First of all, I’m a HUGE fan of Karin slaughter so when I got the email approval for this ARC, best believe I crashed out 😌


Diving in: this book was lengthy and took place over a long period of time. It’s your standard small town mystery crime thriller — with a bit of heavy areas that might need a trigger warning (if you read her previous books you’ll know what I’m referencing). Midpoint, I was kind of able to predict the ending/twists but I still enjoyed reading up to the moment. Felt like I was part of the criminal investigation myself


Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Books for this ARC!

Previously, I had listened to a few Karin Slaughter audio books. This is my first physical/ebook read of her work. I have to say, I'm a fan.

Two teenage girls in a small town are missing. It doesn't take long for Sheriff Gerald and Chief Deputy Emmy, his daughter, to discover that there was foul play involved and that they were likely searching for bodies, not rescue.

Featuring multiple viable suspects, a diverse cast of characters, some likable, others less so. All of the characters were effective, though. A good mix of mystery, family drama, strained relationships, and betrayal led to several twists, none of which I guessed. Slaughter masterfully crafted a tale here that will keep you guessing and have you questioning what you believe.

Love, love, love this book! Soo good. Karin Slaughter does not disappoint with her new book We are all guilty here. EmmyLou is the daughter of Gerald and Myrna Clifton. Gerald is the local chief of police for the small town of North Falls. The Clifton name is known for power and authority in the area. EmmyLou is trying to help her father Gerald solve the case of two 15 year old girls who go missing on the Fourth of July. Its a story of small towns and the secrets that they can keep. The story is so beautifully interwoven. I truly hope that this becomes her next series much like the Will Trent series.

This thrilling mystery was raw, emotional and gripping. Set in a small town where everyone knows everyone, a tragedy during the annual Fourth of July celebration turns this sleepy town into one of suspicious natures and finger pointing.

When Cheyenne and Madison, two local teens, go missing during the fireworks, everyone becomes suspect. After the arrest of one of the town’s drunks, things settle down but friendships remain ruined. Then, twelve years later, another girl goes missing in similar circumstances. As the new investigation gets going, a familiar face shows up from decades past to help local law enforcement.

This story is not only about missing girls, it’s also about family bonds and the tragedies that can occur within those families. There are some darker themes such as pedophilia, alcoholism, rape and murder as well, however, it is very well written so as not to be too traumatic to read. I was fully invested in Emmy and Jude’s relationship and cannot wait for the next installment to this story.

This was hands down the best Karin Slaughter book ever written! I loved every aspect of this book. The pain and heartbreak when Emmy found Madison and Cheyenne was so profound, I felt it in my body. And I was confused because the book was in no way over, but felt it had reached it conclusion. Karin then takes the author further by adding a new Protagonist, Jude. The dynamics of these two led the reader through an emotional journey filled with mystery and suspense that I could not have seen coming. The ending....was just as emotional as the beginning. I can't say enough good things about this book. Karin Slaughter has always been my favorite crime fiction author but she takes this one to a whole new level with her talent to spin a story that will reach down into your heart and feel real, like it happened in your own town. Thank you to HarperCollings for allowing me to read this ARC and most especially, thank you to Karin Slaughter for sharing your ability to create wonderful stories that make you feel a wide range of emotions including love, tenderness, regret, loss, pain, and disgust. You truly bring the world around us to the page and let us climb into your stories for just a moment in time.

I haven’t read anything by Karin Slaughter in a while, and We Are All Guilty Here reminded me exactly why I love her books. This story is dark, disturbing, and raw - but utterly compelling. Slaughter masterfully layers the narrative with so much dimension that it just keeps on giving. The characters felt real and complex, and the twists kept me hooked right through to the end. I absolutely loved the ending and can’t wait to read more from this series.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early release copy in exchange for an honest review. A solid five stars from me.

4.5 stars

Shockingly I have never read a Karen Slaughter book before but I thoroughly enjoyed my first! I struggled sometimes to want to read it or feeling like it was taking forever and I think that’s only because of the length of the chapters. Each time I’d open my kindle and see how many minutes remained and would get overwhelmed. It didn’t feel like bite sized chapters. But that has nothing to do with the book or the story but might explain why it wasn’t an even higher rating.

I love that the synopsis of this book really only tells you a small part of the story overall. I enjoyed the red herrings, the false leads etc. Karen Slaughter is so popular for a reason! Would definitely recommend picking this up on release day and don’t get overwhelmed by the size of the chapters! They move well and you don’t feel like they’re taking super long to read.

Looking forward to reading more from this author and even picked up a few of her past books from the store while I was reading this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! This book gave and gave and gave, it’s just when you thought you figured it out. There was a twist, just when you thought you knew everything, there was a turn. There were moments that left me speechless, and moments of disbelief.

Emmy Lou and her dad are sheriff of Clinton County, where everybody knows everybody, or is supposed to.

It starts with the abduction of two teenage girls and then picks up 12 years later.

This book had so many details, was so plotted out and probably one of the best books. I have read by this author.

It says it is book one in a series and I cannot wait for more!

We Are All Guilty Here is the first mystery in Karin Slaughter’s new North Falls series.

It’s set in the small town of North Falls, where everyone thinks they know everyone. As the fireworks go off on the 4th of July, two teenage girls vanish without a trace.

Sheriff’s Deputy Emmy Lou Clifton was the last person to see one of the missing girls, and she looked away when they needed help. For Emmy, these missing girls are personal. As she begins her investigation, we find out that these teenagers had a lot of secrets, hiding more than anyone knew.

The book is structured in two parts: the first focuses on the aftermath of the girls’ disappearance, while the second part jumps twelve years ahead to a new case that may be related.

Slaughter’s writing is the standard for dark crime thrillers. She’s great at building tension and delivering twists that leave the reader completely shocked.

My only critique: certain statistics about victim survival rates and serial killers’ methods were repeated with the same wording several times throughout the novel. I’m assuming this was by design, but I found it weird and repetitive.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an Advanced Reader Copy!

We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter is a gripping blend of crime procedural and psychological thriller, weaving a dark and intense narrative that can be difficult to read at times due to its heavy subject matter.

Set in North Falls, the story follows Officer Emmy Clifton as she becomes deeply involved in the investigation of two missing girls. Told through two timelines, the novel gradually unveils painful twists while exposing the flaws and burdens carried by all the characters. Slaughter’s impeccable storytelling creates an atmosphere of relentless tension, with betrayals and unsettling revelations that kept me hooked.

The novel’s dark themes and shocking moments heighten its emotional weight, making it a compelling yet challenging read. As the first book in a new series, it sets the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable journey, and I look forward to seeing where these characters go next.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

Thank you to Karin Slaughter, William Morrow, and NetGalley for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

North Falls is one of those small towns where everyone knows your business (or at least they think they do). Two girls vanish during the night of the fireworks and the town is shattered. Officer Emmy Clifton enters the scene. This case is personal for her and she realizes that nothing is as it seems. As secrets concerning the girls are revealed, she must figure out who would kill for them and what other secrets are hidden in this little seemingly perfect town. This story has a slow start, has some details that seemed repetitive and unnecessary, and is confusing at times due to the separate timelines, but trust the process and know that it all comes together in the end. It's not as brutal as Pretty Girls, but it's still very intense, touching on multiple topics which can be triggers for some. It is woven with suspense, but also with an emotional depth, like only Slaughter can do, which really speaks to the human nature and gets under your skin. Every small detail was intentional. The last third of the book was full of twists and turns concluding at the end to a shocking surprise and then a gut punch. It is one that will keep me thinking for a while.

This was my first Karin Slaughter book, and it definitely won’t be my last. I’d heard great things about her writing, and We Are All Guilty Here delivered—gripping, well-paced, and full of tension. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to explore more of her work!

**First Person ARC Review: *We Are All Guilty Here* by Karin Slaughter**

Reading *We Are All Guilty Here* felt like being dropped into a pressure cooker—one that just kept tightening the screws with each turn of the page. Karin Slaughter has always had a talent for combining sharp psychological insight with gritty crime drama, but this one hit on a deeper level for me. It’s not just about the mystery; it’s about the choices we make when no one’s watching—and the consequences that refuse to stay buried.

The story is set in a small town thick with secrets, and the tension practically vibrates off the page. From the beginning, I had that creeping sensation that something was very wrong, even before I could name what it was. Every character felt like they were hiding something, and I found myself second-guessing everyone—even the narrator. Especially the narrator.

What really struck me, though, was the moral ambiguity at the heart of the novel. There’s a constant push and pull between justice and survival, between guilt and self-preservation. I kept asking myself, “What would I do?”—and I’m still not sure I like the answer.

Slaughter doesn’t flinch from showing the uglier sides of human nature, and this book is no exception. It’s dark, twisted, and deeply human. The kind of book that leaves you unsettled long after you’ve closed it, not because of what happened—but because of what it says about all of us. This one got under my skin.

We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter is a beautifully written, emotionally intense thriller that will stay with you long after you finish. The characters are so well-developed, you’ll feel fully invested in their fates—and just when you think you know where it's going, the story delivers twists you won’t see coming.

It’s dark, raw, and at times deeply unsettling. You’ll feel scared, angry, and heartbroken—often all at once. If you’re familiar with Slaughter’s work, you know to expect heavy themes handled with unflinching honesty. If you're new to her books, be aware: this isn't a light read. But it is an unforgettable one, and I’d recommend it to anyone who appreciates beautiful storytelling and emotionally layered thrillers.

Book: We Are All Guilty Here
Author: Karin Slaughter
Publisher: William Morrow
Pub Date: August 12, 2025

This is book #1 in her new North Falls series. I loved the characters in this story and I felt a connection to them. And to be fully transparent there was one part where I shed a few tears. I totally related to what was happening and felt it deeply. This book was hard to talk about without spoilers because it moves fast and everything feels like a clue to the outcome. There are several characters and there were times I was confused. That is one reason I went with four stars. The second reason was it was long and there were times it felt drawn out and sometimes repetitive. She could have shortened it by several chapters but maybe she was setting the stage for the second book. I am looking forward the second book – and if you know me this is nothing I ever thought I would say. But I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is August 12, 2025.

Once you start this book prepare to do nothing else but finish it! I was captivated from the very first pages. This book starts in the past when Emily is a deputy and her best friend Hannah's daughter and her friend are kidnapped and murdered then the book flips to the current day when Emily is acting Sheriff and full of regret not finding Hannah's daughter in time. The past and present collide when another girl is missing will Emily be able this time to find her in time? You will have to read to find out! Loved this book . Loved the small town feeling, the mystery and I hope this is a series because I would love to see Emily and Jude in another book! Definitely recommend !

We Are All Guilty Here is a crime thriller centered around Emmy Lou, the sheriff’s deputy, and her father, Gerald, the sheriff. The first part of the book introduces us to the crimes of the psychopath that Emmy Lou follows for over the next decade. It feels eerie and unsettling. Slaughter feeds us bread crumbs of clues throughout the book that get the reader trying to solve the case on their own. The next 2/3 of the book takes place when a similar crime scene is found. The minutes tick by as local authorities try to save a missing child and beat the statistics. The family dynamics and tough decisions are relatable- domestic abuse, controlling family members, estranged family members, etc. I think what really impressed me was that I felt like there were no plot holes. I hate reading books where you are left confused about X, Y, and Z. Slaughter covers her bases and stays consistent. Overall, I enjoyed this book and was anxious to see where it would lead. I only wish the chapters had been a bit shorter as I hate having to pause in the middle of a chapter. I hope that there is a follow up book with these characters. Thank you NetGalley and The William Morrow Team for the opportunity to read and review this thrilling title.

Another great book that I hope begins a new series. The characters are well written and complex. The plot has plenty of twists. You won’t see the end coming

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for this ARC!!

I am a huge Karin Slaughter fan and have read most of her books, so I was ecstatic to get this ARC. This might be my favorite novel she has written. The twists were so surprising! I truly did not see the novel going down the path it did either. If you want a book to make you hold your breath and keep you up at night, read this.

Wow was that good. The ending was the best for me! I didn’t see all of that happening. I was holding my breath.. Karin has done a wonderful job with this new series. I couldn’t put it down and I highly recommend it! Thank you for letting me preview it.