satisfying way, even if some resolutions felt a little convenient.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy crime mysteries with multiple interconnected secrets and fast-moving suspense.
August 30, 2026
I loved this book more than I thought I would going in. I knew there would be supernatural elements involving a family of 6 who has an ancestral home in a rural area of New Hampshire and one night thunder and lightning crack and split a tree in the yard and the entire family disappears and the stray dog they had adopted shows up with blood on his coat and then he too disappears. The home had been in the Dixon family since at least the late 1700s.
So after sitting empty for 30 years after the above disappearance a new young couple buy the property with hopes of turning it into a B&B. Strange things start to happen and a stray dog who looks a lot like the one from 30 years ago shows up at their doorstep.
What I really enjoyed was the revised look at DNA testing updates and research into the family history including visits to the historical society and chats with the elders in the small rural area.
As a retired genealogist this story was right up my alley but I think even if you are not interested in family history -- this book will still have you turning pages and enjoying the plot twists.
The supernatural elements and hints at witchcraft make for perfect Fall reading.
So after sitting empty for 30 years after the above disappearance a new young couple buy the property with hopes of turning it into a B&B. Strange things start to happen and a stray dog who looks a lot like the one from 30 years ago shows up at their doorstep.
What I really enjoyed was the revised look at DNA testing updates and research into the family history including visits to the historical society and chats with the elders in the small rural area.
As a retired genealogist this story was right up my alley but I think even if you are not interested in family history -- this book will still have you turning pages and enjoying the plot twists.
The supernatural elements and hints at witchcraft make for perfect Fall reading.
August 21, 2026
I will devour anything Lisa Gardner writes! I know some say they didn't like this cover but I love the vibe and think it totally fits the overall mood.
Raquel and Theo buy a remote mountain lodge in the hopes of starting fresh after an unnamed tragedy. But there's a catch....isn't there always? 😬 Thirty years ago, the family living there vanished into thin air. Everything, LITERALLY everything, was left as if they would return at any moment. The only clue to possible foul play? Bloody footprints....
Present day local police chief Amanda Grady, following in her father's footsteps, unwittingly (and unwillingly) teams up with the new owners when a stray dog digs up evidence to a long buried (see what I did there?) and unsolved cold case. And then things get totally weird. DUM DUM DUM!
Creepy, eerie and haunting, the pacing is absolute perfection. Cannot recommend this enough.
Raquel and Theo buy a remote mountain lodge in the hopes of starting fresh after an unnamed tragedy. But there's a catch....isn't there always? 😬 Thirty years ago, the family living there vanished into thin air. Everything, LITERALLY everything, was left as if they would return at any moment. The only clue to possible foul play? Bloody footprints....
Present day local police chief Amanda Grady, following in her father's footsteps, unwittingly (and unwillingly) teams up with the new owners when a stray dog digs up evidence to a long buried (see what I did there?) and unsolved cold case. And then things get totally weird. DUM DUM DUM!
Creepy, eerie and haunting, the pacing is absolute perfection. Cannot recommend this enough.
September 2, 2026
I've read about five books by this author and enjoyed every one, so was excited to see a new stand alone book by Lisa Gardner and even more pleased to be selected to read it prior to it being published.
A very dark and eery background story where a family who used to live in a house in Shereford all mysteriously disappeared with their bodies having never been found. No one wants to live there for years and the building becomes derelict with a mystery surrounding their disappearances.
Thirty years later a new couple moves in and restores the property ready for a new start. However the secrets of the old house suddenly come to light with a vengeance.
Amanda Grady, the new Police Chief of the area has to investigate and all sorts of secrets and skeletons start to turn up and lots of twists along the way.
Really enjoyed this and look forward to reading a lot more books by this author.
A very dark and eery background story where a family who used to live in a house in Shereford all mysteriously disappeared with their bodies having never been found. No one wants to live there for years and the building becomes derelict with a mystery surrounding their disappearances.
Thirty years later a new couple moves in and restores the property ready for a new start. However the secrets of the old house suddenly come to light with a vengeance.
Amanda Grady, the new Police Chief of the area has to investigate and all sorts of secrets and skeletons start to turn up and lots of twists along the way.
Really enjoyed this and look forward to reading a lot more books by this author.
August 7, 2026
3.75 ⭐️ Newlyweds Raquel and Theo move to a remote New Hampshire town to start over, only to discover their new lodge has a dark history. Thirty years ago, an entire family disappeared from the property, and when human remains are found, the mystery is reopened.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. It immediately pulled me in, and I loved the creepy atmosphere of the lodge and the small town where everyone seems to have secrets. There was also a slight paranormal aspect that I thought was interesting and added to the eerie feeling.
There were A LOT of secrets and mysteries happening at the same time, though, and eventually things started getting a little confusing. There were so many different pieces to keep track of that I sometimes struggled to see how everything connected. The story also goes pretty deeply into the town’s history, including the old midwives, witches, and tragedies from the past. Some of this was interesting, but I did feel like it slowed the pacing down.
I also thought the reasoning behind one of the killings was a little far-fetched, but the book was still pretty twisty and kept me guessing. I definitely had theories that turned out to be wrong, which I always appreciate in a mystery.
Overall, it was good. The creepy atmosphere and twists kept me interested, even though the number of secrets and different storylines became a little overwhelming at times.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. It immediately pulled me in, and I loved the creepy atmosphere of the lodge and the small town where everyone seems to have secrets. There was also a slight paranormal aspect that I thought was interesting and added to the eerie feeling.
There were A LOT of secrets and mysteries happening at the same time, though, and eventually things started getting a little confusing. There were so many different pieces to keep track of that I sometimes struggled to see how everything connected. The story also goes pretty deeply into the town’s history, including the old midwives, witches, and tragedies from the past. Some of this was interesting, but I did feel like it slowed the pacing down.
I also thought the reasoning behind one of the killings was a little far-fetched, but the book was still pretty twisty and kept me guessing. I definitely had theories that turned out to be wrong, which I always appreciate in a mystery.
Overall, it was good. The creepy atmosphere and twists kept me interested, even though the number of secrets and different storylines became a little overwhelming at times.
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