Shaaw Connolly Lives to Tell by Gillian French is a thriller about a finger print analyst who will not stop searching for information about her sister Thea 's disappearance 16 years ago.
A professor named Anders Jansen starts calling Shaw and knows too much not to be involved. She is so obsessed , she puts her 2 sons, her other sister and her dad in danger. This obsession has also ruined her marriage.
It is a very suspense filled novel. I loved the characters and highly recommend this book

I don't think this book was really for me. Overall the story and characters felt disjointed. Seeing Shaw's interactions with her family and then how she was portrayed at work it felt like two completely different people. There didn't appear to be a true connection between her job as a finger print technician and the actual mystery in the story - other than the most basic of ties in that her sister went missing. I felt like there were some areas of the mystery that were kind of glanced over but never fully realized. I hated the area of the story talking about Gauthier's ASD and OCD. It was one small section, was never brought up again. It just felt like an excuse for poor character development.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: June 17, 2025

"Shaw Connelly Lives to Tell" by Gillian French is a suspenseful, gripping novel of a fingerprint analyst and the decades long search for her missing sister.

Shaw Connelly has spent the last decade searching for her sister, Thea, who disappeared while walking home from a party. The police labeled her a troubled runaway and the last people to see Thea, two of her friends from the "wrong side of the tracks" deny knowing anything. When a man named Anders Larsen reaches out to Shaw, claiming to be the person who took Thea, Shaw's search for her sister intensifies, using clues provided by the suspect himself.

Shaw is feisty, witty and determined, struggling to raise her teenaged sons with her estranged husband, Ryan. She's also caring for her aging father while balancing her career as a police analyst. All that, plus looking for her missing sister- Shaw is not to be messed with. I loved her bravery and her compassion and can honestly say that Shaw was one of my favourite protagonists by far.

"Tell" is unique in that we already know the "who" going in. Instead, we must find out the nitty gritty details, like the "why" and the "where", searching right alongside Shaw. Of course, my favourite parts were the creepy, crawly conversations that Shaw had with the perverted, insane psychopath that is Anders Larsen.

French's complex characters complement her smooth, flowing plot. The intriguing psychopath component kept me turning the pages, and the reverse who-dunnit story was creative and imaginative. The ending was extremely satisfying, wrapping up each and every plot point succinctly and realistically.

French is a well-known author by this point, but it's great to see her continue crafting smart, addicting novels that are just as compelling, if not moreso, than her earlier works. Now, I sit back and wait to see what French does next.

Thank you net galley for this arc. but unfortunally tthis was not one for me , i just couldn.t get into the story. i felt it dragged a bit for me

There are so many really good and twisty mysteries out there that it's getting harder and harder to impress. This was the case on this one for me. I could not find any way to connect with Shaw and it took me a bit to get into it, then I did I had a hard time staying. It dragged a bit, got too far into the weeds and at the end of the day I just felt no connection to Shaw, didn't love her, root for her or even love to hate her. I really wanted to love this, it just didn't hit for me.

Shaw Connolly is a fingerprint analyst in rural Maine, that has been haunted by the disappearance of her younger sister sixteen years ago. This obsession has fractured her marriage, strained her family relationships, and even drawn the attention of a cryptic stalker, Anders Jansen, who calls claiming his involvement in Thea’s case. As these calls escalate and become more and more creepy, Shaw races against time to uncover the truth—regardless of who she must become or lose in the process. Rather than just block the number that keeps tormenting her, she's desperate to find out what happened to her sister, and hopes that somehow this creep gives her information to go on. This obsession frustrates her family but she's a very well developed character, so you understand where she's coming from, and it makes you think that you might do the same in similar circumstances.

First of all, from the title alone, you know that she survives whatever happens and gets some sort of resolution, so that is good. The author does a good job of setting up the cold, unforgiving environment in Maine with an edge of suspense and foreboding.

The pace was a bit slow for me though, and there is a lot of detail about fingerprint analysis, which I could have done without, which makes it more of a police procedural at many points.

Thank you Netgalley & Minotaur Books for an eARC ♥️♥️♥️

Let me tell you about Shaw Connolly, the most stubborn, obsessive, *infuriatingly* relatable protagonist I’ve met in ages. She’s a fingerprint analyst with a cold case haunting her—her little sister vanished sixteen years ago—and now some creep named Anders Jansen is calling her, dangling pieces of the truth like he’s feeding scraps to a starving dog. The way this guy *gets inside her head*? Absolute chills. Every time the phone rang, I wanted to scream at Shaw to block the number… but also, *what if this is the clue that cracks the case?!*
The setting—rural Maine, all fog and secrets and neighbors who know too much—feels like its own character. The whole book has this slow-burn tension (pun intended) that just *clenches* tighter the further you read.
Shaw’s husband annoyed me (though tbf, I’d probably also be fed up with my spouse risking everything for a decades-old mystery). And there were moments I wanted to shake her and yell *"PLEASE JUST TALK TO THE COPS!!"* But that’s the thing—French makes you *feel* Shaw’s desperation so deeply, you get why she’s making terrible choices.
If you like thrillers where the protagonist is one bad decision away from disaster, where the past won’t stay buried, and where the villain is *just* the right amount of creepy, this is your next read. Just clear your schedule first—because good luck putting it down. 🤩

I’ve enjoyed many of Gillian French’s books, but I didn’t enjoy this one. I couldn’t follow the storyline, the characters were boring, and I got confused a lot of the time. Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur for the eARC.

Thank you to Gillian French, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I just couldn't get into it.

There is something truly bone chilling about a stalking story line. This one really made me nervous to read because it truly freaked me out, but I also couldn't stop reading because it was so well done.

This book was incredibly slow moving and didn’t have enough of that thriller suspense feeling for me. I never felt intrigued or wanting more or having that feeling that I need to keep going and know what’s next. I actually felt like I wanted to dnf the book even at 15% of the way in. I finished it but felt it to be a complete waste of time. I think that for some people it probably would be a good read but for me it wasn’t worth it. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early read.

I felt that this book moved too slowly. I just did not really enjoy it. I didn't love the characters or the story line

4.5 stars!

This book is a thrilling page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat! I found it nearly impossible to put down, even when I really should have.

Shaw Connolly, a fingerprints analyst, is haunted by the disappearance of her sister Thea sixteen years ago. Despite the toll it takes on her family and marriage, Shaw is determined to uncover the truth. She receives unsettling calls from a man named Anders Jansen, who claims to have information about her sister's case and threatens her and her family. As Shaw navigates these dangerous encounters, she becomes increasingly desperate to find answers, raising the stakes on what she might sacrifice to uncover the truth.

The protagonist, Shaw Connolly, is masterfully developed throughout the chapters. She’s clever, fiercely independent, and utterly relatable—a true badass with a nurturing side that makes her all the more endearing. As we follow her journey, it’s impossible not to despise the tormentor who dares to cross her path. After all, nobody messes with Shaw Connolly!

The atmosphere is palpably claustrophobic, enhanced by the chilling phone calls that send shivers down your spine. Each ring feels like a countdown to something sinister, and the tension is expertly crafted. This book is anything but predictable; you can’t help but root for a happy ending, even as the plot twists keep you guessing.

If this is the author’s debut in a new genre, then hats off to them! I was completely engrossed in this book for an entire day. If you enjoy police procedurals that keep you guessing—where you might know the identity of the perpetrator early on but still can’t predict their next move—this is the read for you. The ending is a rollercoaster of emotions: unpredictable, satisfying, and heartbreakingly tragic. I adored Shaw and her journey!

Bravo to the author! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

I understand, if the written word didn't resonate with you, I suggest the audio version. One of my favorite narrators was a part of this project, and she did an excellent job of portraying emotions, and adding depth to the story. Great choice! I understand that the written word may not have resonated with you. If that’s the case, I recommend trying the audio version instead. One of my favorite narrators contributed to this project, and she did an excellent job of portraying the emotions and adding depth to the story. It's a great choice!

Thank you, MacMillan and Minotaur Books, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell by Gillian French is a police procedural thriller but unfortunately, I did not experience enough of the thriller aspect. Shaw is a fingerprint expert which is a fascinating occupation, intriguing to read about. Her sister had disappeared sixteen years ago which understandably consumes her. Shaw neglects her loved ones and her grating personality did not endear me to her. Stalking, deceit and various crimes add layers of interest but not enough to keep me engaged. I seldom find novels bland but this is an exception. I opted not to finish due to these reasons and lack of connection. Others may feel differently.

Cat-and-mouse thrillers are one of my favorite tropes, and
Gillian French’s Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell is a must-read. The back-and-forth dynamic between Shaw and Anders is gripping, and I never quite knew where the story would go next, but I was there for every minute of it. Add in the fact that it takes place in my beloved home state of Maine, and this is one that I’ll be recommending to all my thriller-loving friends!

Shaw is a fingerprint analyst, her sister disappeared 16 years ago, and she can't quit obsessing about it. she alienates her husband and children, and her friends but she is determined to find out what happened to her sister.

Gillian French’s latest thriller features Shaw Connolly—a character who grows on you with every page. The tension in this story is subtle but relentless, and I loved the way the narrative slowly peeled back layers of mystery and emotional vulnerability. It’s not a fireworks thriller, but instead, a measured exploration of how secrets can change a person.

I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a slow-burn suspense that digs into character as much as plot.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review and wow it was quite the thriller. Shaw works as fingerprint analyst. In the midst of her demanding job, she continues to search for answers to the disappearance of her sister, Thea, for many years after the incident meshed is determined to get the real truthful story so she can bring closure to her and her family. But while all this is going on in her life, she begins to receive calls from a psycho and he leads her to believe that he knows what happened and might even be the one who committed the crime. He taunts her at every turn with his phone calls at all hours of the day and night. Then the stalking begins, which not only puts her in danger but her family as well. This book is quite the page turner with lots of twists and turns. So if you are in to horrifying adult suspenseful fiction , you will want to add to your list to read.

I loved every second of this dark, twisted read. My heart pounding through my chest, my palms sweaty, my breathing ticking up as the hairs on the back of my neck get triggered. I raced through this book. Not daring to put it down and dwell on what could have happened. When I did try to leave the book on my nightstand, I had to get back up a half an hour later to just finish it. See what happened to Thea that frigid winter night and if Shaw follows her down that path. Leaving her family to wonder what happened to her as well.

Shaw is bound and determined to figure out what happened to her sister sixteen years ago. Shaw and her father have never moved on. Shaw did marry her high school sweetheart and has two gorgeous boys. Shaw has even been able to have an amazing job as a fingerprint analyst. There is still Thea taking stage, front and center. Never being able to move on and just accept that Thea is dead and it is okay to put herself first. Ryan cannot handle it anymore and has moved out. Shaw has her dad move in to help with the boys. There is also a twist. A man named Anders Jansen has been calling her for a few years. Claiming to have killed Thea and that he has all the answers. Shaw is caught in a place of believing him and that he could also be another sicko crank. When Anders stalking ramps up and Shaw is feeling like an uncontrollable car caught on a slick road. Not knowing if she is going to destroy everything she built or finally have the answers about what happed to Thea.

I loved the characters in this book. They are deeply flawed and layered. Giving the book depth and piquing my interest. I yelled at Shaw to wake up. To let it go, that her sister is gone, and to protect her own two boys before it is too late. This one gave me chills, I will be looking over my shoulder, wanting to sign up for self-defense classes. You need to add this one to your TBR. Thank you to Gillian French and Minotaur Books for my gifted copy of this heart stopping read.

Police procedurals usually work for me. Granted, I prefer the European or Australian variety, but sometimes even the American will do. This did not do.

Shaw does not have it together. Her sister Thea disappeared sixteen years ago. She can't give up trying to find out what happened to her. She has turned down promotions and opportunities to move to do this. She alienates her husband, children, coworkers, and everyone else.

Who thinks this ends well? It doesn't end well. And it's boring, to boot. If you're looking for a mystery with a detective that has a sob story about her sister, just read THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK.

I was also a little annoyed when the token Vietnamese American character broke out into random Vietnamese amongst his white coworkers. One Asian does not make your story diverse.

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books