You Can Leave

by Nicole Annbury

Punk rocker Eris Edge was the biggest thing out of Mount Falls, Illinois, until the Side Swiper Killer arrived in the summer of 1987.

After a drunken on-stage meltdown gets her kicked out of the band, Eris Edge returns to her small town as a sultry-voiced DJ warning listeners about a growing body count out on Highway 51.

The news was on the radio. The danger was just outside her door.

Across town, fifteen-year-old Penny Brooks craves attention from her neighbor, Tim Sievers, and an escape from her chaotic home life. She clings to Eris Edge’s late-night radio show for comfort. With Mount Falls now on lockdown and the killer’s presence drawing near, Penny soon discovers the danger is closer than she ever imagined.

Dig too deep, and some secrets won’t stay buried.

Lola Dubois is writing a tell-all to destroy her mother’s reputation. When she reaches out to Eris, still reeling from the betrayal that cost her band, Eris agrees to confide in her. But Lola uncovers far more, revealing the terrifying story of the summer of 1987, when the Side Swiper Killer haunted Highway 51, and the past refuses to stay buried.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 13, 2026

About the author

Nicole Annbury is a writer of dark fiction in the thriller, psychological suspense, and mystery genres.

She currently lives in Indiana with her husband and three cats. When she's not writing, she enjoys nature walks, true crime documentaries, reality TV viewing and going on drives with her husband.
​

​

Reviews

[Nuclearranter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Nicole Annbury. While it took me a little longer to get into, I think this is my favorite book of hers. The main characters were very well fleshed out, and at least one character (and her bird) are really fun to hate. The central mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing until the very end. I love anything to do with music as well, so having the characters be part of a punk band was right up my alley. I definitely recommend it, as I do all her books.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Five Star thriller from Nicole!
Nicole Annbury’s third thriller is a fast-paced ride that hooks you from the very first page! Her descriptive language brings every scene vividly to life, while the well-developed characters give you real reasons to care about what happens to them. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the twists and turns keep you guessing. A must-read for any thriller fan.

[Nicole Annbury]

This is my third book, and I hope you love it as much as I loved writing it! Eris Edge was one character that will stay with me forever <3
Enjoy, nicole

[Sarah Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book by author Nicole Annbury that I’ve had the pleasure to read in advance. Nicole knows how to keep your attention on her characters and then BAM, she throws you a curve ... or two or three. I thought for sure I had figured out one of the side plots, but boy was I wrong. You genuinely get invested with her characters almost immediately and despite how they start out, they rarely go in the direction you think they’re headed - which keeps you entirely engaged and on your toes. I thoroughly enjoyed “You Can Leave” and I’m confident any casual and/or seasoned reader will love it as well. I can’t wait for book #4!