4.5

thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF MYSTERIES!!!

omg i was so excited when i got the opportunity to read this book and it did NOT disappoint

yes, this book was super long but it’s so worth it. karen slaughter does such a great job at creating a world that you can fully immerse yourself in and introducing characters that feel real.

the characters in this book were flawed and sad and smart and just so realistic. i love how they all connect

the mystery in this book was laid so well! i’m usually pretty good at guessing the murderer in books but this one caught me off guard! i love a good shocking betrayal.

i’m so excited for a new series from her! i can’t wait to read the next one.

Karin Slaughter is a fantastic writer and I’ve been a fan of work for quite some time. While this book starts out strong, it suffers from long-winded plots and the complex relationships between the characters, that normally works for adding to the plot, does very little to advance the story. In truth, the novel would work a lot better by simplifying its overall flow. While the ending is surprising, it felt a little forced.

This is great! It has the traditional Slaughter darkness, which I know isn’t for everyone, great characters and several good mysteries. The relationships between the characters are interesting, you kind of see some of the resolution coming but it’s still a good ride to the end. It’s a nice stand alone, not connected to any of her series.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review!

Karin Slaughter does it again! She knows how to write a thriller that makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens.

This book had multiple twists and some I guessed and some I had NO idea. I love that Slaughter makes some things easy to guess so you’ll be blown away by the others she throws in.

A negative I have is that a lot of the statistics and details were very repetitive. I think every chapter mentioned the same detail about child abductions. I understand mentioning it at first because it fit in, but the rest of the time was redundant.

En North Falls, un pequeño pueblo del sur de Estados Unidos, donde el Cuatro de Julio una celebración que debería ser alegre se convierte en el escenario de una tragedia inquietante: dos adolescentes, Madison Dalrymple y Cheyenne Baker, desaparecen durante los fuegos artificiales.

La novela se centra en la oficial Emmy Clifton, una policía local con fuertes vínculos personales con las chicas desaparecidas, especialmente con Madison, hija de su mejor amiga. Emmy se enfrenta no solo a la presión de resolver el caso, sino también a su propio pasado, su conflictiva vida personal y la sensación de que todos en el pueblo tienen algo que ocultar.

Desde el primer capítulo, Slaughter construye una atmósfera sofocante y opresiva: elas tensiones familiares, la desconfianza entre vecinos, y una comunidad que se desmorona lentamente bajo el peso de las apariencias.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

This was very good but a hard read along the line of all of Karin Slaughters books. I find her writing style so captivating to that I want to read her books regardless of the plot. That said, this was a solid mystery with enough clues laid out along the way but not enough to make the ultimate solution too obvious. The subject matter is dark and there are certainly a lot of trigger warnings to be cautious of. I am interested to see how this is a kick off for a series and whether she will follow the same characters or focus on the community. Either way I am in for the next installment.

I was so graciously given an ARC of this title.

All I can say is this will be another Karin Slaughter classic!!

I loved this book. I will say about half way through I was a little concerned that I was going to lose interest, because I couldn’t understand where she could possibly go from there. I was 100 percent wrong. Not only did it continue to get better and more and more twists but by the end my jaw was on the ground!

Ultimately a 4.75⭐

This was such a great start to a new series - I cannot wait to read more.

I loved the mystery and the small town feel. The case itself was so personal that it really allowed the reader to get to know the characters (admittedly I think there were a couple minor downsides to it being so personal for the first book but ultimately it worked to introduce characters).

I enjoyed Emmy’s character, though more so after the time jump. Jude and Cole were favorites, and I enjoyed the side characters, particularly Taybee. The mystery was very well done, and true to Karin Slaughter’s with an intense and engrossing plot. She has a way of making the investigation seem realistic, showing characters actually working out the problems.

The personal elements that were introduced were very well-done. I can’t wait to see how all the different relationships evolve.

Now for the minor issues I had, which were all from before the time jump:

It was difficult to get behind the wording Emmy used to beat herself up for not talking to Madison since in the first chapter we see that Madison only wanted to talk to Emmy to find out if she knew where Cheyenne was. I think even if Emmy had stopped to talk to her that Madison would have quickly turned back into a surly teenager.

I understand the illogical guilt Emmy would feel, but it took me out of it a bit that Emmy was so sure that Madison was even asking for help or finally reaching out. It might just be me personally, but I would’ve preferred if what was disturbing Emmy was the uncertainty of what Madison wanted and if it would have changed anything anyway.

Trying to be as vague as possible not to spoil anything, but I had a few nit-picky issues with Emmy from before the time jump, particularly leaving me wondering if she was even good at her job. The biggest example of this was when Emmy “searches” a house. I think it was a little too impulsive/emotional, especially to that point that she injured herself that much.

Then when she was insisting on still going forward with the investigation made me think of stubborn teenager who would just be in the way and cause more problems (I did like how it came together in the end, I just wish it was changed slightly so she was left behind more because she wasn’t thinking clearly and dialed back the almost bumbling nature of her injuries).

Sometimes I felt the point might be that she wasn’t as seasoned in her job, but then I would think she’s 30 and not that new at her job. Then I thought it was because this was book one, just being introduced to her character, and it’s a personal case that of course she would be emotional about, and if this was book three or four I would already know her character and not be questioning some of her characterization.

Then my mind kept going - wondering if it was trying to set up the difference of Emmy before and after the time jump, but at that point it was taking a bit out of my enjoyment out of the story to try to figure out why Emmy’s characterization was bothering me, so I focused on enjoying her character after the time jump instead.

Karin Slaughter has another winner with We Are All Guilty Here.

I especially loved the first half of the story— you can see all the nuances of this small town and the people in it. I really liked the MC, Emmie Clifton. She is passionate about her job, clearly loves her son and her friends, and yet is flawed. I really empathized with her several times throughout the story.

The first half of the book focuses on the two missing girls. I was fully invested. Where it went down slightly for me was the “Twelve Years Later” second half of the book. It seemed like out of nowhere, absolutely every person in Emmie’s life suddenly has a sordid backstory that was in no way even implied in the first half. And an entire page was devoted to her cousin suddenly having severe OCD and tapping everything three times, latching the door three times, blowing three kisses etc. Which would be fine if we hadn’t met her in the first half of the book and she didn’t behave that way at all. I still enjoyed the focus of the second half, but the jarring difference in the family dynamics kind of pulled me out of the story a few times. It felt sooo layed on thick just for…effect maybe?

Regardless, I still really liked the book, and actually got choked up at two different places. Would definitely recommend.

Trigger warnings for SA
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I just finished an engaging read. We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter kept me turning the pages until the very last one. A five star read!

Karin Slaughter’s We Are All Guilty Here completely pulled me in and left me thinking about it long after I turned the last page. It’s set in the small town of North Falls, where two teenage girls, Madison and Cheyenne, vanish during a Fourth of July celebration. What starts as a routine missing persons case quickly unravels into something far more unsettling.

Officer Emmy Clifton is at the heart of the story, and I really felt for her. She’s determined to find the girls, but there’s also a deep sense of guilt weighing on her—Madison had tried to reach out to her before disappearing, and Emmy brushed it off. That guilt fuels her relentless search, making her even more compelling as a character.

As the investigation unfolds, dark secrets about the town and its people come to light. It’s one of those stories that makes you question how well you really know the people around you. The tension builds with every chapter, and just when I thought I had things figured out, another twist came out of nowhere.

Slaughter does an incredible job of bringing North Falls to life. The town feels real—both its small-town charm and the hidden tensions beneath the surface. The pacing is perfect, and every revelation hits hard.

By the end, I was left thinking about guilt, morality, and the weight of secrets. We Are All Guilty Here isn’t just a mystery—it’s an emotional, thought-provoking read that lingers. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.

This story had tension and many layers to it. I was confused for a moment when jude entered the story. But as it developed we saw deeply flawed characters that are doing the best they can. As emmy and jude put their egos aside they are able to unravel years of secrets and lies. I really didnt see the twists coming,and happy that we will see these characters again

Slaughter is a master of her craft. We Are All Guilty Here is a deeply layered mystery filled with tension, multifaceted characters, and a wonderfully authentic police procedural plot. Slaughter has introduced a cast of well developed, deeply flawed, morally grey characters that help to really cement the small town atmosphere. The tension in this novel starts at the beginning and only builds throughout the incredibly twisty narrative. Slaughter expertly layers her story and creates such perfect misdirection that I never once truly guessed the ending. I was just as shocked as the characters. The pacing was sometimes slowed down by lengthy descriptive periods, but the mystery was gripping enough to keep me moving through the story. Overall a solid read, I can’t wait for more in this series.

2.5⭐️

I did enjoy a lot about this book. I liked being in the police POV rather than the victims and I enjoyed being left wondering what was going on. The first 50% of so was so good and had me on the edge of my seat. Once Cheyenne and Madison were found I was beyond bored and unimpressed. Their discovery was so anticlimactic and I felt the book should’ve ended there.

I think the real issue was that this should have been two separate books or stories. When we started Jude’s chapter/POV I genuinely went back to make sure I wasn’t reading a preview for a different book. I do think everything came together in a very unique and interesting way but wish we could have better fleshed out Cheyenne and Madison’s story.

It also felt like Hannah was completely written out in the second half of the book and her character had so much promise in the beginning! I may need more time to really sit with my thoughts on this one but after finishing I feel so disappointed.

There was also about 20% of just straight family drama and repetitive scenes detailing the Clifton family history in the second half of the book. I get setting up the scene for future books but genuinely think Cheyenne and Madison’s story should’ve been maybe the first few chapters and then switch to “12 years later” rather than spending so much time focusing on them for very little satisfaction!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy of We’re All Guilty Here.

Don't miss the chance to grab a copy of "We Are All Guilty" by Karin Slaughter! Once again, Slaughter showcases her prowess as a bestselling author and solidifies her place among my favorites.

This captivating novel centers around Emmy, a deputy sheriff in Georgia, who works alongside her father, the long-serving sheriff. The narrative unfolds across two timelines. The story begins with the abduction of two teenage girls during the town's Fourth of July celebration, one of whom is the daughter of Emmy's closest friend. The community rallies together in a desperate search to locate the girls before time runs out. Fast forward twelve years, and another teenage girl mysteriously disappears under similar circumstances. Emmy plays a pivotal role in both investigations, displaying strength and determination, yet she remains a complex character with her own imperfections. I found her character immensely relatable.

As the plot progresses, numerous town secrets are revealed, including hidden truths within Emmy's own family, where emotions are often kept below the surface. The pacing is exhilarating, filled with unexpected twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. I literally couldn't put it down! This marks the beginning of a new series, and my only lingering question is: when will the next installment be released?

A special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC. This review reflects my honest opinion.

Unputdownable and Utterly Gripping

Karin Slaughter once again proves why she’s a master of crime fiction with We Are All Guilty Here. From the first page, the story pulls you into a tightly woven web of secrets, lies, and raw human emotion. The characters are complex and flawed in all the right ways, making them feel painfully real. Slaughter’s pacing is pitch-perfect, with every chapter revealing just enough to keep you hooked and desperate for more.

The emotional depth and psychological tension are as compelling as the mystery itself. Just when you think you have it figured out, Slaughter flips the narrative in ways that are both shocking and satisfying. This is storytelling at its finest—dark, smart, and fearless.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves thrillers that make you think, feel, and question everything.

Another great work by Karin Slaughter. Nobody does devastating crime fiction like her. The suspense, the tensions, the ache, it’s all a masterclass. Karin writes a story you fall asleep reading because you can’t put it down. You have to know what happens next, you have to know how it ends, and when it does- you want more. Emmylou is relatable, Jude is beautifully human, small town Clifton is familiar. Well done! Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.

We Are All Guilty Here
Karin Slaughter
What can I even say, Karin is a master in her class, steady pacing, solid plotting and suspenseful storytelling are always on deck. I have been enjoying her suspenseful tales for over 24 years and she has NEVER disappointed me (except that time when she killed off one of my fave people 😉lol). This story in particular drew me in from the start and had so many red herrings that I just ate it up and let the pages turn. I fell in love with Emmy, Cole, Taybee and Jude’s personalities and I think I hated the whole town by the middle of the book! The twists just kept coming throughout this one and the ending was a complete change of perception for me that was so jaw dropping I didn’t even realize the full ramifications til I’d finished and had time to sit with it. I would love to see a follow-up to this one, for even more depth and closure. Excellent read and I recommend you grab it immediately! This was a solid 5⭐️for me. Many thanks to @karinslaughterauthor @netgalley @williammorrowbooks and @harpercollins for the ARC🖤

#WeAreAllGuiltyHere #arcreader #arcreviewer #netgally #netgalleyreviewer #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #thrillerbooks

Emmy was the daughter of Gerald and Myrna. She had a much older sister, Jude, and a brother Tommy and a sister Celia. Gerald was the sheriff of North Falls and Emmy was his deputy. Jude had a job as a psychologist for the FBI. Emmy had a best friend, Hannah, and Hannah had a daughter named Madison. Madison had a best friend. Cheyenne. Emmy was working the case of Madison and Cheyenne's disappearance. Adam had been accused of kidnapping the two 16-year-olds, and he went to prison for it. He was on death row when he was finally released. Millie had told Emmy that she had seen Adam and Madison smoking by the lake in her backyard. Emmy went to that lake where she found the bodies of both of the girls. They had been chained together and attached to a brick.

Virgil had served as the sheriff's deputy under Gerald and was Gerald's right-hand man. He had since retired. 13 years later, when Paisley disappeared, Virgil came back to work with Emmy to find her. The town was up in arms and assumed that Adam had kidnapped Paisley, but Emmy knew that wasn't true. When the town showed up on Adam's doorstep, Gerald and Emmy went to disperse them. Madison's father was there and he wanted to kill Emmy but Hannah intervened and when he shot his gun he killed. Gerald. At that point, Emmy became acting sheriff. Of course Emmy was beside herself With the murder of her father, but she knew she couldn't back down. She had to find Paisley. The FBI had been called in and Jude showed up. She had left town some 40 years ago. In her job with the FBI, she was a specialist for finding missing children. Although Emmy was allegedly her sister, she had left town before Emmy's birth.

At first, Emmy and Jude did not get along. Emmy thought Jude felt that she was better than everyone else. Eventually though, they learn to work together. Emmy had ideas about who was responsible for Paisley's disappearance. One of those people was Walton, who was Adam's father. The other person was Jack who had a podcast.

They're the best at what they do. Virgil had all of the records from the Madison and Cheyenne kidnapping and murder in his basement. Emmy needed the phone records so she phoned Virgil and told him that she was going to go to his basement to pick them up. When she got there she found the phone records and she found that whiteout had been used to change several numbers. When she scratched off the white she found that the number underneath was Virgil's. She also found where he had stored trophies from many girls. It was at that point she realized Virgil was involved in the kidnappings. While she was there, he came home and saw that she had found his treasure. He drew on her but she was quicker than she shot him dead.

This book had all the makings for an excellent whodunit. I thought the author did an excellent job building the drama. And there was a huge twist that I didn't see coming. The characters were well developed and the storyline flowed smoothly. I gave this book five stars.