I absolutely love Karin Slaughter’s books. She has a knack for captivating readers, and her attention to detail in character development and storytelling makes it feel like you’re right there in the story.

This book is a must-read for fans of family drama thrillers. It follows a race against time to find two missing girls and bring them home safely. With its twists and turns, it will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning pages eagerly to discover what happens next.

I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a compelling and suspenseful read that will leave you wanting more.

Small towns, big secrets.


Set in North Falls, a small town where everybody knows Clifton family. Emmy Clifton is a police officer and the last one to talk to her best friend's teenage stepdaughter before she disappeared during the Fourth of July celebration. Years later, she is still haunted by this event, but with new development in the case and the coming of a frustrating special FBI agent Jude Archer who is offering her expertise in the case, Emmy is barely holding herself together. And the more they discover, the uglier it looks.
Karin Slaughter starts a new thriller series, but in a very familiar framework. A great female lead with complicating family dynamic, a nonflinching crime rooted in sexual violence and explosive plot twists. So, if you like her books, this is a typical Slaughter book, but more on tamer side. No heavy triggers she is known for and a likable lead. It's leaning more on a procedural side which fits considering Emmy's and Jude's professions compared to some of her standalones and it's the most similar to her Grant County series, I would say. A place where everyone knows everyone and beneath the surface, there are some shocking secrets.
I really liked the first part of the novel which was basically an active search for the missing girls and it's gave that "real time suspense" where we are following Emmy every step of the investigation where every minute counts.
Plot twist was fairy predictable, but still enjoyable to read how it played out. I think it would be more impactful if there was space for showing more of characterization than just telling, but the crime simply didn't allow it. It was far too complex. The scenes with various Cliftons talking to each other were my favorite part and I am actually really intrigued by the overreaching mystery that was teased in this first novel and the antagonist(s) we are bound to meet.
All in all, great weekend read.

Karin Slaughter has knocked it out of the park again. Really enjoyed this book. The character development and the twists and turns were brilliant.
The only reason it's not 5 stars is because it was quite repetitive in places, but overall I loved it. Can't wait for the next one in this series already.

I love Karin Slaughter’s novels and this book is no exception, I’m not sure if this is a standalone or the start of a new series but either way it was really good & it was a book that I actually didn’t want to put down. We are all guilty here is set in North Falls a typical small town where everyone is either related to you or knows your business, & when two girls Maddison & Cheyenne go missing during the 4th of July celebrations & deputy Emmy Clifton was one of the last people to see Maddison alive, After the culprit is caught it then jumps 12 years and another girl goes missing in similar circumstances, the story was gripping & is full of surprises & I almost worked out who was involved, it definitely keeps you guessing.

This is one of those books that drags you in from the start - it's by turns totally shocking, heart-breaking and brutal, but you're never in any doubt that you're experiencing storytelling genius. It's so well-plotted, clever and eventful - Karin Slaughter is an author I need to read more.

This book is set in North Falls, one of those small American towns where everyone knows everyone else and generations of one family (the Cliftons) work in law enforcement. When two teenage girls go missing during the town's big summer firework party, Emmy Clifton steps up to investigate, along with her father and son. Emmy's close friend is one of the girl's mothers and Emmy was one of the last to see the teen at the party.

However, what follows is far from a simple kidnapping, and has tragic repercussions that impact the town. As Emmy starts to uncover the secrets of the people of North Falls, it becomes really clear that everybody has secrets and nobody can be trusted. Her investigations - spanning a long period from the original disappearances to a trial and a new case - start to break down relationships in the town and in her personal life. Into this mess comes an investigator who has had considerable success in finding the bodies of murder victims - but is she going to help or hinder Emmy?

I loved the character of Emmy - a middle-aged woman with a responsible job who is also trying to navigate some tricky family stuff. As a character, I thought she was warm and likeable, yet also human and responding to some awful situations in totally understandable ways. I've heard that this might develop into a North Falls series and I'd be really keen to see what Emmy does next.

As I've already alluded to, Slaughter doesn't pull any punches in her writing and some of the twists and turns in this book were genuinely really shocking. I wasn't quite prepared for some of it! However, it's all really cleverly woven together and the narrative is always credible. I found myself constantly guessing whodunit and I was always wrong - there's so much going on and the real clues are hidden in stacks of red herrings!

I'd recommend this if you like your crime stories with grit and off-the-scale levels of tension. There were times I had to put this book down to take in what had happened - but I always found myself desperate to get back to North Falls!

We expect a lot from Karin Slaughter, and this novel doesn't disappoint. The narrative is thrilling and the novel meets all the 'criteria' of a crime thriller with two young friends going missing right at the beginning. The 'Whodunnit' aspect of the puzzle is well-written, and although perhaps there were parts of the novel in which the plot slowed down a bit because of over-description (okay, I'm being picky) that doesn't spoil the hook or the overall plot. Recommended for those who love a gritty crime thriller. Many thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book deserves a higher review score than 5. How high can you score!

I thought the book was more or less finished when I was about 30% in. Totally wrong there!

The characters were all very interesting with an amazing depth of creativity. I was very much taken by the main character, Emmy Clifton.

Now the plot - it was smoothly transitioned at each stage. I particularly liked the insight provided into police and FBI interview techniques. Clearly the thinking involved was very realistic. The baddy/ baddies - what can you say!? Plenty of shocks on almost every page.

I also feel compelled to say that I could feel emotional at the end as family relationships were clarified.

Karen Slaughter - you are amazing!

It's a bit of a surprise for me that I have not read any of Karin's books despite owning several. This is my first book by her and I was pleasantly surprised to get this ARC approved by the publisher.
My thanks to the team of NetGalley, the publisher and Karin for the ARC.

This marks a compelling start to what seems to be a fresh new series by Karin, delivering a blend of suspense, emotional depth, and intricate character development. Set against the backdrop of a seemingly tight-knit community, the novel unravels the disappearance of two teenage girls, exposing the dark undercurrents that lie beneath the town's façade.

At the heart of the story is Officer Emmy Clifton, whose personal connection to the case adds layers of complexity to the investigation. Slaughter masterfully explores Emmy's internal struggles, painting a portrait of a woman grappling with guilt and a relentless drive for justice. The narrative delves into themes of hidden truths and the often-overlooked complexities of adolescent lives, reminding readers that everyone harbors secrets.

The atmospheric setting of North Falls is vividly portrayed, capturing the claustrophobic nature of small-town life where histories are intertwined, and past grievances linger. Slaughter's prose is both evocative and precise, drawing readers into a world where every character feels authentic and every revelation hits with impact.

However, the novel isn't without its shortcomings. Some readers might find the pacing uneven, with certain sections delving deeply into procedural details that momentarily stall the momentum. Additionally, while the plot twists are impactful, a few are somewhat predictable for seasoned thriller enthusiasts. I felt the need to list some of the strong and weak points in the book although the pros outweigh the cons in this enjoyable story.

Pros - Features a strong, emotionally nuanced protagonist with a relatable internal conflict.
A tense, well envisioned atmosphere that captures the dynamics of a small-town community.
There are themes of guilt, secrecy, and redemption which lingers in the mind and
finally Karin bears the burden of expectations with her signature blend of psychological suspense and character-driven storytelling

Cons - Some plot twists do seem predictable to experienced thriller readers.
The pacing is slow on occasions with effort to detail procedural elements and
I would have like some side characters to have more details.

Despite these minor issues, this book stands as a testament to Slaughter's prowess in crafting emotionally resonant thrillers. It's a story that not only entertains but also prompts reflection on the nature of guilt, community, and the facades people maintain.

For me personally this was a bittersweet moment where I regretted missing out on several of Karin's earlier books after completing this one and my endeavor to follow up with more of her earlier output asap.

Recommended.

Wow! Well done Karin Slaughter, well done!👏👏👏 This deserves all the stars!

I’ll be the first to admit I went into this unsure of how I would feel about a new series and a new set of characters. Both the Will Trent and the Grant County series leave very big shoes to fill. I did not need to worry as the small town of North Falls brought with it a whole new set of characters that make us feel right at home. Emmy’s family is well known throughout Clifton County as it was founded by her ancestors. We meet just about all of them that it was hard to keep them straight, but I’m sure it’ll be easier the more we get to know them. During a Fourth of July celebration two teenage girls go missing and Emmy is front and center trying to find the girls. I almost felt like I was riding shotgun with Emmy throughout the investigation. You never know which way the book is going and are following the investigation real time with her. Just when you think you know what’s happening and are settling into the case Slaughter has a way of mentally knocking you down. I’m pretty sure I felt every emotion possible as the case evolved and relationships were revealed.

This is one of those books that I wish I could experience reading it for the first time again. Slaughter excels at writing small town intricacies amongst family and the local townspeople. It was very reminiscent of the Grant County series that I love so much except with its own new flare. I absolutely cannot wait to see where this new series goes.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

A brand new crime series introduces to North Falls, a small town where everyone knows everyone. When two teenagers go missing, policewoman Emmy Clifton fears the worst. She and her father, Sherriff Gerald Clifton get their man - but the nightmare isn't over for the town.
This story had all the hallmarks of a classic Karin Slaughter book. Angst-ridden detectives tortured by past mistakes, plausible citizens with secrets to keep, murder and lies pervading the pages, and a gripping plot to keep you turning the pages.
I have to admit to mixed feelings about Karin Slaughter's books. While I love her characters, I find the graphic details of violence and torture hard to stomach sometimes, espcially when it's written in such a way that you feel you're living the victim's experience with them.
This book has its fair share of violence and torture, but as we are never eye witnesses to the horror, merely observers after the fact, I found it easier to bear - though it's still pretty nauseating at times!
However, this is more than made up for by the introduction of a superb new cast of characters, in Emmy, her father, and her large and idiosyncratic family, which has its own secrets to keep and some surprises to reveal along the way.
It's all set up nicely for another great crime series. I'm looking forward to book two.

Compelling, dark and intense.
Heartbreaking.
All consuming.

A brilliant book, so refreshing after others I have read recently.
Well written plot, fantastic characters.
Thrilling storyline. The kind of book where you’re right there in the middle of it.
Wonderful!

A perfect read. An easy 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Karin Slaughter is my auto buy thriller author. Her books are interesting, intriguing and...disturbing all mingled together. We Are All Guilty Here is the first book of the North Fall series and yes, this is a book that you actually wouldn't want to put down.

North Falls is a small town where everyone knows everyone and everything that is happening in the town. On the night of Fourth of July, two teenage girls, Madison and Cheyenne disappears. Emmy Clifton is the last one apparently to see Madison. Madison wanted to talk to Emmy but Emmy who was having some personal issues brushed her off. And with Madison disappearing, Emmy was guilty about it. The case was personal to Emmy as Madison is the stepdaughter of her best friend Hannah. The rush to find the teenage girls was there and they eventually find the teenagers bodies floating in a pond at the back of the house. They arrest a man but then Emmy couldn't help but feel that the two teenage girls have been hiding secrets. Twelve years later, the man is released from prison and then another girl disappears. Emmy and with the reluctant help of her FBI sister must find the girl before it's too late, before the cycle will repeat.

I really like the way Slaughter writes--how she tactfully describes Emmy's flows and at her determination to solve the case. The pacing was all right but tolerable in the story. Most of the characters seem to have flaws in their personal life, including Emmy. I like the way Slaughter describes the community in the small town and how nearly every single men in the town were suspects. The whole story was intriguing and page turner. Normally, Slaughter's thriller book has some disturbing elements and this book is no surprise--the death of the teenagers particularly the detailed torture of Madison was slightly disturbing to read. Nonetheless, I like the pacing, the twists and turns and of course the ending. Slaughter knows how to pull the reder into the story.

Overall, this book is worth five stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

First book I have read by Karin slaughter and it won't be my last . This book is a real page turner I couldn't put it down. The twists were great .

“If you are looking for people to blame, we are all guilty here.”

Emmy Lou Clifton lives with her mistakes. She can”t forget the summer night when her best friend’s troubled teenage daughter asked her for help and she put her own needs first. The tragedy that followed haunts her. Many more mistakes will be made in this heartbreaking, haunting mystery. Nothing is what it appears to be in this small Georgia town that hides its secrets very well.

Karin Slaughter is an amazing, hard to describe writer. She describes love like a parent or a partner, the intricacies of crime like a critical thinker and the dark perversions of the soul like a victim…or killer. We Are All Guilty here is a tour de force, a multilayered, character driven mystery that reads like a true crime novel. I’m glad this is the first in a new series because some of the relationships are only just beginning. I could write so much more but I’m avoiding spoilers. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins and Karin Slaughter for this ARC.

I loved this book! This is a great first book in what hopefully will be a new series for Karin Slaughter. The twists and turns were just right, trying to figure out who was guilty and I loved the twist at the end. Will definitely read more if they come out

I really enjoyed this book! Karin slaughter does a brilliant job at setting the scene in my mind, the way she writes makes things so easy to picture. I was kept interested and wanted to keep reading. I love Emmy as a character, feel like she’s relatable in that she’s not perfect but is herself. Another great read! Thank you

The first in the new North Falls series. Young teenagers Madison and Cheyenne are planning to run away from their homes in North Falls, Georgia and the Fourth of July celebrations are just the time as everyone will be out watching the fireworks. Told in dual timeline this is a dark and immersive read, a lot of police procedural which is one of my favourite genres.

Briefly, before the girls had a chance to follow through on their plan they are abducted. Deputy Sheriff Emmy Lou Clifton-Lang is the last person to see Madison before the girls disappear and she feels guilty. When the girls are found a suspect is identified, charged and found guilty; it feels like closure. However, many years later a podcast raises doubts as to the conviction and the prisoner is released. Only a few days later another teenage girl vanishes. As Emmy struggles to make sense of everything she is shocked by both a violent event and the reappearance of her older sister after nearly 40 years.

There are so many terrible secrets in this small town Georgia and everyone is intent on self protection but secrets will out and they are gradually raising their ugly heads. Emmy is a great character, she is flawed from events in her past but still strong and committed to doing right. I found this a compelling read, I didn’t want to put it down but had to sleep! A brilliant book twisting and turning all the way through and looking forward to book 2. Another spellbinding read.

And she did it again! We can always count on Karin Slaughter to read a voluminous book with people being far from black and white. And then there is the drama, all that drama, when looking back at what we've been reading for the past few days.

Emmy as a main character for this new series is quite a promise and feels like a real-life person with her flaws and insecurities which I thoroughly appreciate. Bring on the next book!

This was brilliant and I was sad when it was over.
Please tell me there is more to come from this set of characters!
As well as an enthralling serial killer plot, there were twists and revelations when it came to family and I felt like the pacing was just right.
I really hope to read more about Emmy Lou and North Falls again soon!

A brilliant thriller that had me gripped from the very start. Karin Slaughter is such a good writer and in this book she delivers another complex and interesting set of characters you will want to read about again. So many twists and revelations-it offers so much more than just a serial killer story. I won’t give any spoilers as, quite frankly, I wouldn’t want to ruin anything for other readers, I recommend you just sit down, read and enjoy.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review and to the author for her excellent work.