The Book Club's Secret: A Psychological Domestic Thriller

by Alan Petersen

Four women. One secret. And a book that knows everything.

Fifteen years ago, four childhood friends made a pact to bury the truth about what happened on a dark night in the woods. They swore never to speak of it again, and never to return to the place where it all went wrong.

Now, as adults they reunite to restart their old book club. It feels harmless at first. Nostalgic. Safe.

Until an advance reader’s copy of a novel arrives in the mail.

The book is from a famous reclusive author no one has ever met. At first, the women are thrilled to read it until they realize the story mirrors their own past with chilling accuracy. Scene by scene, page by page, the novel reveals details no outsider could possibly know.

Someone knows what they did.
And that someone wants revenge.

As paranoia spreads through their tight-knit community, friendships fracture, marriages strain, and carefully constructed lives begin to unravel. Anonymous messages appear. Accidents turn deadly. And the closer the women get to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes to keep their secret buried.

Because the past isn’t finished with them.
And this time, everyone is a suspect.

The Book Club’s Secret is a gripping psychological thriller packed with shocking twists, buried secrets, and escalating suspense—perfect for fans of domestic thrillers about friendship, guilt, and revenge.

Genres: Thriller

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2026

Reviews

[Danika Waldner]

It was a nice fast read. Beginning was a bit predictable but didn’t mind the end.

[Debby Ludwick]

A good story with an interesting plot. The twist was okay and kept things moving, but it wasn’t quite as shocking as I hoped. Overall, an enjoyable read that I’d give 3.5 stars!

[Amiee Naik-Reagan]

There were multiple editing errors I noticed right away. There was a repetitiveness and things were talked about in a drawn out way when not everything needs to be spelled out in a book. This one was just okay for me.

[Elizabeth]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️fun, suspenseful read that kept me turning the pages. 📚

The Book Club’s Secret follows a group of book club friends whose lives are turned upside down when long-buried secrets begin to surface. As trust is tested and hidden truths come to light, the story blends mystery, friendship, and suspense into an engaging page turner.

I really enjoyed this one! The story kept me interested from the beginning, and I liked how each chapter slowly revealed more without giving too much away. The characters were easy to follow, and I found myself wanting to know what everyone was hiding.

While I guessed a few things before the end, it was still a fun and entertaining read. If you enjoy mysteries centered around friendships, secrets, and plenty of twists, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try.

[Ashley Richard]

This was a shorter read but kept my attention. The beginning of the book is kind of predictable, but the ending had a nice twist. I do wish the beginning of the book had a trigger warning (SA). I did not read any reviews before reading. There were a few errors in the wording, and at one point when it brought you back to 2025(ten years later) it stated she was in high school. This was the Kindle edition, so I am not sure if this is a misprint in the physical book too.

[Donna Whitney]

I’ve read it all before

Disappointing in its determination to stick so closely to the many books that have been written with this storyline. No surprises, no particularly likeable characters and even skimming it I didn’t miss anything. It got 1 star because it wasn’t hard to read after some really entertaining books I’ve recently finished. It was like having a palate cleanser after a delicious meal, to prepare me for something else more substantial.

[Lee Husemann]

Krystal is a senior in high school and is considered a book nerd. She only has three friends, Alison, Cara and Eva who are also bookish so they form a book club. School jock, Elias Mason asks Krystal out on a date with disastrous results. Some time after the date, Elias disappears. Fast forward 15 years and the book club girls all get a copy of a book with a storyline similar to what happened to Elias. This book is full of twists and surprises and it is a great read and a real page turner.

[Jessica Vaughn]

Good book with some twists

This was a great lighter read.
Loved the different characters and their dynamic with each other and the different growth you see in them from past and as story progress. The ending wasn't a total shock but I didn't have it 100% figured out a great read highly recommend

[pamela drake]

Not My Favorite

I was excited for what I thought would a subtle mystery slowly building to a story in which members of a book club begin to suspect they are part of or similar to a book's plot.
But it was a heavy handed plot full of stereotypes which quickly resolves badly. Sorry, don't buy.

[Kei’Asja Diallo]

GREAT READ!

I love the fact that Alan depicted the character Krystal, as a likable and relatable, quiet/nervous girl in the beginning of the book. it gave me a soft spot for her and made it difficult for me to understand that she was actually a bad person.

[Alyssa Wallace]

3.5⭐️

[Dakota Gryffin]

I just don’t like vigilante justice

[Lisa Thibodeaux]

This was a fast moving thriller with good twists, and a killer who was hard to blame! I was happy to read it on KU.

[Chris]

This was a good, short read. I am always for vigilante justuce, especially towards the monsters in society. The book had an interesting twisting kept me captivated.

[Dani]

Trigger warning: sexual assault on page, but not graphically detailed.

Still loved this book and would recommend.

[Stephanie Zimmermann]

Good book but somewhat predictable.

[Michelle Davis]

Wow

I really enjoyed this book alot. It had alot of twists and turns. Never saw that ending coming. I loved the twists. I highly recommend this book.

[Stacy]

This book was an unexpected surprise! Four women have a 15-year-old secret. A book that details the events that took place arrives in the mail. Who knows their secret?

I really enjoyed the themes of friendship and loyalty in this book. Trigger warnings may be necessary. I will read more from this author.

[Courtney Lane]

This was one of those late night KU surfing finds and I was thoroughly impressed with this book.
I binged it in one day and will definitely be picking more up by this author.