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We Are All Guilty Here
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Welcome to North Falls—a small town where everyone knows everyone. Or so they think.
Until the night of the fireworks. When two teenage girls vanish, and the town ignites.
For Officer Emmy Clifton, it’s personal. She turned away when her best friend's daughter needed help—and now she must bring her home.
But as Emmy combs through the puzzle the girls left behind, she realizes she never really knew them. Nobody did.
Every teenage girl has secrets. But who would kill for them? And what else is the town hiding?
Until the night of the fireworks. When two teenage girls vanish, and the town ignites.
For Officer Emmy Clifton, it’s personal. She turned away when her best friend's daughter needed help—and now she must bring her home.
But as Emmy combs through the puzzle the girls left behind, she realizes she never really knew them. Nobody did.
Every teenage girl has secrets. But who would kill for them? And what else is the town hiding?
448 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 19, 2025
49.3k people want to read
About the author
Karin Slaughter
142 books79.5k followersKarin Slaughter is the author of twenty-five instant NEW YORK TIMES bestselling novels, including the Edgar–nominated COP TOWN and standalone novels THE GOOD DAUGHTER, PRETTY GIRLS, and GIRL, FORGOTTEN. She is published in 120 countries with more than 40 million copies sold across the globe. PIECES OF HER is a #1 Netflix original series starring Toni Collette. The Will Trent Series is on ABC (and streaming on Hulu in the U.S and Disney+ internationally). THE GOOD DAUGHTER and FALSE WITNESS are in development for film/tv. Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project—a nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, she lives in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
March 23, 2025
As a devoted fan of Karin Slaughter, I eagerly dove into her latest novel, thrilled to meet a brand-new protagonist, Officer Emmy Clifton. Set in the seemingly quiet town of North Falls, the story kicks off with a Fourth of July celebration that takes a dark turn when two teenage girls vanish without a trace. Emmy finds herself at the center of the investigation, determined to uncover the truth—not just for the town, but because one of the missing girls is the daughter of her best friend. As she peels back the layers of the town’s polished facade, she realizes that North Falls is anything but safe, and every resident harbors secrets that could shatter lives.
Slaughter masterfully crafts a deeply immersive mystery, balancing procedural authenticity with psychological depth. Emmy is a flawed yet compelling protagonist—tough, relentless, but burdened by past regrets that shape her every move. The dual timeline adds an extra layer of tension, revealing how a crime from over a decade ago still casts a long shadow over the present. As the investigation unfolds, the narrative is laced with gut-punching twists and morally gray characters, keeping readers on edge.
While the pacing occasionally lingers on heavy descriptions, Slaughter’s signature storytelling prowess ensures that even the slower moments simmer with suspense. The town’s suffocating small-town politics, buried betrayals, and desperate attempts at self-preservation make for an unsettling but riveting read. By the time the shocking conclusion arrives, it’s clear that no one in North Falls is truly innocent.
With its gripping whodunit plot, richly developed characters, and relentless tension, this is yet another knockout from Slaughter—one that fans and newcomers alike will devour. Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this unputdownable thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Slaughter masterfully crafts a deeply immersive mystery, balancing procedural authenticity with psychological depth. Emmy is a flawed yet compelling protagonist—tough, relentless, but burdened by past regrets that shape her every move. The dual timeline adds an extra layer of tension, revealing how a crime from over a decade ago still casts a long shadow over the present. As the investigation unfolds, the narrative is laced with gut-punching twists and morally gray characters, keeping readers on edge.
While the pacing occasionally lingers on heavy descriptions, Slaughter’s signature storytelling prowess ensures that even the slower moments simmer with suspense. The town’s suffocating small-town politics, buried betrayals, and desperate attempts at self-preservation make for an unsettling but riveting read. By the time the shocking conclusion arrives, it’s clear that no one in North Falls is truly innocent.
With its gripping whodunit plot, richly developed characters, and relentless tension, this is yet another knockout from Slaughter—one that fans and newcomers alike will devour. Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this unputdownable thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium.com
February 23, 2025
2.5 rounded up to 3, a.k.a pretty average!
While the residents of North Falls, Georgia, are all occupied enjoying the 4th of July fireworks, two local teenage girls – Madison Dalrymple and Cheyenne Baker – are being abducted from the carpark.
Deputy Emmy Clifton-Lang (the official Amazon blurb lists Emmy’s surname as ‘Clifford’, so it’s either a typo, was altered for the published version, or differs depending on edition), along with her Sheriff father Gerald Clifton, are first on the scene where all that remains are two mangled bicycles, a smashed cellphone, and blood. Emmy feels guilty, because when Madison tried to reach out to her earlier in the night, Emmy was too preoccupied with her crumbling marriage to listen. The hunt is on to find Madison and Cheyenne alive. But as the hours pass – hope fades.
Unfortunately, We Are All Guilty Here suffered from the same issues I had with another crime novel I read earlier in the month in that the characters were the standout. I really enjoyed Emmy, and all the supporting and peripheral characters. Her family drama and revealed secrets were another highlight. Also, the crime was emotionally affecting, and the character of Emmy did a superb job of conveying this.
There were some clever, surprising twists throughout the novel, but the resolution to the crime was pretty anticlimactic, didn’t bring anything new to the table, and contained a lot of telling rather than showing. There were disturbing moments but We Are All Guilty Here was pretty tame for a Karin Slaughter novel, which I have to admit, I was kind of disappointed by. The first 30% was a five-star read for me – however, I struggled with the twist that occurred soon after that point, and from then onwards I thought the excitement and urgency of the investigation tapered off. Speaking of the investigation, there was far too much time spent on interviewing suspects and the discussions of evidence grew repetitive. If you’re not a fan of police procedures, then I doubt you would enjoy this one. Finally, it was overly long, and there just wasn’t enough happening to sustain its length.
In conclusion, We Are All Guilty Here was underwhelming overall, and as much as I liked the characters, I’m not sure I’m curious enough to continue this series. Hopefully I’m in the minority, and other reviewers/readers will enjoy it more.
I’d like to thank Netgalley UK, Harper Collins UK, and Karin Slaughter for the e-ARC.
Publication Date: 19th June 2025.
While the residents of North Falls, Georgia, are all occupied enjoying the 4th of July fireworks, two local teenage girls – Madison Dalrymple and Cheyenne Baker – are being abducted from the carpark.
Deputy Emmy Clifton-Lang (the official Amazon blurb lists Emmy’s surname as ‘Clifford’, so it’s either a typo, was altered for the published version, or differs depending on edition), along with her Sheriff father Gerald Clifton, are first on the scene where all that remains are two mangled bicycles, a smashed cellphone, and blood. Emmy feels guilty, because when Madison tried to reach out to her earlier in the night, Emmy was too preoccupied with her crumbling marriage to listen. The hunt is on to find Madison and Cheyenne alive. But as the hours pass – hope fades.
Unfortunately, We Are All Guilty Here suffered from the same issues I had with another crime novel I read earlier in the month in that the characters were the standout. I really enjoyed Emmy, and all the supporting and peripheral characters. Her family drama and revealed secrets were another highlight. Also, the crime was emotionally affecting, and the character of Emmy did a superb job of conveying this.
There were some clever, surprising twists throughout the novel, but the resolution to the crime was pretty anticlimactic, didn’t bring anything new to the table, and contained a lot of telling rather than showing. There were disturbing moments but We Are All Guilty Here was pretty tame for a Karin Slaughter novel, which I have to admit, I was kind of disappointed by. The first 30% was a five-star read for me – however, I struggled with the twist that occurred soon after that point, and from then onwards I thought the excitement and urgency of the investigation tapered off. Speaking of the investigation, there was far too much time spent on interviewing suspects and the discussions of evidence grew repetitive. If you’re not a fan of police procedures, then I doubt you would enjoy this one. Finally, it was overly long, and there just wasn’t enough happening to sustain its length.
In conclusion, We Are All Guilty Here was underwhelming overall, and as much as I liked the characters, I’m not sure I’m curious enough to continue this series. Hopefully I’m in the minority, and other reviewers/readers will enjoy it more.
I’d like to thank Netgalley UK, Harper Collins UK, and Karin Slaughter for the e-ARC.
Publication Date: 19th June 2025.
March 10, 2025
Another fantastic read from one of my favourite authors.I look forward to her books coming out.can be read as a standalone as a start of a new crime read.. Two friends vanish on fireworks night,are they alive or dead? Officer Emmy Clifton knows the girls and wants to find them safe.. Will she uncover the truth about the girls' lives? Are they hiding secrets? Another thrilling read from Karin..she loves to write gritty storylines which I enjoy reading..looking forward to reading more of her books....
December 30, 2024
I’ve long been a fan of Karin Slaughter’s crime novels, known for their gripping blend of suspense, unflinching realism, and well-developed characters. We Are All Guilty Here marks the beginning of a brand-new crime thriller series featuring Officer Emmy Clifton. One of Slaughter’s greatest strengths is her ability to craft compelling characters, and Emmy is no exception. Her flaws and vulnerabilities add depth and make her incredibly relatable.
Set in the small town of North Falls, the disappearance of two teenage girls during a Fourth of July fireworks celebration shatters the community’s fragile sense of security. As Officer Emmy Clifton delves into the case, she uncovers shocking truths about the missing girls—secrets that reveal how much people can hide, even in a seemingly close-knit town. With every step of the investigation, Emmy is forced to confront the unsettling realization that no one is as innocent as they seem.
Karin Slaughter doesn’t shy away from difficult topics. While the subject matter is intense, it’s handled with sensitivity and care. The setting of North Falls, with its undercurrent of small-town secrets and gossip, creates a palpable sense of claustrophobia. Slaughter masterfully explores the hidden lives of a tight-knit community, peeling back layers of guilt, deception, and complex relationships. The novel delves into the lengths people will go to protect their secrets—and the devastating fallout when those secrets are exposed.
What sets Slaughter apart is her meticulous attention to detail, especially in forensic and procedural elements, which lend authenticity to her crime scenes. The plot is gritty, fast-paced, and packed with suspense. If you enjoy stories steeped in small-town intrigue, dark twists, and a relentless narrative, We Are All Guilty Here is a must-read. Highly recommended!
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Blog: https://thebookreviewcafe.wordpress.com/
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Set in the small town of North Falls, the disappearance of two teenage girls during a Fourth of July fireworks celebration shatters the community’s fragile sense of security. As Officer Emmy Clifton delves into the case, she uncovers shocking truths about the missing girls—secrets that reveal how much people can hide, even in a seemingly close-knit town. With every step of the investigation, Emmy is forced to confront the unsettling realization that no one is as innocent as they seem.
Karin Slaughter doesn’t shy away from difficult topics. While the subject matter is intense, it’s handled with sensitivity and care. The setting of North Falls, with its undercurrent of small-town secrets and gossip, creates a palpable sense of claustrophobia. Slaughter masterfully explores the hidden lives of a tight-knit community, peeling back layers of guilt, deception, and complex relationships. The novel delves into the lengths people will go to protect their secrets—and the devastating fallout when those secrets are exposed.
What sets Slaughter apart is her meticulous attention to detail, especially in forensic and procedural elements, which lend authenticity to her crime scenes. The plot is gritty, fast-paced, and packed with suspense. If you enjoy stories steeped in small-town intrigue, dark twists, and a relentless narrative, We Are All Guilty Here is a must-read. Highly recommended!
You can follow my reviews at
Blog: https://thebookreviewcafe.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@reviewcafe
February 3, 2025
Another great read from Karin Slaughter! Was so thrilled to be approved for this one that I couldn't help but dive straight in.
We Are All Guilty Here tells the story of the disappearance of Madison and Cheyenne, 15 year old girls from the small town of North Falls. Emmy Clifton, the local cop, begins the frantic search for them alongside her father, Gerald, the town's sheriff. For Emmy, this is doubly heart-breaking - not only is Madison her best friend's stepdaughter, but minutes before her disappearance Madison tries to speak to Emmy who was too caught up in own dramas to take the time to talk.
Driven by a strong person desire to get the children back, Emmy soon uncovers a number of secrets in the small town and realises that she never really knew the kids at all.....
I know this sounds a little bit been-here-done-that. Small town, kids disappear and what do you know, the small town is not the quiet little hamlet that everyone thought and is, in fact, hiding a multitude of sins.
Whilst that is the general premise here, the book did not pan out how I expected it too. I can't quite say why for risk of spoilers but the book takes place over a significant number of years and goes in a direction which I did not see coming (and if you can guess how this ends, I will be very impressed!)
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We Are All Guilty Here tells the story of the disappearance of Madison and Cheyenne, 15 year old girls from the small town of North Falls. Emmy Clifton, the local cop, begins the frantic search for them alongside her father, Gerald, the town's sheriff. For Emmy, this is doubly heart-breaking - not only is Madison her best friend's stepdaughter, but minutes before her disappearance Madison tries to speak to Emmy who was too caught up in own dramas to take the time to talk.
Driven by a strong person desire to get the children back, Emmy soon uncovers a number of secrets in the small town and realises that she never really knew the kids at all.....
I know this sounds a little bit been-here-done-that. Small town, kids disappear and what do you know, the small town is not the quiet little hamlet that everyone thought and is, in fact, hiding a multitude of sins.
Whilst that is the general premise here, the book did not pan out how I expected it too. I can't quite say why for risk of spoilers but the book takes place over a significant number of years and goes in a direction which I did not see coming (and if you can guess how this ends, I will be very impressed!)
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2025
Karin Slaughter slaughters my emotions and morbid, shocked fascination with dark thrillers.
When two fifteen year old girls are kidnapped, the countdown begins. For Officer Emmy Clifton, it's personal: one of the girls is her best friend's daughter.
Without spoiling anything, we then have a twelve year time jump and we get to see the fallout and a pattern.
Per usual, Slaughter doesn’t just focus on the crime and investigation but also other elements like familiar relationships, power dynamics, toxic relationships, controlling parents.
“Small men can’t handle grown women. They go after girls because most girls are pliable and desperate for outside approval. At that age, you’ll do almost anything for attention, even if it feels bad and you know it’s wrong.”
I adore Slaughter’s books as she concentrates on the characters instead of making it a quick popcorn action thriller. You feel emotionally invested.
One thing I have to mention - the chapters are sooooooooo long. I am not someone who needs short chapters to keep me engaged but chapters over 30 pages is a lot.
There was a revelation right at the end not to do with the crime which took me by surprise, but I didn’t know if it really needed to be included.
As always with her books, please check the trigger warnings.
Arc gifted by Harper Collins.
Bookstagram
When two fifteen year old girls are kidnapped, the countdown begins. For Officer Emmy Clifton, it's personal: one of the girls is her best friend's daughter.
Without spoiling anything, we then have a twelve year time jump and we get to see the fallout and a pattern.
Per usual, Slaughter doesn’t just focus on the crime and investigation but also other elements like familiar relationships, power dynamics, toxic relationships, controlling parents.
“Small men can’t handle grown women. They go after girls because most girls are pliable and desperate for outside approval. At that age, you’ll do almost anything for attention, even if it feels bad and you know it’s wrong.”
I adore Slaughter’s books as she concentrates on the characters instead of making it a quick popcorn action thriller. You feel emotionally invested.
One thing I have to mention - the chapters are sooooooooo long. I am not someone who needs short chapters to keep me engaged but chapters over 30 pages is a lot.
There was a revelation right at the end not to do with the crime which took me by surprise, but I didn’t know if it really needed to be included.
As always with her books, please check the trigger warnings.
Arc gifted by Harper Collins.
Bookstagram
January 3, 2025
1 Million Stars ******
This is my new favourite book, well I mean it is up there at least with my other favourite - Karin's first, Blindsighted :)
I could not put this down. I was absolutely gripped from start to finish. I stayed up past my bedtime, I ignored my kids, I can't remember much of NYD (from reading, not a sugar coma) and I just cannot tell you how good this book was.
There are so many different stories going on all in one book. I didn't read the blurb before going in, because I'm going to read it anyway so why spoil it :) I started the first part and was immediately invested in the case. It was terrifying, sad, heartbreaking, frustrating. And then it flipped to 12 years later. A new case, an older cast of characters, a couple of new faces, but the same disgusting crimes and families as before.
The main characters are great, Emmy and her dad Gerald - both cops. Her son Cole, again a police officer. The peripheral characters are mainly their family (you'll see why) and her friends/acquaintances. And did I spy another Marla working on dispatch? (Marla from Grant county must be long gone by now!)
Overall there is nothing wrong with this book, and I will be rereading and buying every copy available on release.
Thank you so much for my early copy HarperCollins.
This is my new favourite book, well I mean it is up there at least with my other favourite - Karin's first, Blindsighted :)
I could not put this down. I was absolutely gripped from start to finish. I stayed up past my bedtime, I ignored my kids, I can't remember much of NYD (from reading, not a sugar coma) and I just cannot tell you how good this book was.
There are so many different stories going on all in one book. I didn't read the blurb before going in, because I'm going to read it anyway so why spoil it :) I started the first part and was immediately invested in the case. It was terrifying, sad, heartbreaking, frustrating. And then it flipped to 12 years later. A new case, an older cast of characters, a couple of new faces, but the same disgusting crimes and families as before.
The main characters are great, Emmy and her dad Gerald - both cops. Her son Cole, again a police officer. The peripheral characters are mainly their family (you'll see why) and her friends/acquaintances. And did I spy another Marla working on dispatch? (Marla from Grant county must be long gone by now!)
Overall there is nothing wrong with this book, and I will be rereading and buying every copy available on release.
Thank you so much for my early copy HarperCollins.
January 26, 2025
Absolutely brutal.
Even before starting, I knew this was going to be a tough read. I knew I’d come out of it a little broken. But, throwing caution to the wind, I dived into this dark tale of missing teenage girls and the secrets buried in a small town.
The story follows Emmy Lou, the town deputy, as she investigates the disappearance of two girls. What she uncovers is nothing short of horrifying. Karin Slaughter doesn’t hold back in portraying the darkest sides of humanity—the twisted joy some people take in inflicting pain, the depths of evil lurking beneath the surface. It’s shocking, sickening, and uncomfortably real.
Emmy Lou isn’t just a detached investigator; this case is personal. She’s connected to the people involved, and her emotional stakes make the story hit even harder. The twists—oh, the twists! I did not see them coming. I was on edge, questioning everything alongside her. Her father’s questions, “What do we know? What do we think we know?” became mine, and with each revelation, Emmy grew stronger, more resolute. Watching her navigate the storm of emotions was as captivating as solving the mystery itself.
Karin Slaughter’s stories never stay on the surface. They pull you into the depths of human depravity, forcing you to face the ugly truths of the world. With this book, she once again delivers a gripping, gut-wrenching story that’ll leave you reeling.
4 stars.
Special thanks to NetGalley, Karin Slaughter, and HarperCollins for the advanced copy of this book.
Even before starting, I knew this was going to be a tough read. I knew I’d come out of it a little broken. But, throwing caution to the wind, I dived into this dark tale of missing teenage girls and the secrets buried in a small town.
The story follows Emmy Lou, the town deputy, as she investigates the disappearance of two girls. What she uncovers is nothing short of horrifying. Karin Slaughter doesn’t hold back in portraying the darkest sides of humanity—the twisted joy some people take in inflicting pain, the depths of evil lurking beneath the surface. It’s shocking, sickening, and uncomfortably real.
Emmy Lou isn’t just a detached investigator; this case is personal. She’s connected to the people involved, and her emotional stakes make the story hit even harder. The twists—oh, the twists! I did not see them coming. I was on edge, questioning everything alongside her. Her father’s questions, “What do we know? What do we think we know?” became mine, and with each revelation, Emmy grew stronger, more resolute. Watching her navigate the storm of emotions was as captivating as solving the mystery itself.
Karin Slaughter’s stories never stay on the surface. They pull you into the depths of human depravity, forcing you to face the ugly truths of the world. With this book, she once again delivers a gripping, gut-wrenching story that’ll leave you reeling.
4 stars.
Special thanks to NetGalley, Karin Slaughter, and HarperCollins for the advanced copy of this book.
February 13, 2025
My Rating: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ new series from KS, I was pretty happy with it!!
If you are a Karin Slaughter fan, or even remotely into any of her series… lets be real you will read this without even giving the blurb a glance. Just like I did!!
I saw new series and went hell yeah sign me up.. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy from NG and I didn’t think twice about starting this bad boy!!
So, it follows new character Emmy Clifton, she is a police officer with her dad (sherif) and later her son (officer) in a small town in of course Georgia called North Falls. It is a small town and dun dun dunnnnn of course there are murders and mayhem.
When I picked this up I was pumped to see it wasn’t 600 pages, its 400 and then I started reading and our KS does take the scenic route to get anywhere at any time. We get a lot of descriptions of the heat, clothing and what people are doing… it does take a bit for this one to warm up (or should I say for me to warm up to it) but once it got going I was hooked. There are two timelines you get the first one then you get 12 years later…
It isn’t specific who’s POV you are getting (I think this might be cause of the ARC) but to me it was clear if we were in Emmy’s or Judes or someone else’s.
I quite liked Emmy I think she had the potential to be a real bitch but I actually ended up really liking her, she has flaws, she knows what they are and she is haunted by the crimes of 12 years ago.
In true KS form she pulls no punches with her violence and subject matter although I will be really honest the r@pe that is in this book is WAY more toned down and implied than her other books. Some of those scenes in her other books are wildly graphic that is not the case here. But dont let that fool you into thinking this is a breezy story it is still brutal.
Overall, It was good but who am I kidding.. I am now a KS Stan and I am stuck to her like glue. If she writes I will read. I mean there is one book I haven’t read of hers and a couple of her back catalogue but thats not to say I wont go back… but I will be reading book two. I think people will like this and I am gonna be real, its great to get away from Sara and Will for a while. I like Will, Sara is grinding my gears but yeah its good to have some new characters. My fave in this book is Jude by far, she is badass, and flawed and awesome loved her!!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Karin Slaughter for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you are a Karin Slaughter fan, or even remotely into any of her series… lets be real you will read this without even giving the blurb a glance. Just like I did!!
I saw new series and went hell yeah sign me up.. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy from NG and I didn’t think twice about starting this bad boy!!
So, it follows new character Emmy Clifton, she is a police officer with her dad (sherif) and later her son (officer) in a small town in of course Georgia called North Falls. It is a small town and dun dun dunnnnn of course there are murders and mayhem.
When I picked this up I was pumped to see it wasn’t 600 pages, its 400 and then I started reading and our KS does take the scenic route to get anywhere at any time. We get a lot of descriptions of the heat, clothing and what people are doing… it does take a bit for this one to warm up (or should I say for me to warm up to it) but once it got going I was hooked. There are two timelines you get the first one then you get 12 years later…
It isn’t specific who’s POV you are getting (I think this might be cause of the ARC) but to me it was clear if we were in Emmy’s or Judes or someone else’s.
I quite liked Emmy I think she had the potential to be a real bitch but I actually ended up really liking her, she has flaws, she knows what they are and she is haunted by the crimes of 12 years ago.
In true KS form she pulls no punches with her violence and subject matter although I will be really honest the r@pe that is in this book is WAY more toned down and implied than her other books. Some of those scenes in her other books are wildly graphic that is not the case here. But dont let that fool you into thinking this is a breezy story it is still brutal.
Overall, It was good but who am I kidding.. I am now a KS Stan and I am stuck to her like glue. If she writes I will read. I mean there is one book I haven’t read of hers and a couple of her back catalogue but thats not to say I wont go back… but I will be reading book two. I think people will like this and I am gonna be real, its great to get away from Sara and Will for a while. I like Will, Sara is grinding my gears but yeah its good to have some new characters. My fave in this book is Jude by far, she is badass, and flawed and awesome loved her!!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Karin Slaughter for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2025
Karin Slaughter could slap me in the face and I would thank her. My love for this woman and her writing knows no bounds. Once again I was not disappointed. Also how am I just now finding out she founded a nonprofit organization called Save the Libraries that supports libraries and library programs? While also writing books that help shed light on crimes against women? Karin Slaughter, my world is a better place because of you. 🖤
February 25, 2025
I always enjoy reading Karin Slaughter books and I was delighted to receive a copy of her latest book We Are All Guilty here.
Police Offer Emmy Clifton is investigating the disappearance of two teenage girls and is desperate to find them before it’s too late.
This was an excellent story with some twist and turns and some wonderful characters.
I thoroughly recommend this book. I can’t wait for the next book from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Police Offer Emmy Clifton is investigating the disappearance of two teenage girls and is desperate to find them before it’s too late.
This was an excellent story with some twist and turns and some wonderful characters.
I thoroughly recommend this book. I can’t wait for the next book from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
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April 7, 2025This was great. Karin Slaughter is so good at what she does—she has her niche of dark crime thriller and just nails it.
We Are All Guilty Here centers around law enforcement in a small town where two teen girls go missing. Oh how I love a small town thriller where there are lots of characters and they’re all connected because everyone knows everyone! And I didn’t realize it when I read this, but this is actually the first book in what is going to be a series. Count me in.
This book differs from the standalone Karin Slaughter books I’ve read (Pretty Girls, The Good Daughter, and False Witness) in that that main characters in this one are law enforcement. So you’re following the police investigation. Now it’s a small town and the sheriff and his family are also deeply entrenched with all the other characters, so it’s not strictly just the POV of law enforcement looking out, but you get more police procedural content that you do with those standalone books I mentioned. I haven’t read the Will Trent series, but it might be more akin to that?
What I love about Karin Slaughter is that she delivers a juicy plot with mystery and twists and turns, but she also develops her characters so thoroughly. She builds these complex, layered characters and really fleshes out their relationships with each other. I was so invested in the Sheriff’s family and their relationships, and there aren’t just twists and turns with the crime, but also with the family drama.
The crimes in this book are dark—Karin Slaughter gonna Karin Slaughter. And it’s two teenage girls that are missing, so dark crimes involving children. But you really don’t spend a ton of time on the nitty gritty details of the crime. So there are some upsetting paragraphs here and there, but the majority of the book is more so the police procedurals and investigation and the family/town dynamics. So in my opinion, this one is nowhere near as dark and jarring as Pretty Girls or even The Good Daughter.
If you’re a Karin Slaughter fan, you’ll love it!
We Are All Guilty Here centers around law enforcement in a small town where two teen girls go missing. Oh how I love a small town thriller where there are lots of characters and they’re all connected because everyone knows everyone! And I didn’t realize it when I read this, but this is actually the first book in what is going to be a series. Count me in.
This book differs from the standalone Karin Slaughter books I’ve read (Pretty Girls, The Good Daughter, and False Witness) in that that main characters in this one are law enforcement. So you’re following the police investigation. Now it’s a small town and the sheriff and his family are also deeply entrenched with all the other characters, so it’s not strictly just the POV of law enforcement looking out, but you get more police procedural content that you do with those standalone books I mentioned. I haven’t read the Will Trent series, but it might be more akin to that?
What I love about Karin Slaughter is that she delivers a juicy plot with mystery and twists and turns, but she also develops her characters so thoroughly. She builds these complex, layered characters and really fleshes out their relationships with each other. I was so invested in the Sheriff’s family and their relationships, and there aren’t just twists and turns with the crime, but also with the family drama.
The crimes in this book are dark—Karin Slaughter gonna Karin Slaughter. And it’s two teenage girls that are missing, so dark crimes involving children. But you really don’t spend a ton of time on the nitty gritty details of the crime. So there are some upsetting paragraphs here and there, but the majority of the book is more so the police procedurals and investigation and the family/town dynamics. So in my opinion, this one is nowhere near as dark and jarring as Pretty Girls or even The Good Daughter.
If you’re a Karin Slaughter fan, you’ll love it!
January 4, 2025
I’ve always loved Karin Slaughter’s ability to hook readers from the very first page, so I was surprised by the slower pace in the first half of We Are All Guilty Here. I found it difficult to connect with the characters early on, and it felt quite different from her usual gripping style. I even considered dnf-ing.
That said, I’m so glad I stuck with it because the second half completely turned things around. The story unfolded beautifully, and the character of Jude was a standout. Jude felt so real and fully fleshed out, and through her, the other characters began to feel more dynamic too.
The way everything came together in the end was masterful and deeply touching. While the slower start kept me from giving it a full 5 stars, I can acknowledge in hindsight this was necessary to set the scene as the series starting point. I’m now eagerly looking forward to seeing how this series unfolds.
Thank you SO much NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to review this book.
That said, I’m so glad I stuck with it because the second half completely turned things around. The story unfolded beautifully, and the character of Jude was a standout. Jude felt so real and fully fleshed out, and through her, the other characters began to feel more dynamic too.
The way everything came together in the end was masterful and deeply touching. While the slower start kept me from giving it a full 5 stars, I can acknowledge in hindsight this was necessary to set the scene as the series starting point. I’m now eagerly looking forward to seeing how this series unfolds.
Thank you SO much NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to review this book.
March 30, 2025
Karin Slaughter will always be an instant-buy author for me, so I was excited to receive We Are all Guilty Here as an ARC.
In typical Karin Slaughter fashion, the very beginning drew me in and kept me hooked. I love that as an author, Slaughter doesn’t shy away from tough or graphic topics; she writes books that are heavy but heartbreakingly honest, and I appreciate the focus Slaughter gives to the victims in her stories. I think that’s one of the main reasons she’s become a favorite author of mine; she doesn’t focus on the crime itself, but instead focuses on the people impacted by the crime.
I’m looking forward to seeing Emmy Clifton in future novels… and maybe, just maybe, we’ll get to see Emmy enter Sarah’s world one day. I think they’d make fast friends.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In typical Karin Slaughter fashion, the very beginning drew me in and kept me hooked. I love that as an author, Slaughter doesn’t shy away from tough or graphic topics; she writes books that are heavy but heartbreakingly honest, and I appreciate the focus Slaughter gives to the victims in her stories. I think that’s one of the main reasons she’s become a favorite author of mine; she doesn’t focus on the crime itself, but instead focuses on the people impacted by the crime.
I’m looking forward to seeing Emmy Clifton in future novels… and maybe, just maybe, we’ll get to see Emmy enter Sarah’s world one day. I think they’d make fast friends.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
January 23, 2025RTC
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Fiction from Harper Collins UK for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting release date : 19 June 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Fiction from Harper Collins UK for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting release date : 19 June 2025
April 3, 2025
Slaughter is an auto-read author for me and she does not disappoint with her new novel, We are All Guilty Here. On the night of the Fourth of July fireworks, two girls go missing and two crime scenes are discovered. Deputy Emmy Clifton and her father, the sheriff, race to put together the clues and find the girls and the perpetrator before it's too late. But that's not where the story ends.
Release Date: 8/12/2025
Release Date: 8/12/2025
December 29, 2024
This reminds why Slaughter is one of my favourite Authors, her writing style pulls you in with a captivating, no-holds-barred plot with well written characters you can empathise and sympathise with.
I liked Emmy, her attitude and all her flaws and the stories twists and turns kept me involved in guessing who the perpetrator was.
I hope there are more books set in North Falls
I liked Emmy, her attitude and all her flaws and the stories twists and turns kept me involved in guessing who the perpetrator was.
I hope there are more books set in North Falls
December 26, 2024
{AD} Another gripping thriller exploring some brutal issues in a thought-provoking style. This is meant to be the start of a new series and I'm looking forward to learning more about the Clifton family and their secrets. Karin Slaughter is an auto-buy author for me and this one will be great for new fans.
March 4, 2025
Another hit series from the Queen of the crime genre. Karin Slaughter writes with such ferocity and depth and this one is no exception. While not as amazing as some of her older novels/series, this one featured everything we have come to love and expect from this author. She pulls no punches and tackles darker subject matter that other authors would shy away from. Her books always stay with me long after I finish the final page. There were some parts of this one I didn't love such as the pacing, and the introduction of a main character POV quite a way into the story, but overall it was a deep, emotional and suspenseful mystery that will leave you guessing. I look forward to book 2.
January 15, 2025
Who doesn’t love a new Karin Slaughter. She is one of my all time favourite authors and everything I read is 5 stars from me.
We Are All Guilty here is listed as the start of a new series, therefore after reading this book i am looking forward to book 2 and where it takes the characters, especially after the big twist at the end of this book.
Emmy Clifton is a cop in the small town of North Falls where her father is the local Sheriff. When 2 local teens go missing, one of them the daughter of Emmys best friend, it is a race to put together the clues in the hopes of finding them alive. The girls bikes are located with a large pool of blood nearby, and as the hours tick over Emmy realises that the girls are probably dead. An arrest is soon made of one of the locals, Adam, with many clues and evidence pointing to his guilt. Emmy however won’t rest until she finds the girls which unfortunately she does when she recovers the girls bodies from a pond. Both tied and weighted down.
Leap forward 12 years. Emmy is now deputy sheriff and Adam has been released from jail as new evidence has given him an alibi for the timeframe the girls went missing, then another teen goes missing and the townsfolk are after Adam.
In San Francisco Jude Archer is about to retire. She has finally found the remains of the last of the 12 girls murdered and buried by Freddy Henby, over a course of 20 years she has doggedly looked for the girls to bring their remains back home. When she sees the alert for the missing North Falls girl, she feels compelled to go and see if she can be of assistance, what we gradually come to see is that North Falls is Jude’s home town and she is Emmys sister, a sister that Emmy was told was dead.
There are a few good twists in this story, some you can guess but the last one I never saw coming. Another fantastic read with many characters and layered stories. I loved it. Roll on #2
#WeAreAllGuiltyHere. #NetGalley
We Are All Guilty here is listed as the start of a new series, therefore after reading this book i am looking forward to book 2 and where it takes the characters, especially after the big twist at the end of this book.
Emmy Clifton is a cop in the small town of North Falls where her father is the local Sheriff. When 2 local teens go missing, one of them the daughter of Emmys best friend, it is a race to put together the clues in the hopes of finding them alive. The girls bikes are located with a large pool of blood nearby, and as the hours tick over Emmy realises that the girls are probably dead. An arrest is soon made of one of the locals, Adam, with many clues and evidence pointing to his guilt. Emmy however won’t rest until she finds the girls which unfortunately she does when she recovers the girls bodies from a pond. Both tied and weighted down.
Leap forward 12 years. Emmy is now deputy sheriff and Adam has been released from jail as new evidence has given him an alibi for the timeframe the girls went missing, then another teen goes missing and the townsfolk are after Adam.
In San Francisco Jude Archer is about to retire. She has finally found the remains of the last of the 12 girls murdered and buried by Freddy Henby, over a course of 20 years she has doggedly looked for the girls to bring their remains back home. When she sees the alert for the missing North Falls girl, she feels compelled to go and see if she can be of assistance, what we gradually come to see is that North Falls is Jude’s home town and she is Emmys sister, a sister that Emmy was told was dead.
There are a few good twists in this story, some you can guess but the last one I never saw coming. Another fantastic read with many characters and layered stories. I loved it. Roll on #2
#WeAreAllGuiltyHere. #NetGalley
February 23, 2025
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for a copy of Karin Slaughter’s newest thriller!
This is probably my favourite Karin Slaughter novel yet. This woman definitely knows how to write about misogynistic murders with both compassion and reflection. That’s my favourite thing about Karin Slaughter’s writing, that she humanizes and sympathizes with her victims every step of the way. You never feel as if the crimes taking place are fetishizing female suffering. You never feel as if the perpetrator eclipses the story. Rather, Slaughter remind us that young girls can be as innocent or as “provocative” as you can imagine, but it doesn’t matter. It never matters. These are young children, and they’ve been preyed upon for their innocence. And no mortal justice can compensate for the hurt experienced by these women and their families. Nothing except the time and space to grieve can ever mitigate the pain.
“We Are All Guilty Here” was 450+ pages and I held on to every single word. I genuinely considered doubling my caffeine intake so I wouldn’t have to sleep, so I could keep reading. This is essentially a small-town whodunnit, but also a family drama… but also an exploration of community rot and true crime culture—so there’s something in here for everyone! Please read this book if you like thrillers, addictive writing and plot twists, and “everyone is a suspect” stories. If this is a series, as I suspect it may be, I need the sequel today.
This is probably my favourite Karin Slaughter novel yet. This woman definitely knows how to write about misogynistic murders with both compassion and reflection. That’s my favourite thing about Karin Slaughter’s writing, that she humanizes and sympathizes with her victims every step of the way. You never feel as if the crimes taking place are fetishizing female suffering. You never feel as if the perpetrator eclipses the story. Rather, Slaughter remind us that young girls can be as innocent or as “provocative” as you can imagine, but it doesn’t matter. It never matters. These are young children, and they’ve been preyed upon for their innocence. And no mortal justice can compensate for the hurt experienced by these women and their families. Nothing except the time and space to grieve can ever mitigate the pain.
“We Are All Guilty Here” was 450+ pages and I held on to every single word. I genuinely considered doubling my caffeine intake so I wouldn’t have to sleep, so I could keep reading. This is essentially a small-town whodunnit, but also a family drama… but also an exploration of community rot and true crime culture—so there’s something in here for everyone! Please read this book if you like thrillers, addictive writing and plot twists, and “everyone is a suspect” stories. If this is a series, as I suspect it may be, I need the sequel today.
March 5, 2025
Look, I'm a simple girl - I get an ARC of a Karin Slaughter book and I clear my schedule to read it immediately. And man, am I glad that I did, because the woman just knows how to write a good bloody thriller (pun intended).
I'm not gonna lie, I saw one of the twists coming from very early on, but the way to get there was so worth it. Twist number two wasn't as obvious, but I had a little DFR about it (iykyk).
The last chapter had me fully crying. Karin Slaughter also knows how to throw an emotional curveball.
The only reason this is getting 4.5 rounded down, instead of 5 stars is, that there was a whole lot of repetition when they were going through what they knew and what they thought they knew. It didn't feel neccessary in the extend that it was done and made the book drag in some places. Also, I love a shorter chapter and this whole thing only has 22, but that's more a problem for my attention span than for KS and her editors.
As always with her books - check trigger warnings, my girl goes to dark places.
Thank you to netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the digital ARC.
I'm not gonna lie, I saw one of the twists coming from very early on, but the way to get there was so worth it. Twist number two wasn't as obvious, but I had a little DFR about it (iykyk).
The last chapter had me fully crying. Karin Slaughter also knows how to throw an emotional curveball.
The only reason this is getting 4.5 rounded down, instead of 5 stars is, that there was a whole lot of repetition when they were going through what they knew and what they thought they knew. It didn't feel neccessary in the extend that it was done and made the book drag in some places. Also, I love a shorter chapter and this whole thing only has 22, but that's more a problem for my attention span than for KS and her editors.
As always with her books - check trigger warnings, my girl goes to dark places.
Thank you to netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the digital ARC.
January 19, 2025
The story begins with Madison, a teenage girl who is worrying that her friend Cheyenne is late to meet her. They are clearly involved in a dangerous scheme and later the same night, both girls are missing. Emmy is a police officer working the case alongside her father and the first section of the book investigates their disappearance with a seemed resolution, Flash forwards twelve years and it seems that they might have arrested the wrong person and another young girl goes missing. An experienced FBI agent with links to Emmy’s family arrives to help them and they work the new case together. The truth is pretty grim and, like many of the author’s books, this is not for the faint hearted. It kept me gripped and guessing throughout and the characters of Emmy and Jude were well drawn and sympathetic. However, I wouldn’t recommend reading it late at night. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.
March 12, 2025
In the town of North Falls, the Clifton family go back generations. Chief Deputy Emmy Clifton is one of Karin Slaughter's new characters and I hope to see more of her in future books. While I have always enjoyed the Will and Sara series, it is great to get new characters.
We Are All Guilty Here primarily revolves around the kidnapping and murder of two North Falls teenagers, Madison and Cheyenne. It transpires that both girls knew dangerous secrets and were themselves living secret lives..
I thoroughly recommend this book. I was hooked immediately. KS draws you in and you just keep turning the pages. Thank you Netgalley for my advance copy.
We Are All Guilty Here primarily revolves around the kidnapping and murder of two North Falls teenagers, Madison and Cheyenne. It transpires that both girls knew dangerous secrets and were themselves living secret lives..
I thoroughly recommend this book. I was hooked immediately. KS draws you in and you just keep turning the pages. Thank you Netgalley for my advance copy.
February 28, 2025
I think every now and again, you need to read a mediocre book or two to make you appreciate just how “good” the good authors are. I must have read a few mediocre recently because at around 7% of this book I was already fully invested.
Classic Slaughter, no messing, reel me in.
I’d cried 3 times before I got halfway through.
This is just brilliantly written. The emotion came through the pages and hit me right in the feels. Trigger warning I think is appropriate if you have experienced death recently. In particular, the lead character loses her father so if you’ve been through similar and think you’re not quite ready, maybe give this a miss because it got me big time.
My only gripe is that at about 70% onwards, the whodunnit is a little bit protracted. I had my suspicions on who was involved and after initially thinking I was way off, I was actually right.
There is a further revelation right at the end of the book, absolutely didn’t see that coming.
Overall, a great read and I would recommend to others.
4 ⭐️
Many thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley UK for the ARC.
Classic Slaughter, no messing, reel me in.
I’d cried 3 times before I got halfway through.
This is just brilliantly written. The emotion came through the pages and hit me right in the feels. Trigger warning I think is appropriate if you have experienced death recently. In particular, the lead character loses her father so if you’ve been through similar and think you’re not quite ready, maybe give this a miss because it got me big time.
My only gripe is that at about 70% onwards, the whodunnit is a little bit protracted. I had my suspicions on who was involved and after initially thinking I was way off, I was actually right.
There is a further revelation right at the end of the book, absolutely didn’t see that coming.
Overall, a great read and I would recommend to others.
4 ⭐️
Many thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley UK for the ARC.
January 21, 2025
I've got my fingers crossed that this will be a new series from Karin Slaughter and not simply a standalone.
The novel is set in rural North Falls, Georgia. It's one of those insular towns where everyone knows everyone and they all feel safe. When two teenaged girls disappear during the July 4th fireworks, it shatters the town. Emmy, a cop, and her father Gerald, the county sheriff, are on the case from the beginning. As the investigation into the disappearance continues, there are numerous secrets unveiled and eventually an arrest is made. But that's only the beginning of the story. Years later, when the supposed kidnapper is released from prison due to new evidence, a very similar disappearance occurs. Now Emmy is the chief deputy and together with her father, they are in a race against time to find the girl. A recently retired FBI agent / psychologist, Jude Archer, comes to town to assist in the search - and there are a few family complications. This is a wild ride, filled with twists and turns, some that I saw coming and others were complete surprises. I am definitely hoping that we will return to North Falls again.
This is a novel about secrets and there are many layers in small town North Falls. Small towns harbor secrets and even the gossip may contain an element of truth. There are deceptions, intrigues, and complicated relationships. The characters are all hiding something and it is a wild ride to peal away the layers. No one, it seems, is entirely innocent.
This was a brilliant novel and definitely recommended to all Slaughter fans. The first part is a *little* slower paced, but the second is a roller coaster ride. There are difficult topics. Karin Slaughter does not shy away from dark elements, like sex trafficking and child pornography. But despite the intensity, there is a sensitivity to the victims. This gritty novel has a palapable authenticity, especially with the police and forensic parts of the investigation. It is a must-read for 2025! Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the chance to read this novel.
Quotes I liked:
If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.
Every kid gets a different set of parents, even if they grow up in the same house.
A man has to prove himself once. A woman has to prove himself every day.
Madison will always be trapped between those two people. The woman we didn't get to meet, and the girl we used to know.
When people die, your relationship with them doesn't end. You find new ways to connect with them.
The novel is set in rural North Falls, Georgia. It's one of those insular towns where everyone knows everyone and they all feel safe. When two teenaged girls disappear during the July 4th fireworks, it shatters the town. Emmy, a cop, and her father Gerald, the county sheriff, are on the case from the beginning. As the investigation into the disappearance continues, there are numerous secrets unveiled and eventually an arrest is made. But that's only the beginning of the story. Years later, when the supposed kidnapper is released from prison due to new evidence, a very similar disappearance occurs. Now Emmy is the chief deputy and together with her father, they are in a race against time to find the girl. A recently retired FBI agent / psychologist, Jude Archer, comes to town to assist in the search - and there are a few family complications. This is a wild ride, filled with twists and turns, some that I saw coming and others were complete surprises. I am definitely hoping that we will return to North Falls again.
This is a novel about secrets and there are many layers in small town North Falls. Small towns harbor secrets and even the gossip may contain an element of truth. There are deceptions, intrigues, and complicated relationships. The characters are all hiding something and it is a wild ride to peal away the layers. No one, it seems, is entirely innocent.
This was a brilliant novel and definitely recommended to all Slaughter fans. The first part is a *little* slower paced, but the second is a roller coaster ride. There are difficult topics. Karin Slaughter does not shy away from dark elements, like sex trafficking and child pornography. But despite the intensity, there is a sensitivity to the victims. This gritty novel has a palapable authenticity, especially with the police and forensic parts of the investigation. It is a must-read for 2025! Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the chance to read this novel.
Quotes I liked:
If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.
Every kid gets a different set of parents, even if they grow up in the same house.
A man has to prove himself once. A woman has to prove himself every day.
Madison will always be trapped between those two people. The woman we didn't get to meet, and the girl we used to know.
When people die, your relationship with them doesn't end. You find new ways to connect with them.
January 16, 2025
I usually leave the thank yous for the end of the review but I would like to change that this time. Thank you to HarperCollins UK for sending me the early copy of this book. I was so excited to meet these new characters and start a new Karin Slaughter series…and it didn’t disappoint at all. I mean, the rating says it all. But I’m still going to write a very long review.
Any time is a good time to read a Karin slaughter book but my timing this time was nearly perfect. What better than a fast-paced mystery thriller after spending a month reading an epic fantasy book over a thousand pages long? This genre is the best for getting out of reading slumps but it also prevents them. I had to pick up another book right after finishing this one because it’s the kind of book that makes me so addicted to writing.
Now let’s talk about this book more. I kept highlighting things on the Kindle for different purposes. One, is to be able to find quotes more easily but I won’t share them here to avoid any spoilers. The other reason was that I was trying to solve the mystery. I didn’t solve it. I never do. I realised something two pages before it was revealed and I don’t think that deserves high praise. What does deserve praise is how this author can confuse me so much when I’m trying to guess who the Bad Guy (you’ll get why I call it that when you read the book) is…but then it makes sense. The clues were there and I don’t think I’m dumb and that’s why I didn’t get it. But we’re talking about an author who knows how to leave hints all over the book that could mean a lot or could mean nothing at all…until we realise they are what solves the puzzle. But then once we know the answer, all those little hints come back and it just makes sense. I can’t blame plotholes for my inability to guess who the Bad Guy is. I can only blame the book for being so well-written. But it’d be silly to complain about that.
The mystery, once again, was very gratifying to read. And the way it was solved worked very well with the story and the social commentary it was trying to make. More on that later.
The crimes depicted in the book were obviously horrific. Very close to things that are happening in real life all over the world at least by the time I read this. I can’t guess the future but similar things happen, sadly, all the time. So by the time the book is out, the commentary will remain relevant. The way what’s done to the victims ties in with the title of the book is brilliant too. I always wonder how the title will fit with the story and it’s usually very well done.
I found it interesting a reading app classified most of the Karin Slaughter books I read as “true crime”. I never would have done that myself and it surprised me a little. But how fitting that this new book actually mentions true crime. The commentary about it was great, in my opinion. But I’m not the biggest fan of true crime so I don’t know how others who do love that “genre” (for lack of a better word) might feel. I said I wouldn’t share quotes but I’ll say very briefly that someone in the book refers to those who create true crime content as people who “don’t care about the victims”, which is my main issue with it. By victims, I mean those who the crimes were committed against but also their families and friends. The lack of respect towards that was very well depicted here through an insufferable character.
There’s more social commentary about women’s safety, mainly focused on younger girls this time but also done in a more general way. That’s always something I expect to find in Karin Slaughter's books and I feel this type of commentary only gets better with every new book.
And apart from those two topics, a very big theme in this book is parents “forcing” their children to rebel. And the consequences that can come from that. I love that, in each case, it was portrayed slightly differently because we can’t pretend that all parents are the same. And many just try to do the best they can to protect their children and it just backfires.
So the mystery was good, the resolution was good, the commentary was good…what about the characters? Because this is a new series. One that, from what I can guess, will work similarly to my beloved Will Trent series. Well, I love these new characters. Emmy is a fantastic protagonist and Jude compliments her character very well. Given all we’ve found out about them, I’m definitely curious to see how their relationship evolves in future books. Did I see certain revelations coming? We all know the answer. No, I didn’t but wow. Emmy’s feelings towards her parents and what was going on with them were ones I could relate to and so I found it was something else that was very well depicted. For others, their experiences might be different and I acknowledge that but I related a lot to her.
Cole and Dylan are two secondary characters I cannot wait to know more about. Both are fantastic, even if we know very little about them. I’m assuming their characters will be expanded in the next books in the series and that’s something I’m excited to read. Plus Emmy’s family seems to have a lot of members, which I assume will keep showing up and that’s also something to look forward to. Taybee was a very good minor character as well.
I honestly have so many thoughts about this book and I’ve tried my best to write them down in a way that makes the most sense but what a start for this new series! It’s hard to imagine the people who read book 1 and finish it won’t come back to pick up book 2. And I know I’ll be patiently (kind of) waiting for it.
Any time is a good time to read a Karin slaughter book but my timing this time was nearly perfect. What better than a fast-paced mystery thriller after spending a month reading an epic fantasy book over a thousand pages long? This genre is the best for getting out of reading slumps but it also prevents them. I had to pick up another book right after finishing this one because it’s the kind of book that makes me so addicted to writing.
Now let’s talk about this book more. I kept highlighting things on the Kindle for different purposes. One, is to be able to find quotes more easily but I won’t share them here to avoid any spoilers. The other reason was that I was trying to solve the mystery. I didn’t solve it. I never do. I realised something two pages before it was revealed and I don’t think that deserves high praise. What does deserve praise is how this author can confuse me so much when I’m trying to guess who the Bad Guy (you’ll get why I call it that when you read the book) is…but then it makes sense. The clues were there and I don’t think I’m dumb and that’s why I didn’t get it. But we’re talking about an author who knows how to leave hints all over the book that could mean a lot or could mean nothing at all…until we realise they are what solves the puzzle. But then once we know the answer, all those little hints come back and it just makes sense. I can’t blame plotholes for my inability to guess who the Bad Guy is. I can only blame the book for being so well-written. But it’d be silly to complain about that.
The mystery, once again, was very gratifying to read. And the way it was solved worked very well with the story and the social commentary it was trying to make. More on that later.
The crimes depicted in the book were obviously horrific. Very close to things that are happening in real life all over the world at least by the time I read this. I can’t guess the future but similar things happen, sadly, all the time. So by the time the book is out, the commentary will remain relevant. The way what’s done to the victims ties in with the title of the book is brilliant too. I always wonder how the title will fit with the story and it’s usually very well done.
I found it interesting a reading app classified most of the Karin Slaughter books I read as “true crime”. I never would have done that myself and it surprised me a little. But how fitting that this new book actually mentions true crime. The commentary about it was great, in my opinion. But I’m not the biggest fan of true crime so I don’t know how others who do love that “genre” (for lack of a better word) might feel. I said I wouldn’t share quotes but I’ll say very briefly that someone in the book refers to those who create true crime content as people who “don’t care about the victims”, which is my main issue with it. By victims, I mean those who the crimes were committed against but also their families and friends. The lack of respect towards that was very well depicted here through an insufferable character.
There’s more social commentary about women’s safety, mainly focused on younger girls this time but also done in a more general way. That’s always something I expect to find in Karin Slaughter's books and I feel this type of commentary only gets better with every new book.
And apart from those two topics, a very big theme in this book is parents “forcing” their children to rebel. And the consequences that can come from that. I love that, in each case, it was portrayed slightly differently because we can’t pretend that all parents are the same. And many just try to do the best they can to protect their children and it just backfires.
So the mystery was good, the resolution was good, the commentary was good…what about the characters? Because this is a new series. One that, from what I can guess, will work similarly to my beloved Will Trent series. Well, I love these new characters. Emmy is a fantastic protagonist and Jude compliments her character very well. Given all we’ve found out about them, I’m definitely curious to see how their relationship evolves in future books. Did I see certain revelations coming? We all know the answer. No, I didn’t but wow. Emmy’s feelings towards her parents and what was going on with them were ones I could relate to and so I found it was something else that was very well depicted. For others, their experiences might be different and I acknowledge that but I related a lot to her.
Cole and Dylan are two secondary characters I cannot wait to know more about. Both are fantastic, even if we know very little about them. I’m assuming their characters will be expanded in the next books in the series and that’s something I’m excited to read. Plus Emmy’s family seems to have a lot of members, which I assume will keep showing up and that’s also something to look forward to. Taybee was a very good minor character as well.
I honestly have so many thoughts about this book and I’ve tried my best to write them down in a way that makes the most sense but what a start for this new series! It’s hard to imagine the people who read book 1 and finish it won’t come back to pick up book 2. And I know I’ll be patiently (kind of) waiting for it.
February 15, 2025
Small Town Georgia. Emmy is a cop, just like her dad.
At the town's 4th of July party her best friend's teenage stepdaughter and another girl are kidnapped and suddenly nothing in this cute small town is the same.
What were those two girls involved in? Who of the town's residents is capable of such a crime? Emmy and her dad have to find out fast, because with every minute the chance of finding the girls alive races toward zero.
And that is only the very beginning of this book...
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I really enjoyed reading this.
There's so much happening in this book. So much story. So much heartbreak in so many ways. We are rooting for Emmy to save all the girls and find all the bad guys and get her own happily ever after too. We want a happy end for all the (good) people.
This was such a great thriller about a small town and all the dangers and mysteries and secrets that might hide there. I can't wait to see this on TV one day! Plus also, I want book #2 asap - but don't worry - we don't get a cliffy!
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April 7, 2025
North falls thriller book 1
As a number 1 Karin Slaughter fan and having already had this book on pre order I was ecstatic to be chosen for ARC so huge thank you.
Having followed Will Trent and Dr Sara Linton it was great to begin a new series from the 1st book of the North Falls thriller series.
Yes I am desperate for a Sara and Will update but it was great to get stuck into new characters and Emmy Lou Clifton didn’t disappoint. Sheriffs daughter she is from a town where family ties from generations run deep. Married to school love Jonah in a tumultuous marriage and mother to Cole aged 11 Emmy comes upon a case on fireworks night which changes Emmys world. Long standing best friend Hannah, step mother to 15 year old Madison, is distraught when Emmy makes the discovery of Madisons abandoned bike and missing best friend Cheyenne. Blood belonging to Cheyenne is present at a scene and the outlook isn’t looking good.
Hannah and Emmys friendship crumbles when Hannah discovers Emmy and Madison had been chatting a short while before her disappearance and Emmy knowing Madison looked upset made the decision to become embroiled in the usual messiness of her marriage leaving Madison upset and alone. Home truths are thrown at Emmy and the 2 fall apart.
12 years later as the case unfolds Jude Archer ,special agent in charge of serial killer Freddie Henley finally gets the location for the 12th child body before he dies meaning Jude , 2 years passed retirement decides to call it a day. Going over final emails she’s alerted to a missing child back in North fall and asks to go there. Having spent 27 year career delving in child killers and paedophiles Jude is keen to offer some expertise especially as the missing child coincides with the release of Adam Hurtslinger who had been jailed for the murders of Cheyenne and Madison some 12 years previous.
Jude’s return changes the story and not wanting to spoil this experience for anyone this is where I end!
This book was phenomenal, I cannot wait for more on Emmy Lou and her family and the next book. I was left speechless and tearful at times towards the end. The book has a little bit of everything and a whole lot of storyline and future books to follow.
Amazing is all I can say and 5 stars don’t give this book justice.
As a number 1 Karin Slaughter fan and having already had this book on pre order I was ecstatic to be chosen for ARC so huge thank you.
Having followed Will Trent and Dr Sara Linton it was great to begin a new series from the 1st book of the North Falls thriller series.
Yes I am desperate for a Sara and Will update but it was great to get stuck into new characters and Emmy Lou Clifton didn’t disappoint. Sheriffs daughter she is from a town where family ties from generations run deep. Married to school love Jonah in a tumultuous marriage and mother to Cole aged 11 Emmy comes upon a case on fireworks night which changes Emmys world. Long standing best friend Hannah, step mother to 15 year old Madison, is distraught when Emmy makes the discovery of Madisons abandoned bike and missing best friend Cheyenne. Blood belonging to Cheyenne is present at a scene and the outlook isn’t looking good.
Hannah and Emmys friendship crumbles when Hannah discovers Emmy and Madison had been chatting a short while before her disappearance and Emmy knowing Madison looked upset made the decision to become embroiled in the usual messiness of her marriage leaving Madison upset and alone. Home truths are thrown at Emmy and the 2 fall apart.
12 years later as the case unfolds Jude Archer ,special agent in charge of serial killer Freddie Henley finally gets the location for the 12th child body before he dies meaning Jude , 2 years passed retirement decides to call it a day. Going over final emails she’s alerted to a missing child back in North fall and asks to go there. Having spent 27 year career delving in child killers and paedophiles Jude is keen to offer some expertise especially as the missing child coincides with the release of Adam Hurtslinger who had been jailed for the murders of Cheyenne and Madison some 12 years previous.
Jude’s return changes the story and not wanting to spoil this experience for anyone this is where I end!
This book was phenomenal, I cannot wait for more on Emmy Lou and her family and the next book. I was left speechless and tearful at times towards the end. The book has a little bit of everything and a whole lot of storyline and future books to follow.
Amazing is all I can say and 5 stars don’t give this book justice.
March 11, 2025
The first in a new series of novels from Karin Slaughter which I found reminisent of her earlier Grant County series. Set in Clifton County, named after the Clifton family which this story revolves around. I do love a family centred plot and Karin is the master.
Here we have two 15 year old girls go missing, Emmy Lou Clifton is the Deputy tasked with finding them, with help from the Sheriff, her father Gerald Clifton. He is a great support to Emmy, with his systematic approach always asking her "What do we know?", "What do we think we know?" to get to the heart of the problem. These simple questions put the reader in the room, reasoning through the case with Emmy and Gerald. These are great characters, and through the story you get to know their relationship, backstories and their large family.
Just as you start to feel you've heard this all before and know where its going, BAM! Karin throws you a curve ball. She makes you care so much about these people and then she rips your heart out, gets you to shed tears alongside them. Its so beautifully written.
As with most Karin Slaughter books, there's some quite graphic descriptions which are not for the faint hearted, but these are needed as you get to experience the worst lows which make those high moments so much more special.
Full of excellent, deep and well developed characters, a rivetting storyline, plenty of graphic detail and heart-jerking moments. This is a class act. I often think I should try and write a story, then I read a book by a master of their craft like Karin and realise why I don't!
A true masterclass in story-telling. I absolutely adored this book, I loved Emmy and family, friends and colleagues. I loved following their thought processes, emotions and trauma. I can't wait to escape to their world again.
I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for providing the opportunity to review this novel. All opinions are my own.
We Are All Guilty here is due to be released in the UK on 19th June 2025.
Reviewed March 2025
Here we have two 15 year old girls go missing, Emmy Lou Clifton is the Deputy tasked with finding them, with help from the Sheriff, her father Gerald Clifton. He is a great support to Emmy, with his systematic approach always asking her "What do we know?", "What do we think we know?" to get to the heart of the problem. These simple questions put the reader in the room, reasoning through the case with Emmy and Gerald. These are great characters, and through the story you get to know their relationship, backstories and their large family.
Just as you start to feel you've heard this all before and know where its going, BAM! Karin throws you a curve ball. She makes you care so much about these people and then she rips your heart out, gets you to shed tears alongside them. Its so beautifully written.
As with most Karin Slaughter books, there's some quite graphic descriptions which are not for the faint hearted, but these are needed as you get to experience the worst lows which make those high moments so much more special.
Full of excellent, deep and well developed characters, a rivetting storyline, plenty of graphic detail and heart-jerking moments. This is a class act. I often think I should try and write a story, then I read a book by a master of their craft like Karin and realise why I don't!
A true masterclass in story-telling. I absolutely adored this book, I loved Emmy and family, friends and colleagues. I loved following their thought processes, emotions and trauma. I can't wait to escape to their world again.
I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for providing the opportunity to review this novel. All opinions are my own.
We Are All Guilty here is due to be released in the UK on 19th June 2025.
Reviewed March 2025
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