Last year, Sarah Crouch's debut Middletide landed in my top 5 at year's end, so I was ecstatic to get my hands on an ARC of her second book, The Briars. I love her style of writing, readers. Again, in this upcoming release, she's illustrated her talent for building a slow-burn mystery and combining it with beautifully descriptive writing, creating a strong sense of place. The Briars sweeps us away to a Pacific Northwest woodland area near Mount St. Helens, and the setting came alive in such a way that I found myself with a serious case of travel fever. The mystery pulled me in more and more with every page turned as the book slowly gave up its secrets. I loved the dash of romance and how incredibly atmospheric this read was. I can't wait to see what Sarah Crouch comes out with next!

Very good plot, but it fell flat for me. Everything seemed rushed and didn’t build enough for me. I felt like it was too much, too quickly.

Annie is a game warden fleeing a marriage betrayed by the man she thought she loved when she moves to a small town in the deep woods of the Pacific Northwest where a cougar is on the hunt. She comes close to capturing it so it can be checked out an collared, but it's an elusive creature. When the body of a woman turns up on a rock ledge, her torso raked open, it seems the cougar killed her, until Annie and the police officer she's with notice there are bruises around her neck. Is the reclusive and strange man living in a boathouse nearby responsible?

Things I liked about the book: the setting is beautifully described (though I thought a mountain lake that has bioluminescence would be huge tourist attraction rather than a hidden treasure - still, it was thrilling to imagine it). Annie is good guide to the outdoors, clearly knowing her way around the woods and around the people who she is inevitably going to confront as she does her job. I liked the hunt for the cougar.

What I didn't love: others won't have this problem, but I am not a fan of romance, and this story is at least fifty-percent a romance, with the mystery almost playing a backseat. So that was a disappointment for me. I also thought it was more of a plot contrivance than convincing character development when Annie so readily believed the (gorgeous) man she's fallen for has been seeing another woman. In fact, the contrast between her frothy emotional state about men and her professional identity seemed to be out of sync, though it served the romance storyline.

For me personally, it was a three star read, but I'll give it another star given my romance allergy was my problem, not a fault of the author's skill.

The Briars is an atmospheric mystery with well-drawn characters who seem like people you would meet in real life. There is a mystery at the novel's center, but it is Sarah Crouch's writing that compels you to keep reading. Evocative and powerful, this is the kind of fiction you can sink your teeth into (book pun intended). Highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

#TheBriars

After reading Middletide I was so excited to read this one! It ticked all the same boxes of atmospheric, romance, mystery, maybe some twists and turns.

I suggest going into it blind. Sarah Crouch writes in a beautiful way that makes you feel like you are standing in the woods next to Annie as it all unfolds.

My only critique is that I feel some details and events didn’t fit and flow quite as well as the could have, but overall I liked it a lot. Can’t wait for her next book!

Thank you Atria Books via NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

January 13th, 2026
The story centers around a secluded estate where secrets fester beneath the surface of manicured gardens and locked doors. From the first chapter, readers are drawn into a world that feels both timeless and decaying, where the characters—especially the protagonist—grapple with memory, identity, and the haunting pull of the past. The estate itself becomes a character, its eerie silence and shadowed corridors amplifying the sense of dread that permeates every interaction.

As the narrative deepens, the plot reveals layers of betrayal, obsession, and emotional entrapment. Relationships in The Briars are fraught with ambiguity—love and manipulation blur, and trust is a currency few can afford. The pacing is deliberate, allowing tension to build through subtle clues and psychological unraveling rather than overt action. Crouch crafts a story that rewards close reading, with motifs and symbols that echo across chapters, hinting at truths that remain just out of reach. The emotional stakes rise as the protagonist confronts not only external threats but the ghosts of their own choices.

By the final act, The Briars delivers a payoff that is both devastating and strangely cathartic. It’s not a story of clean resolutions but of reckoning—where the past refuses to stay buried and the cost of silence becomes unbearable. Readers who appreciate gothic fiction, character-driven mysteries, and emotionally complex narratives will find The Briars a haunting, immersive experience. It lingers like fog on glass: beautiful, unsettling, and impossible to ignore.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

If you thought Middletide was good, wait until you read The Briars!! It’s a captivating and beautifully written novel that pulls you in from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down!

This book is a hauntingly atmospheric story that blends a touch of folklore with a deeply personal and emotional journey. Crouch's prose is lyrical and immersive, painting a vivid picture of a small town shrouded in secrets and a family history intertwined with its very roots.

The characters are the heart of the story. They are complex, flawed, and incredibly real, each grappling with their own burdens and the weight of the past. The relationships between them feel authentic, and you'll find yourself invested in their triumphs and their heartbreaks.

While the mystery at the core of the novel is compelling, the real magic lies in the quiet moments of introspection and the powerful themes of memory, home, and healing that are woven throughout the narrative.

For anyone who appreciates a story that lingers long after the final page, this is a must-read. It's a stunning work of fiction that showcases Crouch's talent for storytelling and her ability to create a world that feels both familiar and deeply magical. This book is a quiet masterpiece, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a temporary e-ARC!

"The Briars" is such a well-written atmospheric thrill ride. Back to the woods we go, which was very much the main character of the book with how vivid the descriptions were.

The characters were well-developed and intriguing. The plot immediately drew me in and I actually enjoyed all of the characters. Annie, Daniel and Jake were all extremely likeable. The mystery kept me guessing and I really felt like a part of the story.

I will say I enjoyed this one a little more than Middletide, this was a 5 star read without a doubt.

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

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I have spent much of my life in the Pacific Northwest; Sarah Crouch captures the broody magic of this setting perfectly. The plot and characters kept me intrigued and I actually gasped when I figured out last twist. Sarah Crouch is becoming a must-read author for me.

I loved the atmospheric setting of this novel, as well as the characters of Annie and Daniel. While the novel's pace seemed avoidably slow at times, the plot remained suspenseful, and I was definitely surprised by the final twist.

Well, Sarah Crouch is two for two with her first book, Middletide and now The Briars. Both stories are really well written, character driven, atmospheric mysteries with nature as a main character. But I am reviewing only The Briars, so here goes. This is definitely a slow burn to the point that I did not immediately get into the story, it took a few chapters. Once it got going though, I was totally invested. Annie is a game warden escaping heartbreak by transferring to a small, way out in the middle of nowhere town in the Pacific Northwest. This is an area I long to visit, so I was already sold. The town is part of the area around Mt. St. Helens that wasn't touched by the eruption back in the 80's. I remember being glued to the news back then. Annie's first job is to search for a giant cougar through the woods. She is also an expert tracker. Some hikers find the body of a woman who has been killed by a cougar. Or so it appears. She also has bruises around her neck. So now we have a murder investigation. Jake, the local cop who reminded me of a loyal puppy dog and Daniel, the hot guy who lives alone in the forest help investigate. This all makes for an almost perfect mystery/thriller/romance with scenery you can actually see and feel! Here's to hoping for a third book from Sarah Crouch!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Sarah Crouch and Atria Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of January 13, 2026.

The Briars takes place in a small, rural Pacific Northwest town. Annie has just moved in, desperate to escape Bend, Oregon after having her heartbroken by her now ex. Annie is a game warden. She is surprised that her new job is as small as it is; her new office in a town building that has multiple uses because the town is that small.

In Annie's first weeks on the job, a female hiker turns up dead. She has been mauled by a cougar--a cougar Annie has been tracking--but also has fingerprint bruises around her neck. When Annie and her new partner/friend/policeman, Jake, find out the hiker has been murdered, Annie becomes game warden turned investigative detective.

Overall, I enjoyed The Briars. I loved reading about the forest, the bioluminescent Lake Lumin, and some of the things a game warden learns and does. The characters were generally likable, especially Jake, who feels like a golden retriever turned human. I did find The Briars a bit predictable. There was a point where I started predicting everything that happened, but I was pleased that the end held some surprise twists. I think Sarah Crouch's writing has improved since Middletide and I expect this book will do well.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Recommended. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Some favorite lines:
"Tragedy and trauma, Annie knew, had the potential to be the strongest adhesive in any relationship, if they didn't splinter it first."

"'Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul'" [John Muir].

"'I doubt fate has much to do with it. People lose their soulmates all the time.'Jake stepped toward the car and opened the door. 'Finding them in the first place is the miracle. After that, every day is a gift, not something we're owed.'"

"'It's not the burden that breaks you. It's whether or not you have someone to help you carry it.'"

Gripping, atmospheric, mysterious, and wonderfully written, Sarah Crouch delivered with The Briars! I was drawn in by the mystery, the wonderful writing, the vivid descriptions and the intriguing characters! Sarah Crouch won me over with Middletide and took me into the woods again with The Briars. I could almost smell the scent of the leaves, hear the chilling Cougar calls at night, and the sounds of insects, and the sound of oars in the lake water. Make no mistake about it, the outdoors is very much a character in this book. The descriptions of the wilderness and the lake had me wanting to leave my cares behind and go for a long hike in the woods.

After a breakup, Annie Heston moved to the Pacific northwest to accept a job as a game warden in Lake Lumin. As she investigates a Cougar in the area, she finds herself involved in the murder investigation of a young woman whose body was found in the Briars. Annie begins helping Jake Proudy, a friendly and helpful local law enforcement officer, with the murder investigation. She also finds herself drawn to Daniel, a mysterious handsome man whose property is near where the murder victim's body was found.

This was an intriguing and captivating read. I found myself completely invested in the plot after the first chapter. The three main characters of Annie, Jake and Daniel were likeable and very well developed. They mystery kept me on my toes, and I tried my best to solve the care right along with Annie and Jake. I thought Sarah Crouch did a great job with the descriptions in this book. I felt as I was right in the middle of the scenes along with the characters. She also did a great job with setting up the twists, inserting tension, doubt, and danger as the book progressed.

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.

This book was SO good! I thought I had the ending figured out and thought to myself “well this is a letdown” because I could just tell how it was going to play out- boy, was I wrong. I kept wanting to read and each page had me wanting more!

I just finished The Briars by Sarah Crouch and I can’t stop thinking about it! The vibe is moody, atmospheric, and a little haunting. I loved it! It follows Annie, who takes this game warden job in a remote mountain town after leaving a toxic relationship. Lake Lumin is full of foggy mornings, looming mountains, and that eerie sense that something isn’t quite right. You can practically smell the pine trees and feel the cold creeping in while you read. There’s a really strong slow burn tension here, not just in the murder mystery (which had some amazing twists), but in the way the town treats outsiders, and the quiet suspense in Annie’s connection to Daniel. He is this mysterious and emotionally guarded carpenter who may or may not be hiding something. What I loved most is how layered Annie is. She’s tough and smart, but you can feel the emotional bruises she’s carrying. The way she uses her wilderness skills to help with the investigation added a unique angle. If you like character driven thrillers with a strong sense of place, slow building suspense, and a touch of romance, The Briars totally delivers!

The perfect setting, the perfect plot, the perfect twist- this book is perfection in every way! The dense forest of the Pacific Northwest provides the perfect backdrop for this thriller. This is everything I look for a in a thriller: interesting characters, atmospheric setting, a touch of romance, suspense, fast-paced, and a twist I never saw coming!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fast-paced, twisty read! I honestly didn’t see that twist coming at all. It kept me turning the pages the whole time.
I feel like this would be a great pick for young adult readers or anyone looking for a small-town murder mystery with a bit of atmosphere. I really liked how the author described the forest and the surroundings, it made everything feel so vivid and real.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read The Briars before its release in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

You got me. I didn’t see the end coming. I thought I knew, but I was wrong, multiple times.

‘The Briars’ is really everything I look for in a mystery / suspense / thriller. It was fast-paced. The characters, both primary and secondary, were well-drawn and multi-layered. It was perfectly complex - enough to be realistic and surprising, but not so much to be confusing.

I found myself caring about Annie, Daniel, Jake, and Jamie. The ending was satisfying.

Regarding place, we need more stories set around Mount Saint Helens. As an 80s kid, I grew up with accounts of the eruption and was obsessed with more than one documentary. The location was perfect for ‘The Briars.’ Beautifully lush, intimately desolate. The descriptions were on point, vivid.

Finally, the introduction of the cougar was a great plot line. It did so much to introduce Annie’s personality and tie the story together. Well done.

I’m always drawn to stories set in the Pacific Northwest, and “The Briars” delivers an atmospheric, moody backdrop that perfectly mirrors the emotional undercurrents of this deeply layered mystery. Sarah Crouch, has crafted a tightly woven narrative filled with complex, well-drawn characters, none more compelling than Annie Heston. She’s a strong, quietly resilient presence at the heart of the story, and her journey kept me engaged from start to finish.

While it’s not a fast-paced thriller, The Briars excels as a thoughtful, emotionally complex mystery that explores the darker corners of human nature—grief, guilt, connection, and survival. The story unfolds at a measured pace, allowing its rich emotional depth and moral ambiguity to surface naturally. Crouch doesn’t just ask whodunit—she asks why we do what we do. That lingering question is what stayed with me long after the last page.

Thank You NetGalley and the Publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Of course, all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed getting to read this, it had that suspenseful atmosphere that I was hoping for from the description. I was engaged from the thriller elements and how the story was told during this book. The characters had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of them in this universe. Sarah Crouch has a strong writing style and enjoyed getting into the world. It was everything that was promised from start to finish and was glad I read this.