Surviving was supposed to be the end of Mia Hart’s story.
Ten years after escaping a serial strangler, Mia has rebuilt her life as the voice of UNQUIET, a true-crime podcast that refuses to look away from the cases the system got wrong. Her therapist, Elise Ward, turned the worst night of Mia’s life into a mission for change.
Then the murders start.
A killer the media dubs the Advocate is hunting people inside the justice system—an ADA, an internal affairs investigator, a judge—killing them with the same kind of cord that scarred Mia’s throat. Worse, he’s quoting her show.
Enter Lucas Reed, the former detective whose long-buried memo once warned that Mia’s attack was part of a pattern. He’s the only cop who ever believed her. He’s also the one Internal Affairs now suspects.
Forced into a safe house that is anything but safe, Mia and Lucas must untangle a web of hacked evidence, manipulated narratives, and a mentor who may not have been a hero at all.
To stop the Advocate, Mia will have to walk back to the river that almost took her—and decide if she can trust the man standing beside her when the cord tightens again.
From the Amazon bestselling author of 'ORIGINS' comes a new romance crime thriller.
S. E. Meyer crafts speculative thrillers that pair high concept, cinematic pacing with intimate emotion. From augmented realities to hidden conspiracies, Meyer’s work examines beauty, power, love and the human condition through creatively unique premises that grip from the first page to the last.
Self employed, author, researcher, Meyer lives in Wisconsin with his wife of more than 30 years. Meyer loves the outdoors and tries to spend as much time there as possible.
S.E. Meyer’s Unquiet is one of those thrillers that hooks you quickly and refuses to let go. Going in, I expected a typical serial killer mystery, but the story ends up being much more layered, blending trauma, media influence, and the messy truth behind the justice system.
The novel follows Mia, a survivor of a serial strangler who has rebuilt her life as the host of the true-crime podcast UNQUIET. Right away, Meyer does a great job of making Mia feel real. She’s not written as a perfect “strong survivor” trope. Instead, she’s complicated, driven by a need to expose injustice but still haunted by the night she barely survived. Her voice as a podcaster adds an interesting narrative texture to the book, especially when the killer known as the Advocate starts quoting her show. That detail alone creates a chilling sense that Mia’s words are echoing in ways she never intended.
The mystery itself unfolds at a steady, tense pace. The Advocate’s victims, people connected to the justice system, make the investigation feel morally gray rather than straightforward. Are these murders revenge? A twisted form of justice? Meyer keeps the reader questioning motivations and loyalties almost constantly.
Lucas Reed, the former detective who believed Mia when others didn’t, is another highlight. His relationship with Mia is built on uneasy trust, and the book wisely keeps that tension alive instead of turning it into something predictable. Their time in the supposed “safe house” was one of my favorite parts of the story because the paranoia feels palpable, you’re never quite sure who’s manipulating the situation.
One of the strongest elements of Unquiet is how it plays with perspective and truth. The theme of hacked evidence and manipulated narratives fits perfectly with the podcast angle. It raises uncomfortable questions about how stories, especially true crime, are shaped and consumed.
The final act, which circles back to the river tied to Mia’s trauma, is intense and emotionally charged. Meyer doesn’t rely purely on action; the climax works because it forces Mia to confront her past and decide who she can truly trust.
If I had one minor criticism, it’s that some twists come very quickly near the end, and I would’ve liked a little more time to sit with the implications. Still, the payoff is satisfying and thematically strong.
Overall, Unquiet is a gripping, psychologically sharp thriller that stands out in a crowded genre. It’s not just about catching a killer, it’s about the stories we tell about justice, survival, and who gets to control the narrative. Definitely recommended for fans of dark, character-driven crime fiction.
Unquiet blends thriller, mystery, and romance into a compelling read. The opening is especially strong, immediately establishing key connections and drawing you in—you can’t help but keep reading to see how all the threads will come together. The story leans more toward a slow-burn thriller at the beginning, carefully setting up the pieces and introducing backstory. The main characters are easy to like from the start; Lucas, in particular, feels like a victim of circumstance, which adds depth and sympathy to his role. One of the book’s central themes is institutional failure—there’s a heavy focus on how people in positions of responsibility fail to do their jobs, leading to real consequences. While this is effective within the story, it can feel a bit overemphasized at times. The repetition of this idea occasionally pulled me out of the narrative; I personally read to escape, so at times this felt too reflective of real social issues and took me out of the story. There’s also an intriguing moment where a single sentence seems to reveal the culprit—or does it? That ambiguity keeps the tension alive and adds to the mystery. The romance is handled well, developing slowly and naturally. Given the circumstances, anything more rushed wouldn’t have felt believable. The forced proximity trope works effectively here, allowing the characters’ feelings to grow in an organic way. Overall, Unquiet is a strong and engaging read. The mystery pulls you in and keeps you invested in uncovering the truth. While the repeated focus on systemic failure can feel a bit heavy-handed at times, it doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Unquiet is the kind of crime thriller that pulls you in quietly and then refuses to let go. From the very first chapter, there’s an undercurrent of tension that never really loosens, and as Mia Hart’s past begins to collide with the present, the story tightens into something genuinely gripping. The premise itself is chilling—a survivor turned true-crime podcaster now finding her own trauma echoed in a string of calculated murders—and the execution lives up to that promise.
What I really appreciated while reading was how layered the narrative felt. It’s not just about catching a killer; it’s about memory, trust, and the uneasy line between justice and obsession. Mia is a compelling protagonist—resilient but not untouched by what she’s endured—and her voice, shaped by both vulnerability and determination, makes the story feel intensely personal. The dynamic between her and Lucas Reed adds another layer of tension, especially as suspicion and trust constantly shift between them.
As the plot unfolds, the twists don’t feel forced—they’re unsettling in a way that makes you question every character’s motive, especially as the idea of who the real “advocate” is becomes more complex. I found myself second-guessing everything, particularly the role of Elise Ward, which adds a psychological depth that elevates the story beyond a typical thriller.
By the time the narrative circles back to the river, there’s a sense of inevitability that’s both haunting and satisfying. Having read it, what stayed with me most is how Unquiet doesn’t just rely on shock—it builds a slow, suffocating tension that lingers even after the final page. It’s sharp, atmospheric, and deeply engaging, the kind of book you finish and then immediately want to discuss with someone.
One dance with a serial killer should be enough, but sometimes survival means you will fight for survival until you or the killer are dead. Unquiet by S.E. Meyer is a mystery/thriller/love story that does keep the reader interested from the beginning.
Mia is a crime podcaster. She survived an attack ten years prior to the time of this story. Her brush with death opened her advocacy for victim rights and the problems with the criminal justice system. In Unquiet, her voice resonates with many that have themselves found flaws in the system and those flaws leave many with heightened feelings that lead to actions that could be considered criminal but justified.
The players in her original case begin to be attacked and several are killed. She herself is attacked which lands her in protective custody. The original detective on her case and the officer that she has often villainized on her podcast becomes her protector. Being in such close proximity, a relationship blooms leaving her guessing her judgement on most areas of her thought process. She is cut off from contact with anyone other than law enforcement and her therapists. The suspect list is continually changing making for a deeper story.
I would recommend Unquiet by S.E. Meyer to the reader that enjoys mysteries and thrillers, stories that may or may not have obvious villain's. I had two negatives. First, the love story was too shallow, it happened too quickly. I would have enjoyed more depth and lead up. The second issue was the villain. I had it figured out a little faster than I would have hoped.
I went into this expecting a solid thriller, but it completely pulled me in deeper than I anticipated. The premise alone is gripping, a survivor of a serial strangler turning her trauma into purpose through a true-crime podcast. but what really stood out was how personal and layered the story felt.
Mia is such a compelling protagonist. She isn’t written as “strong” in a cliché way, she’s messy, haunted, determined, and incredibly human. Her voice, especially through the podcast angle, adds this eerie meta-layer to the story that makes everything feel closer and more real. The idea that the killer is quoting her show? Chilling.
The tension builds steadily, and I loved how the mystery unfolds through threads of corruption, buried evidence, and shifting trust. Just when you think you understand who’s on the right side, the story pulls the rug out from under you. Lucas was another highlight for me. his dynamic with Mia carries both emotional weight and uncertainty, which kept me guessing the whole time.
What I appreciated most was how the book doesn’t just rely on shock value. It digs into themes of justice, trauma, and the cost of being heard in a system that often fails victims. The pacing keeps you hooked, but it’s the emotional stakes that really land.
By the final act, I was completely invested. It’s tense, unsettling, and thought-provoking in a way that lingers after you finish.
Definitely recommend if you enjoy dark, character-driven thrillers with twists that feel earned rather than forced.
I wouldn’t exactly say it was boring but it wasn’t exactly keeping me on the edge of my seat either. The advocates identity was fairly predictable. Even after the ‘but they were attacked they can’t be the villain’ thing. Your FMC and Elise wear their trauma like both a badge of honor and a personality type. I think anyone with real life trauma can appreciate how demeaning and demoralizing that little ‘trope’ is. The love story between Lucas and Mia? Weird. Forced. Exactly what she thought it was, Stockholm-ish. And if she was a young adult in college when the initial attack happened… how old was he to have been a seasoned detective at the time? Weird age gap? Probably. And the fact that he loved her since then? Even more problematic. Not to mention the way his stereotypical male trauma comes across as more of inability to process feelings and male ego issues than anything. Yet the whole time, everyone’s trauma is painstakingly brought to the front of any and every conversation. It sits wrong with me. And the fact that the entire cast of characters start speaking in podcaster lingo? Weird. Wouldn’t happen in real life. Especially not while discussing a heated active serial killer investigation - and I mean like actively on the other side of the interrogation room. It wasn’t believable. If you stay at the surface level of this novel though, it’s not terrible. Easy enough to finish fairly quickly. Just enough going on to keep you roped in even after a big lull.
This is a Goodreads giveaway read. I am offering an honest review in return for the free book!
This story pulled me in from the very first page and never let go. Unquiet follows Mia Hart, a survivor who turned her trauma into truth through her podcast, but when a new killer “The Advocate” starts targeting people within the justice system, everything becomes deeply personal. The plot is intense, layered, and full of twists, especially as past secrets resurface and the line between justice and revenge starts to blur. The final reveal is shocking and powerful, making the story feel both thrilling and meaningful.
The characters are what truly elevate this book. Mia is strong yet vulnerable, and her emotional journey feels incredibly real. Lucas Reed adds depth with his quiet strength, guilt, and unwavering belief in Mia. Their connection grows slowly from tension and mistrust to something deeply supportive and emotional . Even the antagonist is complex, making you question morality, justice, and perspective in a very unsettling way.
The writing style is sharp, gripping, and fast-paced, with moments of emotional depth that hit hard. The themes trauma, truth, power, and how systems can fail stay with you long after finishing the book. Personally, I found this story both heartbreaking and empowering. It’s not just a crime thriller; it’s about reclaiming your voice and rewriting your narrative. If you love suspense with emotional impact and a touch of romance, this book is a must-read.
I received a free copy of this book via Goodreads giveaway.
1.75 stars. I was troubled by many things throughout the book that bothered me and/or pulled me out of the story. The major issue I have is that this book feels like it was written by AI. There is no way for me to know if that’s actually the case, but the constant paragraph breaks and wise quips in dialogue that real people would never say with the same pattern constantly reused (e.g. “That’s not wrong, that’s human” and “That’s not therapy; that’s a guest segment”) is very reminiscent of ChatGPT-speak. At best, this is writing that relies too heavily on clichés; at worst, actual generative AI use passed off as the author’s own work. In addition, there are many plot holes throughout the story that are never addressed and choices made by characters that range from frustratingly to impossibly, no-one-would-ever-do-that stupid (the numerous people linked to the Riverstone cases who continued to waltz into dark parking garages alone at night, half the time knowing they were being lured there by someone, while a parking garage serial killer was on the loose was too much for me.) I found the book to be a quick and somewhat interesting read but all of these issues made it a no from me, unfortunately.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Right off the bat, you have tension, fear, and a whole lot of messed up truth about how the system can fail folks. Mia ain’t no weak lead. She has been through hell and came out sharp, but you can still feel that hurt sitting under her skin the whole time. That part hit me.
The killer angle was mean and personal, and I liked how it tied back into her past instead of being some random psycho. Made it hit harder. The podcast stuff was a nice touch too, gave it a modern edge without feeling forced. Now Lucas, I had mixed feelings about him. Sometimes he felt solid, other times it felt like something ain’t right.
The story moved fast, maybe a little too fast in spots. Some twists worked, some felt like they were trying too hard to shock. Still, it kept me turning pages, and that is what matters.
Overall, it is a gritty, tense read with just enough romance to stir the pot without taking over.
Unquiet by S E Meyer is a tense and gripping story that held my focus from the first page. The book follows a woman with a strong voice and a man with a past he cannot escape. They meet in a city full of danger and secrets. Her work puts her in the public eye and that makes her a target. His history pulls them both into trouble. The plot moves at a steady pace and every chapter adds more risk and fear. The danger feels real and the stakes keep rising.
The main characters feel human and easy to care about. She is brave but not perfect and she keeps going even when she is scared. He is quiet guarded and shaped by guilt and loss. Their bond grows slowly and feels earned. They learn to trust each other while trying to stay alive. The mix of suspense and emotion works very well. The ending is strong and fits the story. This book is a great choice for readers who like dark thrillers with heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I didn't hate this book, but I wanted to like it more than I did. In my opinion, the author took so long to describe, illustrate and give a complete picture, that I the read became bored, reading of the composition of the story over pages and pages, within each lengthy, drawn out chapter. Yes, we actively experience the character growth of Mia and Lucas, but the point of "being in love" with each other, seemed rushed and out of place to the situation set up by the author. A positive is the climax and slight twist given near the resolution, that did create an anxious and engaging experience that was enjoyable. As the reader, I was team Lucas the whole way; as you could tell he got the raw end of the deal, the whole way. All in all, good story and definitely a thriller to enjoy, I just believe that the author could have completed the same plot with about 75 less pages of "fillers".
I received this book as an ARC from BookSirens for my honest opinion and review.
Unquiet is a serial killer thriller about Mia, a survivor of the killer, who hosts a true crime podcast, UNQUIET, which deals with exposing injustices. A serial killer (dubbed The Advocate) begins murdering people associated with the justice system in the same way that Mia was attacked (with a cord), and quoting Mia's show. Enter Lucas Reed, the detective who worked Mia's case and believed her when others did not. He is now a person of interest in the new killings. Forced into hiding and working with Lucas to figure out who's guilty of the murders, Mia must revisit her past to find the answers she needs and determine whether she is right about Lucas, or if he really is who IA believes him to be.
Unquiet is a gripping, emotionally layered thriller that balances heart-pounding suspense with real psychological depth. Mia Hart is a compelling protagonist, her resilience, vulnerability, and determination make every twist feel personal and urgent. The true-crime podcast element adds a fresh, immersive layer, while the escalating threat of the Advocate keeps the tension razor-sharp.
S.E. Meyer masterfully weaves trauma, trust, and moral ambiguity into a story that’s both chilling and deeply human. The twists are smart and believable, and the emotional stakes hit just as hard as the suspense. A tense, addictive read that lingers long after the final page.
I would have given this book 4 stars(I rarely give 5) except I had a few issues that I just can not get passed. First, it was mentioned multiple times about "at that point I knew x things", this is the least annoying of my issues. Next, omg, how many times do we have to hear about how the tea/coffee is now cold. Just stop! And lastly and most annoying!!!!! Stop with the freaking "he/she let out a breath he/she didn't realize they were holding." Ughhhhhhhh!!!! The story line as a whole was good and I enjoyed the Book and was super invested in finding out who the bad guy was....when I wasn't rolling my eyes.
A psychological romantic thriller, I think, is the best way to describe this book.
Interesting storytelling, it felt like it was being told in the third person. Very full, interesting, believable characters. It kept me guessing. I was not sure about the villain. Just when I thought I had figured out who it was, there was another curve to throw me off, a bit like the story. A very good read, I recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I'm torn about this book. On one hand, the story was compelling and the main characters were rich and three-dimensional. The pace was fast, there was never a dull moment, and the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat.
On the other hand, this book is not publish ready. It needs both a developmental and line edit. There are discrepancies within the text and sloppy formatting (e.g., missing periods). This makes me feel like the author was in a rush to finish.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing Services for the ARC of this book. I do enjoy a good thriller from time to time. This book was hard for me though because although I like a thriller, the horror aspect of it just wasn't for me. I found myself not being able to read this book at night because of the serial killer and almost nightmarish aspect of it. I still gave it three stars, but it hard for me to get through.
This one pulled me in and didn’t let go. Just when I thought I had figured out who the murderer was, a twist had me guessing again. Strong character development had me rooting for the woman who had survived a killer ten years ago and the disgraced cop who fought to bring attention to the case but his supervisors wouldn’t listen. This author will be on my TBR list. I won a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A gripping story that had me from page one. I would say the romance from Lucas and Mia just came out of nowhere and happened pretty quickly, I would’ve preferred more burn between the characters. I also, feel who the “Advocate” ended up being was a little obvious and it dragged on a little. Overall a good book and a good read.
Unquiet by S. E. Meyer is a dark and gripping thriller that keeps the tension building from beginning to end. Mia Hart, once a victim herself, has spent the last decade using her voice as a podcast host to advocate for victims and tell the stories others overlook. When the killings begin again ten years later, Mia is forced into hiding alongside Lucas Reed, a former detective turned private security specialist who believed her from the very beginning—and still does.
The story is well written and layered with suspense, delivering multiple twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. The connection between Mia and Lucas adds emotional depth to the danger surrounding them, making this an intense and compelling thriller that’s difficult to put down.