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Dead Things
Not yet published
Expected 23 Feb 27A forensic assistant is pulled into the wilderness by a beguiling fugitive accused of murder in this taut, emotionally-charged erotic thriller, as the author of the Booktok-viral survivor romance
Still Beating
explores how love can take root in even the darkest places.
Dead bodies always tell the truth. You just have to listen.
As a forensic assistant, I live among the dead—cataloging wounds, dissecting silence, searching for the truths people try to hide. It’s the only place I’ve ever trusted what’s real. Until Miller Banks.
We once worked side by side. He was the brilliant forensic pathologist I idolized. The man I watched with adoring eyes, certain there was nothing he couldn’t solve.
Then the murders started. Seven bodies on my table. And every trail led back to him.
Miller vanished two years ago, presumed dead. But he isn’t in the grave. He’s in the woods. And now, so am I.
He swears he won’t hurt me. That he didn’t kill those people. That he needs me to see the truth no one else would. I call him a monster.
Yet the longer I’m bound to him, the more the lines blur—between guilt and innocence, truth and obsession, predator and protector. Because sometimes the one who holds you captive . . . is the only one who can set you free.
Dead bodies always tell the truth. You just have to listen.
As a forensic assistant, I live among the dead—cataloging wounds, dissecting silence, searching for the truths people try to hide. It’s the only place I’ve ever trusted what’s real. Until Miller Banks.
We once worked side by side. He was the brilliant forensic pathologist I idolized. The man I watched with adoring eyes, certain there was nothing he couldn’t solve.
Then the murders started. Seven bodies on my table. And every trail led back to him.
Miller vanished two years ago, presumed dead. But he isn’t in the grave. He’s in the woods. And now, so am I.
He swears he won’t hurt me. That he didn’t kill those people. That he needs me to see the truth no one else would. I call him a monster.
Yet the longer I’m bound to him, the more the lines blur—between guilt and innocence, truth and obsession, predator and protector. Because sometimes the one who holds you captive . . . is the only one who can set you free.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 23, 2027
About the author
Jennifer Hartmann
36 books18.6k followersJennifer Hartmann resides in northern Illinois with her own personal romance hero and three children. When she is not writing angsty love stories, she is likely pondering all the ways she can break your heart and piece it back together again. She enjoys sunsets (because mornings are hard), bike riding, traveling, bingeing Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns, and that time of day when coffee gets replaced by wine. She loves tacos. She also really, really wants to pet your dog.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This wasn’t what i expected. The writing was different from her other books and the way this was advertised it made it seem like it would be a dark romance. The romance in this felt like a subplot, there was hardly any relationship building. It was definitely more focused on the thriller aspects and i did like the plot it was just hard to get into for the first 40% of it. Overall it was ok.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
At this point, my Jennifer Hartmann obsession is only getting worse because here we are adding ANOTHER one of her books to my favorites list.
One of the things I love most about Hartmann's writing is the balance. There's just enough prose to make you feel everything, enough plot to keep you completely invested, and enough romance to have you desperately rooting for these characters without any one element swallowing the others.
And Dead Things gives us a MYSTERY on top of it all?!
Yes. Absolutely. Give it to me.
The story jumps between the past and present as we slowly piece together what happened, why Miller disappeared, and exactly how the hell we ended up with him hiding in the woods years later. I loved getting those pieces little by little instead of having everything dumped on us at once.
But Blair and Miller? UGH.
Their chemistry is so damn good. The give and take. The banter. The tension. The steam. The way their relationship develops alongside the mystery instead of feeling separate from it. It's definitely slow-burny, but it is SO worth the wait.
I also really loved watching my perception of the characters and their circumstances shift as more of the story unfolded. There are questions you desperately want answered, but the romance still has enough room to breathe and develop naturally.
This is exactly the kind of romantic suspense/mystery combination I want more of.
As always, I recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in because this story does deal with some potentially triggering subjects.
But for me?
Five stars. Easy.
Jennifer Hartmann continues to emotionally compromise me, and apparently I'm just going to keep letting her.
One of the things I love most about Hartmann's writing is the balance. There's just enough prose to make you feel everything, enough plot to keep you completely invested, and enough romance to have you desperately rooting for these characters without any one element swallowing the others.
And Dead Things gives us a MYSTERY on top of it all?!
Yes. Absolutely. Give it to me.
The story jumps between the past and present as we slowly piece together what happened, why Miller disappeared, and exactly how the hell we ended up with him hiding in the woods years later. I loved getting those pieces little by little instead of having everything dumped on us at once.
But Blair and Miller? UGH.
Their chemistry is so damn good. The give and take. The banter. The tension. The steam. The way their relationship develops alongside the mystery instead of feeling separate from it. It's definitely slow-burny, but it is SO worth the wait.
I also really loved watching my perception of the characters and their circumstances shift as more of the story unfolded. There are questions you desperately want answered, but the romance still has enough room to breathe and develop naturally.
This is exactly the kind of romantic suspense/mystery combination I want more of.
As always, I recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in because this story does deal with some potentially triggering subjects.
But for me?
Five stars. Easy.
Jennifer Hartmann continues to emotionally compromise me, and apparently I'm just going to keep letting her.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
OH MY GOODNESS! Jennifer Hartmann has never failed to deliver a book that I don't want to devour. Empty your bladders, grab your snacks, and get comfortable because once you start this, you won't want to put it down!
She has spun the perfect web of secrets, lies, and betrayal. This story will stick to you like a film. It is gritty, raw, and creates a palpable unease.
The way the story bounces between past and present, giving us multiple character POV's- it was absolute perfection. My jaw was on the floor with the twists, and I am still feeling unsettled days later.
Dark romance at it's finest and when I say dark, I mean DARK. We are going to the depths of the morgue in this. As a reader, you will feel like a chess piece at play as the final parts of the puzzle are revealed.
So.Damn.Good
She has spun the perfect web of secrets, lies, and betrayal. This story will stick to you like a film. It is gritty, raw, and creates a palpable unease.
The way the story bounces between past and present, giving us multiple character POV's- it was absolute perfection. My jaw was on the floor with the twists, and I am still feeling unsettled days later.
Dark romance at it's finest and when I say dark, I mean DARK. We are going to the depths of the morgue in this. As a reader, you will feel like a chess piece at play as the final parts of the puzzle are revealed.
So.Damn.Good
Want to Read
June 19, 2026Ahhh! ❤️ A new Jennifer Hartmann book! Cant wait for this! 🥰 Will be counting down the days till Feb 23rd, 2027
August 13, 2026
I would give this 6 stars if I could. It had me in its grip from the very beginning. Jennifer Hartmann creates this incredibly atmospheric, unsettling story that leaves you with a constant sense of worry & dread. It’s the perfect blend of thriller, romance, and dare I say horror?!…I was uneasy reading this one & that was the point. It’s dark, gruesome, dreadful, hair raising, but also tension filled, emotional & tragic. The storyline was so intricate & the web that was woven and how it all tied together was very well thought out. What an incredible talent this author has for writing stories that are beautiful and emotional while the storyline that’s taking place is dark, tragic & intense.
This one is gripping, haunting, and impossible to put down. I also loved the ending, it was so authentic to the story!
This one is gripping, haunting, and impossible to put down. I also loved the ending, it was so authentic to the story!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Dead Things is an amazing romantic, psychological thriller that kept me captivated the whole time I was reading.
Jennifer Hartmann has a writing style that always draws readers into the storyline. A deep, emotional roller coaster ride is felt in the gut when reading. Which I absolutely love.
In this book we follow the main characters Blair, a forensic assistant and Miller, a forensic pathologist on a chaotic and dangerous journey filled with lies, deception, manipulation and blurred lines. The truth is out there, but will Blair be willing to seek it out?
Some tropes in this book are as follows:
- Forced Proximity
- Enemies to Lovers
- Age Gap
- KidN$-pping
Ensure to look up triggers prior to reading.
I found this book a medium-paced read with a detailed and entertaining storyline. The chapters periodically switched POV between many characters, but primarily the two main ones.
The whole plot is very engaging, emotional and captivating.
A huge thank you to Kensington for the ARC. Such a great read!
Jennifer Hartmann has a writing style that always draws readers into the storyline. A deep, emotional roller coaster ride is felt in the gut when reading. Which I absolutely love.
In this book we follow the main characters Blair, a forensic assistant and Miller, a forensic pathologist on a chaotic and dangerous journey filled with lies, deception, manipulation and blurred lines. The truth is out there, but will Blair be willing to seek it out?
Some tropes in this book are as follows:
- Forced Proximity
- Enemies to Lovers
- Age Gap
- KidN$-pping
Ensure to look up triggers prior to reading.
I found this book a medium-paced read with a detailed and entertaining storyline. The chapters periodically switched POV between many characters, but primarily the two main ones.
The whole plot is very engaging, emotional and captivating.
A huge thank you to Kensington for the ARC. Such a great read!
Currently Reading
October 20, 2026AHHH, I'm about to dive into this one! Not me receiving a Jennifer Hartmann ARC!!! I've been WAITINGGGG.🖤
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Dead Things completely pulled me in from the first page. Equal parts psychological thriller and romance, this story had me questioning everyone and everything. I figured out the main twist fairly early on, but the author still managed to throw in a couple of curveballs I never saw coming.
"Only the dead tell the truth" couldn't be a more fitting tagline. In a story where trust is constantly tested, you'll never know who to believe. Dark, addictive, and impossible to put down, this is a must-read for anyone who loves thrillers with a touch of romance.
"Only the dead tell the truth" couldn't be a more fitting tagline. In a story where trust is constantly tested, you'll never know who to believe. Dark, addictive, and impossible to put down, this is a must-read for anyone who loves thrillers with a touch of romance.
October 29, 2026
Review of advanced copy from author, Netgalley, and Kensington. (Thank you to all.)
Let me start by saying - this one is dark, even by Jennifer Hartmann’s standards. Reader be warned.
Things I loved:
-I was hooked from page one. The intensity of the tension grabs you and never lets go!
-It’s all so smart. The research that JH had to dive into to get these details onto the page had to be extensive (and maybe worrisome if anyone ever looks at her search history).
-I felt like Blair was a very well represented neurodivergent character.
-The twists all felt like they made sense for the story.
-Blair taking control of the story in the end was the only way that it all made sense. So I’m glad she did!
Things that I didn’t:
-As I said, this book is dark. The content is not dissimilar to JH’s previous books (kidnapping, murder, torture etc) BUT the romance part of the story line never seemed to take the front seat in a way that I’ve come to love from her. I’m not sure I ever really loved the love between Blair and Miller and that definitely made it harder to ever fully buy in.
-Blair and Miller’s relationship felt like a record that kept scratching. The repetitiveness of their arguments got tiresome quickly - as did their hasty and mostly feeling-free sex.
-Jimmy. In the end I guess he served some purpose but I just really couldn’t stomach the character.
Overall, it was a solid addition to Hartmann’s library but definitely not my favorite.
Let me start by saying - this one is dark, even by Jennifer Hartmann’s standards. Reader be warned.
Things I loved:
-I was hooked from page one. The intensity of the tension grabs you and never lets go!
-It’s all so smart. The research that JH had to dive into to get these details onto the page had to be extensive (and maybe worrisome if anyone ever looks at her search history).
-I felt like Blair was a very well represented neurodivergent character.
-The twists all felt like they made sense for the story.
-Blair taking control of the story in the end was the only way that it all made sense. So I’m glad she did!
Things that I didn’t:
-As I said, this book is dark. The content is not dissimilar to JH’s previous books (kidnapping, murder, torture etc) BUT the romance part of the story line never seemed to take the front seat in a way that I’ve come to love from her. I’m not sure I ever really loved the love between Blair and Miller and that definitely made it harder to ever fully buy in.
-Blair and Miller’s relationship felt like a record that kept scratching. The repetitiveness of their arguments got tiresome quickly - as did their hasty and mostly feeling-free sex.
-Jimmy. In the end I guess he served some purpose but I just really couldn’t stomach the character.
Overall, it was a solid addition to Hartmann’s library but definitely not my favorite.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Dead Things by Jennifer Hartmann 🖤🔪
Blair is an incredibly intelligent forensic scientist who has spent her entire life surrounded by death. With a well-known and respected doctor for a father, she was raised in this world, with him guiding and molding her into the woman she is today.
Enter Miller Banks, the man from Blair’s past whom she believed was dead. When he suddenly pulls her into the woods during her run, you would expect her to be terrified, but Blair isn’t scared. She’s angry! And honestly, I loved that about her!
Miller is exhausted from running and barely surviving in the woods. He needs Blair’s help, and she may be the only person who can uncover the truth and prove his innocence. But their history is filled with hurt and betrayal, making everything between them complicated.
This book had me in a grip! 🔥 Some of the plot twists I saw coming, while others genuinely surprised me. Jennifer Hartmann delivered the perfect blend of thriller, mystery, and romance, keeping me invested until the end.
If you love dark, twisty stories with complicated characters, secrets, and romance woven into the mystery, add this one to your TBR! 🖤
Blair is an incredibly intelligent forensic scientist who has spent her entire life surrounded by death. With a well-known and respected doctor for a father, she was raised in this world, with him guiding and molding her into the woman she is today.
Enter Miller Banks, the man from Blair’s past whom she believed was dead. When he suddenly pulls her into the woods during her run, you would expect her to be terrified, but Blair isn’t scared. She’s angry! And honestly, I loved that about her!
Miller is exhausted from running and barely surviving in the woods. He needs Blair’s help, and she may be the only person who can uncover the truth and prove his innocence. But their history is filled with hurt and betrayal, making everything between them complicated.
This book had me in a grip! 🔥 Some of the plot twists I saw coming, while others genuinely surprised me. Jennifer Hartmann delivered the perfect blend of thriller, mystery, and romance, keeping me invested until the end.
If you love dark, twisty stories with complicated characters, secrets, and romance woven into the mystery, add this one to your TBR! 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jennifer Hartmann has been an auto-read author for me for so long and this book just shows me how RIGHT that decision was. My only complaint about this book is that it was only 320 pages. I could have followed Miller and Blair forever. I got to 30% and told my husband this is ending to quickly. This story grabbed me immediately. Hartmann had me second guessing everything. I wasn’t sure who we could trust. Didn’t know who was loyal to who. Didn’t know how this was going to get to the happily ever after. It was amazing! Miller and Blair are working on edging out Dean and Cora as my favorite Hartmann couple and I didn’t think that was possible. Dead Things has 100% made it to the top tier of my books of this year. I will be recommending this book to EVERYONE!
October 21, 2026
I was SO invested in this story!! I honestly could not put this book down because I needed to know what really happened and whether Miller was guilty or not. I kept questioning everything and second guessing myself, and I was hooked the entire time. The twists, the tension, the obsession… I was completely pulled into this story and just needed answers! This is definitely one of those books that keeps you turning the pages because you HAVE to know what happens next. I absolutely loved how much this story kept me guessing, and I was so invested in finding out the truth. 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In true JH style she gives us a story that sucks us in from the beginning and leaves you on the edge of your seat with her slow burns. The way that she is able to set this story up and execute it so well, is why I love her writing so much. You fall in love with the characters right away and are invested in what happens to them (even if one is a serial killer). I am so grateful to Kensington Publishing for giving me an ARC to devour and enjoyed every second of it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington for this ARC. I was captivated immediately by the quirky, believable FMC, Blair Lennox. I thought the tension and macabre atmospheres throughout the book were well done. This book was a page-turner that read like part psychological thriller, part murder mystery and part spicy dark romance. The twists and turns make for perfect jaw-dropping revelations that leave you questioning what it means to love, be loved and to also be seen.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such an awesome read! I was on the edge of my seat for so many moments and my how Jennifer twisted the twists and turns! I will say I truly say I am not often caught completely off guard and there were moments I didn’t see coming at all! I hope Jennifer writes more of this kind of story because it was a blast to read and lives rent free in my mind!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
At this point I don’t think there is absolutely anything this woman can write that I won’t absolutely devour in one sitting. This book was absolutely fantastic.
October 24, 2026
Wow, wow, wow! What. A. Book!
Full review coming soon!
Full review coming soon!
October 27, 2026
hooked me in right from the start! had me at the edge of my seat the whole way through
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews