Don't Answer the Phone

by Miranda Rijks

She’s the woman of his dreams. He’s the monster from her nightmares.

When Daniella rescues elderly Peggy from a mugger on a Boston street, she expects nothing in return. But then she meets Peggy's son, Lucas—devastatingly handsome and utterly captivating. Unlike her distant husband Grant, Lucas sees her. Wants her.

Daniella can’t resist and they spend one reckless night together which she immediately regrets.

Too late, because Lucas doesn't just want Daniella. He needs her. And he's willing to destroy everything—and everyone—standing in his way.

Lucas plays the long game, worming his way into Daniella's life—befriending Grant, charming her twin daughters, inveigling his way into her family. Every time she turns around, he seems to be there.

As the depths of his obsession become clear, Daniella realizes she’s in a fight for her life. Because the family she tried to help is hiding something dark. Something deadly.

And she's already in too deep to escape.

Don’t Answer the Phone - the chilling psychological thriller from the best-selling author of One Little Mistake and The Visitors.


What readers are saying about Don’t Answer the Phone:

“Obsessed. I think all my reviews for Miranda’s books start like that but this book was brilliant. I flew through this in 24hrs, I couldn't put it down. There were so many twists…” -Goodreads Reviewer

If you’re a fan of this author, then get ready for the ride of your life! …perfect for anyone who enjoys a gripping, dark read filled with complex characters…” -Goodreads Reviewer

“This author never disappoints. Continues to deliver great thrilling reads that will leave you gasping at the twists. Love the rollercoaster ride!” -Netgalley Reviewer

“…another bingeworthy, fast-paced popcorn thriller that fans of Freida McFadden will love. Easy to be read in one sitting, this is perfect for a relaxing, if intense day off. The twists worked well and were plentiful.” -Netgalley Reviewer

“I REALLY enjoyed this book! I was doing all the things... sitting on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, clenching my jaw. This is a great binge read!” -Netgalley Reviewer

“Miranda Rijks is the master at dark and deeply disturbing psychological thrillers, and Don't Answer the Phone is exactly that. Rijks keeps her readers hooked by spoon feeding twists and revelations at just the right moment. The pacing is perfect and the character development is superior.” -Netgalley Reviewer

“Miranda Rijks always writes the best thrillers, and this was no exception. As usual, no plot holes or twists that seem to come out of nowhere… I loved every bit of this story and am anxiously awaiting her next book!” -Netgalley Reviewer

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2026

About the author

Miranda Rijks is the author of 26 psychological thrillers, many of which have been Amazon bestsellers. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband and black Labrador.

Her fast-paced, twisty thrillers are inspired by scary things that have happened to her or places she has visited.

Miranda turned to writing after recovering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She's so grateful that she's now a full-time author and living the dream!

Visit www.mirandarijks.com to get her FREE novella, The Cheat, and the chance to name characters in her books.

Reviews

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE BY MIRANDA RIIJKS.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
I literally read this book within the day.
I was absolutely hooked from the first page until the last.
Bravo 👏
The cover is 🔥 Absolutely gorgeous

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniella rescues Peggy from a mugging in the street. She didn’t think much of it, and expected nothing in return. She meets Lucas, Peggy’s son, who is very handsome and he wants her. At first, Daniella has some of the same thoughts. She’s been in a 20 year marriage and there is no intimacy. Then Daniella and Lucas have one indiscretion and Daniella regrets it. Lucas now believes that Daniella is his one and only, and will stop at nothing to make her his.

I enjoy Rijks’ books, and this is another one that I enjoyed! Told in multiple viewpoints, we really get to be inside the head of the characters and see the events through their eyes. Along with that, the book is fast paced and full of twists.

I didn’t mind Daniella as a character, but I felt bad for her husband Grant, and I really despised Lucas. Even at first, the fact that he was so disrespectful to her just sat with me the wrong way. Peggy is quite an interesting character and I love the way that Rijks revealed who Peggy is throughout the book. Quite clever!

I’d recommend this book to anyone!

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is a quick moving thriller. I read it in one day because once I started I didn’t want to put it down.

The premise was interesting. The FMC was naive and annoying at times. The story was twisty- some more obvious than others. Some of those twists worked better for me than others. But overall, the story was well done.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author that I have enjoyed.

[Diane Dachota · Rating 3 out of 5]

Riijks is the queen of popcorn thrillers and this story about a woman named Daniella was a quick read. Daniella is married and has twin daughters about to head off to college. She and her husband Grant have been having marriage problems and she feels alone and already missing her daughters who plan on a gap year abroad. One day she is one her way to her faux flower shop when she sees an elderly neighbor being mugged. She can't see the mugger but helps the woman named Peggy and goes with her to the hospital. It turns out that Peggy has a very handsome son named Lucas and when Daniella meets him there is an instant attraction. Only Lucas is not the nice guy he seems to be.

There weren't a lot of surprises here as we find out immediately that he is obsessive and means to have Daniella at any cost. After the couple spend one night together, Daniella regrets cheating on her husband and wants to just remain friends with Lucas, but he has other things in mind,. I didn't get the title because that really has nothing to do with the plot and some side stories like Daniella's business partner wanting to expand and bring her boyfriend into the business, seemed added just to add to the page count. There were some twists towards the end but they didn't affect the main story and I thought they weren't needed. Not my favorite of this author's work but still tense and readable. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.

[Megan Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! This is why thrillers should just go back to the basics. It didn’t have a crazy plot, wasn’t that unique and reminded me of so many thrillers BUT that’s why it worked. It was the perfect way to write a domestic thriller. It reminded me a lot of You. I did find it dropped the ball a bit at the end, I just felt a lot of information was coming at my at once BUT either than that.. such a solid, must read thriller.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were no surprises in this book. I liked how fast the pace was but towards the end I just found the book boring and repetitive. The author also kept using the word ‘invalid’ to describe people with injuries and it just rubbed me the wrong way! How offensive.

Won’t be reading any books by this author again 🤮😴

[Neya Patel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Di · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good portion of this book revolve around infidelity and that just rubbed me the wrong way. If infidelity is triggering for you, this book isn't for you. (I seem to be the unpopular opinion) My review does not reflect against this author or their writing style. It just wasn't for me.

[Isabella Cafari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I hate everyone in this book.

[Daniella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miranda Rijks has done it again. This was an absolute roller coaster from start to finish and exactly the kind of thriller I love to read.

The story follows Daniella, a woman whose seemingly stable life begins to unravel after a chance encounter with Lucas and his mother. What starts as an unsettling attraction quickly spirals into something far darker as Lucas inserts himself deeper and deeper into Daniella’s life. As the tension builds, the stakes escalate at a relentless pace and it becomes clear that Lucas’s obsession is far more dangerous than anyone initially realizes.

This book never slows down. Every time I thought I had a handle on where things were going, another twist or escalation raised the stakes even higher. The pacing is fantastic, the tension is constant, and the story never drifts into the slow investigative territory that can sometimes bog down thrillers. Instead, the plot keeps tightening the screws until the final pages.

What really made this work for me was how invested I became in the characters. I found myself deeply rooting for Daniella and her family, while Lucas was the kind of villain you absolutely love to hate. Watching the situation spiral and the danger escalate kept me completely glued to the pages.

And I have to say, as someone named Daniella, it was such a fun and surreal experience to read a thriller featuring a main character with my name. Seeing “Daniella” throughout the book was a first for me and made the reading experience even more memorable. Thank you to Miranda Rijks for that unexpected delight.

If you enjoy fast-paced psychological thrillers with constant twists, escalating danger, and villains that will make your blood boil, this one absolutely delivers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Amanda Alviz · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first chapter, the story wastes no time pulling you in. What starts as a seemingly random act of kindness quickly spirals into something much darker. And once Lucas enters the picture? The tension skyrockets.

Miranda Rijks really proves why she’s the queen of popcorn thrillers. The pacing is sharp, the stakes keep rising, and just when you think you understand what’s happening, things take another unsettling turn.

One of my favorite parts was the alternating POV—it kept the story moving and added so much depth to the obsession unfolding. You’re constantly seeing different sides of the situation, which makes it even more intense and unpredictable.

Lucas as a character is genuinely chilling. The way he slowly inserts himself into Daniella’s life—her marriage, her family, her everything—creates this constant sense of unease. It’s not rushed or over-the-top; it’s calculated, which somehow makes it even more disturbing.

And the tension? It builds steadily until the final stretch, where everything ramps up and you’re flying through the pages.

If you love psychological thrillers that are fast-paced, dramatic, and completely consuming, this one absolutely delivers. Perfect definition of a bingeable read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The opening pages set the tone immediately. It becomes clear right away that this is a story built on uncertainty. One that invites you to question everything and everyone. That sense of not knowing whom to trust is exactly the kind of beginning I love.

From there, the story moves quickly as we meet the main characters. We have an unhappy wife who, after years of marriage, is frustrated by the lack of physical connection with her husband. When she rescues an elderly woman from a mugging and meets the woman’s son, the instant attraction signals that change is coming, and that those changes will have consequences for everyone involved.

What starts as a simple act of betrayal gradually becomes something far more complicated. The possessive nature of the MMC intensifies as the story progresses, and the growing sense that this won’t end well gives the book a fast-paced, addictive quality. I ended up reading it in a single sitting. While the themes aren’t entirely new to the genre, the execution kept me engaged from start to finish.
If you enjoy thrillers that blend tension, obsession, and emotional fallout, this one will be right up your alley.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Miranda Rijks, Inkubator Books, and Zooloo Book Tours for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

WOWZERS!!! Don’t Answer The Phone has to be Miranda Rijks is one of my favorite books I have ever read by her!! Her book was so twisted and addicting that I lost track of time and read it in one sitting. Oh I devoured it and found myself yelling at the kindle with all the mind blowing twists and turns that I never ever saw coming! Then again some of them there were no warning signs, none at all!! Miranda was good with her shock value!!

Oh boy this book was a doozy! Miranda reminded me that being single is not so bad after all!! Who needs all the drama and whatever else comes with it?!

Don’t Answer The Phone was jam packed full of drama, lies, betrayals, secrets, cheating, violence, deaths, shocking discoveries, etc.

This is surely a book that will have everybody talking long after they read it. So much I want to write about in this review but if I do I might give away spoilers! Trust me I want to talk about this book!! So, go get this book and when you get done reading it, come find me and we need to talk about Lucas!

Don’t Answer The Phone deserves more than 5 stars and is a must read!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Zooloo's Book Tours.

This is a chilling psychological thriller. The protagonist, Daniella, witnesses an incident involving Peggy, an elderly widow. Daniella assists her, and following this, she meets Lucas, Peggy's attractive son. Daniella has no idea of the impact this will have on her life, because now Lucas isn't willing to leave her alone…

I've read a few books by this author, and I always enjoy the atmosphere in her writing. This book was no exception, and I had chills down my spine from the start. Lucas had a dark, dangerous energy about him, but I couldn't help feeling a connection with him. Sometimes these dangerous characters are the most intriguing, and I could see why someone might be drawn to Lucas.

I never stopped wondering what might happen when I turned the page; I had to read one chapter, then another, then another…

If, like me, you love a gripping thriller, you'll probably finish this in one sitting. Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.

[Chapters_with_VDKeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y’ALL, butter my biscuit, this one goes sideways fast.

Daniella rescues an elderly woman from a mugger on a Boston street and expects nothing in return—until she meets Peggy’s son, Lucas. He’s devastatingly handsome, attentive, and everything her distant husband Grant is not. One reckless night later… Daniella instantly regrets it.

Too bad Lucas doesn’t do regret. He does obsession.

What starts as attraction quickly turns chilling as Lucas worms his way into Daniella’s life—befriending her husband, charming her twin daughters, and showing up everywhere like humidity in a Mississippi summer. The man doesn’t just cross boundaries… he bulldozes them.

Miranda Rijks keeps the pacing tight and the tension simmering, with punchy chapters and a slick writing style that makes the pages fly. Lucas is charming, manipulative, and downright terrifying—the kind of villain who smiles while setting the trap.

Addictive, tense, and twisty as a backroad in the Deep South. 📞😬

[End of story · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a good deed ends in a nightmare of obsession and manipulation. A truly thrilling psychological thriller that I found difficult to put down. Although I like thrillers of this kind that involve stalking and obsession, Lucas really got on my nerves. He uses his good looks to do ugly things and doesn't even shy away from using his elderly mother for his sinister plans. He also doesn't care that Danielle has a family and has been married for over 20 years. But he thinks she is his destiny and that they belong together. And he will do anything to make her his.

The suspense and fluid writing style, short chapters, and interesting characters had me flying through the pages. It's unbelievable what Lucas did to infiltrate Danielle's life. By the time Danielle realizes what's happening, it's already too late...

I really recommend!

I received an advance reader copy from Inkubator Books via NetGalley. Thank you so much. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Patrice Gotting - #prdgreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts: well Miranda has done it again, written a book that hooks you straight away & has you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

And you can guarantee getting to that point won’t be straight forward, you’ll be pulled backwards and forwards until you don’t know which way is up & you’ll have yourself convinced that you’re somehow the bad guy 😂

In this one we’re following Danielle, a mum of 2 teenage girls who are about to go travelling, which she believes will give her and her husband a chance to work on their marriage which is feeling a bit stagnant.

She never thought that helping a woman after she was mugged would cause her life to take a turn that there was no coming back from, but saving Peggy leads her to Lucas & once Lucas has her in his sights he will do anything to make her his.

This book felt so real and so dark, Lucas was absolutely terrifying, but what a skill Miranda has as a writer to have the ability to make me so uncomfortable but at the same time to have me so wrapped up in the story that it’s impossible to stop reading.

I’m almost scared to think about what she might come out with next.

[meghin · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something about a dangerous MMC that just pulls me in. I kept trying to be neutral but would then get drawn into Lucas like Daniella had. He’s unhinged and explosive (I mean, how he treated Jade?!) but you can’t not get caught up in him! He’s also obsessive which gets a little scary, but that’s what I loved about Miranda’s writing and story telling!

This was my first book by Miranda, but it will not be my last! The way I couldn’t keep reading and turning the pages fast enough!! Especially when I was reading Peggy’s POV of Lucas.. I was a nervous wreck! If you enjoy reading bad decisions, a Boston setting, and fast thriller reads then this book is for you!

[Suze82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

nightmare
This book made me think of the saying that no good deed goes unpunished, it´s paradox but it hits the nail on the head describing what happens to Danielle. Who would believe that people who have known you all your life fall for the schemes of a stranger instead of believing and supporting you? How can a person you have helped and their family mean you evil instead of being thankful? As always, the author manages to keep me hooked until the last page in spite of the abhorring things she describes in her book.

[Anna Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t Answer the Phone is a suspense thriller with a subplot of romance. This was an enjoyable read— as a lover of thrillers and psychological stories, it had everything I look for.

My only wish was for more in the ending. Things moved quite quickly toward the end, though I understand that can come down to word count.

The FMC was a character who really drew my sympathy, and I found the villain interesting. His motives kept me guessing for quite a while.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Don’t Answer The Phone” by Miranda Rijiks is a chilling psychological thriller that dives deep into obsession and the terrifying lengths people will go to get what they want. The story is thick with manipulation and lies, keeping the tension high from start to finish. Just when you think you know where it’s headed, it throws in shocking twists and reveals dark, deadly secrets. Unsettling, addictive, and impossible to put down.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Don’t Answer the Phone by Miranda Rijks and wow—what an amazing read.

I flew through this in a single day because I simply couldn’t put it down. Completely addictive from start to finish, with tension that just keeps building. It’s one of those proper nail-biting reads where you feel on edge the whole time.
If you love fast-paced thrillers that hook you instantly and don’t let go, this is definitely one to pick up!

[Linda Sue Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual story with interesting people!.

Every book I've read by Miranda has been so great. This book involves many characters that come to life so well you'll think they are real. Not going to give the plot away but if you like psychological thrillers you'll love this one....and all of her other books as well.

[Arielle Esmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a quick read! I totally understand why people say Miranda is a good popcorn thriller author. I had to keep reading cause I needed to see what happened next! Definitely check out if you’re looking for a quick thriller read.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't Answer the Phone by Miranda Rijks was a slow but entertaining read. Some parts, especially in the middle, felt a bit boring and dragged. The tension and obsession in the plot made it more engaging as it went on. It was still an enjoyable thriller and worth reading.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't "reviting" and didn't lure me in, but it easily moved forward. Nothing to shout about with the chatacters. Usually you have at least one you really connect with, but not here. Oh, I did connect with Bippie, the dog.

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Didn't like this at all, didn't like the main character, Daniella. She kept saying how much she loved her husband, but didn't act like it. Lucas was just creepy.

[Bethany Butterworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

definition of a popcorn thriller, Devoured

[Lanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5- nothing exciting but quick read

[Gemma Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really creepy and flew through it. Enjoyable. One of those
Books to finish in one sitting