Set in small town America this is a story about a place where everybody knows everybody until it seems they don't really. It begins in North Falls on the 4th July when almost everyone is out watching the fireworks. Officer Emmy Clifton is tasked with keeping the peace but her husband is refusing to look after their child and after a row with him she brushes off her best friend's daughter who apparently wants to talk to her. This is a gut wrenching mistake she has to live with for the rest of her life as the town is immediately plunged into the search for two missing girls.
Some of the material in this book might be sensitive to people but it is all dealt with quite carefully and considerately and keeps the attention on the investigation and the reactions of the small town community rather than dwelling on the crime in detail. Not only is the town good at keeping secrets but the Clifton family have secrets of their own and by the end of the book nothing is quite as it seemed.
With plenty of twists and considerable pace keeping the plot moving forward, this is a powerful thriller and an excellent read.
With thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book although it does include graphic descriptions of injuries and bodies.
I felt that the discussions while the police were trying to solve the cases was interesting and very carefully planned. The details were added as the story went on and led the readers to try to make deductions.
I found that I was very keen to pick up the book and continue the story and it reached a complex but clear conclusion.
A great read.

We Are All Guilty Here starts on July the 4th. Clifton County, Georgia, is celebrating with the traditional picnic and fireworks. Teenagers Madison and Cheyenne have other plans, the family friendly annual celebration no longer holding their interest. They are giddy making plans that will take them far away, too eager to leave their families and childhoods behind.
Chief Deputy Emmy Clifton has an incredibly hard line to run. She has to help lead an investigation into the two young women’s disappearance, as well as being Madison’s stepmum’s closest friend, as close as sisters. This might be seen as a conflict of interests in larger communities, but in such a small town, it’s all hands on deck.

I have been a fan of Karin Slaughter’s writing for years, and this book didn’t disappoint. I really enjoyed the well developed, richly drawn, flawed characters, I really felt like I knew them. Their relationships were intense and complicated, with so much simmering below the surface quietly; sometimes, not so quietly.

The setting of North Falls has that small town feel to it. The residents have known each other for years, families have a history dating back generations. The County is named after the prominent local family, descendants of which are still very much the movers and shakers in the community; some doubly so. Long held memories are hard to erase, grudges worn proudly.

We Are All Guilty Here is an extremely good, well plotted thriller. It is also a story of family, the best of it, and the very worst. The love that binds and protects, the hurt that can be inflicted; pride and resentment growing with passing years, widening deep divisions.

I really hope that we might see more of Emmy Clifton in the future. She is a strong character, with a lot of history that would provide an interesting, and intriguing ongoing backstory. I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping, intricately woven, murky 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ thriller.

Karin Slaughter, as always, delivers. I was hooked from the opening pages, and the story barrelled right along. Filled with regrets, desperation, heartbreak, determination, strength, absolutely everything. Pacing is excellent, of course. Honestly, I would read Slaughter’s grocery lists.

The story is intense, twisty, and incredibly well written. I didn’t want to put this book down at all. I also like the little Easter eggs she puts in her books.

Would highly recommend this, solid standalone and worth a read.

I am always eager to read the newest Karin Slaughter, and this one does not disappoint! Far from it…I very much hope that this heralds a whole new series set in Clifton County.
Emmy Clifton is the daughter of the town Sheriff, and deputy sheriff herself, she is a strong, smart, but flawed character, wracked with guilt when two teenage girls are abducted and she believes she could have prevented it….if only…..
The subsequent events have deep repercussions in a small, close- knit community, and when another girl goes missing, tensions and tempers run high.
I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll say no more, but this is a twisty, clever story. Slaughter deftly ramps up the tension, and you are with Emmy every step of the way. The misdirection is excellent but you get ‘lightbulb moments’ at almost the same time as Emmy does.
The pace as you approach the denouement is almost breathtaking; I did find myself holding my breath at times as I read!
The subject matter is dark, and some may find it disturbing, if they have not read Karin Slaughter before. And an interesting twist or two at the end.
If you want a pacy, well-plotted thriller that will keep you guessing, this fits the bill!

I squealed when I was chosen to read this in advance… a small town mystery was exactly what the doctor ordered and when the words fall out of Karin’s fingertips I know I’m in for a real ride… it did not disappoint! A go to author for me.

I've probably read every book Slaughter has written, and I say every time, she excels at characters.
She writes people you can come to care about.
And here we are, a third of the way into a new book, and I'm behind Emmy, Jude and Gerald all the way.
I enjoyed the complicated Clifton family dynamics. They were light relief to the dark storyline.
I have to be honest, I guessed nearly every twist in this book, but as I said, I'm well schooled in Slaughter.
It was a great read non the less, and I'll be queuing up for the next book along with everyone else.
It already seems like a long time to wait for a new book from her...

I love all Karin Slaughter, from the Grant County series, to the Will Trent series I have been hooked. I was absolutely over the moon to receive this early copy of a new and hopefully more to come series. Whilst no one will ever come close to my ever favourite Will, I really took to Emmy, Gerald, Jude and all the family, this was classic Karin, so character based with a plot taking you through many emotions and touching on sensitive subjects, I couldn’t put it down and couldn’t wait to get back to it when I was forced to. I soooo hope we hear more from Emmy, Jude and I suspect Cole could be in there too. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this early copy.

An amazing standalone thriller. The characters are full of depth and rich in realness. Your heart is hurt by their pain and trauma. It's sickened by horrors inflicted. You read on hungrily seeking justice and closure but not wanting the story to end.
The first section of the story is so thrilling that it could be a novel in itself but the author spoils us by continuing the story and blows your mind with an unimaginable plot.
Karin slaughter's skill in writing is to be admired. She can leave you feeling real grief at a character who only exists on a page but has lived in your heart.
Hard to tell which of her books are your favourite, they all deserve an award.

Thankyou harper Collins and net galley for this arc copy, i absolutely loved this book in true Karin slaughter style she brought the whole story to life. I absolutely loved the descriptions of the case and it unfolded as well as the family hidden secrets. Once again outstanding book

4* Blurb is perhaps deliberately slightly misleading but that's not a complaint, as what transpired, had me engrossed in the tale.

This is perhaps only my 2nd KS book and I'd forgotten how good she is. This tale started with me thinking that wrongs were going to be righted - alluded to by the blurb - and that healing could happen. That wasn't at all the case where a personal relationship lay, but goodness, Emmy-Lou was determined to make up for the past. She's got so much on her plate with her mother who's deteriorating with dementia, with her only son who's joined the police force, with her loser ex who's still around, with her dad/boss/trainer/mentor dying of cancer - at least until events take a more shocking turn - and with her romance seemingly taking a back seat because of all of the former. But, she never stops and she never gives in. And she gets justice, sadly too late to repair some small-town relationships, but hopefully not too late to repair her own. Ones.

The introduction of Jude, relevant and great as she was, felt like it came out of nowhere, but it was a good addition to the tale, with the truth never overshadowing Emmy's job. It was a bit sad that Martha had to disappear for Jude to emerge, but I think there's hope for her, Emma, and Emmy's son Cole. I think the tale ended in the start of healing and talking and perhaps forgiveness, but not a HEA for most of the broken relationships. There was hope, though.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction, for my reading pleasure.

I really enjoyed this I think small town police forces may be my new favourite
I loved how everyone knows everyone’s business
Full of secrets and lies
I loved Emmy and want to see more of her
Don’t want to say too much but it’s a brilliant read

A new Karin Slaughter book is always a reason to celebrate. But whats this? No Will! No Sara! Well we’ll see how this goes.

Set in the small Georgia town of North Falls. Where everybody knows your name…..because 60% of them are related.

The story follows town deputy Emmy Lou as she deals with the horrific kidnapping of two young girls. We get time skips, twists, family drama, small town bitchiness….and pain. Lots of pain. Both physical and emotional of the kind that Karin Slaughter excels at.

Emmy Lou is a wonderful character. You will root for her every step of the way as she has to hold it together under unbelievably stressful circumstances. She’s a character (along with FBI psychologist Jude) that I look forward to coming back to again and again. (Hopefully)

Karin Slaughter does not miss. It’s as simple as that. She is a fantastic writer and always leaves me wanting more of her books every time I finish one.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Netgalley, Harpercollins and Karin Slaughter for an advance copy

Another great read from Karin Slaughter! Was so thrilled to be approved for this one that I couldn't help but dive straight in.

We Are All Guilty Here tells the story of the disappearance of Madison and Cheyenne, 15 year old girls from the small town of North Falls. Emmy Clifton, the local cop, begins the frantic search for them alongside her father, Gerald, the town's sheriff. For Emmy, this is doubly heart-breaking - not only is Madison her best friend's stepdaughter, but minutes before her disappearance Madison tries to speak to Emmy who was too caught up in own dramas to take the time to talk.

Driven by a strong person desire to get the children back, Emmy soon uncovers a number of secrets in the small town and realises that she never really knew the kids at all.....

I know this sounds a little bit been-here-done-that. Small town, kids disappear and what do you know, the small town is not the quiet little hamlet that everyone thought and is, in fact, hiding a multitude of sins.

Whilst that is the general premise here, the book did not pan out how I expected it too. I can't quite say why for risk of spoilers but the book takes place over a significant number of years and goes in a direction which I did not see coming (and if you can guess how this ends, I will be very impressed!)

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Karin Slaughter has done it again with We Are All Guilty Here, delivering an utterly gripping and emotionally charged thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
The small-town setting of North Falls is flawlessly rendered, capturing both the close-knit charm and the suffocating secrecy that breeds suspicion and drama. Slaughter’s knack for creating a deeply immersive atmosphere is on full display here. I felt as though I were walking the same streets, sensing the simmering tension as the community unravelled.
At the heart of this story is Officer Emmy Clifton, a complex and compelling protagonist. Emmy’s guilt over turning her back on her best friend’s daughter drives her relentless quest for justice, and her vulnerability makes her all the more relatable. Slaughter expertly peels back Emmy’s layers, showing us her courage and determination, while also exploring the heavy weight of her regret.
The mystery of the two missing teenage girls is brilliantly constructed. Slaughter takes readers through twist after twist, each revelation adding depth and urgency. As Emmy delves into the girls’ secrets, the book highlights a painful truth: how little we sometimes know about the people closest to us. This theme resonates deeply, making the stakes feel incredibly personal.
I especially appreciated the way Slaughter handles the darker elements of the story. The novel doesn’t shy away from exploring the murky waters of guilt, betrayal, and the hidden lives of teenagers, yet it does so with sensitivity and purpose. Each character feels real, flawed, and raw, and their motives are layered with complexity.
The pacing is pitch-perfect, and the suspense builds to an explosive climax that left me breathless. Even after the final twist, I found myself reflecting on the story’s deeper themes and the moral uncertainty that lingers long after the last page.
If you’re a fan of character-driven mysteries with razor-sharp plotting and emotional depth, We Are All Guilty Here is a must-read. Karin Slaughter has once again proven why she’s one of the best in the business. North Falls may be fictional, but its secrets will haunt you long after you leave.

I was so happy to be sent an earc of Karin's new book. She's one of my favourite authors who never fails to capture my interest and psychologically damage me with every book! We're all guilty here kept me guessing until the end, I thoroughly enjoyed it a and it was great to meet a whole new set of flawed characters. Loved it!

I love Karin Slaughter's books as they are always well written - you always feel like you can actually visualise what is happening as though you are there.

This book, with it's fabulous characters is no exception and definitely hits the mark with it's twists and turns.

At the start of the book a small American town ulis celebrating July 4th with a spectacular fireworks display which the whole town is attending. During the celebrations two teenage girls Madison and Cheyenne disappear and their bodies are subsequently discovered by local law enforcement tied together and dumped in a pool.

Soon, secrets start to emerge about the girls behaviour and relationships. It quickly becomes clear during the investigation that a local person in a trusted role must be the murderer but just who is it and what will they do to maintain their anonymity. A cracking read.

We Are All Guilty Here (kindle edition) a crime thriller by Karin Slaughter was long drawn out to the point I was almost giving up but toward the last couple of chapters it gained momentum which I was relieved for the thriller to finally come to conclusion.

Madison and Cheyenne two teenage girls are meeting up at the fourth of July firework celebrations but a lot more than fireworks are about to explode because they have secrets that would make the town folk's hair curl. The town is run by the Clifton's who built this town and they too are very good at keeping secrets too.

Both Madison and Cheyenne have disappeared and Officer Emmy Clifton is determined to bring them both back home.

A new series featuring Detective Emma Clifton. A town full of secrets, intriguing and compelling. A great read .

We are all guilty here by Karin Slaughter is a mesmerising read from beginning to end, it has so many layers to the storyline that are so very sad and deal with the issues of sexual abuse of minors and pedifilier. It is at times very hard hitting dealing with the issues of grief, loss and death.
Officer Emmy Clifton has to deal with two teenage girls who go missing on Bonfire Night, one of the girls is her best friend’s daughter, who she brushed off, when she wanted to speak to her. The girls were never seen alive again Emmy has to live with that guilt and the loss of her best friend, Hannah.
Officer Emmy Clifton finds the killer and he is imprisoned but released some years later. Maura Clifton appears and Emmy doesn’t know they are related until much later in the story.
They both have to live with death, loss, grief and a mother with dementia. Then another girl goes missing. Will she be found in time?
Highly recommended