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What We Keep Silent: A Bri Watters Thriller
Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
Karen Grose
8 books26 followersKaren Grose is from Toronto, Canada. Her debut novel, The Dime Box, was selected by Amnesty International for its 2021 Book Club. Flat Out Lies, and All June Left Behind followed. What We Keep Silent, the first novel in The Bri Watters Thriller Series was released April 21, 2026.
She has flash fiction, poems, and short stories published by Roi Faineant Press, Paddler Press, Punk Noir Magazine, Epistemic Literary Magazine, Hooghly Review, Bunker Squirrel Magazine, and Superior Shores Press. She is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and the #thrillsandchills writing group.
Track her down on X: @kgrose2, IG: karengrosewrites, Facebook, or at www.karengrose.ca
She has flash fiction, poems, and short stories published by Roi Faineant Press, Paddler Press, Punk Noir Magazine, Epistemic Literary Magazine, Hooghly Review, Bunker Squirrel Magazine, and Superior Shores Press. She is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and the #thrillsandchills writing group.
Track her down on X: @kgrose2, IG: karengrosewrites, Facebook, or at www.karengrose.ca
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Kingsley Publishers for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of What We Keep Silent: A Bri Watters Thriller by Karen Grose. Wow! This was a fast paced psychological thriller that kept you on the edge of your seat. It was full of suspense and secrets! It was dark, twisty, tense and quite unsettling. The story was extremely well developed as were the characters. This is part of a trilogy and I am looking forward to reading the others. Well done! I gave it a 5 star rating. #KarenGrose #KingsleyPublishers.
May 20, 2026
3.5
What We Keep Silent is an enjoyable slow burn thriller. I enjoyed the plot and towards the end there was a lot of tension, suspension and action that had me on the edge of my seat. Some parts felt a bit repetitive and I didn’t necessarily love how the main character handled scenarios. However, the multiple references to the past kept me guessing, and I had me curious to see how it all was going to unfold in the end. Overall well written thriller with an intriguing storyline.
What We Keep Silent is an enjoyable slow burn thriller. I enjoyed the plot and towards the end there was a lot of tension, suspension and action that had me on the edge of my seat. Some parts felt a bit repetitive and I didn’t necessarily love how the main character handled scenarios. However, the multiple references to the past kept me guessing, and I had me curious to see how it all was going to unfold in the end. Overall well written thriller with an intriguing storyline.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A gripping start to the Bri Watters series! Karen Grose delivers a fast-paced psychological thriller full of blackmail, deception, and family secrets. The jump from Paris to Vermont and the ticking clock to clear Bri's brother's name make this an absolute page-turner. Highly recommend if you love morally complex suspense!
May 28, 2026
Sometimes a slow burn psychological thriller just hits the spot, and this one absolutely delivered. I really enjoyed the character development and found myself growing especially attached to Bri throughout the story. I also really enjoyed the bond and friendship between Bri and her friend Zuri. Their friendship felt genuine and heartfelt, reminding us all how important it is to have someone we can always count on.
I especially liked how real the characters felt. They are flawed, emotional, and make mistakes, which made them feel authentic and easy to connect with.
The tension slowly builds as secrets begin to unravel, creating an unsettling atmosphere that kept me wanting to know more. I loved the emotional depth woven into the suspense, and the way the author carefully peeled back each layer of the story piece by piece.
This suspenseful psychological thriller features:
• Webs of lies
• Deep family secrets
• Everyone is hiding something
• Nothing is as it seems
• Blackmail
• A puzzle that comes together one piece at a time
• Emotional suspense
• Twists and turns
A gripping, character driven thriller filled with secrets, deception, and emotional twists that kept me invested until the very end.
Thank you to the author, Love Book Tours and Kingley Publishers for this advanced reader copy!
I especially liked how real the characters felt. They are flawed, emotional, and make mistakes, which made them feel authentic and easy to connect with.
The tension slowly builds as secrets begin to unravel, creating an unsettling atmosphere that kept me wanting to know more. I loved the emotional depth woven into the suspense, and the way the author carefully peeled back each layer of the story piece by piece.
This suspenseful psychological thriller features:
• Webs of lies
• Deep family secrets
• Everyone is hiding something
• Nothing is as it seems
• Blackmail
• A puzzle that comes together one piece at a time
• Emotional suspense
• Twists and turns
A gripping, character driven thriller filled with secrets, deception, and emotional twists that kept me invested until the very end.
Thank you to the author, Love Book Tours and Kingley Publishers for this advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What We Keep Silent is a gripping, character‑driven thriller that explores the weight of secrets, the fragility of family loyalty, and the lengths we go to outrun our past. From the moment Bri Watters flees to Paris, there’s a sense of breathless urgency — not the glamour of escape, but the raw panic of someone who knows the truth is closing in.
Bri is such an engaging narrator: flawed, impulsive, and painfully aware that her own mistakes have left her with very little room to manoeuvre. Paris should be a refuge, yet it becomes a limbo where every new update about her brother Ty tightens the knot in her stomach. His arrest for accessing confidential hospital files is bad enough, but the silence from the police — and the fractures forming within her family — hint at something far darker.
The novel shines in the way it layers tension. Mysterious texts, half‑truths, and the unsettling realisation that Ty’s trouble may be deeper than anyone imagined pull Bri into an investigation she’s wildly unprepared for. The distance between Paris and Vermont only heightens the suspense, giving the story a deliciously cinematic feel as Bri races home, one step ahead of the authorities, determined to uncover the truth before it destroys them all.
The supporting cast adds warmth and texture — her best friend Zuri, the steady presence of PI Art Visser, and a family caught between love and doubt. Their dynamic grounds the story, reminding you that the stakes aren’t just legal or moral, but deeply emotional.
What elevates the book is its exploration of guilt and identity. Bri isn’t just trying to save her brother; she’s trying to protect the version of herself she’s spent years constructing. And as the sinister figure threatening to expose her secrets draws closer, the tension becomes almost claustrophobic.
Twisty, atmospheric, and emotionally charged, What We Keep Silent is a compelling start to a new thriller series — a story about the shadows we carry, the lies we tell ourselves, and the danger of believing that the past will stay buried.
With thanks to Karen Grose, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Bri is such an engaging narrator: flawed, impulsive, and painfully aware that her own mistakes have left her with very little room to manoeuvre. Paris should be a refuge, yet it becomes a limbo where every new update about her brother Ty tightens the knot in her stomach. His arrest for accessing confidential hospital files is bad enough, but the silence from the police — and the fractures forming within her family — hint at something far darker.
The novel shines in the way it layers tension. Mysterious texts, half‑truths, and the unsettling realisation that Ty’s trouble may be deeper than anyone imagined pull Bri into an investigation she’s wildly unprepared for. The distance between Paris and Vermont only heightens the suspense, giving the story a deliciously cinematic feel as Bri races home, one step ahead of the authorities, determined to uncover the truth before it destroys them all.
The supporting cast adds warmth and texture — her best friend Zuri, the steady presence of PI Art Visser, and a family caught between love and doubt. Their dynamic grounds the story, reminding you that the stakes aren’t just legal or moral, but deeply emotional.
What elevates the book is its exploration of guilt and identity. Bri isn’t just trying to save her brother; she’s trying to protect the version of herself she’s spent years constructing. And as the sinister figure threatening to expose her secrets draws closer, the tension becomes almost claustrophobic.
Twisty, atmospheric, and emotionally charged, What We Keep Silent is a compelling start to a new thriller series — a story about the shadows we carry, the lies we tell ourselves, and the danger of believing that the past will stay buried.
With thanks to Karen Grose, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
May 28, 2026
Thank you LBT for having me on this book review tour and for my gifted copy of this epub!!
Oh my goodness. The books that I’ve been reading as of late have been on point !!!
This book was so good. It legit kept me on edge the entire time this was a great thriller had so much darkness twists and turns and family secrets.
Bri is such an amazing narrator best like she has made mistakes and is flawed like a real person and she knows that her mistakes have left her in what I like to call a pickle !! She’s in Paris where she thinks should be good to be safe but her brother was arrested for accessing hospital files but she is getting nothing from the police and she basically is freaking out. I mean I’m pretty sure I would be too especially cause it’s family and seems something deeper and darker is happening and her family cracks are starting to show
This book is packed with so much tension and I think what makes this book shine is how the tension just builds and the mystery and the unknowns and being in Paris and then the part of the story is in Vermont I mean the distance really plays into this thriller!!
I mean this book has so much depth to it and I loved Zuri Bri’s best friend she was so supportive and just amazing and the PI Bri has is also good and I like him a lot.
I mean this is a well written thriller that left me wanting more. Like a lot more. It’s much more though cause it’s also about doing the right thing but being stuck with impossible choices.
Overall this was a great read and I loved every minute of it. I have a brother so I totally felt for Bri cause I know I would do anything for my brother regardless of what it was !!
Oh my goodness. The books that I’ve been reading as of late have been on point !!!
This book was so good. It legit kept me on edge the entire time this was a great thriller had so much darkness twists and turns and family secrets.
Bri is such an amazing narrator best like she has made mistakes and is flawed like a real person and she knows that her mistakes have left her in what I like to call a pickle !! She’s in Paris where she thinks should be good to be safe but her brother was arrested for accessing hospital files but she is getting nothing from the police and she basically is freaking out. I mean I’m pretty sure I would be too especially cause it’s family and seems something deeper and darker is happening and her family cracks are starting to show
This book is packed with so much tension and I think what makes this book shine is how the tension just builds and the mystery and the unknowns and being in Paris and then the part of the story is in Vermont I mean the distance really plays into this thriller!!
I mean this book has so much depth to it and I loved Zuri Bri’s best friend she was so supportive and just amazing and the PI Bri has is also good and I like him a lot.
I mean this is a well written thriller that left me wanting more. Like a lot more. It’s much more though cause it’s also about doing the right thing but being stuck with impossible choices.
Overall this was a great read and I loved every minute of it. I have a brother so I totally felt for Bri cause I know I would do anything for my brother regardless of what it was !!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In her latest psychological thriller, Karen Grose delivers a dark, twisty, and unsettling story that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The novel introduces Bri Watters, whose brother has been framed for breaching private information at work. As Bri tries to uncover the truth about what he may be hiding—and who is behind the setup—she must also confront secrets from her own past.
When her past begins to catch up with her, Bri flees to Paris, making it even more challenging to help her brother from afar. Soon, she finds herself caught in a dangerous web of stalking and blackmail, with both her life and her brother’s hanging in the balance.
The story is well-developed, with a slow-building tension that leads to several shocking, gut-punch moments. The final chapters pick up the pace, turning the book into a gripping, fast-moving page-turner. Grose skillfully weaves together themes of family, cybercrime, the dark web, and stalking.
The characters are richly developed, and their actions feel authentic and believable. I especially enjoyed the chapters told from Claire’s first-person perspective, which added depth and kept me guessing throughout.
It’s exciting to know this is the first book in a series featuring Bri Watters. There’s clearly more story to come, with intriguing threads left unresolved. Fans of Alex Michaelides and Gillian Flynn will likely enjoy this compelling thriller.
When her past begins to catch up with her, Bri flees to Paris, making it even more challenging to help her brother from afar. Soon, she finds herself caught in a dangerous web of stalking and blackmail, with both her life and her brother’s hanging in the balance.
The story is well-developed, with a slow-building tension that leads to several shocking, gut-punch moments. The final chapters pick up the pace, turning the book into a gripping, fast-moving page-turner. Grose skillfully weaves together themes of family, cybercrime, the dark web, and stalking.
The characters are richly developed, and their actions feel authentic and believable. I especially enjoyed the chapters told from Claire’s first-person perspective, which added depth and kept me guessing throughout.
It’s exciting to know this is the first book in a series featuring Bri Watters. There’s clearly more story to come, with intriguing threads left unresolved. Fans of Alex Michaelides and Gillian Flynn will likely enjoy this compelling thriller.
April 23, 2026
What We Kept Silent by Karen Grose is a fascinating psychological thriller that explores family dynamics and the harm that can be done by keeping silent. It examines the consequences of not talking and how that silence can cause resentment at best and, at worst, trigger a psychologically imbalanced person to do the unthinkable.
Bri Watters, a young widow, is devastated to learn that her brother, Ty, has been accused of accessing confidential records at the hospital where they both work. A rift develops because Bri does not immediately take Ty’s side, thinking he is possibly capable of the crime, and as details unfold, the list of his apparent crimes grows.
As the rift between them deepens, Bri, not fully guiltless of a similar crime she committed six years earlier, flees to Paris to seek the advice of a long-time friend.
When Bri realizes that a stalker is responsible for their troubles, someone from their family’s past, she begins to ask questions… but her parents remain curiously tight-lipped.
What We Kept Silent is a must-read for people who enjoy well-developed characters who want to do the right thing but are faced with impossible choices. It also shows that the guilt we might take on ourselves as self-punishment is not always deserved.fascinating psychological thriller which explores family dynamics
Bri Watters, a young widow, is devastated to learn that her brother, Ty, has been accused of accessing confidential records at the hospital where they both work. A rift develops because Bri does not immediately take Ty’s side, thinking he is possibly capable of the crime, and as details unfold, the list of his apparent crimes grows.
As the rift between them deepens, Bri, not fully guiltless of a similar crime she committed six years earlier, flees to Paris to seek the advice of a long-time friend.
When Bri realizes that a stalker is responsible for their troubles, someone from their family’s past, she begins to ask questions… but her parents remain curiously tight-lipped.
What We Kept Silent is a must-read for people who enjoy well-developed characters who want to do the right thing but are faced with impossible choices. It also shows that the guilt we might take on ourselves as self-punishment is not always deserved.fascinating psychological thriller which explores family dynamics
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What We Keep Silent is about Bri Watters, and baby… her life starts spiraling real quick. Her brother gets locked up for messing with confidential hospital records, and instead of dealing with it head on, she dips to Paris thinking a change of scenery gonna fix everything. Spoiler… it doesn’t. If anything, it just opens the door to even more questions about her family and what they’ve been hiding.
As the story keeps going, Bri starts realizing stuff ain’t adding up. Like at all. Now she side-eyeing everybody, trying to figure out who telling the truth and who been playing in her face this whole time. Even her own memories got her confused, because the more she thinks about the past, the more it starts looking a little… off.
At the end of the day, this book is really about secrets and how staying quiet can come back and bite you. The deeper she digs, the messier it gets, and you start seeing that everybody got something they not saying. It’s one of those reads where you like, “wait a minute…” every other chapter because nothing is as simple as it looks.
Thank you NetGalley for my advance copy!
As the story keeps going, Bri starts realizing stuff ain’t adding up. Like at all. Now she side-eyeing everybody, trying to figure out who telling the truth and who been playing in her face this whole time. Even her own memories got her confused, because the more she thinks about the past, the more it starts looking a little… off.
At the end of the day, this book is really about secrets and how staying quiet can come back and bite you. The deeper she digs, the messier it gets, and you start seeing that everybody got something they not saying. It’s one of those reads where you like, “wait a minute…” every other chapter because nothing is as simple as it looks.
Thank you NetGalley for my advance copy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found myself completely hooked by this and flew through it faster than I expected. The pacing kept me invested from early on, with just enough tension to keep me turning the pages.
What stood out to me most was how Karen Grose handled grief. It felt raw and authentic, woven naturally into the story without ever overshadowing the plot. The emotional depth added another layer to the thriller, making it more than just a suspenseful read.
The twists kept things interesting, and while some were more predictable than others, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. I was still fully invested in how everything would unfold.
Overall, a gripping and emotionally layered thriller that I’d definitely recommend — especially if you enjoy stories that balance suspense with real emotional weight.
What stood out to me most was how Karen Grose handled grief. It felt raw and authentic, woven naturally into the story without ever overshadowing the plot. The emotional depth added another layer to the thriller, making it more than just a suspenseful read.
The twists kept things interesting, and while some were more predictable than others, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. I was still fully invested in how everything would unfold.
Overall, a gripping and emotionally layered thriller that I’d definitely recommend — especially if you enjoy stories that balance suspense with real emotional weight.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What We Keep Silent is a phenomenal psychological thriller that dives deep into the messy reality of family loyalty under pressure. I loved how Grose portrayed the Watters family, especially the stark contrast between the troubled brother Ty and the seemingly perfect older sister Amber. When Ty is accused of the medical data breach, the parents are divided, and Bri is caught in the middle. The exploration of adoption and belonging adds a rich emotional layer to the suspense. Every chapter reveals new deceptions and blackmail, making you wonder who is actually telling the truth. Highly recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Karen Grose has delivered an absolute masterpiece with What We Keep Silent. Following Bri Watters as she flees to Paris only to be pulled back into her family drama is an incredibly compelling premise. When her brother Ty is arrested for breaching confidential hospital records in Vermont, the tension immediately spikes. Bri is forced to investigate from abroad while dodging her own past mistakes. The shift between the safety of her Paris hotel and the mounting danger back home creates a fantastic atmosphere. It is a brilliant start to the Bri Watters Thriller Series!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you want a mystery that moves at breakneck speed, you need to read What We Keep Silent. Once the mysterious texts start arriving, Bri realizes she cannot hide in Europe forever. Watching her race home to team up with her best friend Zuri and the sharp private investigator Art Visser is incredibly satisfying. They make a fantastic team as they dig into Ty’s claims of innocence. Karen Grose weaves a brilliant web of murder and deception that keeps you guessing the entire time. You will not be able to put this one down.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Karen Grose excels at writing morally complex characters, and Bri Watters is her best one yet. Bri is not just a concerned sister; she is someone actively running from her own past crimes. This makes her perspective so fascinating and layered. As she tries to figure out if her brother is truly guilty of accessing confidential patient files, the stakes get higher and higher. The sinister figure threatening to expose Bri adds an intense layer of paranoia to the narrative. It is suspenseful, emotional, and flawlessly executed.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What We Keep Silent perfectly blends a psychological thriller with the chilling reality of a medical data breach. The fact that Bri and Ty both work at the Vermont hospital where the files were accessed makes the conflict incredibly personal. Grose expertly ramps up the pressure as the police remain tight lipped and Bri is forced to take matters into her own hands. The theme of secrets that refuse to stay buried resonates throughout the entire book. It is a fantastic, gripping read that will leave you eager for the next installment in the series!
Want to Read
March 31, 2026What We Keep Silent presents a compelling thriller premise with strong emotional undercurrents and a clear sense of tension. The setup suggests a layered story where secrets and consequences drive the narrative forward.
Bri Watters appears to be a promising lead, and the overall concept has solid appeal for readers who enjoy suspense with depth.
A promising and engaging read looking forward to its release.
Bri Watters appears to be a promising lead, and the overall concept has solid appeal for readers who enjoy suspense with depth.
A promising and engaging read looking forward to its release.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really liked the overall idea
The family secrets, and trying to figure out who was actually telling the truth kept me interested the whole time. Bri’s situation had so much tension around it, especially with everything involving her brother and the past slowly coming to light.
I will say the pacing felt a little up and down for me. Some parts had me fully locked in, and other parts felt slower than they needed to be. & I did feel sometimes the story drifted towards irrelevant topics & was somewhat longer than it needed to be But I still enjoyed the overall experience the ending was perfect and honestly has me looking forward to the second book
The family secrets, and trying to figure out who was actually telling the truth kept me interested the whole time. Bri’s situation had so much tension around it, especially with everything involving her brother and the past slowly coming to light.
I will say the pacing felt a little up and down for me. Some parts had me fully locked in, and other parts felt slower than they needed to be. & I did feel sometimes the story drifted towards irrelevant topics & was somewhat longer than it needed to be But I still enjoyed the overall experience the ending was perfect and honestly has me looking forward to the second book
May 26, 2026
3.5 stars, rounded up. This is a decent read. Longer than it needs to be, but at its core, it is a good story. The author does a great job in evoking emotions, so the plot grips you despite the slow pace. There was a lot of buildup throughout the story, and the ending didn’t feel as thoroughly explained as everything before if, but this is the first book in a series, so maybe this concern is resolved in subsequent books. I liked this book enough to want to read the sequel!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a hard one to review. I wanted to like it. I really did. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. The story was good, it had potential. To me, it felt like it could have been about 100 or so pages shorter. There was a lot of irrelevant stuff talked about in the book. The ending left me wanting more, but I will be checking out the 2nd book of this series.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Where do I start with this psychological thriller? Tense from the beginning and just keeps building as Bri Watters tries to deal with the impact of a hospital data breach. I actually gasped reading at some points with shock and also felt for Bri as her past came to light. Great secondary characters, all who face moral dilemmas. Cannot wait for the next book in this series.
May 25, 2026
A well written thriller that kept me on my toes. First book that I have read by this author and it was easy to get sucked into wondering what was going to happen! I enjoyed the authors writing style and the plot- it was fast paced and engaging. I enjoyed how it flipped from past memories to present! If you are on the hunt for a new thriller to read this one may be a good choice for you!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An entertaining thriller that will be released 04-21-26
It is the 1st book in the Bri Watters thriller series. She is forced to investigate from Paris and finds herself entangled in a web of deception, blackmail and murder. Thanks to NetGalley and Kingsley Publishing for my copy of this ecopy.
It is the 1st book in the Bri Watters thriller series. She is forced to investigate from Paris and finds herself entangled in a web of deception, blackmail and murder. Thanks to NetGalley and Kingsley Publishing for my copy of this ecopy.
Review of advance copy
A twisty thriller that reminded me of Ruth Wares novels. I was guessing the entire way and the chapters with the voice of the killer were amazingly psychologically twisted. Appreciated the depth in this one too, like themes of family and need to belong. My favourite read this year.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the first novel in this series and I cannot wait for the next one. Bri Watters is a complex character who is impossible not to root for. Data breaches, murder, blackmail and a killer’s voice blended throughout. Creepy and I couldn’t put it down.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Blackmail, lies, secrets, murder. A dark easy to read thriller. The first chapter had me hooked, I knew it was going to be good. I recommend this book. Look forward to the next one.
May 17, 2026
Slow first half, a lot could have been left out. I couldn’t put down the last half.
May 29, 2026
Poorly written and edited. There were multiple typos and bad editing. Beyond that, the book was very slow to read. It didn’t pick up until the last 4 or 5 chapters.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews