If the purpose of this story was to make you feel uncomfortable, it succeeded, but I didn't finish reading it for that same reason,

Shaw's sister was murdered, possibly or probably by a man she identifies as Anders. Over the years, he will call her and torment her with details, but she doesn't know where her sister is buried, so she takes the calls to try to determine where the remains can be found. She goes into law enforcement in the forensics field and refuses to move up or move on as finding her sister is her mission in life. Admirable, yes.

It was the calls from Anders that I didn't like. A twisted person for sure, he seemed delighted to keep her on edge, but I didn't like the feeling so I stopped reading rather early on. Maybe it's a good story, but I won't be finishing it for that reason.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy. Honest opinions expressed here are my own and are freely given.

Living in Suspense

Gillian French spins a gripping suspense story in this fast paced thriller. shaw's sister disappeared sixteen years ago, and she still seeks closure. French's story of Shaw's continued grief and the obsession to locate the body of her missing sister brings a depth to the character and pathos to the story. There is a balance between the physical action and the inner dialogue that explores the character's psychological trauma. I couldn't put this novel down. This is my first time reading this author , but it won't be my last.

Her sister disappeared 16 years ago. Since then, everything Shaw Connolly does is tinged with her search for her sister. As a fingerprint technician, Shaw sees the worst that one person can do to another; she's seen so many horrific scenes, yet still hopes to find her sister alive. As her search intensifies, Shaw's personal life begins to crumble. But now she has a stalker, a man who says he knows what happened 16 years ago.
Gillian French does an excellent job of building tension; you can feel Shaw's desperate hope and the pressure cooker her job causes her each time the victim is a young woman. When the ultimate villain inserts himself into her life, you'll feel her horror. This is definitely a thriller, I was up long after everyone else went to bed. BUT, it was worth it!!

Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell is an intense, action-packed thriller that grabs you from the opening scene and doesn’t let go. Shaw Connolly is a compelling protagonist — tough, resourceful, and deeply human. The plot moves at a breakneck pace, with high stakes and unexpected twists that keep the tension high throughout.

The author does an excellent job weaving in sharp dialogue, vivid settings, and just enough emotional depth to make you care about the characters. Whether you’re a longtime thriller fan or new to the genre, Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell delivers a gripping read that’s hard to put down.

This book is definitely a slow burn and it took me a bit to get into it. It doesn't help that really don't like the main character very much. You know who the perpetrator is from the beginning of the book so the main mystery is what happened to Shaw's sister. However I'm really happy that I stuck in there and completed the book. Once I got into the second half I became much more invested in the story and read straight through to the end. Don't give up on this book. It gets there in the end!

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. I really enjoyed the story and it kept me intrigued and wanting to continue on. I just didn’t love the ending. Felt like it was missing something. Still would recommend as I enjoyed it.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

🔍This was one of those books that I decided to read on a whim, just looking for a thriller to catch my attention, and I was completely wrapped up. I love procedural shows, and this one felt like one of the best episodes of a detective show you've ever seen. It's a tense and atmospheric procedural that will make you feel like you're watching True Detective or the Mare of Eastown for the first time again.

🔍The mystery is only the first layer - Shaw is a fingerprint analyst whose sister went missing many years ago, but her story explores powerful themes of healing after loss, the weight of grief, and how those things can warp and twist your views of humanity. Her character is so raw and unfiltered - think Jeremy Renner's character in Mayor of Kingstown, just full of messy feelings and a burning need to fix the problems facing her loved ones.

🔍I loved Shaw's character. She's rough and unrefined, unfiltered, but loyal to the core. I think we all would hope if something happened to us, we'd have someone like Shaw on the case to bring us justice. The mystery is a bit slow burn, but the ending!!! And if you like psychological tension, the dread of being stalked? You'll eat it up. I got super frustrated with Shaw at times, but I think that's part of what makes her such a good character to root for. This is definitely for those who love a slowly plotted character study - where the personalities involved are as critical to the story as the mystery itself.

Major Tropes & Themes:

- small town Maine setting
- obsession & vengeance
- cold case mystery
- crime scene analyst main character
- creepy caller/stalker
- flawed but tough FMC

You'll enjoy if you liked:

- Mare of Eastown, True Detective (TV)
- The Mindf*ck Series by ST Abby
- Gillian Flynn
- Jane Harper
- Stephen King (small town Maine!)
- The Night Swim by Megan Goldin
- Prisoners (Film, 2013)

3.8 out of 5 stars, rounded up! ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Big, big thank you to Gillian French, St. Martin's Press (Minotaur Books) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell. I will share my review across retail sites and Instagram!

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!

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

I couldn’t wait to open Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell by Gillian French.
A gripping thriller from French that will keep you on the edge of your seat! French does a masterful job of creating suspense and tension throughout the novel. The characters are well-developed and believable, and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell is a must-read for fans of suspenseful thrillers.

 Here are some of the things that I liked about the book:

 The suspenseful plot kept me guessing until the very end.
 The characters were well-developed and believable.
 The book was full of twists and turns.
 The writing was clear and engaging.

The main character, Shaw Connolly, is a fingerprint analyst who isn't afraid to speak her mind. Well, more like, she has no filter, and whatever she's thinking just plops out! She is obsessed with finding her sister's killer, even though it's been sixteen years, with her marriage suffering (because who wants to live with a ghost?). But now someone named Anders Jansen is playing cat and mouse with her. Calling her. Dangling clues. And even though she knows she should not take his calls, not engage with him, she answers almost every call. Thinking she's got the upper-hand because she's got some quick repartee. Big mistake! Huge!

I really did enjoy the phone calls and trying to figure out how Anders may have known Shaw. I could not grasp how Shaw and the cops knew Anders name, what he drove, and where he lived, but that Shaw never tried to see him in person to see what she was dealing with. There was a tense scene in the snow that had me on the edge of my seat, but once again, the author was playing with us!

I would love to see more books featuring Shaw, perhaps with a more fleshed out case and more detective work from Shaw.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's for advance reader's copies (ebook and paperback).

I loved this suspenseful and fast paced read! Full of fascinatingly complex characters who leapt off the page. I felt a lot of sympathy for the Connolly family ...especially Shaw. I loved each time a piece of the puzzle was snapped into place! There were plenty of twists which kept me guessing. Very well done.

This was most definitely a slow burn. Unfortunately, between the slowness and the dialogue I couldn't really get into this one. Based on the synopsis, there should have been suspense. This is was what I was expecting but I did not get. It was hard to get through the book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley.

“Never challenge a dying man Shawnee. You have everything to lose I have nothing.”

“How did she look when they brought her out of the ground!?”

Thanks to Minotaur Books / Macmillan Audio for my #gifted copy of this book.

It was good from start to finish but the pacing definitely picked up towards the end. I’m not bit into books that have a slow build but I was interested in following along with this one because Shawn Connelly was such a great heroine. You really wanted to see her get a win.

I feel like this one focuses more on mindset than a lot of other detective novels. This particular “detective”, Shawn Connelly (actually a fingerprint analyst) is looking for her long lost sister, Thea.

She was previously stalked but over the years the calls have stopped and when suddenly they start back up and her stalker claims to know what happened to Theodora. At first Shawn doesn’t want to tell anyone about it but eventually things get so bad that she doesn’t have a choice, she’s got to protect her family.

The stalker suggests that he knows what happened to her sister but oddly enough he seems like he wants to tell her…why is he so ready to tell her after all of these years?

Also, can I just say the “prank” played on Thea enraged me! Who DOES that!?!

In looking at the authors earlier works the reviews weren’t all that great…with this book I think she’s found her footing in the detective / crime mystery genre. I’m looking forward to seeing what she writes in the future. I wouldn’t be surprised if this isn’t the last we see of Shawn Connelly. At least I hope it’s not…

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC of this one—I really wanted to love it, and I so appreciate the chance to read early.

This mystery had intriguing elements and glimmers of potential, especially with a setup that spans over a decade and centers on Shaw Connolly’s quest to find her sister’s killer while being stalked herself. The premise promised a layered, slow-burn suspense, which I normally enjoy—but unfortunately, this one didn’t quite come together for me.

The writing style just wasn’t a fit for me personally, and I often found it hard to follow what was happening. The pacing dragged for most of the book, with key developments delayed and tension that never fully landed. While there are attempts to explore themes of grief and trauma, the emotional moments felt distant or underdeveloped. Shaw’s character lacked the depth I was hoping for, and her relationships—especially with her estranged husband and children—felt like missed opportunities for emotional impact.

There were moments of eerie tension, like the killer’s phone calls, and I enjoyed the cat-and-mouse dynamic between Shaw and Anders. But these moments lost their edge with repetition, and the final confrontation—while energizing—came too late to elevate the experience.

Ultimately, this might land better for readers who prefer very slow-burn, character-centered mysteries with minimal twists. But those hoping for a tightly wound thriller with escalating suspense may walk away feeling underwhelmed.

I unfortunately DNF’ed this book. I think the writing style was not for me and I also felt like it was hard to follow what was happening. I so appreciate the ARC and I really wanted to like this one :(

3.5 Stars

Shaw Connolly is a fingerprint analyst living in a rural Maine community. Besides the stresses of her job, Shaw is still suffering with the trauma of losing her sister. Sixteen years earlier, in 2007, her sister Thea went missing and has never been found. Thea is never far from Shaw’s thoughts; in fact, Shaw is obsessed with finding out what happened. Her marriage has suffered, as has her relationship with her youngest sister, and the lives of her two young sons are impacted by her relentless pursuit of the truth.

Shaw receives taunting calls from a man named Anders Jansen who implies that he had something to do with Thea’s disappearance. The calls become more threatening as it becomes obvious that Anders has been stalking Shaw. She is desperate to end the sinister calls, but she is also desperate to learn exactly what knowledge Anders has of Thea’s fate. A game of cat and mouse ensues.

Shaw is an interesting character. She is skilled at her job and remains unflinching in face of the horrors she witnesses at crime scenes. She has a tough exterior and is often bold and brash. A softer side is revealed in her nurturing of her young colleague whom she has been asked to mentor. And Shaw is so loving and protective of her family. Her vulnerability is obvious in how, even sixteen years later, she is haunted by her sister’s disappearance from their lives.

The pace of the novel is uneven. It begins very slowly with little suspense. There are scenes which seem to have little or no relevance. For instance, Shaw testifies as an expert witness for a court case. Her testimony goes on and on; it does emphasize her personality but we’ve already seen these traits. Then there’s the romantic subplot which also seems unnecessary and lessens the suspense one would expect in a book marketed as a thriller. Tension does build in the later part of the book when Anders’ threats become more menacing and overt so danger to both Shaw and her family escalates.

I found the relationship between Shaw and her surviving sister Mads especially interesting. Being younger, Mads has fewer memories of Thea and resents having her life defined by somebody whom she doesn’t remember clearly: “’Maybe we could start living for ourselves instead of some memory of a seventeen-year-old who never even had a chance to grow into somebody interesting, and some depressing old step-by-step story about the last time we saw her alive.’” Mads points out how obsessed Shaw is: “’Maybe you’re the one who should sit down and look at the Thea you think you remember. See if you can even separate her from yourself at this point.’” All of this has Shaw worried that she is going to lose her surviving sister as she searches for the truth about the one who didn’t survive.

There are some unanswered questions which irked me. What happens with Shaw’s relationship with McKenzie after her admission about Ryan? Does Aphrodite recover? Anders’ answer to Shaw’s question, “’Why do you hate me so much?’” is unconvincing. And that answer would surely result in a more emotional reaction after she’s had time to consider its implication, or does she interpret it merely as calculated manipulation?

Gillian French is known as a young adult author, this novel being her first foray into adult suspense fiction. The book does have some of the weaknesses found in a debut but is nonetheless entertaining.

Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Reading in Between the Wines book review #61/125 for 2025:
Rating: 3🍷🍷🍷
Book: Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell
Author: Gillian French
Releases June 17, 2025!!

Sipping thoughts: This was a great mystery that spanned over a decade. Shaw Connolly was desperate to find her sister’s killer. And while she is dealing with that, she has a stalker. Is it one in the same? I wish there was a little more suspense as I felt like the horse was let out of the barn a little too early. However, I enjoyed the cat and mouse game with Anders and Shaw. Good book if you are not a fan of twisty thrillers but rather a slow burn suspense.

Cheers and thank you to @Netgalley and @StMartinsPress for an advanced copy of @ShawConnollyLivesToTell.

#ShawConnollyLivesToTell #GillianFrench #StMartinsPress #NetGalley #ARC #advancedreader #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bokreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

Shaw Connolly's little sister, Thea, disappeared 16 years ago and she's never stopped trying to find her. Now she's being stalked and harassed by a man claiming to have killed Thea. This situation has contributed to troubles with her marriage, her family and her job. To say that Shaw is a woman obsessed with finding her sister is an understatement. This story had me hooked from the beginning. I liked seeing Shaw's character change and grow throughout the book. Good writing and an equally good plot makes this a must read.

I read the ARC for Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell by Gillian French. Shaw Connolly is being stalked, harrassed by phone calls from a man named Anders Jansen. It's creepy because stalkers are creepy but also because Shaw's younger sister, Thea disappeared when she was 17 and Shaw was 18. Her family has been searching for her for the past 16 years. It has shaped her entire family's life, her marriage, her job, etc. Shaw is a fingerprint analyst. Anders is all but claiming to have taken Thea. This is a story about reclaiming your life, your narrative. Overall, I liked this story, and I liked Shaw, however, the uneven pacing of this story was difficult. The beginning of this story was slow and got slower. Everytime the pace would pick up, it seemed to slow back down. Then, the last 25% of this story moved very, very quickly, but the uneven pacing earlier is difficult to overcome. That being said, if there is another Shaw Connolly story, I will read it. I give this book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for my ARC.