Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Really enjoyed this book even though it was pretty dark. Loved Emmy and Jude and hope to see more of them

Review to come.
Due to a family emergency and needing to step away from my book commitments.
I will be reviewing at a later date.
My apologies.

Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

“We Are All Guilty Here” centers around Officer Emmy. She investigates two girls who went missing in a small town. Emmy deals with a past trauma as she is searching for these two girls. This book effectively illustrates the lengths people will go to keep secrets and protect those they love.

This is my first Karin Slaughter book, and it will not be my last.

This small town thriller mystery novel was one that I loved! It was extremely emotional, dark, and tense. I enjoyed the dual timelines. It is full of twists that shocked and kept me guessing.
The world-building of this small town drew me in.
I liked all of the characters in the story. I loved how Emmy became so involved and had a personal connection with these two girls. This is a small town community that is full of betrayals and past traumas. I enjoyed reading this book from the very first page.
If you're a fan of her other works, please don't walk, run, and get this one in your sweet little hands.

We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter
I give this book 4.75 stars.

Emmy Clifton has lived in North Falls all her life.
When her best friend's daughter asks for help, she thinks it’s just some teenage drama. She thinks it can wait. She’s never been more wrong in her life.
As the town ignites in the wake of the girl's disappearance, Emmy throws herself into the search. But then she realises: You never really know a town until you know its secrets.

This author really is a master of her craft especially when starting a compulsive new series. Hard hitting and meticulously plotted,small town close knit community set up and already establishing authentic characters with depth. I was gripped from the very first chapter, told from different POV’s and involving a past present timeline which I loved as it gives more background to the overall story. Officer Emmy is a strong FMC and I’m already intrigued by the whole Clifton family dynamics.I enjoy a chilling crime thriller and this one peels back the layers and is filled with twists, secrecy, trauma and redemption.
There’s a hint of so much more to come in the ending and I’m totally there for it, just how long do I have to wait for book 2 ?!
With thanks to Netgalley, Karin Slaughter and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for my chance to read and review this book.

This is the first book in a new Karin Slaughter series. Set in the small town of North Falls, Georgia, Slaughter skillfully builds the community into a mixture of good and evil, old and young, rich and poor, and.....well, you get it. The town is one of the characters, setting the tone for the story. A first in the series story must contain a complete mystery, plus weave in threads and characters to set up the following books. Slaughter is a proven expert in this craft. Millions have read her Will Trent series alone. As the backstory is developed, readers become familiar with the characters and how they interact within the plotline. This adds depth to the thriller that so many others lack.
During the 4th of July parade, two young women are taken from the crowd. MC Officer Emmy Clifton, along with her father, Sheriff Gerald Clifton, are first on the scene. Emmy realizes she knows one of the girls, who had tried to speak to her earlier that evening. The investigation into the disappearance is the central theme here. As the police follow the few clues they have, the story flips back and forth, showing Emmy's determination to find and bring back the girls. Readers will be unable to set the book down until the reveal.
Slaughter is well known for her police procedural thrillers, which take readers into the thick of the investigations to see for themselves how dark the trail becomes when victims become casualties. Her main characters are human, and she does not shy away from showing their pain and emotions as they perform the jobs they love and hate.

We Are All Guilty Here marks the beginning of a new series by Karin Slaughter, set in the small town of North Falls, Georgia. The abduction of two teenage girls sees our central character, Officer Emmy Clifton racing against time to save them before they are murdered. Then twelve years later and promoted to deputy sheriff, she finds history repeating itself…

This is a highly character-driven thriller. We really get inside the head of protagonist who is well-rounded and complex. We feel her anguish as she watches the clock ticking down on any likelihood that the two abductees, one of whom is the daughter of a lifelong friend, will be safely found. It’s always a pleasure to encounter strong and realistic female characters in fiction.

The lean towards character does not mean this is a book that drags. The pace and plot twists keep on coming. A satisfying read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers, HarperCollins, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Karin Slaughter novel—I’ve known her through the Will Trent TV series, so I was really excited to finally read one of her books.
I had my doubts early on, but then those final chapters ? Total game-changer!

Heads up before going in: some scenes deal with very dark and graphic subject matter, so definitely check the trigger warnings below if you need them.

The story is told across two timelines: one follows what happened to Madison and Cheryanne 12 years ago, and the other picks up in the present day, when a similar case shakes the town all over again.

I’ve gotta admit, the first 20% felt a bit slow. There were a lot of details—and while I normally love a solid police procedural, this one got slightly repetitive and heavy on the telling instead of showing.

But, the slow burn paid off the moment the real digging began and the truth about the girls began to surface. That’s also when Jude came onto the scene—and things instantly got more interesting. Her skills helped Emmy crack the case, but her mysterious past kept me guessing too.

The final 30% ? Absolutely thrilling. So many twists, buried secrets, and a finale that seriously caught me off guard—I couldn’t put the book down. That last twist really sealed the deal!

Since this is the start of a new series, I’m really curious to see where the characters go from here and what kind of case they’ll tackle next.

If you’re into thrillers with a heavy dose of police work—profiling, chasing leads, and strategy—you’ll probably enjoy this one.
I’m glad I pushed through and gave it a chance, and I’ll definitely be watching for book two!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: violence, child abuse, murder, adult/minor relationship, pedophilia, kidnapping, grief, dementia, child death, sexual assault, rape, drug use, infidelity, toxic relationship, brief mention of misogyny, vomit, car accident, alcoholism, torture

The twists are relentless, the tension is off the charts, and just when you think you’ve got it figured out... you absolutely haven’t. The characters are brilliantly layered, the writing razor-sharp, and the small-town setting adds this eerie, claustrophobic feel that ramps everything up. It’s dark, it’s brutal, and it’s completely unputdownable – a proper five-star thriller that had me racing to the final page with my heart in my mouth. An absolute masterclass in crime fiction!

As a massive fan of Karin Slaughter's other series (Will Trent particularly) I was really looking forward to reading this one and was not disappointed. Another thriller that will keep you guessing...

When 2 girls disappear after a Fourth of July celebration in North Falls, police officer Emmy Clifton needs to find them before time runs out. To make it even tougher, one of the girls is her best friend's daughter.

And when another girl disappears many years later when the chief suspect is released from prison, was he responsible or is someone else responsible?

Various secrets within the family will come to light during the investigations, to keep you guessing till the end :)

Wow what a start to a new series. Emmy Clifton is approached by her friends teenaged daughter for help at a Fourth of July fireworks the next day har and some more teenagers have disappeared. This book is full of emotion, plenty of red herrings and secrets are revealed. This is probably one of Karins best books yet and I look forward to meet these characters in future book. Thanks to Harpercollins UK and Netgalley for this review ARC.

In this stand alone book, the whole town of North Falls has turned out to watch the Fourth of July fireworks.

By the end of the evening,two teenage girls are missing.

This is personal for Deputy Emmy Lou Clifton as one of them tried to speak to her just before she disappeared.

The tragedy splits the town and Emmy Lou's family

Karin Slaughter at her best!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishing for the chance to read and review this book.

What an electrifying introduction to this eagerly anticipated new crime series from Karin Slaughter! We Are All Guilty Here is a masterful fusion of character-driven mystery and emotional storytelling; a taut, often harrowing thriller that makes you care—and then cuts you to the bone. I can’t think of enough superlatives to do it justice.

Welcome to North Falls and Deputy Emmy Clifton, who twelve years after solving the brutal murder of two teenage girls—one of them her best friend’s daughter— finds herself once again dealing with a teen abduction. Can she learn from the mistakes of the previous investigation and bring this girl home safely?

I loved the small-town setting and the way Slaughter peels away its cosy façade to reveal a complicated history of simmering secrets and betrayals. The structure is ingenious, first giving us the original investigation in all its intricacies, then catapulting forward to the present day and the fresh horror for Emmy of history potentially repeating itself. There’s more—much more—to this skilfully spun plot, but I’m not giving any spoilers here.
What sucked me in most was the emotional pull of the characters—the whole messy Clifton clan with Emmy—forceful yet vulnerable, intuitive yet haunted—as its linchpin. Slaughter deftly portrays her inner struggles: fierce loyalty, guilt, and the weight of unspoken truths. The emotional undercurrent here isn’t just backstory—it fuels every turn of the narrative.

The atmosphere throughout is electric, the pacing propulsive. As clues trickle in and alliances shift, Slaughter delivers revelations so sharp they cut. The twists, while shocking, are utterly believable, emerging organically from the characters’ choices and histories, and leading to an explosive, heart-pounding climax.

I won’t dwell on the bombshell that Slaughter casually drops a couple of pages from the end. Suffice to say jaw met floor with an almighty crack. The only negative is now having to wait 12 months for the next instalment.

Karin Slaughter delivers yet another gripping and emotionally intense story with We Are All Guilty Here. True to her style, the novel dives deep into the complexity of human morality, trauma, and justice, blending suspense with psychological insight. The characters are well-developed, flawed, and utterly compelling — especially the protagonist, whose internal struggle is portrayed with raw realism.

Slaughter’s writing is both sharp and immersive. The pacing is steady, building tension chapter by chapter, and the plot twists are impactful without feeling forced. The themes of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of silence are explored in a way that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

That said, the book may be emotionally heavy for some readers, particularly those sensitive to themes of abuse or systemic injustice. It’s not always an easy read, but it’s certainly a powerful one.

Overall, We Are All Guilty Here is a haunting, thought-provoking novel that reaffirms Karin Slaughter’s place as a master of crime fiction with a conscience.

4.5⭐
We Are All Guilty Here marks the beginning of a new series by Karin Slaughter, an author who is relatively new to me but one I have truly enjoyed reading. As her stories are always intricate and suspenseful, featuring well-developed characters, and this book is no exception.

As the story introduces Officer Emmy Clifton and the small town of North Falls. Where during the Fourth of July fireworks celebration, two fifteen-year-old girls, Madison and Cheyenne, are kidnapped, making this case very personal for Emmy, as Madison is like a niece to her. So she is determined to do everything possible to help her father, the Sheriff, bring the girls home and put the kidnapper behind bars.

But this is also a story divided into two parts, with a twelve-year time jump.

However, the fallout from Madison and Cheyenne’s kidnapping continues when, thanks to a crime podcast, a man from North Falls who was on death row is released and returns to the area. Then just two days later, a fourteen-year-old girl named Paisley is kidnapped under eerily similar circumstances to those involving Cheyenne and Madison, prompting the people of North Falls to seek justice.

But with Emmy, the Sheriff, the GBI, and the FBI investigating, there is hope that Paisley will be found and the kidnapper stopped once and for all.

And with red herrings, twists, action, suspense, and some graphic detail. Not to mention flawed characters, this is a gripping read. That I would happily recommend to all.

Karin Slaughter has proven herself many times over delivering many outstanding thrillers in her own stylish way; this one only adds to her reputation as a must-read author.

In the small town of North Falls, Emmy Lou is deputy sheriff to her father when two children go missing during 4th July fireworks celebration; Emmy works the case with her father and fellow officers. There are a number of suspects all of whom need to be questioned as Sheriff Gerald returns to his methodology to identify who might be responsible.

Loyalty, family and friends are strong theme in this new series (hoping it will be a series!).

Multi-layered and painful but very addictive!

I loved this book so much! I had no clue who the culprit was all the way through and it kept me guessing. The book was fast paced and there was never a dull moment. I felt we really got to know the characters and I absolutely loved Emmy, her relationship with her dad was lovely and it was like she was repeating it with her son.
A definite 5 stars!!

What a fantastic book. It made me cry, left my heart racing and cheering.
The abduction and murder of two teenage girls in a small town leaves the town reeling.
Friendships are splintered, a man is convicted and years later that conviction is over turned.
Days after he returns to his home town another young teenager disappears.
Emmy is now second in command not just one of the squad. Having worked the original case alongside her sheriff dad, this time is not the time to second guess the original investigation and steps taken this time.
Is the culprit hiding in plain site? Was the correct person incarcerated? Enjoy, I definitely did

What a book... absolutely amazing!

I am a big fan of Karin Slaughter, and I couldn't wait to start reading a new series of hers, even if I was a little wary because you never know what the characters will be like... well I didn't need to worry! This is a gripping, tense thriller and I was absolutely hooked from start to finish. The character development is great as usual, and I quickly connected with all characters, especially Emmy. The story is very well plotted, with so many apparently insignificant details revised in the light of the final twists and taking completely different (sinister) meanings... very well done!

The story touches pretty sensitive subjects and does not spare gruesome details; however, everything is done with a great deal of sensitivity and nothing is there just for the shock factor, a thing I really appreciate.

All in all, this is a great book and a brilliant start to the new series!

Thank you so much NetGalley and HarperCollins for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic and gripping this book in a new series by Karin Slaughter delivers again and again.
Explosive from the first page. Emmy Clifton is wrong in everything she thinks of her town North Falls but is she really ready to discover all it has to show.
Brilliant looking forward to more visits to North Falls

Wow, just wow. We Are All Guilty Here is book #1 in the North Falls series and it doesn’t disappoint. I absolutely loved it. I couldn’t put it down.
So immersive. So emotional. So detailed.
Emmy Clifton, a police officer in small town North Falls is investigating the disappearance of two teenage girls.
The story is told in dual timelines - before and after. It’s very well written, clever, well paced and full of heart, the story just pulls you in completely. It’s full of tension, secrets, twists, suspense, red herrings and action.
With strong characters that are flawed, believable and so real and have so much depth. You sympathise and empathise with them.
Highly recommend this book if you enjoy police procedural, suspense thrillers set in a small town. It’s well worth the read. I can’t wait for the next instalment @karinslaughterauthor
With thanks to #NetGallery #HarperCollinsUk @harperfiction for an arc of #WeAreAllGuiltyHere in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 19 June 2025