Release date: August 12, 2025
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Synopsis:
A retired serial killer’s quiet life is upended by an unexpected visitor. To protect her secret, there’s only one option left—what’s another murder? From bestselling author Samantha Downing.
Lottie Jones thought her crimes were behind her.
Decades earlier, she changed her identity and tucked herself away in a small town. Her most exciting nights are the weekly bingo games at the local church and gossiping with her friends.
When investigative journalist Plum Dixon shows up on her doorstep asking questions about Lottie’s past and specifically her involvement with numerous unsolved cases, well, Lottie just can’t have that.
But getting away with murder is hard enough when you’re young. And when Lottie receives another annoying knock on the door, she realizes this crime might just be the death of her…
Review:
This is a fresh and whip smart thriller that stands out in a crowded genre. The concept alone, a retired serial killer pulled back into the game, feels like it shouldn’t work, but Downing pulls it off brilliantly. At the center of the story is Lottie, a sharp, cynical woman who’s equal parts terrifying and oddly relatable. Her internal monologue is razor edged and biting, but also full of the kind of real world frustrations that will have you nodding along (and maybe laughing inappropriately). Despite her dark past, she’s the kind of anti hero you can’t help but root for.
Lottie’s character is the real engine of this story, her observations on aging, invisibility, and how society treats older women are quietly powerful, layered beneath a slick and tightly plotted thriller. Downing doesn’t ask you to forgive Lottie, just to listen to her. And in doing so, the novel becomes more than just a clever cat and mouse game; it becomes a reflection on identity, reinvention, and the cost of disappearing from the world without ever actually dying.
With its addictive pacing, sly twists, and an unforgettable lead, this is a must read for thriller fans craving something truly original. It’s gripping, thought provoking, and unapologetically smart. Downing once again proves she knows exactly how to play with reader expectations—and win.
Overall rating: 5/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
Novelgossip 