I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Reading this book felt like watching it play out as a movie. Such great writing and character development with a plot that was easy to follow and understand. Annie’s character was amazing and I was so nervous for her at times and at others I was cheering her on as she figured things out about Daniel, the recluse she meets and bonds with. Of course a body being found adds a huge twist to all of this and Annie has to figure out what happened while keeping herself safe. This was a thrilling read with a beautiful title and a complex set of emotions for the reader.

Looking for a twisty, atmospheric thriller set in a small lake town among the woods of Washington? Well, this is the one for you! I FLEW through this slump-buster of a story and I can’t wait for you to, too.

THE BRIARS is told in three POVs: Annie, a game warden who is new to town post-heartbreak; Jake, the golden retriever town cop; and Daniel, a recluse with a mysterious past. Their lives intertwine - Annie works with Jake, Jake goes fishing with Daniel, sparks fly between Daniel and Annie - but these connections start to tangle like the thorny vines the book is named for when the death of a young woman rocks the town and Annie and Jake must investigate.

Characters with emotional depth, twists and turns, eerie vibes, a little romance…this novel has it all. But what I loved most was the setting. It felt like a character in and of itself. Fog that hangs bridal veils over the pines, shadows that stretch dark, pointed fingers into the lake, evergreens standing like a silent army…Crouch is adept at crafting lush prose that gives life to the scenery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. Make sure to check this out when it releases in January 2026!