What an absolutely fabulous book. Murder, abduction, secrets, lies, intrigue, detailed family dynamics in a town where everyone knows your business, this was great.
Two young girls are abducted and found dead, the local sheriff and his daughter (around whose family the entire story revolves) his deputy sheriff, catch their killer . Fast forward 14 years and we discover things are not quite what they seemed when another young teen goes missing.
Slaughter as usual offers us a cast of characters with intriguing backstories and when almost unbelievable truths come to light we realise just how skillfully she plotted the novel.

Loved it!

Karin Slaughter is one of my favourite authors, and naturally I was really excited for her new novel. Unfortunately, this was a little disappointing.

I found it very slow, and very focused on police procedural, the characters didn't do anything for me. Jude was fine, but I just didn't care about Emmy at all, and especially not about her personal family drama which kept overriding the case. This a bit tame for a Karin Slaughter but this never really went there. There was not enough of the usual suspense or any danger for the characters and it just wasn't at all what I'm used to from her other books. I wish there would have been a POV of the missing girls or just something to make it interesting because I just found everything very boring.

I will always be reading everything Slaughter writes, but this one was just kind of a letdown sadly.

We Are All Guilty Here is set across two timelines in the small town of North Falls, where everyone thinks they know each other — but they’re wrong. When her best friend’s daughter goes missing, Emmy Clifton is forced to uncover the town’s hidden secrets.

At first, I struggled a bit to get interested in the characters — there were a lot introduced early on, and it made it hard to connect with the story. But once I got into the second part, everything became much more interesting, and I found myself properly hooked. The two timelines worked really well to build the tension, and Karin Slaughter kept the twists coming. If you like small-town mysteries with plenty of secrets to uncover, this is definitely worth a read.

I really enjoyed this book. I've read some of Karin Slaughter's previous books (notably the Will Trent series). This is no 1 in a new 'North Falls' series and I can't wait to read more - I liked the Will Trent books but definitely prefer this new series and particularly the main protagonist Emmy Clifton. Lots of questions remaining at the end of the book about how her relationship with other family members will develop in future series (can't say which family members as that would to be to disclose spoilers).

In this book, we are focused primarily in two time periods - 12 years ago when two teen girls are abducted and killed and today, when the alleged killer is released and a very similar abduction has just taken place - and the clock is counting down for North Falls police to find the abducted girl. Is it the same killer or did they in fact have the wrong person 12 years ago? This was a book that kept me gripped from beginning to end and which had a good few twists to keep me on my toes. Huge thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC

I love reading books by Karin Slaughter and this one was terrific. I had to keep reading as it was certainly compelling. The relationship between Jude and Emmy was so well developed and felt perfect.The book is full of people feeling guilty for lots of reasons but mainly for not protecting the first 2 children in the village. The story kept everything on edge and described scenery and emotions so well. This was the first in a new series and I can only say that I am really looking forward to the next book in this series as I loved the characters and environment so much.

A new series from Karin is an event. I have read and enjoyed her books for years; great characters and an absorbing plot.
This is a complex story about missing teenagers in small town America over many years: characters grow older but interest never flags. Exciting, sad, Karin can evoke so many emotions but it is ultimately satisfying and unexpected. I can’t wait to see how the series develops. It is quite a long book but so engrossing, it is really difficult to put down. Loved it!

Is Karin Slaughter the queen of thrillers? Possibly!

A twisty, gripping story that takes you through the course of one harrowing investigation and its conclusion only to jolt you 12 years into the future and rip it apart at the seams when another child goes missing in similar circumstances.

The fully developed - and ultimately flawed - characters in the Clifton family had me glued to the story. Emmy was an incredible MC, whip-smart and utterly human. Snappy, believable dialogue, an intricately woven plot laced with subterfuge and twists that blew me away.

I’m so grateful to Karin, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC.

I think this is a classic Karin Slaughter novel. It's got everything you'd expect. Strong female characters, complex family dynamics, a small town and a big mystery.

This one is probably somewhere below Will and Sara and above Andi (iykyk). As this is a new series, I'm interested in seeing where it goes. Emmy and Jude were interesting characters to read from, flawed in all the ways that make these mysteries so gripping. I did guess some of the twists, but that's part of the fun, and Karin Slaughter knows how to hint enough for you to have the fun of working it out without giving the game away too soon.

This actually reminded me of the early days of the Grant county series. I think from the next books getting some more pov's might elevate this one even more (Dylan, the supportive boyfriend, could be one along with Cole, Emmy's son. I think getting their perspective as outsiders looking in on Jude and Emmy would definitely be something I'd want to read about)

This one has dark themes such as rape, pedophilia, trafficking, addiction, violence, misogyny, frankly as most of KS's books do. I will say this one felt much less gory on page than a lot of the other books. All in all a very solid start to a brand new series from one of my favourite authors.

A new book from Karin Slaughter is always something to look forward to, but a new book that is also the start of a new series is something to get excited about. It means new characters to meet and, maybe, fall in love with, and new villains to loathe with all your might.
We Are All Guilty Here is Slaughter's new book, and what a stellar start to the new series it is. Our new protagonist is Emmy Lou Clifton, Chief Deputy in the North Falls Sheriff's Department. 12 years ago, alongside the Sheriff, Gerald Clifton, she investigated the disappearance and subsequent murder of two teenagers. A man was eventually tried and convicted. But was he really guilty? 🔨
As you may have guessed, this is not a cosy mystery. This is dark territory, folks. When it comes to the more unsavoury characters, it appears Slaughter plumbed the very depths of depravity. 🔨
The story is told across two timelines,12 years ago and the present day, and from two POV's, Emmy, and FBI psychologist Jude Archer. There are revelations aplenty, and twists that had me gasping in surprise. 🔨
We Are All Guilty here is a steady paced police procedural, with a darkness at its core. It gets that fifth star from me for not having any soppy romantic interludes. 🔨

Thanks to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

Madison and Cheyenne go missing during the fireworks on the fourth of July. Emmy Clifton does her best to find the girls. What I liked about this book was that it had the event happen and then went into the actual investigation of finding the girls. A lot of books will just start where they say this happen and live life from there. I like the back story. Emmy is dealing with a deadbeat husband and her best friend turning on her while she tries to find these girls.

Fast forward 12 years and the killer is let out of prison. Some people are convinced the killer could not have done it-he's too stupid. Then another girl goes missing. The investigation reopens and Emmy is convinced to find the real killer once and for all. You will not believe who it is. Good book but got a little long for me.

This standalone novel by Karin Slaughter was truly exceptional.

Her writing, as always, is unparalleled. Her characters leap off the pages, and the emotion resonates throughout the story. I cherished single word, let alone every single page. The author flawlessly delivered the plot, the setting, and the portrayal of broken friendships and fragmented family dynamics The relationship between Emmy, her father, and her son imbued the book with genuine heart.

I greatly admired how the author masterfully upended everything in the conclusion, which felt entirely appropriate.

Please Karin can you write a follow-up, as there seems to be so much more of Emmy and Jude's story left explore.

There is no doubt that Karin Slaughter is the Queen of modern crime and no one will ever change my mind. We Are All Guilty Here showcases Karin's mindbending writing and keeps you on a knifes edge for the entire journey. This is a stand alone novel but I am hoping we are set to see more from these characters. Their development over the course of the story was top notch and I can only hope it is just the beginning of a new series.

With not just the crime element We Are All Guilty Here deals with small town family dynamics and takes you on quite an emotional trip throughout the pages. If you are looking for a heart racing thrill ride, look no further, this one ticks every box and then some. I was left sobbing at the books conclusion being so invested in the narrative, you will loose yourself so prepare some time and jump in.

All the stars for this one, it is my new favourite and I will rave about it to anyone who will listen. Hail to Queen Karin!

I really enjoyed this book! I look forward to reading other books by this author. There were so many twists in this book I didn’t see coming. But then again I rarely can figure books out. I would definitely recommend this book!

Thrillers can become samey quite easily but some authors just have that special knack of keeping the characters and stories fresh and intriguing. And Karin Slaughter is leading the field. She’s given us the wonderful Grant Count and Will Trent series and some fabulous stand-alones, now she’s started the new North Falls series and it’s a winner.
Emmy Clifton is a cop in North Falls, a small, quiet Georgia town where everyone knows everyone, or at least think they do. She’s also the daughter of the town sheriff.
The story begins the night of a Fourth of July fireworks celebration attended by almost the whole town. Between policing and keeping an eye on her young son, Emmy tries to talk to Madison, the teen stepdaughter of her best friend who is going through a troubled phase, but gets nowhere. However later in the evening when a worried Madison approaches Emmy, she’s preoccupied after a public argument with her deadbeat husband and brushes her off. This moment will haunt Emmy as not long after this Madison and her best friend Cheyenne go missing.
The investigation into their disappearance has Emmy and her father realising there are dark secrets in their quiet town and hoping they can unravel things to find the girls, It’s an absolute page-turner with characters that are well-developed and a story with so many layers and depth. Yes, it’s dark but it’s about flawed people and complicated families and I can’t wait to read more about Emmy and North Falls. One of my favourite books of 2025.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter is the first in a brand new series featuring Chief Deputy Emmy Lou Clifton.

It’s the Fourth of July in North Falls, Georgia. The town is celebrating. The fireworks will go off soon. And Emmy Lou has just had another fight with her husband. She seeks solace in the port-a-potty, away from the celebrations and people, and away from her best friend’s daughter Madison, who is anxious and wants to tell her something. Emmy Lou’s actions will haunt her because Madison is about to go missing.

It’s a typical small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business, or at least they think they do. Can Emmy Lou and her father, the Sheriff, find the missing girls in time?

This is another deeply impactful mystery. Karin Slaughter does not shy away from the violence and damage done to women and girls. If you are a fan of her other books, you should definitely check this one out. I can’t wait to see the series continue. Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Madison and Cheyenne, both young girls, vanish, this is the beginning of a gripping story. Will Emmy find them? That is a question you will need to read the book for if want to find out. I am not going to spoil the novel by telling the reader about what happens next, but this is karin slaughter at her finest and I would recommend the book highly both for the characters and suspenseful story.

Two teenage girls go missing during a local fireworks festival in North Falls, and there are more than one guilty looking suspects, fast forward to 12 years later and another teenager goes missing provoking the question did they get the right culprit the first time or have they struck again?
As always with Karen Slaughter I was hooked on this from the start and enjoyed it throughout.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Karin Slaughter is one of my favourite authors, and naturally I was really excited for her new novel. Unfortunately, this was probably my least favourite book by her.

I found this very slow, very focused on police procedural, which I don't love, and on top the characters didn't do anything for me. Jude was fine, but I just didn't care about Emmy at all, and especially not about her personal family drama which kept overriding the case. This was also very tame for a Karin Slaughter novel, I love her books because of how dark they get, but this never really went there. There was never really any suspense or any danger for the characters and it just wasn't at all what I'm used to from her other books. I wish there would have been a POV of the missing girls or just something to make it interesting because I just found everything very boring.

It was also just very similar to the Will Trent series, and I guess I was hoping her new series would be something a little different. I also found the ending disappointing, I thought there would be a big showdown at the end but everything just worked out and then it ended. I really wish for a first book in a new series this would have been stronger, especially remembering how amazing the first two books in the Will Trent series were. I will always be reading everything Slaughter writes, but this one was just kind of a letdown sadly.

Karin Slaughter not only has the perfect name for the types of books she writes but this book was a wild ride from start to finish. It’s been a while since I read a Slaughter book but this one did not disappoint.

Emmy Clifton is deputy sheriff of a small town in the US state of Georgia. Her dad is chief, the county is named after the family. On July 4th two young girls go missing and it's a race against time to unravel what has happened to the girls. 10 years or so afterwards, the small town is rocked again by another girl going missing. Did they put the wrong person in jail? Or is the newly released accused guilty again

This is a fast moving plot. I found the first half, about the original kidnappings exciting to read and, as I was reading on my Kindle, I had no idea that there was still a lot of book left to go. The second half is almost like another book - maybe other people might think it would have been better as two books but I liked getting the second half of the story at once. I thought the plot was pacy and well conceived, the characters well written and the twists and turns very riveting to read. A really good book by this excellent author. Highly recommended