Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Random House Publishing for an early copy of We Don't Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry

We Don't Talk About Carol is a police procedural pretty much without the police; it is the story of a marriage; it is a story of family; and it is a journey to see justice served.

Sydney Singleton's life is forever changed when she leaves Los Angeles for Raleigh, North Carolina for her grandmother's funeral. While in her grandmother's home she finds a photo and learns her father has a sister she never knew of. When she confronts a friend of her grandmother's ,she is told "We Don't Talk About Carol" and so the mystery begins. it takes Sydney, a journalist, a very short time to learn that in the 1960s several black girls went missing in Raleigh, and all of the cases remain unsolved. Sydney's background in digging for the facts results in her following her own leads to discover what became of her Aunt Carol along with the other missing girls. All of this is on her plate as she also deals with infertility issues and her negative relationship with her own younger sister.

Kristen L. Berry takes readers step by step through Sydney's triumphs and dead ends as every new fact leads to more she must uncover. Will she see justice served for the missing girls along with learning her Aunt Carol's fate?

We Don't Talk About Carol will wrap the reader in its plot, develop the characters to a high degree and reach a dynamic conclusion.

This book is a gripping mystery with deep emotional layers that reveal a family secret. Forcing Sydney to not only confront this but also her own personal struggles and the truth.

First, a big thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC e-copy. It's my very first one and I'll remember it forever.

I cannot believe this is Kristen L. Berry's debut book. What an amazing start. I will read her next book as soon as she writes it. I would consider this book a slower mystery (less like a thriller), that sort of unravels more and more with each chapter, it takes off slow begins twisting with each memory or uncovered truth, and finishes with one more satisfactory last twist. The parts of the book where we navigate with Sydney through her IVF treatment, her marriage, and her relationship with her mother and sister was so well done. I enjoyed flipping between the relationships, the inner thoughts of self-doubt and determination, the memories, and the mystery of what happened to the six girls. After about 130 pages in, I could not put it down. My heart was so full by the end. I wouldn't mind another story, another mystery in this world.

This was one of the strongest debut novels I've read in a long time. The pacing was excellent throughout and the characters were all fully realized. I was invested in Sydney's life and her family's journey. I stayed up late to keep reading to find out what happened to Carol and how all the subplots would be resolved. Subplots can often feel like filler, but the ones in this novel felt compelling and connected to the main plot.

If you are a fan of true crime, well-written mysteries, and stories about complicated families, definitely pick this one up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced reader copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read We Don't Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry in exchange for my honest review. This book focuses on a former crime reporter that discovers she has an aunt she never knew about that disappeared in the 1960s. During this time, there was a string of missing Black teenage girls from the same neighborhood, and no one took their disappearances seriously. Our main character, Sydney, takes up the investigation on her own

I had a hard time putting this one down once I started reading. Berry did a great job of writing believable characters that made believable decisions. That may seem like a small thing, but so many writers these days can't manage it. Even the characters, especially like Sydney's mother, that made decisions I disagreed with acted for reasons that Berry made me understand. The story moved along at a good pace and never seemed to drag ot skip over important details. This was a very strong first offering from Berry.

Based on the strength of We Don't Talk About Carol, I will absolutely pick up whatever Berry puts out next.

"We Don’t Talk About Carol" by Kristen L. Berry is an absolute triumph that seamlessly blends the complexity of a Black family’s saga with an enthralling murder mystery. From the very first page, Berry's storytelling prowess pulls you into a world rich with emotion, secrets, and the profound journey of discovering one’s roots.

The plot is exceptionally crafted, weaving past and present with such finesse that every chapter feels like uncovering a new layer of truth. The narrative’s pacing keeps you hooked, with twists and revelations that are both unexpected and deeply satisfying.

What truly sets this novel apart are its characters. They are vividly drawn, authentic, and resonate with a depth that makes their struggles, hopes, and relationships incredibly relatable. Berry’s exploration of family dynamics, identity, and cultural heritage is both poignant and thought-provoking, offering readers a window into the complexities of familial bonds and the shadows of untold stories.

The murder mystery element adds an electrifying tension, with clues and suspense masterfully sprinkled throughout. It’s not just about solving a crime—it’s about understanding the legacies we inherit and the truths we often choose to ignore.

Kristen L. Berry has penned a novel that is both a gripping mystery and a heartfelt exploration of family and identity. "We Don’t Talk About Carol" is a must-read that will linger in your thoughts long after the final page.

4.5 stars, rounded up. This is a great debut novel, and I found it to be difficult to put down, as wrapped up in Sydney's investigation and pursuit of truth in the disappearances of a group of Black teenage girls in the 1960s, as well as in the tumult in Sydney's personal life. Well plotted and shining a light on the issue of whose stories get told in the crime world, this was captivating.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and to prh audio for the alc.

This was a fantastic thriller that I almost dnf'ed but glad I did not because I got HOOKED! I am suprised that this book is a debut novel, because it really was that good of a thriller. Furthermore, Nicole Cash does an excellent job with the audiobook narration. and I would consider listening to more books narrated by her in the future. And lastly, if you think this book is predictable, think again!

While the writing was really well done, I simply couldn't really connect with the book. It dragged for me. Thank you for the chance to read it though!

After re-discovering a photo of her long-lost aunt after the passing of her grandmother, Sydney sets out on a mission to find out what happened to Carol and the other five teenaged black girls that went missing during the same time. The hunt for the truth leads her to face years of family trauma, while trying to start fresh on the journey to parenthood.

This book had me absolutely hooked. I stayed up until 2:00am just to finish it last night. Kristen (author) does an absolutely beautiful job writing a story of a woman who is trying to free herself from her past, and start fresh and learn to forgive herself and others. Sydney’s fears of starting a family are so spot-on, and I love how the story is so much more than “just” a mystery. It’s about coming to terms with the past while building and starting a new future.

Berry does an amazing job in her debut novel, and I cannot wait to see what she does next! I’d highly recommend this book.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions are my own.*

Great writer but I really could not get into this story. Thanks for the opportunity to read but it was just not for me. Good Luck with the boo.

Berry is a new standout voice in crime fiction! Her debut focuses on Sydney Singleton, a former investigative reporter, who leans she has an aunt Carol who disappeared in the 1960’s when helped her mother clean out her grandmother’s house. Shocked, saddened, and instantly curious, Sydney begins questioning neighbors and looking into a series of missing young women cases from that time period. Her efforts gain attention of a true-crime podcast, and the local police department who reopens the cases.

While the plot mostly centers on the mystery, Berry also leans into character development as Sydney confronts personal and familial challenges. I found the emphasis on 1960’s racial tensions and disparities in law enforcement efforts to search for missing African American women very engaging. There are definitely darker themes in this book, so check your content warnings! Readers who enjoy unsolved crimes plot lines, amateur sleuthing, and the power of community should add this book to your TBR!

We Don’t Talk About Carol is a quietly unsettling and emotionally resonant novel that explores the complexities of family, grief, and long-buried secrets. Rebecca Ley crafts a story that is equal parts mystery and character study, centering on the aftermath of a woman whose presence—and absence—continues to haunt those she left behind.

The writing is sharp and layered, with a strong emotional core. I especially appreciated the way Ley captured the subtle tensions and unspoken histories that often simmer beneath the surface in families. The narrative unfolds slowly, with a few unexpected turns, and while the pacing dragged slightly at times, the payoff was worth the wait.

This is a thoughtful and well-written novel for readers who enjoy literary fiction with a psychological twist. It doesn’t rely on big plot reveals but rather on the gradual peeling back of truths—about Carol, and about the people who claim not to talk about her. (Side note: this topic feels very important because it is still happening today)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this E-ARC.

I would like to talk about this book but first I would like to mention the topics within the book. Lately I’ve read: We Don’t Talk About Carol, The Berry Pickers, and am in the middle of None Left To Tell. They all talk about the same things. The unequal parts of missing people. I think reading about books that are either true or carry some true aspects in them is always hard when it’s about missing people. It’s especially hard when it’s something that’s unjust. There’s something called “missing white women syndrome” and it’s when the media or people only shed light on missing white, beautiful women. People of color have been going missing for hundreds of years and don’t get the same amount of attention or media coverage. We need to be better. I don’t want to be too “preachy” here because this is a book reviewing page but I do think this needs to be talked about more.

We don’t talk about Carol is an amazing book. It’s about Sydney and her life growing up a little but more importantly it’s about her missing aunt. One night when she’s a little girl, Sydney finds a hidden picture at her grandmas house. The next morning she asks her grandma about it. The response is: we don’t talk about Carol. And they don’t. Until Sydney’s grandma passes away and Sydney remembers the picture. She does some digging and finds out it’s her aunt. Her aunt that she didn’t know she had and that vanished in the 60s along with 5 other missing young black girls. 6 missing black girls who got no media attention and barely any police help. Nobody looked for them. And nobody has found them.
Sydney is determined to not let that be the case. She sets off on a journey to uncover the true story of the missing Raleigh 6. With the help of the remaining family members, the local newspaper, and a true crime podcast can Sydney finally find out what happened to Carol all those years ago? Read and find out

Sydney Singleton is a publicist and former investigative journalist. Years ago, while staying at her grandmother's house, she found a hidden photo of a young girl who looked just like her. She was abruptly told, "We don't talk about Carol." Following her grandmother's death, Sydney learns that the girl in the photo was her Aunt Carol. Last seen in 1965, Carol disappeared. There were rumors that Carol ran away, yet Sydney discovers that five other Black girls from the same area in North Carolina also went missing between 1963 and 1965. This prompts her to use her investigative skills to research the cases, as they never received the appropriate attention from the police. The last time Sydney got too emotionally involved in an investigation, things ended badly, but she needs to know what happened to Carol. Sydney's obsession with Carol jeopardizes her IVF treatments and strains her marriage. She is also trying to repair her relationships with her sister, who is unemployed and adrift, and her cold, unemotional mother. During her search, Sydney's long-suppressed, traumatic childhood memories resurface.

After reading We Don't Talk About Carol, Kristen L. Berry is now an author to watch. This emotional story is quite an impressive debut. The search to learn what happened to the missing girls was heartbreaking. Although the police moved on long ago, their families' pain remained. As Sydney gets closer to uncovering the truth, she also gets closer to understanding her past and finding a path to move forward. Don't miss this excellent combination of family drama and mystery. It's a wow.

The story in We Don't Talk about Carol felt a little bit disjointed. It felt like there were three separate stories being told over the course of the book with minor threads tying them together. The issue there is that only one of those stories felt fully realized. The primary mystery around Carol was solid. I also appreciated the inclusion of true life data around missing minorities. This really sheds a light on how non-while missing people are treated by police and media. This is a real problem. Unfortunately, the other two stories within - those around fertility struggles and family trauma really slowed the overall pacing of the book and didn't feel full realized.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a very unique book and I really enjoyed it! Following the death of her grandmother, Sydney is helping her mother and sister clean out her grandmother’s house when she finds a photo of a young girl who looks eerily similar to her. Through a friend of her grandmother’s, she discovers that the girl in the photo is her long lost aunt that the family believed to have run away. After her disappearance, the family began acting as if she never existed. The same friend of her grandmother’s also tells her of 5 other young black girls who were also known to have disappeared without a trace around the same time, and Sydney makes it her personal mission to figure out the mystery of what happened to all 6 of the girls. I was instantly hooked by the storylines introduced and tried to come up with my own theories and play detective alongside the main character throughout the book. The twists and turns took you on a roller coaster of emotions through both the mystery surrounding the girls and the main character dealing with heartbreaking infertility and her own family drama. I definitely didn’t expect all of the events that ultimately unfolded. I was also shocked to learn of the discrepancies in the statistics surrounding the likelihood of getting attention/found as a missing person if you are a black individual. That is something that absolutely needs to change and I appreciate the awareness to the issue this book brought. Overall this was a great debut novel that everyone should read, and I would absolutely read future titles from this author. Thank you to Kristin L. Berry, Ballantine, and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on May 28th, 2025. Links provided.

I wasn’t entirely prepared for how much this novel would stay with me after I finished the last page. It begins with what feels like a personal family mystery, but it quietly expands into something far more complex and haunting. At the center is Sydney, a journalist who's still navigating the scars of past trauma while confronting a decades-old disappearance in her own family. When she stumbles upon a photo of a young girl that turns out to be an aunt she didn’t know she had, it sets off a deeply personal investigation—one that reopens old wounds, both hers and the community's.

This isn’t a fast-paced thriller, so if you’re looking for twists and chase scenes, this might not be your thing. But it’s incredibly layered and thoughtful, and I appreciated the way it unraveled. The novel touches on heavy topics—how race impacts the urgency of missing persons cases, how families sometimes bury their pain rather than face it, and the very real emotional toll of infertility and mental health struggles. These themes are handled with care and depth, making the story all the more compelling.

There were moments where I wanted the pacing to pick up, and a few threads felt slightly under-explored, which is why it’s not a full five stars for me. But that didn’t take away from how invested I became in Sydney’s search for truth—not just about her aunt, but about herself. It’s a poignant, unsettling, and ultimately powerful read. I'm very curious to see what this author writes next and would definitely recommend this book!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of We Don’t Talk About Carol in return for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Bantam for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Superb debut by Kristen Berry. Sydney Singleton is cleaning out her grandmothers home in Raleigh, North Carolina with her mom and sister when she finds a picture of her aunt Carol who went missing as a teen. Five other teen girls also went missing at that time.

This book covered so much ground. The mystery of Carol and why her family never spoke of her. What happened to the six missing young women. Sydney's difficult relationship with her mom and sister as well as their difficult family upbringing. All this while she and her husband Malik are going through IVF to start a family and dealing.

Do yourself a favor and read this.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this ARC ❤️

Sydney uncovers hidden secrets in her family's past that completely changes her life. While I absolutely love the humor, the heart, the dynamic between Sydney and her younger sister Sasha, the healthy communication and authentic struggles Sydney has her husband Malik, the vulnerability of her IVF journey...what holds the most strength is the story highlighting the disparity of this country caring about Black and brown girls. Berry does such a good job of maintaining this narrative throughout the story, and I wish this situation wasn't the case. As Sydney says, there are so many well-known missing girls throughout time, and they're all white. Even more Black and brown girls go missing, but they're not shown the same care. I love that the girls in this story got their justice ❤️


What a great debut novel!!!