Thank you NetGalley atria books and Sarah crouch for the ARC  
 
Pub Date 01/12/26  
 
The Briars is an atmospheric novel of suspense following a young woman whose job as a game warden puts her in the path of a murderer in a small town eager to protect its own. 
 
What I loved:  
 
The MC Annie Heston, she was a capable, intelligent and strong. Though recovering from a betrayal and heartbreak she's resilient.  
 
The setting, there's just something dramatic and atmospheric about the PNW. I love books based in wild natural places always helps create a sense of mystery and foreboding.  
 
Great opening really drew me in instantly and then it just kept getting more and more interesting. Loved how I was completely caught by surprise more than once.  
 
Very well executed, love to see how an author progresses in their craft and this is a great example of of that.

Read if you want an atmospheric mystery with a strong female MC, small town setting, a little romance, complex and interesting characters and more than one element of surprise that will keep you intrigued to the very end!

When I saw that Sarah Crouch had written another book, I knew immediately that I had to read it! I loved her debut, 𝙼𝚒𝚍𝚍𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚍𝚎 that I read from the BOTM club.

Just like Middletide, Sarah's writing it's so atmospheric. Her descriptions of the land and settings are beautiful. She pulls you into a story, place and time and I cherish that in writers.

I felt this was more of a love story and not as suspenseful as I was hoping. I thought there may be a 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 more focus on the murder that the book opens up with and I'm more about murder than love. 🔪🤣

I loved the characters in the book and the twist at the end threw me for a loop! 🤯

Overall, I will ALWAYS recommend a book by Crouch. You cannot go wrong with either of her books! @sarahcrouchauthor #thebriars
...................................................................
𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: "Your face is a combination of two people who loved each other. And two people before them, and two people before them for thousands of years. If that doesn't make you feel beautiful, I don't know what will." 🥹🥹🥹

The Briars is a beautifully atmospheric read that pulls you into a world full of secrets, tension, and unexpected twists. Sarah Crouch does an excellent job of building suspense while keeping the characters’ emotions raw and believable. I was fully invested in the unfolding drama and found myself genuinely caring about what would happen next. It’s a compelling story that keeps you turning pages and would appeal to anyone who enjoys a mix of suspense, drama, and dark family secrets.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!!

Set in the deep PNW, the Briars is an atmospheric thriller that reads as if the trees are a character of their own. If you are looking for a mystery and a bit of romance, this is for you.
I was deeply excited to dive into this one, and the prologue hooked me immediately. Unfortunately, the rest of the book fell flat. The original murder case we are presented with is practically a throw away until we get to the true climax of the story. The red-herrings were in no short supply, but it made the reveals feel less shocking.

The Briars was atmospheric and tense, but not a psychological thriller which is a nice change of pace. The setting really made it special for me- Pacific Northwest at its best. The main character, Annie, was a badass women with a gun which I enjoyed. I did not guess the ending at all- definitely a lot of false leads so I wasn't sure until the reveal. Thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was an intriguing and captivating read. I found myself completely invested in the plot after the first chapter. This is Sarah Crouch's second book, and she delivered once again. Her lush descriptions, use of nature, and intriguing characters are her strong points. As with her previous book, Middletide, she has proven that she knows how to expertly use atmosphere in her books. The Briars is a great book which delivers a riveting mystery with a little romance sprinkled in along the way. Lots of twists and turns along the way and a classic mystery plot rather than a psychological thriller. This will be an easy book to recommend,

This sophomore novel delivered just what I needed going into the fall season. Fans of Middletide will love Sarah Crouch’s latest that takes place in a small picturesque Washington town off the Pacific Northwest coast, Lake Lumin. The story follows Annie, the new game warden in town who is searching for a new start after things fall apart in her marriage. She partners up with the town sheriff, Jake, and what starts out as one suspected murder turns into two. Crouch’s character development and the scenic imagery she paints across each page draws the reader in from page one. This beautifully written book brought mystery, suspense, and a story of redemption. I truly enjoyed it and have added Sarah Crouch to my must read author list!

Thank you Atria Books, NetGalley, and Sarah Crouch for this advanced copy of The Briars!

After a bad relationship Annie takes a game warden job in a small town mountainous Washington. She is immediately tasked with tracking a coyote. Then a young girl’s body is found. Was it the coyote or Daniel her love interest? And so the mystery begins. The mountainous setting plays a major role in the story. It was a good read!!

I enjoyed the Briars! The book was a quick murder mystery. There was a cozy, small town setting and a main character from the big city, but without playing that trope Hallmark-movie hard. She is a game warden, a unique job that I genuinely enjoyed reading about… especially for a woman! The character development felt a bit “told, not shown” in a way that kept the pace fast but the warmth of their development a bit dry. With fun twists and a unique setting, I recommend this book for a not-as-heavy murder mystery book!

This is my first book that I’ve read by this author, and let me tell you it did not disappoint! I loved the way the words just immersed you into the story, it was like I could see everything happening, which is what I like about reading. It was filled with mystery and you didn’t know what was coming next. I also loved the dynamic between Annie and Daniel. Overall, this book was amazing and I can’t wait for the next!

Hmmm still pondering this one. I loved the atmosphere and overall setting of this story, perfect for a fall read! I loved the execution of certain plot points and how the mystery kept twisting, I just felt that it lacked a little substance towards the end. Not my exact cup of tea, but had fun with it.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC of this book.

5 huge stars for this one!

The Briars has everything I want in a book. Atmosphere, suspense, twists and turns that you literally don't see coming. Set in small town PNW, I was pulled into the story immediately and had a hard time putting this down. One of the best books I've read this year!

I really enjoyed this. I thought it was in the same lane as her first book- very moody, good mystery, loved the nature elements. Something was just off with Daniel and Annie's relationship. She should have run the first day.

I don't have time to read hundreds of books each year and I don't have a big social media following, so the only books I'm ever able to get on NetGalley are the ones available as "read now." I was lucky enough to get a copy of Middletide that way, which I read and loved.

A few weeks ago, I received an email from one of the marketing managers at Atria Books / Simon & Schuster, with a link to read an early copy The Briars. I put it at the top of my list, and just like Middletide, I was gripped from the beginning. I love everything about her writing and storytelling. Everything feels so real, from the characters to the scenarios to the towns and surrounding areas within the book. And like real life, there's a mixture of several genres including contemporary fiction, mystery, romance, and suspense.

I'm honored to have had the opportunity to read this novel early and I'm so happy to see that her writing continues to impress. Honestly, her books are so much better than a lot of the popular authors out there who are pumping out books that are mediocre at best. I definitely recommend this one as well as Middletide if you haven't read that one yet.

OH-MY- GOODNESS!!! THIS! BOOK! It sucked me in with in the first chapter and I could not click the pages (Kindle) fast enough!! I devoured this one in a little over one day! Sarah Crouch is such an amazing writer! This is my second book by Sarah Crouch (Middletide), and I have been fortunate to be able to get an ARC of both of her novels. I LOVE the Pacific Northwest, and her stories come alive... so much so I can smell the trees and feel the crisp air as I read!! This book will be released early next year, and YOU MUST read it. Murder mystery at its finest!! I will read EVERYTHING she writes!! Thank you, Net Galley, for this early release copy!!!

Wow! This was my first book to read by this author but definitely not my last! This book will leave you wanting for more and the characters and storyline stick with you long after you finish it. Do yourself a favor and pick up this page-turner!

Solid small town mystery in a unique setting with relatable characters. Can't get much smaller as far as towns go and everyone knows everyone, or so they think. An interesting sub story of a travelling cougar adds some tension to the mix. Some good twists, you may figure it out before the end, but doesn't hurt the story.

The Briars is billed as a mystery but feels more like a mix of small town crime drama meets romance and suspense story.

Annie is fleeing a bad relationship when she accepts the game warden position in the remote Lake Lumin. She finds herself drawn to the town’s outsider, Daniel, and they connect while tracking down a cougar through the lush wilderness.

When a body is found in the briars near Daniel’s home, it causes Annie to question her connection with Daniel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn’t sure how to rate this particular book, it felt a little too cozy and stereotypical for me. Those who enjoy the cozy mysteries with a dash of romance may enjoy it but this wasn’t my favorite.

A Pacific Northwest mystery. A female hiker is found dead, dangling from a cliff. The mystery is what killed her- human or creature.

The nature writing in The Briars was gorgeous and easily the best part of the book. That’s what drew me in and kept me reading at first. Unfortunately, the story lost steam after a strong start. The characters felt flat, and much of the middle dragged with filler that lacked real substance. In the end, it just didn’t live up to what I had hoped for.