Her Other Half

by Brett Monk

She spent her whole life believing she was ordinary. That was their design. Leora Pierce has spent her whole life being the one who holds everything together. Now someone is trying to tear her life apart.

Two weeks before opening night, a man is killed backstage at the elite school where Leora teaches drama, and a girl from her cast disappears. In the wreckage is an envelope bearing a name almost nobody alive knows, and inside it a photograph of her dead mother standing beside a woman who has Leora’s face.

Five words on the YOUR REAL MOTHER IS ALIVE.

She knows she should hand it to the police. She cannot make herself let go of it. Or of the questions that the photo poses. As her obsession to find the truth grows, Leora’s boss threatens her job. Her ex-husband builds a case to take her daughter away from her. Her best friend suggests “professional help.”

A stranger has been watching her house for weeks. The night she faces him, everything changes.

And on opening night, in an auditorium full of parents, someone intends to bring the house down, and Leora’s life along with it.

A thriller series that's a love letter to English teachers and theater nerds. Her Other Half is the first novel in the Key and Leo Thrillers series by Brett full-strength suspense with nothing explicit on the page, and twists that hold up on a second read.

If you're ready for plots that grip you and characters that move you, dive into the Key and Leo Thrillers starting with Her Other Half.

350 pages, Hardcover

Published September 21, 2026

Reviews

[Lisa Button · Rating 4 out of 5]

This thriller had me hooked! Just when I thought I had things figured out, I found myself questioning everything. The suspense kept me turning pages, and I loved how the story kept me guessing. A few moments didn’t hit quite as hard as I’d hoped, but overall, this was an entertaining and engaging read!

If you love thrillers that keep you on your toes, add this one to your TBR! 📚🔪

[Loispfl · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This one had me scratching my head. Why did the main character make the choices she did? The bulk of the plot was so well-constructed that I stuck with this even while questioning some of the logic, and I'm glad I did, as Main Character B appeared and was much more likable. I went from "Huh?" to "Looking forward to the next book in the series." Very interested to see what others think.

I received a copy from the author, and this is my honest opinion.

[Heather Mulvihill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lenora, a teacher at the school where her daughter, Skye attends & her ex husband works aa a school psychologist. Lenora is having play practice while Skye is script supervisor.
Holy plot twists, Batman !!! excitedly awaiting Book 2

[Jeana Mutchler · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

WOW!!!

I LOVE to read. I always plan to read at least two to three chapters of an evening and then put the book down and get up and do my house chores, cook dinner, etc. (unless it's the weekend and then it's book day all day if I so choose). NOT with this book!! I kept saying, one more chapter, ok, for real this time, just one more chapter! I finally went to bed at 2:30 a.m. only because I have to get up for work at 5:30 a.m. This book had me hooked by Chapter 3! I absolutely loved Leora's character. She made me feel like a real person. She honestly reminded me of Ms. Cockrell, one of my high school English teachers who lives for her students. Anyway, the mystery and twists did catch me off guard. There were a few times, I thought I had this all figured out but I didn't! If you are a mystery/thriller lover, do yourself a favor and PICK UP THIS BOOK! Thank you, Brett for a great read! Her Other Half

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like reading mysteries and you haven't read a book by Brett Monk, I recommend you give his books a try. Every book of his that I have read, I have rated 5 stars. Her Other Half is another suspenseful page turner. Leora "Leo" Pierce is a divorced high school teacher/drama director at Adler-Arden Conservatory in Falls Church, Virginia. Her daughter, Skye, attends the school and helps supervise the script. While rehearsing their upcoming play, Skye finds the custodian, Carlos Ramirez, shot to death and Thea, one of the main actresses, has gone missing. Leo finds a photograph that makes her question who her birth mother was. I liked the line, "The photograph in my pocket feels like the Telltale Heart, ready to pound its way out of my jacket and condemn me at any moment." Keenan is hired to keep an inconspicuous watch over her and it's a good thing he does! This seems to be the start of another great series. I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Brandi Conico · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book. I'll be honest during Part 1, I was like- Why does the author include the perspective character in the chapter title if they are all the same character. Then comes Part 2 and it makes senses.

One thing that is mildly triggering to me is all the gaslighting and condescension - particularly coming from the ex-husband. But that is what adds a lot of the emotional turmoil to the book.

The premise of the book and the exploration into eugenics is interesting and I like how it is not a study into ethics or overly scientific. Though I would be interested to see where the investigation into Paragon goes.

I would recommend this for anyone interested in a thrilling suspense novel with actual developed plot- not just curveballs for the sake of shock value. I really enjoyed this book a whole lot.

I received this as an ARC and have provided my unbiased opinion.

[Teri Moore Stover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a really good time with Her Other Half. The story hooked me right away with the photo, the mystery surrounding Leora's mother, and all the questions that came with it. I kept telling myself I'd read one more chapter, and then suddenly I'd read three. 
I especially liked Leora. She felt like a real person trying to hold everything together while her entire world was slowly falling apart. Between the family secrets, the murder, and the missing student, there was always something happening to keep me engaged. 
Not every twist caught me off guard, but I was invested the whole way through and genuinely wanted answers. Fast-paced, entertaining, and full of secrets, this was a solid 4-star read for me.

[Taylor Ormonde · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

What a twisty read. At no point could I figure out what was going to happen next.

Leora is our FMC and can I just say, POOR LEORA! Her boss is only looking out for himself, her best friend doesn’t believe her about any of the chaos going on in her life and her ex husband villainizes her. The way the author writes about her makes you genuinely feel sorry for her as if I know her.

Keenan is the MMC and he’s tasked with watching Leora with the strict rule to not get involved with her by any means. Unfortunately, he can’t do that. Leora and Keenan work together to figure out who is behind sabotaging Leora’s life and together, they figure it out!

If you enjoy thrillers with short chapters and a fast-paced plot, this is the book for you! 📕 🔪

[Danielle Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her Other Half by Brett Monk was a solid read. The mystery kept me interested, and I liked the mix of suspense, family drama, and hidden secrets.

It’s definitely a slow burn, though. While the story picked up toward the end, the pacing felt a little too slow for me in places. I enjoyed the overall plot but didn’t feel completely invested in all of the characters.

Overall, an entertaining thriller with an interesting premise, but not one that completely blew me away. I'd still consider reading the next book in the series.

Thank you to Brett Monk for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Roger]

Her Other Half (Key and Leo Thrillers Book 1) is my fifteenth read from author Brett Monk, the first book in the Key and Leo Thrillers series. An entertaining, enjoyable, and suspenseful 352-page conspiracy thriller that reads so much longer, as do all of Monk's works. Perhaps their best character to date and thus their best series. I was given a complimentary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I'll definitely be reading more from Monk and look forward to the next book when it's published. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Emily Nesdore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Brett Monk and I enjoyed it! It starts off with a drama teacher getting ready for a school play, a murder, and a missing student at a prestigious school. The book ended up going in a totally different direction than I expected and that was a breath of fresh air! I love that it wasn't overly complicated and was explained in a way that could be easily understood for someone with no knowledge of the subject. I also enjoyed how you got to see the events of part 1 again in part 2 but through a different perspective. There were a few errors and inconsistencies but overall it was a good read!

I received the ARC of this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leora's a drama teacher at an elite school, and the story opens with a killing backstage and a student from her cast gone missing. Then it just keeps layering on the pressure. A photo suggesting her mother might not be dead after all, an ex-husband threatening custody, a stranger watching her house. Everything builds toward opening night, which gives the whole book a clock that never stops ticking. Leora's trying to hold her life together on stage while someone watches her every move off it.

The pieces connect in ways I didn't see coming, and the ending genuinely blindsided me. Thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait to read more in this series and other books by Brett!

[Christy Tardiff · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Thank you to Brett Monk and his team for picking me to be an ARC reader for his kindle version of Her Other Half. I enjoyed the short chapters and you know when it says part two, it’s gonna be good!

This was my first book by Brett Monk but it definitely won’t be my last! I didn’t see any of the twists coming and it was great!

The kindle version comes out November 2nd 2026. The hardcover is already out (September 21st 2026) and the paperback came out last week October 9th 2026.)

[Suzzi Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining, exciting, and a fast fun read. Believable characters, excellent pacing and a surprising twist. I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book; I found the settings and dialogue engaging and authentic to the characters. No spoilers, but if you’re looking for a fast and intriguing read, pick up a copy of Her Other Half. Elite high school meets high-end science and technology.

[Lisa Lyght · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was an ARC from the author. I thought it was:
🔵 Really well written
🔵 A great story
🔵 Enjoyable
🔵 Easy read
🔵 Descriptive and well detailed
🔵 Great characters
🔵 A book I didn’t want to put down

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I will definitely read anything else he writes! I didn’t dislike anything about the book/story/characters/plot/ending etc. 👏👏👏

⭐️F⭐️I⭐️V⭐️E⭐️ stars!

[Jaz'Myn Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started reading this book I didn’t think I would like it as much as I did! It’s written so well, that I did not want to stop reading it! I was suspecting sooo many people, but the real suspect was a mouth drop for me that I had to stop reading for a second! It definitely gave me a few plot twist that I was not expecting at all. I definitely recommend reading!

[Cheryl Tabor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I was reading something out of the twighlight zone. A mystery, phycological thriller part SiFi. This book had many twist that kept my attention. None of it what I would of expected. I don't want to say any more. Read, be lost in a story you don't know where or why it's going like it is till the last three or four Chapters. Thanks Mr. Monk, this was really interesting.

[Amber Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as an ARC copy!! I loved it. The first I've read by Brett Monk. Not only did the cover spark my interest but so did the descripton of it after the first page I was so hooked. I finished it before my reading deadline! Brett Monk is now a have to read author on my reading list. He makes the characters stick with you.

[Tom Mabie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling, edge-of-your-seat conspiracy!

I absolutely loved this book. The suspense was relentless, the twists kept me guessing, and the story had that compelling, fast-paced feel I love in David Baldacci’s novels. A fantastic read for anyone who enjoys a gripping conspiracy thriller. I couldn’t put it down!

[Jenny CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book! I had never read anything by this author before, but he offered an ARC of the book and I thought I would give it a try. Good character development, multiple points of view, good pacing. A little quick at the end compared to the rest of the book, but it is a good way to add to the sense of chaos. I’ll keep an eye out for more books by this author!

[Laurie Plue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Other Half by Brett Monk was a great read! I enjoyed the characters and the plot. Enjoyed the "bad boy wasn't really bad after all" storyline. I hope he developes the Magpie character more in the next book, he seems fascinating. Monk keeps you guessing right up until the very end. You never really knew who you could trust.

[Marie · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Great book!

Each time I thought I knew what was going to happen next, plot twist! The main characters had intriguing stories and the main story line was one that is plausible enough to keep me asking for more.

[Shellyann Paape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I did not expect that. I truly thought they were a wonderful young couple. Boy I was wrong. And that ending wow.

[Kelly Goecks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!! Might be my favorite Brett Monk series yet..!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge-of-the-seat mystery. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, the book changed direction and shocked me again.

[Julie Wakefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one got me from the start. There are many stories woven together and it works well.

If you want a gripping from the first to the last page story, I definitely recommend this.

[Amanda Wolf · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Thank you Brett Monk for this ARC and happy Publication!!

I couldn’t put this down. A breath of fresh air from the usual McFadden, Patterson, or Jewell. I laughed, I was intrigued, and I breezed through it.

Truly a great read and one that was needed in a year that has had some major let downs.

Congrats Brett!