What Big Lies You Have

by A.G. Mock

JUST HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO KEEP WHAT YOU LOVE MOST?

Haunted by her best friend’s tragic death, one woman is about to come face-to-face with a truth so dark it will shatter everything she thought was real…

The unsolved abduction of Rosie Tanner is the stuff of urban legend. Wearing a crimson hoodie when she vanished from her grandmother’s Yorkshire home, people around the world mourned the 13-year-old they affectionately called ‘Little Red Riding Hood.’

For 28 years, the truth about Rosie’s mysterious disappearance remained as buried as her empty coffin. But now, someone in America has come forward claiming to be her.

It should be wonderful news.

But Emily Briggs, Rosie’s closest childhood friend and fellow victim, carries her own scars from that terrible day and has one very good reason to be suspicious…
Forced to unearth the event she's spent a lifetime trying to bury, Emily is about to uncover a truth so shocking it could lay waste to everything in her life she believed to be real...

Genres: Mystery

426 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2026

About the author

Voted Author of the Year in the 2025 Bookstagram Awards, A.G. Mock is renowned for his trademark jaw-dropping endings. A two-time American Fiction Awards winner, his bestselling psychological thriller, Now is the Time of Monsters, earned the coveted Publishers Weekly BookLife Editor’s Pick for outstanding quality.

He is a full-time author and professional working member of both the ITW (International Thriller Writers) and HWA (Horror Writers Association).

Originally from Pennsylvania, Mock moved to the UK where he earned his bachelor’s degree before beginning his publishing journey in Yorkshire. He now lives in what he proudly calls his ‘forever home’ in Nashville with his wife, two adorable rescue dogs, and at least one cheeky ghost.

His wife and dogs he treasures wildly, the ghost he can take or leave.

Follow him on social media at @agmockauthor or visit AGMock.com to be the first to hear of his latest releases, tour dates, and to join his free Inner Sanctum email club.

Reviews

[Billie Wiley]

A.G. Mock does it again! He creates stories that creep into your mind, contort all reasonable logic and will have you second guessing your own thoughts! 🤯🤯🤯

Prepare yourself for an experience like none other! The psychological thriller retelling of Little Red Riding Hood from the author known for twisting your mind beyond your own imagination! 🐺🩸

[Daniella]

I went into this one with very high expectations after loving Now Is the Time of Monsters. The premise sounded exactly like my kind of thriller, and that cover immediately caught my attention. I loved the dark fairy-tale vibe, with the red cloak, the woods, and the Little Red Riding Hood imagery. A woman receives a call suggesting that her childhood best friend, believed murdered 28 years earlier, may still be alive. What really happened that night, and what will happen when she finally comes face-to-face with the woman claiming to be her friend?

The beginning had me completely invested. The childhood mystery was disturbing, the scenes involving Levi Wolfe were genuinely unsettling, and I loved how the fairy-tale elements were woven into the story. I was eager to find out what happened to Rosie. Unfortunately, the book gradually lost the momentum that made those early chapters so compelling.

The middle was where it really fell apart for me. Instead of moving toward the reunion and the mystery, the story spent a surprising amount of time on a new connection, relationship introspection, and sightseeing around Savannah. I actually enjoyed some of the history and would love to visit several of the places mentioned, but it felt like the book had temporarily shifted into a travel guide. I kept wondering when we were going to get back to Rosie.

The final quarter does bring action and a number of significant revelations. Some earlier details become relevant, and I can appreciate the planning behind the twists. But the ending buried me in so much convoluted information that I was left trying to untangle the mechanics rather than enjoying the payoff. My favorite complex twists make everything slide into place once I understand them. Here, I was still going back through scenes, questioning what was real and trying to make sense of what had happened.

I also struggled with the emotional payoff. Several relationships that become crucial to the ending felt more explained than developed, so I didn’t have the connection to those characters that I needed for the revelations to really land. And one of the most central questions of the book remains ambiguous, which was particularly frustrating after spending so much time waiting for answers.

The beginning hooked me, the middle lost me, and the ending left me confused and frustrated.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Melissa Widener]

What Big Lies You Have by A.G. Mock
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up to a 5)
Spice: 2/5
Cursing: min+
Format/Source: paperback from author (thank you so much)
Genres/Tropes: suspenseful thriller, twisty, fairy tale retelling
Settings: 1984, 1998, & 2025 England; 2025 Savannah
Audience: Adult
Characters: Rosie, Emily, Levi, Gabby, Marc, Margaret, Joshua, Amy, David, Elizabeth
👍 short chapters, multi POV, medium-fast paced, twists galore, storyline, trying to deduce what really happened
👎 multi timelines (they are clearly marked though), cursing


Description:
Haunted by the trauma she's spent 28 years trying to bury, one woman is about to come face-to-face with a truth so dark it will shatter everything she thought was real...
The unsolved abduction of Rosie Tanner is the stuff of urban legend. Wearing a crimson hoodie when she vanished from her grandmother's Yorkshire home, people around the world mourned the 13-year-old they affectionately called 'Little Red Riding Hood.'
For years, the truth about Rosie's mysterious disappearance remained as buried as her empty coffin. But now, someone in America has come forward claiming to be her.
It should be wonderful news.
But Emily Briggs, Rosie's childhood best friend and fellow victim, carries her own scars from that terrible day. And Emily has one very good reason to be suspicious.
Forced to unearth the event she's spent a lifetime trying to bury, she's about to uncover a truth so dark it has the power to shatter everything in her life she thought was real...something to lose…

I thoroughly enjoyed this twist-filled thriller, especially the unique storyline and trying to figure out exactly what happened that fateful fair day. I also loved how many times I just knew I had it figured out to find out I truly had no clue. I recommend this book to all those who love suspenseful and shocking thrillers.
#bookstagram #booklovers #thrillerbooks #twistybooks #littleredridinghood

[Shellyann Paape]

This entire book was incredible. Without the final bombshell, it would have been a 5 star for me. But that final bombshell, OH YES 10 🌟 from me.

The entirety of the book, I was on the edge of my seat.

[Tracy Hinson]

I received an ARC of What Big Lies You Have from Net Galley. What Big Lies You Have doesn’t just tell a suspenseful story, it pressurizes you as you read. The anxiety in this book feels almost physical. Mock layers unease so skillfully that even quiet moments hum with tension. Every knock, every glance, every half-truth feels loaded, and you can’t shake the sense that something terrible is just one page away. It’s the kind of thriller where you don’t just follow the plot — you live the dread alongside the characters

[Jennifer]

I kept putting reading this off for some reason. My brain was telling me I wouldn't enjoy it even though I've like the authors previous works. Weird, huh? Well, I said f*ck that and started this at 1am and yeah well... sleep who? The writing? Fantastic. The story line? Easy to follow and attention keeping. The twists? B*tch, hwhat? Heavy on the first h. The ending? Welp.... that happened. Loved it. The end.

[Ali O]

What Big Lies You Have by A.G. Mock
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
WOW!!
I loved this book!! I couldn’t read it fast enough! The twists and turns were amazing from start to finish, and I was completely hooked from page one!

Emily and Rosie, age 13, are best friends and do everything together! They are so excited to go to the Guy Fawkes Day celebration that they attend every year. However, this will be the last one they go to together, as Rosie goes missing from this event.
Will they get answers on what happened to Rosie?

This mysterious and intense thriller is a fast read with short chapters. It’s full of secrets and lies and is definitely a “one more chapter” book!! It’s very well written and has great character development! I enjoyed the multiple timelines as well! It kept the story extra engaging!

Thank you to Epoch Thrillers for an ARC of this amazing book!

**It comes out September 22nd and is an absolute must read!**

📚****Pre-order now****📚

[Leanne]

A gripping, atmospheric thriller, What Big Lies You Have delivers an emotional punch wrapped in slow‑burn suspense.

This book hooked me immediately with its moody tension and the way it blends memory, myth, and trauma into something genuinely haunting. What I loved most is how deeply it explores the bonds we form in childhood — and how those bonds can twist, fracture, and echo through adulthood in ways we never expect. The story feels intimate even when it’s unsettling, and the emotional undercurrents give the mystery real weight.

The pacing is wonderfully controlled: steady enough to savour, yet threaded with unease that keeps you reading “just one more chapter.” The atmosphere is rich without ever feeling heavy, and the book’s central relationship adds a tenderness that contrasts beautifully with its darker elements. When the past resurfaces, the unraveling is handled with a quiet intensity that makes the final revelations land hard.

What Big Lies You Have is a thoughtful, character‑driven thriller with a dark fairytale edge and a lingering emotional resonance. A compelling read for anyone who enjoys suspense that’s as much about the heart as it is about the mystery.

With thanks to AG Mock, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Amy Tackett]

Brilliantly wicked and incredibly twisted.

[Charlie]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.

What big lies you have by A.G Mock

My first book by A.G Mock thanks to ARC from net gallery.
A addictive suspenseful thriller about love and loss with a twist. A twist on the tale of red riding hood.

Rosie Tanner went missing 28 years ago from her grandma home in Scarborough, nicknamed ‘little red riding hood’ because she was wearing a crimson hoodie when she vanished. A woman in Savannah claiming to be Rosie 28 years later.
Emily Briggs, Rosie childhood best friend doesn’t believe her and investigates which forces her to revisit trauma of her past, discover disturbing truths and how far people will go to protect the ones they love.
Goes between past and present day with different characters POV.
If you enjoy twisty thrillers by authors like Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst or Heidi Perks add this book to your to reads list.

Publish date: 22/09/26

[Chapters_with_VDKeck]

Y’all, What Big Lies You Have is a slow burn with secrets simmering beneath every page. Emily’s painful past and suspicions surrounding Rosie’s return create a twisty, unsettling mystery.

A.G. Mock delivers the strong character development and sharp, atmospheric writing you’d expect. Then that huge final twist strutted in, knocked me sideways, and made me look back thinking, “Ohhh… now I understand!” Clever, haunting, and worth the wait!

[Rachel Browning]

A. G. Mock does it again with “What Big Lies You Have”! This dark, twisted thriller had me hooked from the very beginning. It’s packed with suspense, deception, jealousy, and lies, every chapter kept me wanting more. The tension never let up, and I found myself completely invested. I honestly got mad whenever I had to stop reading because I couldn't wait to see what happened next! If you enjoy addictive psychological thrillers full of secrets and shocking twists, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Bookdragon_Lady]

Mr Mock does it again. He has once again lured me right in to a tangled web of deceit, betrayal, and more twists than a rollercoaster.

This is a book about two teenage best friends, until the day that all changed. Emily and Rosie had practically grew up together since the day they were born. While at a local holiday festival, things quickly changed. They get into a fight and are then startled by a giant of a carnie, who has his sights locked in on one of the girls. One disappears, one goes home. Over 2 decades later, the missing one returns. Or does she? I loved all the twists. Just when I would start to think Aha! there would be a twist, taking me in a different direction...right up to the very last chapter. Such a great read.

Thanks to Epoch Thrillers for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Brittany Fox]

What Big Lies You Have is quite the epic tale with all the classics you need and a shocking turn of events. All the details you need from past to present will make you question what you're reading and just what exactly happens to Emily and Rosie along the way. A.G does a wonderful job getting readers engaged in this tall tale of Little Red Riding Hood with an ending you'll never see coming.
5 star.

[Carol Werner Harris]

What Big Lies You Have
by A.G. Mock
Pub Date: Sep 22 2026

What Big Lies You Have is a slow burn mystery drawn from the Little Red Riding Hood story. It starts out fast, shifts into a highly detailed, methodical midsection, and ignites into a "flaming finish".

The story is centered around memory, trauma, and secrets. Told in dual timelines with multiple POVs: Highlighted for its transition between childhood memories (focusing on the original disappearance) and the present-day investigation. A shocking ending with a jaw dropping twist I didn't see coming!

I would like to thank #HaveYouSeenRosie #NetGalley and #Epochthrillers for providing me an E-ARC of this book.

[Jerri Bosley]

I genuinely do not understand all the amazing reviews on this book!

I loved it until around 70% then it totally lost me. I had to reread so many chapters as I did not have a clue what was happening. It just turned chaotic. I genuinely adored the book up until that point and the plot twist just was an absolute no for me. Its such a shame for what could have been such a great ending was just completely ridiculous.

I will say I did really enjoy all of the nods towards Red Riding Hood, it was great fun spotting them throughout the book!

[Chronically Bookish Steph]

This was a good mystery with a very intriguing concept. I really liked the imagery evoked by the red hoody and the underlying Little Red Riding Hood story of little girl enters the forest and gets eaten by the big bad wolf (or Wolfe in this case) and I thought that gave the whole story a really interesting structure.

There were some good twists and turns, and the author definitely kept me guessing while not introducing anything too unbelievable or crazy so I never felt blindsided by plot whiplash.

Overall I felt this was very well done, but I did feel the whole book was held back, and my final rating affected, by how thoroughly frustrating and stupid so many of the main characters actions and decisions were! I understand that she experienced an extreme trauma at a young age, but I found her whole personality infuriating and at times wildly unlikable. Her thought processes were unrealistic and inconsistent, and as a lot of the book is spent in her head and her pov I found myself in an almost constant state of irritation which definitely took away from my enjoyment of the underlying mystery and suspense.

I received this as a gifted eARC through NetGalley.

[Andria Lambert]

This is actually the first time I have read a book by this author. I did purchase Now is the Time of Monsters and its on my tbr list to read.

What Big Lies You Have is like a twist on the Red Riding Hood Story and is a very suspenseful thriller, built tension as it went along and definitely kept me entertained. Rosie Tanner went missing 28 years ago from her grandmother's house and she was wearing a crimson colored hoodie and became like an urban legend. Now, 28 years later a woman steps forward claiming to be Rosie. Emily Briggs who was Rosie best friend and also a fellow victim doesn't believe these claims. Emily starts investigating the claims and then has to endure trauma brought back up from the past. I can't go through all the twists and turns because it gets a very complicated and chaotic. The story is full of secrets, chaos, and some very shocking twists and I must say sometimes a little confusing especially about who is actually who...not going to say more, just highly recommend you read the story and have your thinking cap on but it does make more sense as you get more to the ending. The story is told with dual timelines and also different points of view. I thoroughly enjoyed the story.

Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley co-op/Epoch Thrillers for the complimentary copy of the story.

[Kayla Morgan]

oh wow

This book was sooooo good. So many jaw dropping moments. Definitely a one day read. So just read it now what are you waiting for

[Haley Handson]

This thrilling adventure will have you guessing from start to finish. I peeled through this book so quickly because I simply couldn't put it down. Every time you think you might have it figured out you find out you're astoundingly WRONG. The shifting narration keeps you on the edge of your seat, and begging to return to your current character as swiftly as possible... but you simply must know what is happening with the next character as well! Its addictive, tantalizing, at times steamy. WBHLH has it all. You will fall in love with the characters from the jump, and be amazed as they develop...and even have you questioning if you really knew them. Add it to your cart as quickly as possible- and set aside a weekend with your phone on DO NOT DISTURB mode!

[Laura Harvey]

This book is absolutely the definition of a psychological thriller! From beginning to end it messes with your mind. You don't know who or what to believe. It's anxiety producing and I just couldn't put it down. You won't want to either because it will keep you guessing all the way till the end.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Jasmine Hall]

Thanks to NetGalley and Epoch Thrillers for the advance copy. I have never read an A.G. Mock book, and I now want to read more of his books. This book is amazing to read and creates a story that creeps into your mind and stays with you. Plus, if you love The Little Red Riding Hood, then this retelling is perfect for you.

[Ashley Dick]

This gripping thriller masterfully maintains an atmosphere of constant doubt. The clever blend of heavy emotional themes, complex relationships, and high-stakes suspense kept me thoroughly invested. While I managed to piece together a few elements of the mystery early on, the execution remained compelling enough to hold my attention until the very end.

An chaotic, rapid-fire, and utterly absorbing page-turner packed with drama. 5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lindsay Wendt]

Thank you A.G. Mock and NetGalley for the opportunity for this ARC of "What Big Lies You Have".
I am already a fan of A.G. Mock's writing, but I couldn't wait to read this one!!

He has done it again.. a twist that made my jaw drop. A.G. Mock has quickly became one of my favorite authors. The twists in his books, don't just twist. They literally make you put your book down to think... what just happened?!?! Wait, what?!?!

What Big Lies You Have was no exception. I flew through this story, but by the end, I felt like I was watching a t.v. series for months. So much detail, many perspectives that gave you just enough, but didn't drag out. This story was perfectly told in a little more than 300 pages.

The explanation at the end of the consequences of a lie vs the truth was a no brainer, but what really transpired for Rose and Emily was the prefect ending to a heartbreaking day/life of two BFFs. I loved this story!

Pre-order this book through any major book seller, or at agmock.com

[Cindy Ossieur]

English Review – What Big Lies You Have by A.G. Mock

Thanks to NetGalley, I was able to read this ARC before its release on September 22nd.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, as A.G. Mock was a new-to-me author, but after reading this story, I definitely want to read more of his work.

The story revolves around the unsolved disappearance of Rosie Tanner. Twenty-eight years later, a woman from Savannah, Georgia, claims to be Rosie.

The story begins in the present day, in England, with a strange phone call. We then travel back 28 years, to the final day together of two 13-year-old best friends, Emily and Rosie. After that day, neither of their lives will ever be the same. One of the girls returns home covered in the other’s blood, while Rosie has disappeared from her grandmother’s house. The only thing left behind is her red shawl.

Along with the accusations Emily makes against a man named Levi Wolfe, accusing him of Rosie’s murder and kidnapping, this leads to Rosie becoming known as “Little Red Riding Hood.” Levi is sentenced to life in prison, and Rosie is declared dead.

Twenty-eight years later, someone suddenly appears claiming to be Rosie Tanner. Emily’s life is turned upside down. From that fateful day until the present, she has carried the guilt, grief, and loss of her best friend with her. But she is also carrying a big secret.

Is Emily the only one with a secret? And what would someone be willing to do to keep that secret hidden?

The suspense starts building quite quickly and continues to intensify throughout the story. We get to see both Rosie’s and Emily’s lives, as well as those of their parents, which gives us a deeper insight into their personalities and motivations. I found it easy to put myself in their shoes. Not everyone was particularly likeable, but their actions and emotions felt believable.

One thing I particularly enjoyed was the use of local language and expressions from the part of England where the story is set. It added authenticity to the setting and made it feel even more immersive.

Just when you think you have figured out what is really going on, another twist comes along—and then another. I simply couldn’t put the book down because I had to know what had really happened.

A gripping, cleverly crafted mystery with plenty of secrets, suspense, and unexpected twists. Definitely a book that kept me guessing until the end!

[Anindita Guha]

A.G. Mock’s What Big Lies You Have is an atmospheric psychological thriller that had me hooked from the first page. A contemporary reworking of Little Red Riding Hood, it centers on childhood best friends Emily Briggs and Rosie Tanner — the 13-year-olds, one of whom vanished 28 years ago in the infamous crimson hoodie case — and a woman now claiming to be Rosie in Savannah, Georgia. Mock creates Rose with depth and complexity, a fiercely compelling protagonist she remains enigmatic and unforgettable, and the presence of Levi Wolfe adds a chilling tension. With its dual timeline, slow-burn dread that builds to a jaw-dropping crescendo, and rich Yorkshire-to-Savannah Transatlantic atmosphere, the book is suspenseful, emotional, and impossible to put down. Mock’s writing has a mix of charm and bite— light enough to enjoy effortlessly, yet layered enough to linger in the mind long after you close the final page. If you enjoy fiction that balances suspense with insight, this one is a delight.

#bookstagram #booktopia #booktrovert

[Bryan Head]

We all know the story of Little Red Riding Hood—or at least we think we do. The original Grimm tale is far darker than the versions most of us grew up with, and A.G. Mock embraces that darkness brilliantly in What Big Lies You Have.

One of my favorite things about this book was the way Mock layered names, imagery, and themes from the original tale throughout the story. It was incredibly clever without ever feeling forced.

Reading this book feels a little like walking through the woods yourself. Just when you think you know where the path is leading, it turns. Then it turns again. Secrets are revealed, assumptions change, and there were several moments I simply did not see coming.

And maybe that’s what stayed with me most: How well do we ever really know another person? Everyone has secrets. Everyone has their own version of the story. And sometimes what we believe to be the truth is simply the version we’ve been told.

What Big Lies You Have is a true page-turner that will keep you questioning what—and who—you believe right through the end.

And when you finally think you’ve made it out of the woods…you may find yourself wondering if what you thought you knew was true at all—or if it was just another turn in the forest. 🐺🌲

Another fantastic read from @agmockauthor.

[Melissa]

I am just sitting here, my mouth agape, as I close the last page of this book. Mr. Mock, you are a talented storyteller and astounds me every time.
This book starts off with an unsolved missing person's case, a murder and the friendship between 2 girls. It then flips to the back story of another set of characters, which blows your mind page after page.... then goes back to the present, and the more characters that are introduced, the more you become attached to their motives and actions. This storyline is utterly unsettlingly, and extremely anxiety provoking, but all in the best ways possible. I love how each twist, and there are many, are dropped in your lap with a - THERE IT IS - and the story just keeps going. I could not put it down. This book devoured me.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC, and thank you A.G. Mock for the physical ARC that I will now hold as one of my treasured books. If you like suspense, thrillers and just an all around story that messes with your soul, PLEASE run to pick this up when it comes out on 9/22/26!! I promise you will be thanking me!!

[Sandra Farrell]

It took me a few days after finishing What Big Lies You Have by A.G. Mock just to wrap my head around how to review it without giving anything away!

The twists are peppered throughout the entire novel and just get bigger and bigger as the story unfolds. You genuinely feel for Emily and her BFF Rosie, but the constant question remains: who is telling the truth, and are they really? The Little Red Riding Hood undercurrent is fantastically done—leaving you wondering if she was ever as innocent as the media portrayed.

It grabs you from page one and drags you along at a breakneck pace. Who can you trust, and are some lies safer than the truth?

Mark your calendars—it officially releases September 22nd!

I was lucky enough to score an Advanced Reader Copy from Epoch Thrillers and A.G. Mock, but the review is entirely my own!

[Katy Wolfe]

What Big Lies You Have does NOT disappoint. A.G. is so in touch with his characters, and you can feel it. Every narrator has her own voice and she is unique, but they are all beautifully connected.
If you are a fan of twists and turns, please pre-order your copy. Just when I thought I had it fugured out, A.G. threw me for the best kind of loops.
I am so excited for my finished copy and will re-read this one a lot!