Every Pretty Thing: A Novel

by Elizabeth Klehfoth

From the author of The Lost Heiress comes a twisty, emotional novel about the fragility of memory, the long arc of betrayal, and the blind spots we protect for love and survival.

Eleanor “Elle” Collins has gone to great lengths to distance herself from the tragedy that reshaped her life as a teenager. Now thirty and struggling to salvage her stalled acting career, she’s given one last chance at her dream when director Jace Wilder asks her to cowrite and star in his next film. But there’s a catch: The movie is about the infamous Hancock Park murders—the tragedy Elle has spent half her life running from.

Then

At fifteen, Eleanor is sent to live with her wealthy relatives in Hancock Park. There, she falls under the thrall of her cousin Liam and his popular friend group at the prestigious Brearly School. But dangerous secrets will lead to a devastating end.

Now

As Elle works with Jace on the film, her growing feelings for him complicate everything—and what she thought was the truth begins to shift.

What really happened that fateful night?

And can she survive it a second time?

Genres: Mystery Thriller

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 3, 2026

About the author

Elizabeth Klehfoth grew up in Elkhart, Indiana. She received her BFA in creative writing from Chapman University and her MFA in creative writing from Indiana University, where she taught fiction writing and composition. She currently lives in Los Angeles. She is the author of All These Beautiful Strangers, The Lost Heiress, and Every Pretty Thing (coming November 2026).

Reviews

[BookCharmedLife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written with time-shifting suspense, the story follows Eleanor “Elle” Collins, a struggling actress who confronts her traumatic past when she agrees to act in a film about the infamous Hancock Park murders—the very tragedy she survived at fifteen.

While the entire book is incredibly compelling, I enjoyed the past timeline a little more. The author expertly captures the acute culture shock of a teen forced to navigate a world of wealth and luxury, while trying to stay true to her own beliefs.

This book would be great for someone who enjoys:
Dual-timelines
Hidden secrets of the wealthy
Mean girls
True crime/ripped from the headlines Complex, messy FMCs
Old secrets brought to light

This is a gripping, atmospheric mystery that will keep you guessing til the final page.

(I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Every Pretty Thing” by Elizabeth Klehfoth is one of those mysteries that slowly peels back its layers, revealing new secrets every time you think you've figured out what's really going on. This is a character-driven mystery that focuses just as much on memory and trauma as it does on uncovering the truth.

The story follows Eleanor "Elle" Collins, a struggling actress whose career is hanging by a thread. When acclaimed director Jace Wilder offers her the chance to consult on and star in his newest film, it seems like the opportunity she's been waiting for. There's just one problem: the movie is based on the infamous Hancock Park murders, a tragedy Elle witnessed fifteen years earlier and has spent most of her adult life trying to forget.

The book alternates between the present and the years leading up to the murders. As a teenager, Elle was sent to live with her wealthy relatives after her mother was incarcerated. Desperate to fit in, she became tangled up in the lives of her charismatic cousin Liam and his privileged circle of friends. What started as a chance to finally belong eventually led her into situations far beyond her control, culminating in the events that would forever change her life. While these flashbacks make the book seem more like a YA story (especially with Elle feeling peer pressure and having a slightly unhealthy crush), there are glimpses to the dark past that the current Elle is suppressing.

One of the book's biggest strengths is its dual timeline structure. The past timeline unfolds like opening a series of nested boxes, with each chapter revealing another piece of the puzzle. The slow drip of information kept me invested because it was never entirely clear who died, who was responsible, or even whether the version of events everyone believed was actually true. The mystery surrounding what really happened all those years ago creates a constant sense of anticipation.

Elle herself is what kept me turning pages. She isn't perfect; actually, she’s far from it. As a teenager, she made plenty of poor decisions in her desperate attempts to fit in with the popular crowd. As an adult, she continues making choices that are frustrating at times, particularly when it comes to keeping secrets from the people closest to her. But those flaws also make her feel believable. At her core, Elle is simply someone trying to survive after having her life repeatedly upended by circumstances beyond her control. Watching her confront a past she'd spent years avoiding gave the story much of its emotional weight.

The atmosphere is another standout. The contrast between Hollywood's glossy surface and the dark secrets lurking beneath creates an underlying sense of unease throughout the novel. There is a lingering tension that hangs over both timelines, fueled by the knowledge that something terrible happened and that the truth may be far more complicated than anyone realizes. The story also explores how memory can distort reality, how people protect themselves by rewriting their own histories, and how difficult it can be to separate truth from the stories we tell ourselves.

That said, if you’re expecting a fast-paced thriller, then you should probably adjust your expectations. This is a fairly slow-burning novel, particularly in the middle sections. Much of the present-day storyline focuses on Elle's personal life, acting career, and relationships rather than constant suspense. While I appreciated the character development, there were definitely stretches where the pacing felt sluggish and some side plots seemed less important than the central mystery.

The reveal itself will likely be divisive. For me, the journey toward the truth was often more compelling than the actual explanation. Some twists landed well, while others felt less impactful than the buildup suggested. There were a few revelations that genuinely surprised me, but I can understand why some might find the final payoff somewhat underwhelming after so much mystery surrounding the murders. Still, I appreciated that the twists were rooted in character and emotion rather than relying solely on shock value.

What ultimately worked best for me was the emotional core of the story. Beneath the mystery lies a thoughtful exploration of belonging, betrayal, grief, and the ways trauma lingers long after an event is over. This is as much a story about Elle coming to terms with herself as it is about solving a crime.

Overall, “Every Pretty Thing” is an atmospheric, emotionally driven mystery with strong character work, layered suspense, and exploration of memory and truth make it an engaging and memorable story. If you enjoy slower psychological mysteries that focus on character as much as plot, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Sky | Booked and Unbusy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sometimes people just had everything, while you were stuck with everything else."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you NetGalley, Elizabeth Klehfoth, and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Every Pretty Thing follows the main character, Elle, a struggling actress in desperate need of a big break to prove to her agent, and herself, that she can make this career work. What Elle doesn't tell people, is that she was involved in a traumatic and life-altering event 15 years ago. The Hancock Park murders. But when she's approached by producer Jace Wilder, who somehow knows about her involvement, and offers her a role she can't refuse in a production about the murders, she has to decide whether she wants to secure the role for her career, or keep that part of her between herself and the others involved.

This book gave tons of mystery, intrigue, and multiple layers that make you realize you didn't really know what was going on, even if you thought you did.

The story is set in a nonlinear timeline, that flashes back and forth from 15 years ago around the time of the incident, to present day as Elle struggles with the upcoming production and her choices that go with that. In my opinion, the timeline grants valuable insight to the trauma she has endured, and how even though some things have changed so much in her mind, some things will never go away for her.

This was one of the biggest pros of the story for me. It kept me on the edge of my seat going back and forth. Not knowing the info of who died, who did it, how certain people reacted or will react in certain situations, etc. It kept me wanting to keep turning the pages so that I could finally reach that breakthrough moment in BOTH timelines when each was coming to a head.

Past Elle really seemed to struggle with wanting to feel wanted by the people around her. With a mother who was incarcerated and regularly chose material things and crime over her and her safety, this made a lot of sense. Elle sought out this desire by weaving herself into her step-cousin Liam's, less than fantastic, friend group. Even when these "friends" were mean to her, unaccepting of her, left her out, she still found herself wanting their approval.

Present Elle is sort of the opposite. She's rather pessimistic, struggles to allow good connection into her life, and even said at one point that she would rather expect the worst so that if something bad happens, she won't be let down, but if something good happens, she can be chuffed. She struggles in her career, and a lot with independence as well. Living with her well-off cousin, Nick and his girlfriend (her former roommate) Sutton, constantly tends to make her feel that she's intruding on their life, despite their reassurance that that isn't the case. This definitely plays a role in her struggle with whether or not to take the role that Jace offers her. Because this role would grant her the independence she feels that she should have at the age of 30.

I felt genuinely shocked by several of the twists/reveals in this story, and I felt the buildup (however a bit slow) was worth it to me. There were a few twists that I saw coming, but overall I still enjoyed reading them and getting that confirmation that I was right. Sometimes it's fun to guess a part of the ending!

A bit of the dialogue from past Elle and her friends, as well as some of the experiences felt like they didn't quite fit the time period they should've been set in, being that it was supposed to be 15 years in the past, but it wasn't anything that I feel was incredibly noticeable or took away from the story at all.

I really enjoyed Sutton and Nick's relationship also. The duality of their personalities, and how well they seemed to understand each other despite it was really refreshing. A bit of a grumpy/sunshine side-trope, but really sweet overall. Nick was more calculated, and through his life it was clear he didn't show emotion typically. Sutton was an over-the-top sweetheart who never hid how much she cared for people.

Overall, I quite liked this book. I think if you're looking for a super twisty, fast-paced, constant action thriller, you may want to skip this one. But if you like a suspenseful, slow-burn type of crime-centric mystery/drama/thriller, you would like this!

[kensi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars

This book started off so strong. Then I hit the 60% mark and it all started going downhill.

The lead-up to the mystery of what happened when Elle was 16 was done really well. I was powering through every chapter excited to find out just what the hell happened and how she got to where she is now. I liked spending time with both versions of Elle, and the other characters felt realistic and not too one-note at all, aside from Parker. But he plays such a small part in the story as a whole I didn't mind his flatness as much.

My issues with the book started in the back half. We went from getting drops of information over the tragedy that occurred to several chapters back-to-back. This could've worked, but it felt so rushed considering we were at 75%. It should've been done considerably earlier for it to work. Then after what happened was explained, we jumped back to the future with zero mention given to the characters who we had spent a lot of time with. What happened with Eloise and Imogen and Jake and Parker? We see Graham again, but that's really it. All that time with them felt a little wasted by the end.

Harlowe sleeping with Carrington the whole time was... odd. It felt like a plot point that was tacked on the end for some added drama. Wasn't Carrington cheating on Sloane and being a shitty dad enough of a reason for everything to happen? Plus Elle suddenly being suspicious of Sutton of all people (her supposed best friend) felt completely out of left field. It just felt like a lot of random ideas were tossed out to try and keep people guessing over the real perpetrator. Which didn't work because it was incredibly obvious who was behind it the whole time.

Then there was that ending... I really couldn't believe that's what Elle decided to do after all the time and effort she put into trying to make it as an actor. Maybe if she had doubted herself more throughout the book I would have bought it more? But she was always so confident in herself and her abilities that to drop everything because of two people felt wildly out of character.

All that aside, the writing in this was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed the first 65% of this book.

My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elle is a struggling actress who’s been handed an amazing opportunity to consult and act in the next film for the newest indie darling director, Jace Wilder. But why an unknown thirty-year-old like her? Because the film will be about the Hancock Park Murders, which she’s all too familiar with.

The story alternates between now and fifteen years ago, leading up to the murders. Her mother was incarcerated, so she came to live with her aunt’s wealthy family in California. She became a tagalong to her older cousin Liam and his group of affluent friends, even though she got along better with her other cousin, Nick, with whom she now lives.

She can’t afford her own place as she’s barely getting by, and that’s why she’s tempted to work with Jace. She and Nick never speak about the murders, and she’s worried that making this film would be a betrayal. But she’d finally be self-supporting and successful in Hollywood, so she agrees. But she keeps putting off telling Nick until it’s too late and he finds out from the media. Now she’s alone and turns to Jace, but when she discovers the secrets that he’s kept, she fears that once again she has lost everything.

Like every other book by this author, the story was deep and engaging, but there were a couple of plot threads that went nowhere or left me with questions. Like what happened to Sophia? She’s made out to be close with the family, and then we never hear about her after the murders. And no one would call the incident ‘the murders,’ but because the events are kept secret for most of the book (for no reason I could see), they can’t refer to it as the ‘blank.’ Plus, it was clear who must have died because they’re never mentioned in the current time frame, so it could have been revealed earlier.

My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the free advanced reading copy of this book.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had me hooked at the beginning I won't lie about that. The whole mystery surrounding what happened 15 years ago was quite intriguing, and probably the reason I read this in one sitting.
The reason I am giving this a 3 star and not 4 star is because of everything that happened towards the end.

You are telling me that our FMC was struggling with everything that happened to her but when she finds out the person who was the cause for everything she just what? Moves on. I mean granted the person who went down for it was an actual terrible person but where is the justice in all that? Since according to her she lost a boy she liked and someone who was like a mother to her. I mean isn't that the whole reason she hated Carrington so much?

Secondly there were a lot of loose ends for me. I mean that whole business with suspecting that Sutton was acting suspicious what was that about? Also whatever happened the people they stole fro? Because she seemed pretty torn up about that. What about her relationship with Nick? What happened to the Carrington's appeal in the end? I also get that she walked away from everything to do with acting, but what happened with Jace? Since there were feelings and all that, it's literally in the blurb for the book.

P.S I now understand why people always say they hate pop culture references in books because I was cringing everytime they popped up in the book.

Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Alice Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a teenager, Eleanor got a "ticket to a new life" when she moved in with her aunt and her family. But soon, the events known as the Hancock Park murders turned her life upside down once again. Fifteen years later, when director Jace Wilder approaches her and says he wants to make a film about what happened in Hancock Park, she gets a chance to tell her story. But how close to the truth is her version of events?

I really liked that the story is told through two timelines. We simultaneously follow the events of the past and the present, which allows us to immediately assess the extent to which traumatic experiences have shaped Eleanor's current life. The author doesn't give us answers right away, letting us untangle the plot threads alongside the heroine.

Back then, Eleanor was just a girl dreaming of finding a loving family. She went along with people who weren't entirely sincere, but she was desperately trying to find her place. And I really loved how, in this context, her deep and unbreakable connection with Nick was portrayed. At times it felt like he was the only one who truly understood what she was feeling.

Personally, though, I felt there was a bit of a lack of development for the secondary characters — the ones who played a role in the past but never showed up in the present. What became of them? Also, I kept hoping right up until the end that the storyline with Jace would end a little differently.

Thanks Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing and Elizabeth Klehfoth for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Yvette Jarrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
Every Pretty Thing by Elizabeth Klehfoth
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨ Some secrets refuse to stay buried…no matter how badly you want to leave the past behind.

Fifteen years after surviving the infamous Hancock Park murders, struggling actress Elle Collins is offered the role of a lifetime: consult on and star in a film based on the very tragedy that changed her life forever.

This was one of those thrillers that quietly pulls you in and refuses to let go. The dual timelines were incredibly well done, slowly peeling back the layers of the past while the present-day story kept the tension simmering. Every chapter revealed another piece of the puzzle, and I couldn’t stop trying to figure out what really happened.

I loved that this wasn’t a thriller built on nonstop twists. Instead, it relies on complicated family dynamics, buried secrets, and a creeping sense of unease that grows stronger with every chapter. While I did predict part of the mystery before the reveal, it never took away from the experience. I was completely invested in Elle’s journey and eager to see how everything would unravel.

✨ Read this if you love:
🖤 Dual timelines
🎬 Hollywood settings
👨‍👩‍👧 Family secrets
🕵️ Slow-burn suspense
📖 Character-driven thrillers

If you’re looking for a suspenseful thriller that gradually tightens its grip instead of racing from twist to twist, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR.

🗓️Available November 3, 2026.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Bailey Eubank · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reminded me of “Scream 3” in the best way.

Our female lead Elle is wanting more in Hollywood, but aspiring actresses are a dime a dozen at the moment.

Unfortunately for Elle she is a star, but not on a silver screen. A lone survivor to the “Hancock Park Murders”.
Which sparks the interest of an up and coming director who wants to put the whole story out there, not buried under all the legality.


Time is not linear here, we the reader get to go back and forth in time to get the whole picture.
I think it is safe to say, irregardless of one’s personal/ professional life, reliving a nightmare this big is awful
DRAMA, suspense, and unreliable side plots (it’s okay though, works well with the story)

Not my favorite thriller, but also not a terrible book, I did love the twists though.

I can’t really think of any complaints other than I got bored in some of the “past” chapters, the story does stay consistent, and you are very stressed til the end.

All in all a solid good time


Thank you to Lake Union publishing and NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review!

[Ashley Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an ARC review.
First thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the chance to ARC this book.

I was not sure what to expect.
The start of this adventure kicks off and grabs your attention and keeps you wanting more! The middle slightly slows but the ending…
Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen or figured out the past I was very wrong.

“Elle’s” life starts out rough. Conflict with her mother and understanding her childhood as you wanting to read more.
As we all know, high school is a rough place to find yourself and a lot of times it’s just the beginning. When a tragedy hits and you’re forced to move through said tragedy finding your place and how to move on without structure is complicated.
The ending resolved quite quickly with shocking details along with shocking choices.

Well written structure. Characters are formed and developed well.
Started reading and put down for a week. When I decided to restart reading I am glad I did. 24 hours later I’m finished and wan more stories from the author!

[Amanda Pinto · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, this book started out really strong. The story of Eleanor/Elle hooked me in from the moment I started reading. Going to live with her rich aunt cousins and uncle and ultimately losing all but one, gave away for a trauma bond to her cousin. She was an amazing character that ultimately left it all and started fresh on her own without having to depend on anyone. This book had so much potential with the many different character spinoffs like her nemesis Harlow sleeping with her uncle, her uncle in jail, knowing that he actually didn’t commit the murders, and her cousin who actually did set the fire left unscathed. She also walked away from telling her truth as she knew it.There were too many loose ends , And not enough closure or justice where it needed to be. For some reason it feels like Elle’s story isn’t quite done yet and that is what I am hoping for. I don’t want Elle’s story to be over!

[Keeley Ribchester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Pretty Thing hooked me early with Elle’s story, especially the shift from privileged family life into a much darker, fractured reality. I was drawn in by the premise and the emotional weight of her past, and I kept turning pages to understand what really happened.
The dual timeline works well for the most part, slowly peeling back layers and building tension without rushing the reveal. Elle is a compelling lead she’s flawed, layered, and shaped by trauma in a way that feels believable, even when she’s difficult to root for!
That said, not everything fully lands. Some subplots feel underdeveloped, and a few loose ends left me wanting more resolution and clarity. The ending gives answers, but not quite enough closure for my taste.

Overall, an addictive, character driven mystery with atmosphere and intrigue, even if it doesn’t tie everything up as neatly as I hoped📚✨

[Ruxandra Raducan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Pretty Thing was such an addictive slow-burn mystery. I loved how the dual timeline slowly revealed the truth piece by piece, and I was constantly trying to figure out what really happened. Elle wasn't always an easy character to root for, but she felt so real, and her growth made the story even more emotional.
This isn't a fast-paced thriller, so go in expecting more of a character-driven mystery with lots of secrets, messy relationships, and an eerie atmosphere. The ending might not work for everyone, but I really enjoyed the journey getting there.
If you love slow-burn suspense, unreliable memories, family drama, and stories that keep you guessing, definitely add this one to your TBR.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Julie Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC!

This is one of those books that starts off strong and then just kind of peters out. Nick and Elle's relationship is something she talks about as strong, but we barely see any examples of that until the end. Same with Sutton, she talks about how they're best friends, but she is not a good friend to Sutton. There are multiple side stories going on that just kind of disappear or end anti-climatically. It's hard to go into more details without giving anything away, but it's one of those books that you assume is going to be your new favorite and then 75% of the way through, just kind of gives up.

Also, while I don't normally mind pop culture references in a book, they should at least make sense for the timeline.

[Rachel F]

Five stars from me! Every Pretty Thing is a masterclass in pacing. The story unfolds at exactly the right speed, with the dual timeline feeding you just enough with each chapter to keep you hooked without ever giving too much away. It's a slow burn in the best way, building tension steadily until you genuinely can't put it down. I found myself saying 'just one more chapter' way too many nights in a row. Elle is a layered, believable main character, and watching her past and present collide kept me guessing right up to the end. Highly recommend this one to anyone who loves a suspenseful, character driven mystery.

hank you to NetGalley, Elizabeth Klehfoth, and Lake Union Publishing for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Josie Peacock · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Every Pretty Thing pulled me in right away and kept me turning the pages. The story builds gradually, layering family secrets and growing tension until everything begins to unravel.

I especially enjoyed the slow-burn pacing. Rather than relying on constant shocks, it lets the suspense build naturally, and I found myself eager to see how all the pieces would fit together. While I did find it somewhat predictable once the story reached a certain point, that didn’t take away from how compulsively readable it was.

A well-paced, character-driven thriller that kept me engaged from beginning to end, even if I saw some of the reveals coming. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite investing great effort in her acting career, and seeking distance from the events of her earlier life, 30 year old Elle Collins finds herself at an impasse when the best offer she has to resuscitate her career involves revisiting the Hancock Park murders, the worst tragedy of her young life.

Because she knows also, that doing so will involve opening up a Pandora's box of unresolved emotions and long-held secrets...

An intriguing story with plenty of surprises, this gets 3.5 stars and is worth checking out.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Book Goblin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please send help because my brain is completely fried by these rich-people secrets, and I will be making this book my entire personality for the next two weeks. While the whole Hollywood movie-set vibe was great, the past timeline absolutely stole the show for me with its elite school. Watching fifteen-year-old Elle try to navigate that intense culture shock while staying true to herself was both deeply emotional and utterly addictive. If you love dual-timelines, messy FMCs, and old secrets being brought to light, go add this to your TBR immediately!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the beginning Elle’s dual timeline story was impossible to put down. There were so many aspects to the story, I didn’t know if answers were staring me in the face or not.

4 stars instead of 5 due to a bit of an underwhelming resolution. I don’t know that a different ending would’ve made it feel tied up in a better bow, but I felt like I was left wanting a bit more from all the twists we’d been exposed to.

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC reading of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

[Chloe Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review from Netgalley.

Every Pretty Thing was a slow-burn thriller that had me hooked and kept me wanting to read just another chapter. It follows Elle who is working on a film based on traumatic events that happened to her family when she was a teenager. The story has dual timelines and flits back to fifteen years previously revealing the events known as the Hancock Park Murders.
This was a great read and if thrillers are your thing I would definitely recommend it.

[Mehva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful, moving novel, at times subtle, involving but a slow burn. It is a mystery, what happened, and i must admit I had a different expectation of what happened, who did it and why were they threatening her now. Told in the past and present, it is also a coming of age , coming into herself story. Loved it

[Brittany Gerberich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book from the author and I really enjoyed this. If you are in the mood for a mystery with emotional depth, pick this one up!

Thanks NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with this E-Arc. All opinions are my own.