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The Barefoot Girl
Cody can’t shake the memory of the barefooted girl who stopped him on a dark road thirteen years ago—bloodied, terrified, and begging for help. He’s tried to forget, but the past has a way of clawing back.
His girlfriend Sasha is finally ready to build a life together. A fixer-upper in her hometown seems like the perfect fresh start—until the house reveals a jarring secret, and Cody’s nightmares return with violent clarity.
Across town, renowned psychologist Doctor Charlie Xhaferi, known as Doctor X to his patients, faces the most challenging patient of his career. Missy refuses to speak about her teenage trauma, but hypnosis begins to unearth fragments of a buried past—fragments that disturb Doctor X far more than he lets on.
As Cody and Sasha’s home renovations spiral into unease, and Missy’s sessions grow increasingly volatile, three lives twist toward a single, dangerous truth. Someone knows more than they’re saying. Someone is lying. And someone is about to lose control.
His girlfriend Sasha is finally ready to build a life together. A fixer-upper in her hometown seems like the perfect fresh start—until the house reveals a jarring secret, and Cody’s nightmares return with violent clarity.
Across town, renowned psychologist Doctor Charlie Xhaferi, known as Doctor X to his patients, faces the most challenging patient of his career. Missy refuses to speak about her teenage trauma, but hypnosis begins to unearth fragments of a buried past—fragments that disturb Doctor X far more than he lets on.
As Cody and Sasha’s home renovations spiral into unease, and Missy’s sessions grow increasingly volatile, three lives twist toward a single, dangerous truth. Someone knows more than they’re saying. Someone is lying. And someone is about to lose control.
300 pages, Paperback
Published October 29, 2026
About the author
Dan Lawton
19 books235 followersDan Lawton is an international best selling and award-winning thriller author from New Hampshire. He is an active member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) Organization.
His fifth novel, The Green House, won the 2021 New Hampshire Writers' Project Literary Award for Fiction, was a Bronze Medalist in the Adult Fiction E-Book category for the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards), a Finalist for the 2021 Montaigne Medal (Eric Hoffer Awards) for most thought-provoking book, a Finalist in the Fiction category for the 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, a Finalist in the Mystery category for the 2020 Book Excellence Awards, and a Finalist in Literary Fiction for the 2020 American Fiction Awards.
His fourth novel, Plum Springs, won the 2019 New Hampshire Writers' Project Readers' Choice Award for Fiction. His first novel, Deception, was named one of the best thriller novels of 2017 by the Novel Writing Festival.
Website: danlawtonfiction.com
Email: info@danlawtonfiction.com
Twitter/Instagram: @danlawtonauthor
Facebook: facebook.com/danlawtonfiction
His fifth novel, The Green House, won the 2021 New Hampshire Writers' Project Literary Award for Fiction, was a Bronze Medalist in the Adult Fiction E-Book category for the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards), a Finalist for the 2021 Montaigne Medal (Eric Hoffer Awards) for most thought-provoking book, a Finalist in the Fiction category for the 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, a Finalist in the Mystery category for the 2020 Book Excellence Awards, and a Finalist in Literary Fiction for the 2020 American Fiction Awards.
His fourth novel, Plum Springs, won the 2019 New Hampshire Writers' Project Readers' Choice Award for Fiction. His first novel, Deception, was named one of the best thriller novels of 2017 by the Novel Writing Festival.
Website: danlawtonfiction.com
Email: info@danlawtonfiction.com
Twitter/Instagram: @danlawtonauthor
Facebook: facebook.com/danlawtonfiction
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 27, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay, this book had me questioning everyone and everything!
The Barefoot Girl immediately pulled me in with the mysterious girl standing barefoot on the side of the road. From that moment, I needed to know who she was, what had happened to her, and why she had been left there.
I really enjoyed the different points of view, the mystery surrounding the hidden basement, and the way the characters’ fragmented memories slowly revealed the truth. Just when I thought I had everything figured out… nope! Another twist would come along and completely change the way I looked at the characters and everything that had happened.
This was such a dark and twisted story filled with trauma, guilt, revenge, manipulation, buried secrets, and complicated characters who definitely don’t always make the right choices. Some moments were difficult to read, but I simply couldn’t put the book down. I needed answers!
The final chapters were intense, emotional, and heartbreaking, and that last reveal gave me the sense of justice I desperately needed after everything these characters went through.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unreliable memories, morally complicated characters, dark secrets, and twists that keep you guessing until the very end, you definitely need to check out The Barefoot Girl.
Okay, this book had me questioning everyone and everything!
The Barefoot Girl immediately pulled me in with the mysterious girl standing barefoot on the side of the road. From that moment, I needed to know who she was, what had happened to her, and why she had been left there.
I really enjoyed the different points of view, the mystery surrounding the hidden basement, and the way the characters’ fragmented memories slowly revealed the truth. Just when I thought I had everything figured out… nope! Another twist would come along and completely change the way I looked at the characters and everything that had happened.
This was such a dark and twisted story filled with trauma, guilt, revenge, manipulation, buried secrets, and complicated characters who definitely don’t always make the right choices. Some moments were difficult to read, but I simply couldn’t put the book down. I needed answers!
The final chapters were intense, emotional, and heartbreaking, and that last reveal gave me the sense of justice I desperately needed after everything these characters went through.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unreliable memories, morally complicated characters, dark secrets, and twists that keep you guessing until the very end, you definitely need to check out The Barefoot Girl.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Although the story takes its time to build and suffers from occasional slow spots, everything converges into a strong finale. The central twist might feel a bit predictable to seasoned readers of the genre, but the journey remains rewarding thanks to the engaging writing style and rich character dynamics. It’s a solid read that ultimately delivers on its setup.
September 20, 2026
“The Barefoot Girl” by Dan Lawton was intense and full of secrets and deception. I was hooked right away. It’s a great psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s definitely a twisty and suspenseful read!
October 31, 2026
Overall Rating = 4.33
Storyline & Concept = 4.5
Writing & Delivery = 4.25
Editorial = 4.25
At the heart of this story is Missy, a deeply troubled patient whose repressed teenage trauma resurfaces through hypnotherapy. Her sessions with Doctor Xhaferi—known simply as Doctor X—are both unsettling and compelling. As Missy’s memories emerge in fragments, Doctor X develops a growing obsession with her case. Running parallel is the storyline of Cody and Sasha, whose attempt to start fresh by renovating an old house descends into a nightmare, made worse by the recurring dream of a barefoot girl from Cody’s past.
Lawton creates a slow-burn suspense in The Barefoot Girl, layering psychological depth with creeping dread. From its chilling opening, the novel establishes an atmosphere of unease that steadily intensifies as seemingly separate storylines begin to intertwine until they intersect about halfway through. At this point, I thought I had figured it out. But it didn’t end there. When the connections between the well-developed characters came into focus, the twists and turns followed, catching me off-guard. Past and present converge at the end as the many complex explanations are revealed. Fans of twisty, character-driven suspense will enjoy this dark and atmospheric thriller.
Sublime Line: “A gripping thriller that draws the reader into a labyrinth of memory, obsession, and long-buried secrets.”
Storyline & Concept = 4.5
Writing & Delivery = 4.25
Editorial = 4.25
At the heart of this story is Missy, a deeply troubled patient whose repressed teenage trauma resurfaces through hypnotherapy. Her sessions with Doctor Xhaferi—known simply as Doctor X—are both unsettling and compelling. As Missy’s memories emerge in fragments, Doctor X develops a growing obsession with her case. Running parallel is the storyline of Cody and Sasha, whose attempt to start fresh by renovating an old house descends into a nightmare, made worse by the recurring dream of a barefoot girl from Cody’s past.
Lawton creates a slow-burn suspense in The Barefoot Girl, layering psychological depth with creeping dread. From its chilling opening, the novel establishes an atmosphere of unease that steadily intensifies as seemingly separate storylines begin to intertwine until they intersect about halfway through. At this point, I thought I had figured it out. But it didn’t end there. When the connections between the well-developed characters came into focus, the twists and turns followed, catching me off-guard. Past and present converge at the end as the many complex explanations are revealed. Fans of twisty, character-driven suspense will enjoy this dark and atmospheric thriller.
Sublime Line: “A gripping thriller that draws the reader into a labyrinth of memory, obsession, and long-buried secrets.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
A gripping page-turner of a read from the very beginning! Dan lays the groundwork for the characters brilliantly. Slowly, meticulously the framework of the story is built. And then, like the old house in the story, the walls start to crumble with every turned page. Who are these people... really? Who is good and who is evil? Who will come out victorious?
"I think you know"
"Put your mind at ease."
Every time I had to put this book down to go be an adult, I was still theorizing. Anticipating whether Dan would prove me right or wrong and completely enjoying the ride no matter what. @danlawtonauthor writes this so brilliantly that I would be surprised if you have it all figured out before you reach the shocking ending.
"But the thing about plans was, even the best laid ones sometimes went to shit."
Recommended to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a touch of dark elements and just enough information to keep you on the edge of your seat for the whole book.
Thank you @danlawtonauthor for the advanced read of this incredible thriller. I can't wait to see what you have coming next!
#TheBarefootGirl #DanLawton #thriller #psychologicalthriller #psychological
"I think you know"
"Put your mind at ease."
Every time I had to put this book down to go be an adult, I was still theorizing. Anticipating whether Dan would prove me right or wrong and completely enjoying the ride no matter what. @danlawtonauthor writes this so brilliantly that I would be surprised if you have it all figured out before you reach the shocking ending.
"But the thing about plans was, even the best laid ones sometimes went to shit."
Recommended to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a touch of dark elements and just enough information to keep you on the edge of your seat for the whole book.
Thank you @danlawtonauthor for the advanced read of this incredible thriller. I can't wait to see what you have coming next!
#TheBarefootGirl #DanLawton #thriller #psychologicalthriller #psychological
Review of advance copy received from Author
A gripping page-turner of a read from the very beginning! Dan lays the groundwork for the characters brilliantly. Slowly, meticulously the framework of the story is built. And then, like the old house in the story, the walls start to crumble with every turned page. Who are these people... really? Who is good and who is evil? Who will come out victorious?
"I think you know"
"Put your mind at ease."
Every time I had to put this book down to go be an adult, I was still theorizing. Anticipating whether Dan would prove me right or wrong and completely enjoying the ride no matter what. @danlawtonauthor writes this so brilliantly that I would be surprised if you have it all figured out before you reach the shocking ending.
"But the thing about plans was, even the best laid ones sometimes went to shit."
Recommended to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a touch of dark elements and just enough information to keep you on the edge of your seat for the whole book.
Thank you @danlawtonauthor for the advanced read of this incredible thriller. I can't wait to see what you have coming next!
#TheBarefootGirl #DanLawton #thriller #psychologicalthriller #psychological
"I think you know"
"Put your mind at ease."
Every time I had to put this book down to go be an adult, I was still theorizing. Anticipating whether Dan would prove me right or wrong and completely enjoying the ride no matter what. @danlawtonauthor writes this so brilliantly that I would be surprised if you have it all figured out before you reach the shocking ending.
"But the thing about plans was, even the best laid ones sometimes went to shit."
Recommended to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a touch of dark elements and just enough information to keep you on the edge of your seat for the whole book.
Thank you @danlawtonauthor for the advanced read of this incredible thriller. I can't wait to see what you have coming next!
#TheBarefootGirl #DanLawton #thriller #psychologicalthriller #psychological
Review of advance copy received from Author
PAGE TURNER!! Started off with a bang! 17 year kid driving his car, feeling that this night was somehow different, but didn't know why. Then he saw the barefoot girl standing on the side of the road hailing him down and he was forced to step on the brakes. He had to make a decision, help her or leave her there.
This is a book to add to your TBR! Psychological horror is one of my favorite genres and pretty close to #1. I always hope when I pick up a book that has psychologist in it, it will meet my genre expectations and Barefoot Girl certainly did. It took a little while to figure out how the main characters connect but that is what made this so good and was where the twists came in. I get bored with the book if I can see the twists coming but this book was a mindbender and I can't express how much I looked forward to going to bed so I could read a few chapters.
I 100% recommend picking up Barefoot girl by Dan Lawton when it releases on October 29th!
This is a book to add to your TBR! Psychological horror is one of my favorite genres and pretty close to #1. I always hope when I pick up a book that has psychologist in it, it will meet my genre expectations and Barefoot Girl certainly did. It took a little while to figure out how the main characters connect but that is what made this so good and was where the twists came in. I get bored with the book if I can see the twists coming but this book was a mindbender and I can't express how much I looked forward to going to bed so I could read a few chapters.
I 100% recommend picking up Barefoot girl by Dan Lawton when it releases on October 29th!
August 26, 2026
Wow, what a story!
This was a simple and easy read. It was a great story premise and what occurred generally. Maybe it was because it was third person narration overall yet separate viewpoints, but the expression felt very juvenile to me? I feel like this could be highly elevated if it were written in first person narration and dual/triple point of views? It has potential but for me personally some aspects fell flat in a way. I felt there was a lot of time spent on the compelling intrigue-puzzling it out aspect yet the conclusions or resolve at the actual end of the book was lacking? I was left with -it was great! as well as slightly disappointing. I was left unsure how I actually 'feel' about it generally. It was unique in the way story telling of thrillers go.
This was a simple and easy read. It was a great story premise and what occurred generally. Maybe it was because it was third person narration overall yet separate viewpoints, but the expression felt very juvenile to me? I feel like this could be highly elevated if it were written in first person narration and dual/triple point of views? It has potential but for me personally some aspects fell flat in a way. I felt there was a lot of time spent on the compelling intrigue-puzzling it out aspect yet the conclusions or resolve at the actual end of the book was lacking? I was left with -it was great! as well as slightly disappointing. I was left unsure how I actually 'feel' about it generally. It was unique in the way story telling of thrillers go.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, and elevated it to the top of my reading list based on what I had read about this author and his previous works. I had not yet read any of his books. I found the book to be interesting, captivating at times, but slow at other times. The premise was good, but I think Mr. Lawton tried too hard to keep the reader from guessing where the book was going, which until the big reveal, made me question why any of the characters would act as they did. A bit of a reveal, even misdirection would have improved the plot. It was good enough for me to want to go back and read more of this author's previous works.
Review of advance copy received from Author
WOW, this book was awesome. I have no patience for books that don’t engage me right away. This one did just that.
I had trouble putting this down to deal with everyday life. My dog was most perturbed when I tried to ignor her pleas for attention. Chores left undone. I just wanted to keep reading a few more pages. So many unexpected twists and turns. I was a bit confused at the 3/4 mark but the Dr. X character soon explained enough to help me out and clear things up.
This was a wonderfully suspenseful book. If you are a Dan Lawton fan, you will not be disappointed.
I had trouble putting this down to deal with everyday life. My dog was most perturbed when I tried to ignor her pleas for attention. Chores left undone. I just wanted to keep reading a few more pages. So many unexpected twists and turns. I was a bit confused at the 3/4 mark but the Dr. X character soon explained enough to help me out and clear things up.
This was a wonderfully suspenseful book. If you are a Dan Lawton fan, you will not be disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
OK, this was a twist and turned book that had more twists that I expected. What a great book. The barefoot girl approached Cody on a dark road. She was bloodied and scared, desperate for help. Cody drove off and it haunted him for a long time. I was astounded by the unexpected events that came one after another in this book. This left me stunned to the end. This is a recommended read that I enjoyed from page 1 with the barefoot girl. Having been hooked from the start of the book was amazing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was very intense at times. I really wanted to keep reading even though I really needed to go to sleep. It was a well-written story. At first, I didn't like the ending, but the more I thought about it, the more I saw it probably was the best ending. The characters were well fleshed out. I couldn't quite figure out the connections among them. I frequently guess right, but this one stumped me. It is definitely worth the read. Now I need to go read more of Dan's books.
August 4, 2026
Suffocated. That is how I felt the entire time reading this. There was this pressure on my chest up until the end when I finished reading it. I thought I had an understanding of the plot and its twists. I was very wrong. I read the book in two days because I had to work which I ended up reading it on all my breaks. Definitely had a WTF moment once or twice in the best way possible. It will be available October 29th, a great read for Halloween!
October 29, 2026
This was such an amazingly thrilling story. Right from the beginning it pulled me in and I was along for the ride. This was intense and intriguing. It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved the characters, they all played such an important part in this. The twists and turns had me guessing the entire time. And just when I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong. This was definitely a story that reached into my mind and had me invested. An absolutely captivating read.
October 29, 2026
Cody can’t forget the barefoot girl who ran out when she saw his car, begging for help. For some reason he drove away and left her. It happened thirteen years ago but still bothers him.
For me, this book was fast paced at times but other times it was kind of slow and confusing. In the end all is revealed. I did enjoy this book and felt the storyline was great with interesting g characters.
Thank you to Book Funnel and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
For me, this book was fast paced at times but other times it was kind of slow and confusing. In the end all is revealed. I did enjoy this book and felt the storyline was great with interesting g characters.
Thank you to Book Funnel and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Unshod and desperate in North Carolina
Author Dan Lawton provides a satisfying bucketful of thrills and puzzles in The Barefoot Girl. Who’s the villain, who’s the victim, who’s the crazy one? How are the story lines of Dr. X and Missy, and Cody and Sasha, knotted? A gripping read from the first page to the last, along the way we even learn what happened to the girl’s shoes.
Author Dan Lawton provides a satisfying bucketful of thrills and puzzles in The Barefoot Girl. Who’s the villain, who’s the victim, who’s the crazy one? How are the story lines of Dr. X and Missy, and Cody and Sasha, knotted? A gripping read from the first page to the last, along the way we even learn what happened to the girl’s shoes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The book had so many twists that it left me with whiplash, but it was nothing short of phenomenal!
What starts with a barefooted girl on a dark road devolves into a story about trust, manipulation, and secrets. There were parts of the book where my jaw was literally hanging open. What a good book!
What starts with a barefooted girl on a dark road devolves into a story about trust, manipulation, and secrets. There were parts of the book where my jaw was literally hanging open. What a good book!
Review of advance copy
From the very start this book had me hooked, no reading the first few chapters thinking when will this get good, it got me from the very beginning til the very end.
I was so desperate to find out what happed that I fell asleep mid page several times at gone midnight thinking just one more page.
I was so desperate to find out what happed that I fell asleep mid page several times at gone midnight thinking just one more page.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story is thrilling enough, kept me interested, and ties together at the end. My issue was that the plot relies heavily on the use of hypnosis to recover memories, and I had difficulty suspending my disbelief in that. As long as you can accept that as just a fun, albeit unrealistic, plot device then it’s worth a read, especially for those who enjoy the thriller genre.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review: The Barefoot Girl will keep you turning the pages
The Barefoot Girl is a new thriller that will have you turning the pages until the very end. A young girl, barefoot, dirty and injured, begging for help. A young boy driving by who ignores her. And the nightmares that plague him because he didn’t help. Who is the girl? What happened to her? You won’t want to miss this one!
The Barefoot Girl is a new thriller that will have you turning the pages until the very end. A young girl, barefoot, dirty and injured, begging for help. A young boy driving by who ignores her. And the nightmares that plague him because he didn’t help. Who is the girl? What happened to her? You won’t want to miss this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A phycological thriller with a well written plot and a great cast of characters. Three lives linked together with twist and turns making it a page turning enjoyable read. Contains plenty of action and suspense. Highly recommended read with an unexpected ending.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A thriller I did not want to stop reading. Lots of twists & turns - suspense to the very end of the book. I had my suspicions of what the outcome would be but didn’t expect all the connections. Well written - psychological thriller. Definitely a fan of the author!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the second book that I've read by this Author. I really enjoy how his writing style pulls you in and you want to keep reading. This book was very engaging from the beginning and I thought I had the twists figured out. I was quite wrong. Well done Mr Lawton.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Both intriguing, captivating and intense from the start. A well written storyline with a great mix of characters. Plenty of action and surprises. The ending was a total surprise. My first from this author but definitely not my last- highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The first chapter to this was very repetitive and by the time you got to chapter 6 nothing had happened. You are introduced to the lives of a few characters but you didn't feel like it was going anywhere.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Exciting page turner. The character development was an added bonus to this story with so many twists and turns I was left guessing until the very end. Highly recommend if you love thrillers!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such an easy read! Definitely some parts had me spooked. I definitely enjoyed the two different story lines!!
September 5, 2026
❤️ There were moments that I thought I had it figured out, but the full story was way more twisted than I could guess! The author did a great job revealing details at an entertaining pace.
💔 Nothing
💔 Nothing
November 2, 2026
Absolutely wow
This book was brilliantly executed loved how the author curated this story . This was a chilling suspense that kept me engaged throughout the whole time .
This book was brilliantly executed loved how the author curated this story . This was a chilling suspense that kept me engaged throughout the whole time .
November 5, 2026
This was an incredible story. Even when I figured the big twists out, there were still more to go. Awesome story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews