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Goodnight Lydia
She woke up in her own grave. Now she has one day to find out who put her there.
Lydia claws her way out of a shallow grave in the woods. She hears footsteps in the dark and a vehicle leaving on a nearby road. Covered in dirt, gasping for air, she doesn’t know how she got here. The last thing she remembers is rejecting her boyfriend’s marriage proposal.
Now, someone thinks she’s dead. If she stays hidden, she can investigate her own attempted murder. But these are the same woods where her younger brother died twenty-one years ago, and that’s a coincidence she can’t ignore.
As she retraces her steps and questions those closest to her, Lydia must confront a haunting darkness about herself and her brother’s death. But will she be able to live with the answers?
Or will the truth be worse than the grave?
With Goodnight Lydia, E. M. Jones returns with a propulsive, unforgettable domestic thriller that will keep you addicted and leave you guessing until the very last word.
Lydia claws her way out of a shallow grave in the woods. She hears footsteps in the dark and a vehicle leaving on a nearby road. Covered in dirt, gasping for air, she doesn’t know how she got here. The last thing she remembers is rejecting her boyfriend’s marriage proposal.
Now, someone thinks she’s dead. If she stays hidden, she can investigate her own attempted murder. But these are the same woods where her younger brother died twenty-one years ago, and that’s a coincidence she can’t ignore.
As she retraces her steps and questions those closest to her, Lydia must confront a haunting darkness about herself and her brother’s death. But will she be able to live with the answers?
Or will the truth be worse than the grave?
With Goodnight Lydia, E. M. Jones returns with a propulsive, unforgettable domestic thriller that will keep you addicted and leave you guessing until the very last word.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2026
About the author
E. M. Jones
3 books63 followersE. M. Jones writes supernatural thrillers set in the Midwest. His stories explore themes of death, redemption, and trauma. When he's not thinking about ghosts, he's playing football with his sons or wandering bookstores with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 3, 2026
If I told you that someone finally wrote a book about a character waking up in a shallow grave, would you be intrigued enough to read it? No? Then, imagine being buried, possibly 'alive,' and awakening not alone in that grave. Does that catch your attention?
You know me, I’m all about the covers. I often browse online and share a ton of authors that pop up on my feed. Some are well-known, while others are new finds for me. Recently, I came across an author seeking ARC readers. Of course, I didn’t delve deep into the blurb; the cover immediately drew me in, and once I read it, it completely blew my mind! How lucky am I to stumble upon such amazing books that might have flown under my radar? I can’t wait to explore more of this author’s work!
The main character, Lydia, wakes up and is convinced she has been buried, but she’s unsure if she’s dead or alive. As we delve into her backstory, we learn that she carries a secret, but she isn’t the only one with mysteries to uncover. We also get to explore the lives of Eddie, Pastor Michael, and a few other characters. You’ll get all the pieces you need to understand what happened and why, but trust me, it’ll take a moment! Be ready for plenty of surprises and twists that will leave you in awe!
The author’s writing style is distinctive, and there’s so much to unravel that I found it hard to step away. What if someone tried to kill Lydia, and I missed the clues? I appreciate how the author held back on many details, making the twists more impactful and jaw-dropping! Once the layers start to peel away, everything begins to fall into place. The atmosphere is hauntingly vivid; you can almost feel the dampness and dirt under your feet as you watch Lydia struggle to dig herself out of her grave. I mean, what could be better than a bunch of oddballs wandering through the woods, believing in an old tale? These characters are actually taking action!
If you enjoy atmospheric dark reads sprinkled with a hint of the supernatural, this book is definitely for you. You’ll find a mix of relatable characters alongside some that are difficult to read, and the unexpected ending will catch you off guard. I certainly didn’t see this book's surprises coming! The story concludes ambiguously, which works perfectly—there really was no other way! Bravo to the author for crafting such a gem! I truly hope the premise piques your interest, and you add this to your TBR right away because it’s that good! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I need to investigate those lights I saw in the woods the other night! Ha!
Thank you, E.M. Jones, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
You know me, I’m all about the covers. I often browse online and share a ton of authors that pop up on my feed. Some are well-known, while others are new finds for me. Recently, I came across an author seeking ARC readers. Of course, I didn’t delve deep into the blurb; the cover immediately drew me in, and once I read it, it completely blew my mind! How lucky am I to stumble upon such amazing books that might have flown under my radar? I can’t wait to explore more of this author’s work!
The main character, Lydia, wakes up and is convinced she has been buried, but she’s unsure if she’s dead or alive. As we delve into her backstory, we learn that she carries a secret, but she isn’t the only one with mysteries to uncover. We also get to explore the lives of Eddie, Pastor Michael, and a few other characters. You’ll get all the pieces you need to understand what happened and why, but trust me, it’ll take a moment! Be ready for plenty of surprises and twists that will leave you in awe!
The author’s writing style is distinctive, and there’s so much to unravel that I found it hard to step away. What if someone tried to kill Lydia, and I missed the clues? I appreciate how the author held back on many details, making the twists more impactful and jaw-dropping! Once the layers start to peel away, everything begins to fall into place. The atmosphere is hauntingly vivid; you can almost feel the dampness and dirt under your feet as you watch Lydia struggle to dig herself out of her grave. I mean, what could be better than a bunch of oddballs wandering through the woods, believing in an old tale? These characters are actually taking action!
If you enjoy atmospheric dark reads sprinkled with a hint of the supernatural, this book is definitely for you. You’ll find a mix of relatable characters alongside some that are difficult to read, and the unexpected ending will catch you off guard. I certainly didn’t see this book's surprises coming! The story concludes ambiguously, which works perfectly—there really was no other way! Bravo to the author for crafting such a gem! I truly hope the premise piques your interest, and you add this to your TBR right away because it’s that good! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I need to investigate those lights I saw in the woods the other night! Ha!
Thank you, E.M. Jones, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 3, 2026
Jaw-Dropping Spoiler Review of Goodnight Lydia by E. M. Jones
Thank you again, E.M. Jones, for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. It was an unforgettable reading experience!
Goodnight Lydia doesn’t simply pull you in, it wraps its icy fingers around your throat and refuses to let go. The most horrifying moment EVER happened!!! Lydia wakes up buried in a shallow grave, a suffocating sense of dread settles over every page!!
We find Lydia waking up with no memory of how she got there 😮 (Umm WHAT 🤔) This is one of those openings that instantly made my heart race!!! I knew from that moment on, this book was going to be terrifying addictive and puzzling in the way that made every answer given by the characters only more puzzling which led me to just more questions!!
This story is not for the faint hearted. It’s dark, twisted, and completely gripping..My cup of coffee ☕️
Lydia is giving her all to survive, uncover who hated her enough to bury her alive and leave her for dead. The tension is insane because she can’t trust anyone, and even worse, she can’t fully trust herself. Every person around her feels suspicious. Every memory feels dangerous. Every secret feels like it could destroy her. 🤯
What made this book so exciting for myself is the constant feeling that the truth is right there, just out of reach. The deeper Lydia digs, the more disturbing everything becomes. The betrayal, the lies, the fear, the paranoia. Yeah, it all builds into a thriller that feels impossible to put down!! I actually read it twice 🤭🤓
The ending has my mind absolutely blown! I’m hoping this is not the end to Lydia‘s story 🤞🏻
Goodnight Lydia creeps under your skin from the very first page. Filled with sinister secrets, unsettling mysteries, and jaw-dropping twists, it creates an atmosphere where no one can be trusted and nothing is what it seems. The tension builds relentlessly, leaving you constantly second-guessing every character and every clue. Dark, haunting, and impossible to put down, this thriller will keep you racing through the pages long past midnight. Add this to your TBR IMMEDIATELY!!!!! ⚰️
Thank you again, E.M. Jones, for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. It was an unforgettable reading experience!
Goodnight Lydia doesn’t simply pull you in, it wraps its icy fingers around your throat and refuses to let go. The most horrifying moment EVER happened!!! Lydia wakes up buried in a shallow grave, a suffocating sense of dread settles over every page!!
We find Lydia waking up with no memory of how she got there 😮 (Umm WHAT 🤔) This is one of those openings that instantly made my heart race!!! I knew from that moment on, this book was going to be terrifying addictive and puzzling in the way that made every answer given by the characters only more puzzling which led me to just more questions!!
This story is not for the faint hearted. It’s dark, twisted, and completely gripping..My cup of coffee ☕️
Lydia is giving her all to survive, uncover who hated her enough to bury her alive and leave her for dead. The tension is insane because she can’t trust anyone, and even worse, she can’t fully trust herself. Every person around her feels suspicious. Every memory feels dangerous. Every secret feels like it could destroy her. 🤯
What made this book so exciting for myself is the constant feeling that the truth is right there, just out of reach. The deeper Lydia digs, the more disturbing everything becomes. The betrayal, the lies, the fear, the paranoia. Yeah, it all builds into a thriller that feels impossible to put down!! I actually read it twice 🤭🤓
The ending has my mind absolutely blown! I’m hoping this is not the end to Lydia‘s story 🤞🏻
Goodnight Lydia creeps under your skin from the very first page. Filled with sinister secrets, unsettling mysteries, and jaw-dropping twists, it creates an atmosphere where no one can be trusted and nothing is what it seems. The tension builds relentlessly, leaving you constantly second-guessing every character and every clue. Dark, haunting, and impossible to put down, this thriller will keep you racing through the pages long past midnight. Add this to your TBR IMMEDIATELY!!!!! ⚰️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2026
When I saw that cover, it instantly grabbed my attention, and I was fortunate enough to be given a chance to read it before its official release.
Waking up in a grave, not knowing how you got there and only recollecting tiny pieces - not something I have on my list of experiences I want to go through. Lydia’s confusion was clear to me, and I wanted to follow along to find out what exactly happened. When she runs into a resident who offers help, she accepts it initially. But when something doesn’t feel quite right, it sets her on a wild ride to uncover what happened, and what is still happening.
We’re fed bits and pieces of various characters that feel random at first, but turn out to be puzzle pieces needed to complete the picture. Initially, everything felt a bit confusing to me, and I was somewhat lost on which day certain things were happening, only to realise along the way that this was (probably) deliberate - to keep me constantly guessing, with twists coming left and right.
This is not your average thriller. The author enjoys sprinkling a bit of supernatural into the story, and you need to be here for it. I certainly was, once things started to click for me. It felt very fast-paced, and I couldn’t put it down. Were some things a bit much? Sure, but you have to immerse yourself in it, and you’ll enjoy it as much as I did (hopefully).
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Waking up in a grave, not knowing how you got there and only recollecting tiny pieces - not something I have on my list of experiences I want to go through. Lydia’s confusion was clear to me, and I wanted to follow along to find out what exactly happened. When she runs into a resident who offers help, she accepts it initially. But when something doesn’t feel quite right, it sets her on a wild ride to uncover what happened, and what is still happening.
We’re fed bits and pieces of various characters that feel random at first, but turn out to be puzzle pieces needed to complete the picture. Initially, everything felt a bit confusing to me, and I was somewhat lost on which day certain things were happening, only to realise along the way that this was (probably) deliberate - to keep me constantly guessing, with twists coming left and right.
This is not your average thriller. The author enjoys sprinkling a bit of supernatural into the story, and you need to be here for it. I certainly was, once things started to click for me. It felt very fast-paced, and I couldn’t put it down. Were some things a bit much? Sure, but you have to immerse yourself in it, and you’ll enjoy it as much as I did (hopefully).
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 6, 2026
The first thing that drew me to Goodnight Lydia was the cover. There was something undeniably eerie about it, a sense of finality that immediately caught my attention. Even the title itself felt like a goodbye, a final moment frozen in time. Goodnight Lydia sounded like an ending before I ever turned the first page, and I was instantly intrigued.
Knowing that Lydia wakes up to one of the most anxiety, inducing situations imaginable had my nerves on edge from the start, especially reading this late at night. The author does an excellent job of maintaining tension while carefully unfolding the story's mysteries. The pacing is deliberate, revealing details layer by layer without giving too much away too soon. It rewards patience and keeps you invested in discovering what lies beneath the surface.
I especially appreciated the short chapters, immersive atmosphere, unexpected twists, and the cinematic way the author builds such a creepy and unsettling world. The story also includes references to The Darling Killer, which was a fun addition for readers familiar with that book.
Overall, this was a gripping thriller that kept me guessing and constantly looking over my shoulder. While it unfolds at its own pace, the payoff is a suspenseful and engaging read that kept me on my toes until the end.
Thank you to E.M. Jones for providing an ARC.
Knowing that Lydia wakes up to one of the most anxiety, inducing situations imaginable had my nerves on edge from the start, especially reading this late at night. The author does an excellent job of maintaining tension while carefully unfolding the story's mysteries. The pacing is deliberate, revealing details layer by layer without giving too much away too soon. It rewards patience and keeps you invested in discovering what lies beneath the surface.
I especially appreciated the short chapters, immersive atmosphere, unexpected twists, and the cinematic way the author builds such a creepy and unsettling world. The story also includes references to The Darling Killer, which was a fun addition for readers familiar with that book.
Overall, this was a gripping thriller that kept me guessing and constantly looking over my shoulder. While it unfolds at its own pace, the payoff is a suspenseful and engaging read that kept me on my toes until the end.
Thank you to E.M. Jones for providing an ARC.
June 3, 2026
Lydia wakes up realizing she’s been buried alive.
Unsure of how she ended up in a grave, or who put her there, she’s determined to get out and find out.
She might not remember what happened but she knows she can’t trust the people in her life, except for Jack.
In the meantime Eddie (Lydia’s bf) is spiralling after last nights events.
Not knowing what to do, he turns to Pastor Michael, hoping Pastor Michael will have the answers he’s looking for.
This book was a great read, and I’m so glad I got to read it early.
Right away you’re met with Lydia realizing she’s in a grave and that she needs to get out asap, because if she doesn’t, she’ll die.
That opening scene makes the story so intense from the start, not knowing if this was the end or just the beginning.
I couldn’t wait to find out what was really going on in the town of Hope and how everything and everyone was connected.
Even though I was a little lost sometimes with all the different timelines, I found that the author did a great job at explaining it at the end, and it all made sense.
I hope to see a sequel of this book and will definitely be reading more from this author!
Unsure of how she ended up in a grave, or who put her there, she’s determined to get out and find out.
She might not remember what happened but she knows she can’t trust the people in her life, except for Jack.
In the meantime Eddie (Lydia’s bf) is spiralling after last nights events.
Not knowing what to do, he turns to Pastor Michael, hoping Pastor Michael will have the answers he’s looking for.
This book was a great read, and I’m so glad I got to read it early.
Right away you’re met with Lydia realizing she’s in a grave and that she needs to get out asap, because if she doesn’t, she’ll die.
That opening scene makes the story so intense from the start, not knowing if this was the end or just the beginning.
I couldn’t wait to find out what was really going on in the town of Hope and how everything and everyone was connected.
Even though I was a little lost sometimes with all the different timelines, I found that the author did a great job at explaining it at the end, and it all made sense.
I hope to see a sequel of this book and will definitely be reading more from this author!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review ❣️
❤❤❤❤ hearts for me
This book had me hooked from page one. The opening scene alone was enough to make me sit up and pay attention, and before I realized it, I had already flown through almost 30% of the book in one sitting.
The atmosphere was so eerie and unsettling throughout. Every chapter added another secret, another clue, another twist that made me question everything I thought I understood. I actually guessed a few reveals along the way, but somehow every answer only led to another shocking twist connected to it. Just when I thought I had figured things out, the story completely shifted again.
Lydia waking up inside her own grave was already terrifying enough, but the deeper the story went into her past, her brother’s death, and the people around her, the darker and more intense it became. The suspense kept building until the very end.
And that ending?? I absolutely need another book after that because I still have questions and I’m not ready to leave this story behind yet 👀
❤❤❤❤ hearts for me
This book had me hooked from page one. The opening scene alone was enough to make me sit up and pay attention, and before I realized it, I had already flown through almost 30% of the book in one sitting.
The atmosphere was so eerie and unsettling throughout. Every chapter added another secret, another clue, another twist that made me question everything I thought I understood. I actually guessed a few reveals along the way, but somehow every answer only led to another shocking twist connected to it. Just when I thought I had figured things out, the story completely shifted again.
Lydia waking up inside her own grave was already terrifying enough, but the deeper the story went into her past, her brother’s death, and the people around her, the darker and more intense it became. The suspense kept building until the very end.
And that ending?? I absolutely need another book after that because I still have questions and I’m not ready to leave this story behind yet 👀
June 4, 2026
Lydia wakes up in a grave with no recollection of how she got there (insert panic attack). She is fighting for her life while trying to find answers. Fuzzy memories are there but are they really. She can't trust herself but can she trust those around her?? My Poppy always told us "don't trust nobody" and this book is the epitome of his reminder.
This fast paced thriller had me hooked from the first sentence and that doesn't happen often for me. It had me second guessing everything. When I thought I had it figured out, another twist was introduced. E.M. Jones did a great job of setting the scene and making me feel like I was watching a movie (<--it would def make an amazing thriller movie). If you like books that will take you for a ride then this is for you. Hold on tight while you try to figure out what happened to Lydia!
This was my first book by E.M. Jones and it won't be my last. Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC early ❤️
This fast paced thriller had me hooked from the first sentence and that doesn't happen often for me. It had me second guessing everything. When I thought I had it figured out, another twist was introduced. E.M. Jones did a great job of setting the scene and making me feel like I was watching a movie (<--it would def make an amazing thriller movie). If you like books that will take you for a ride then this is for you. Hold on tight while you try to figure out what happened to Lydia!
This was my first book by E.M. Jones and it won't be my last. Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC early ❤️
June 5, 2026
E.M Jones, you are the rising new author of 2026!!!
This book is amazing!!! It needs to be one of the featured books on Goodreads... do you hear me Goodreads!!!
It is dark ... it is twisted, but is it the best kind of dark and twisted there is.
Lydia wakes up in a grave with no recollection of how she got there or who could have put her there. But she is smart and gets out of it. The last thing she remembers is her boyfriend, Eddie, proposing to her, and she turns him down.
This book is full of twists and turns and shady characters...
Eddie ... her boyfriend
Kathy ... a retired police chief
Michael ... an almost Pastor
Momma ... reminds me of Kathy Bates
There are the woods, the grave, a red pick-up truck, the church, the bell, cats, crows, the proposal, and shovels. Heck, right there's the making of a country and western song! But no, what you have is a ... FIVE STAR read!!!
This book is amazing!!! It needs to be one of the featured books on Goodreads... do you hear me Goodreads!!!
It is dark ... it is twisted, but is it the best kind of dark and twisted there is.
Lydia wakes up in a grave with no recollection of how she got there or who could have put her there. But she is smart and gets out of it. The last thing she remembers is her boyfriend, Eddie, proposing to her, and she turns him down.
This book is full of twists and turns and shady characters...
Eddie ... her boyfriend
Kathy ... a retired police chief
Michael ... an almost Pastor
Momma ... reminds me of Kathy Bates
There are the woods, the grave, a red pick-up truck, the church, the bell, cats, crows, the proposal, and shovels. Heck, right there's the making of a country and western song! But no, what you have is a ... FIVE STAR read!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Imagine waking up in the woods buried alive not remembering how you got there…meet Lydia. She had lost her brother in these very same woods years before and the memories haunt her and her family. All she remembers is turning down her boyfriend’s proposal as well as her own deep secrets.
I really enjoyed the short chapters and quick/easy read. I would have liked there to be POV names at the beginning of the chapters since I had to read in multiple sittings so I got lost at times. There was a mix of narration and seemingly POVs which was great!
It felt like a rollercoaster thriller because you start off with a bang already and it goes in between slow & fast paced plot lines, which was really enjoyable. I will patiently be waiting for a sequel because with an ending like that I needed more!
Thank you E.M Jones for the arc!
I really enjoyed the short chapters and quick/easy read. I would have liked there to be POV names at the beginning of the chapters since I had to read in multiple sittings so I got lost at times. There was a mix of narration and seemingly POVs which was great!
It felt like a rollercoaster thriller because you start off with a bang already and it goes in between slow & fast paced plot lines, which was really enjoyable. I will patiently be waiting for a sequel because with an ending like that I needed more!
Thank you E.M Jones for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A woman wakes up in a grave and has absolutely no idea how she got there.
If that doesn't make you want to read this.....let me go on. Dual POVs between Lydia and the local pastor who has been weirdly roped into helping Lydias boyfriend with a clandestined task. Paranoia galore (and understandably) from Lydia...and myself. I pride myself on figuring out the twists before they happen but this book was absolutely wild. I had no idea where it was heading.
The premise is was unique, and there are enough loose ends for a sequel? Maybe?? Regardless, this one stands solidly on its own and I am so excited to read more from this author.
Thank you E.M. Jones for the advanced copy!!
If that doesn't make you want to read this.....let me go on. Dual POVs between Lydia and the local pastor who has been weirdly roped into helping Lydias boyfriend with a clandestined task. Paranoia galore (and understandably) from Lydia...and myself. I pride myself on figuring out the twists before they happen but this book was absolutely wild. I had no idea where it was heading.
The premise is was unique, and there are enough loose ends for a sequel? Maybe?? Regardless, this one stands solidly on its own and I am so excited to read more from this author.
Thank you E.M. Jones for the advanced copy!!
June 3, 2026
Lydia wakes up buried alive, completely unaware of how she ended up in that terrifying situation or who she can trust. I devoured this book in just two sittings. I really enjoy a good thriller where the suspense keeps you guessing about everyone's true intentions. This story is a twisty tale filled with many unlikable characters. My watch told me that my stress level was too high the last 50 pages of the book due to my heart rate trying to follow what was going to happen.
June 3, 2026
A surprise release from EM Jones just after the Readers Resort dropped, Goodnight Lydia is not for the faint of heart (especially those who fear being by buried alive). The feeling of reading this can be really twisted and confusing but that’s exactly the point, having the reader experience a bit of the chaos the main character is also going through. I love Jones’ writing style and beautifully twisty plots and this one didn’t disappoint.
June 3, 2026
This was a book that truly kept me on my toes throughout the read, it’s a brilliant thriller that creates a lot of suspense, suspicion and dark thoughts. The way it’s written with different perspectives, the feeling of fear and hunt of who actually put Lydia in the grave draws you in.
You can always expect the unexpected, twists and an uncomfortable feeling of what’s going to happen next. Is it someone from the past, someone you know?
You can always expect the unexpected, twists and an uncomfortable feeling of what’s going to happen next. Is it someone from the past, someone you know?
June 5, 2026
E.M. has done it again, i devoured this book, it will keep you on your toes. I have never read a story that had me so hooked that i had to finish it as soon as possible to see how it ended, if you like your thrillers you have to go grab this book up as soon as it releases you will not be disappointed
Review of advance copy received from Author
Was she buried dead? Alive? Or is she just absolutely loosing her mind. This book jumps around a bit but it's such a good flow and you never get confused. It has you hating people in it. I was sucked in the first two chapters. The book is so well thought out, from the characters to the story line.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The twists and turns, the unexpected ending, you will never stop guessing what is going to happen next!
June 3, 2026
I do not usually gravitate towards thrillers. I have been hooked on this author since The Darling Killer.
Goodnight Lydia did not disappoint. It kept my interest from start to finish. No notes!
Goodnight Lydia did not disappoint. It kept my interest from start to finish. No notes!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews