Echo Ridge

by Audrey J. Cole

A wellness retreat turns deadly when a violent storm churns up grief and betrayal…and murder reveals a shocking truth.

Surrounded by lush rainforest high in the Cascades, Echo Ridge Sanctuary is the picture of calm and isolation. Visitors flock there to better their souls. But some souls are too fractured to fix—and after murder rocks its tranquil grounds, the luxury wellness retreat descends into chaos.

Tai chi instructor Jade Vega, reeling from a recent betrayal, accepts her aunt’s offer to teach at Echo Ridge, hoping to unplug and heal. Guest Naomi March, grief-stricken after one daughter’s death, seeks similar solace with her other daughter by her side.

But the sanctuary’s promise of serenity shatters when two more guests arrive. Jade’s former best friend and business partner appears, and her new fiancé is the one man Naomi’s family has never been able to forgive.

When a violent storm traps them among the towering evergreens and suspended walkways, there’s more to fear than just wind and rain. Secrets, paranoia, and revenge abound—and a killer lurks somewhere in the shadows.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 5, 2027

About the author

Audrey J. Cole is a USA TODAY bestselling thriller author. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children. Before writing full time, she worked as a neonatal intensive care nurse for eleven years. She’s also a pilot's daughter.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audrey J. Cole has become an auto-read author for me, so when I noticed that she had a new book coming out I was quick to request it.

Imagine that you’re going to a wellness retreat in a remote area in the Cascade Mountains (the closest town is 25 miles away).
You go there to heal, rejuvenate and enjoy the luxurious amenities…sound baths, yoga, water tai chi, private sessions with a life coach, and 3 gourmet meals a day prepared by a talented chef.
The irony is that for the 4 guests and 3 staff members, instead of feeling healing energy, everyone’s anxiety is at a level 10.
Someone is murdered and then they lose power due to a storm and have no way to contact the outside world.
A large tree fell and is blocking any cars from getting in or out of the retreat.
After the murder there are 6 people remaining and one of them is the killer.
But who? And why?

This book took longer to get into it than I thought it would.
Parts of the first third felt a little slow to me, but I understand the author wanting to take the time to introduce the reader to all of the characters and explain their backgrounds.
Around the 35% point things started to get really interesting and stayed that way throughout the rest of the book.
Needless to say, I enjoyed the second half a lot more than the first half.

This did have kind of a melancholy ending, but just like in real life, all endings can’t be perfect and happy.
Still, Audrey J. Cole always delivers a great thriller!

Thanks to Audrey J. Cole and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley.

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wellness retreat gone wrong.
Multiple people go on a secluded wellness retreat and suddenly people are being killed one by one. Who is killing them? Why?

This was told from multiple POVs and the people in the retreat share past history too, so there are many motives. You will guess one person and then within the next chapter, you will think someone else is the killer.

This was good and a fun read with a lot going on. I had started to suspect what the ending would be about halfway through the book, but I did second guess myself several times, so it keeps you on your toes for sure. This is a good book for those that like a mystery where multiple people could be the killer and everyone has a different motive and backstory.

Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Echo Ridge
By: Audrey J. Cole
Pub Day: January 5, 2027
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Heading to a wellness retreat sounds like heaven! But when a storm hits, being in isolation at Echo Ridge Sanctuary in the Cascades might be a little too isolated.

Echo Ridge provides Jade an opportunity to teach while she heals. Other residents are Naomi and her daughter trying to get over the grief of her other daughter. Then Jade’s former best friend checks-in with her new fiancé. The fiancé has a history with her Naomi’s family. What are the chances they would show up.

This story has a few stories that had me invested, scared and cringing in a good way as a thriller should. Cole is an auto-buy author for me and will pre-order my physical copy soon.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Isolated setting, many secrets and murder. There was 2 points a view. Naomi, a mother who is devastated about the murder of her daughter and Jade, a woman who has been betrayed by a friend and lost everything. Both end up at a retreat where their stories intersect. This is the first book I have read by this author which I read through an ARC. I look forward to reading her backlist.

[Michelle | Simply in the Moment · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Audrey J. Cole has proven why she has quickly become one of my favorite authors. She has a real talent for drawing the reader in and making them feel the emotions that the characters are experiencing. There is intensity from page one, and it does not let up until the end.

You just don't know which character you can trust, and you'll find yourself second-guessing yourself at every twist and turn. The intensity is palpable, just like her other books, but this one felt different for me. The setting was different from the other books I've read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I love her writing style, and the urgency that she builds as the story develops is so addicting. I found myself staying up too late to read just one more chapter; I had a hard time putting the book down. The book is paced perfectly for a thriller and will keep the reader engaged and constantly guessing incorrectly who the killer(s) are, without giving away any of the plot or mystery.

I appreciate how the author provides details of the murder scenes without gore. She describes the scenes in a way that the reader can perfectly visualize without being graphic or gruesome. It makes reading her books much more enjoyable than other thrillers I've read.

The author did a wonderful job of pulling the story together at the end to provide a very satisfactory conclusion. I'd recommend the book to anyone who enjoys thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC; all opinions are my own.

[KDRBCK]

Echo Ridge by Audrey J. Cole is the newest thriller by this outstanding wordsmith. The book is published by Thomas & Mercer.
Naomi is griving a big loss. Her beloved elder daughter Lily was unalived a year ago. and the perpetrator still isn't found.
Her younger daughter Miranda books a yoga retreat only for the women to discover their sol 7 bil is there with his new and shiny fiancee.
So trouble is programmed. But to make matters more complicated there's a whole other level of a story. And this packs a punch. I will not spoilere here, only so much no-one, literally no-one is truly innocent.
A whirlwind of drama, suspense, twists and unexpected turns had up long into the night.
An outstanding book, 5 stars.

[Dani Colón · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I’m a big fan of a locked room thriller, and this hit the mark. Multiple points of view, great environment, interesting premise, and good twists. I will definitely make a point to read more books by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Autumn Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was wildly entertaining!!

So much drama, so many twists, and the characters being intertwined was such a great element of surprise.

The 'middle of nowhere' vibe just added a whole new element that I really enjoyed!

Such a great book that I definitely recommend!

[Carrie Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Seeking a fresh start after betrayal, Jade Vega takes a job teaching tai chi at Echo Ridge Sanctuary, a secluded wellness retreat tucked deep in the Cascade rainforest. At the same time, grieving mother Naomi March arrives hoping to find a little peace with her surviving daughter. Instead, old wounds reopen, unwelcome faces appear, and when a violent storm cuts the sanctuary off from the outside world, murder turns this peaceful retreat into the last place anyone wants to be. There is something undeniably fun about a locked-room mystery, and this setting absolutely delivered.

I flew through this one because the atmosphere did so much of the heavy lifting. The pounding rain, the towering trees, the suspended walkways, and the growing sense that no one could leave made every chapter feel a little more claustrophobic than the last. I kept changing my mind about who I trusted, which is exactly what I want from a thriller. But beneath all the suspense is a surprisingly emotional story about grief and the different ways people try to survive unimaginable loss. That thread gave the mystery a lot more weight than I expected.

While I guessed a few pieces before the reveal, it never took away from the experience because I was so invested in the characters and the tangled relationships between them. The emotional stakes felt just as important as solving the murder, and that balance kept me engaged from beginning to end. If you're a fan of isolated settings, mounting paranoia, and thrillers that remember to give their characters a heartbeat beneath all the twists, this is an easy one to recommend. Many thanks to Thomas and Mercer Publishing for this early copy that will publish January 5, 2027.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Echo Ridge Sanctuary, high in the Cascades, is the battleground for ethical dilemmas and human drama. Cole has taken the concepts of justice and jealousy and used them as cornerstones in a place we’d least expect to see them: an isolated resort where rejuvenation is the sole focus.

Cole is a masterful plotter and always brings thought-provoking topics to her narratives. I know when I have a Cole book in my hands that I need to clear my schedule and allow for a binge read. This is the tenth novel I’ve read by this author, and she’s yet to disappoint me!

In addition to praising Cole’s skills, I’d like to draw attention to two of her themes that I felt were perfectly executed: jealousy and justice. Without giving too much away, let me say that Cole’s characters are in for a surprise because (1) they haven’t factored in the non-financial cost of getting justice, (2) nor have they considered the echo of truth. I was most surprised that Echo Ridge Sanctuary (a character in itself) survived the battle for truth and that its outcome wasn’t destruction, but change. Truth changes us. It doesn’t have to destroy us.

I’m still pondering the fine line between security and privacy…what am I willing to give up in the name of safety?

Congratulations on a fantastic title!

If you enjoy not knowing what characters to trust, love a twist or two or even donning your detective’s hat, this one’s for you. Cole’s 5-star thriller is one you need on your night table. It’s a clean read.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jade has started a new job working for her Aunt Crystal at Echo Ridge Sanctuary, a wellness center in the Cascade Mountains. But it’s not the peaceful atmosphere that she’s looking for when the guests arrive full of drama. One set is a mother and daughter (Naomi & Miranda) hoping to heal after the other daughter’s death (Lily), and the other pair is Jade’s former best friend, Piper, and her fiancé, Dylan. Dylan just happens to be the man Naomi blames for Lily’s death. Got all that? So not the best situation, but everyone (sort of) attempts to make the best of it. Until the first body is discovered.

A good portion of the dialogue is unfortunately repetitive, especially between Naomi and Dylan. She accuses him of killing Lily; he denies killing Lily. Crystal tells everyone to calm down and try a soothing exercise. And because they get stranded due to a storm, there’s nothing else to do but try to avoid each other, which of course doesn’t work and leads to the repetition.

I unfortunately knew who the culprit was because there aren’t that many suspects to choose from. But the author does a good job providing everyone with a motive, so at first glance, it really could be any of them. And talk about atmosphere – the story couldn’t be set in a more tranquil and beautiful place. I’d definitely risk my life to experience it!

My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the free advanced reading copy of this book.

[ANGELA L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I've read several books by Audrey Cole and have thoroughly enjoyed every one of them, so I was excited to receive this ARC. It certainly didn't disappoint.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was the secluded rainforest setting. The remote, isolated location created an eerie atmosphere that heightened the suspense and made the story even more immersive.

After experiencing a life-altering loss, two of the main characters travel to a secluded wellness retreat in hopes of finding peace and healing. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned, and what begins as a chance to recover quickly spirals into a tense and dangerous mystery.

This was a thrilling, fast-paced whodunit that kept me guessing until the final chapters. With plenty of suspense, unexpected twists, and an atmospheric setting, it was another entertaining read from Audrey Cole that I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently discovered Audrey J. Cole's books and have really been enjoying them. So, I was excited to get my hands on her latest! As soon as I read the heartbreaking opening, I knew I was in for a treat. Echo Ridge is fast-paced, atmospheric and full of great characters. Some you will love and others you will love to hate. Other than the murders, the retreat sounded wonderful and made me wish I was there. Coincidentally, I had just learned about forest bathing and the benefits of phytoncides a week ago, so it was pretty cool to see it included here. I did see all of the twists coming but I still enjoyed this book very much and was happy with the way it ended. I would definitely recommend Echo Ridge and I look forward to reading more by this author!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.

[Marcie McPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔒 𝐈'𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝-𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫.

I had so much fun trying to work this one out. Every character had believable reasons to be suspicious, so every time I thought I'd settled on a theory, another secret or backstory completely changed my mind. I never felt confident in my guesses for very long, and that's exactly what I want from a mystery.

Jade was easy to root for, and I was happy to follow her as everything gradually unfolded.

The ending tied everything together well, even if it wasn't quite the outcome I'd been hoping for.

Thank you to Audrey J. Cole, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Amber Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!

Something about a storm, a group being trapped, and people are dying is a great thriller in my mind! There were a lot of red herrings, drama, and suspense. I truly went back and forth on The Who Dun It and why. When the reveal came, I was like huh, that isn’t surprising! The last twist, I was expecting based on some of the comments made throughout the book, but it was still super horrific.

Definitely recommend this book to anyone! I enjoyed both Jade and Naomi’s characters and their different POVs. The wellness retreat was described to be somewhere I’d LOVE to go (if it didn’t have a murderer, obviously).

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This book is a real page-turner. Be sure to pay attention to the name at the beginning of each chapter as it will tell you whose viewpoint the chapter is. It starts with Naomi’s daughter, Lily being murdered. She is convinced that the murderer is Lily’s husband and spends the next year trying to convince everyone. Her younger daughter plans a get-away for the two of them. Read this book to get the whole story!

[Rummy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wellness retreat sounds picturesque...well apart from the murders. A locked room mystery is one of my favorite tropes and this one did not disappoint!