Karin Slaughter’s We Are All Guilty Here kicks off her brand-new North Falls series with a gripping dual-timeline thriller. The story begins with a haunting tragedy—two high school girls kidnapped and murdered in a tight-knit town. Over a decade later, Emmy Clifton, now acting Chief of Police, is pulled back into the chilling echoes of the past when another teen girl goes missing in eerily similar circumstances. What follows is a tense, emotional unraveling of long-buried secrets, small-town loyalties, and a past that refuses to stay buried.

As a huge Karin Slaughter fan, I truly believe she can do no wrong—and this newest series proves it. While I definitely miss Will Trent (always), I’m already obsessed with North Falls and fully committed to Emmy Clifton’s story. Emmy felt a bit too emotionally reactive in the first half, but considering her youth and deep personal connection to the case, it felt real—and her character growth by the end is massive. I’m hooked, not just on her, but on her whole complicated family dynamic.

I partially guessed the ending, but in classic Slaughter fashion, that didn’t stop me from staying up way too late turning pages. At nearly 500 pages, it’s a long read—but totally worth it. The atmosphere, pacing, and emotional stakes are all there, setting the stage for what I know will be a phenomenal series. Trigger warnings apply, of course—it’s not as graphic as Pretty Girls, but definitely more intense than The Good Daughter.

North Falls is officially an auto-read for me. Can’t wait for the next one.

AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP |★★★

We Are All Guilty Here comes out August 12, 2025. Huge thank you to William Morrow for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.  If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.