Everything She Feared by Rick Mofina is most definitely a true thriller. Throughout this book, we see interesting news articles, police interviews and more to tell the story. There’s multiple characters with different point-of-views that go back-and-forth between past and present.

Anna Shaw was standing on the edge of a cliff and she needs help after slipping. The only person around is Katie Harmon, who is nine years old. They were in a camp group, but Katie is the only one who sees Anna fall. Katie gets help from the others in the group who went ahead of them. This triggers an investigation. Was Katie involved? Is she telling the truth that Anna was taking a selfie before she fell?

This is a book that definitely starts off with an attention-grabbing situation. As the book progressed, my feelings changed multiple times. There were definitely times in this book where I was on both sides of the situation and I had to keep reading to find out what actually happened to Anna.

After finishing this book, I realized that I had never read a Rick Mofina book before. I have been straying away from thrillers for a little while, but this book absolutely sucked me back in. I am very eager to give this author another try.

Thank you to NetGalley, Eric Mofina and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This was an easy and quick read - the only problem is I instantly forgot most of the details of the book a few days later. It had a good ending is all I can say otherwise!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>Everything She Feared</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>Everything She Feared</i> by Rick Mofina is a disappointing thriller that fails to deliver on its promises of suspense and excitement.
<h4>The Details</h4>

One of the main issues with the novel is its lackluster plot. From the outset, the story feels contrived and predictable. Instead of keeping readers on the edge of their seats, the narrative unfolds in a formulaic manner. There is no real tension or surprise. I kept reading, getting confused with the many characters and the switching of the many different plot points.

Furthermore, the characters in <i>Everything She Feared</i> are poorly developed and fail to resonate with readers. The protagonist comes across as shallow and one-dimensional. Her motivations that feel forced and unconvincing. I started to get very annoyed with the constant back and forth of her internal conflict. Supporting characters fare no better. The dialogue is stilted and unnatural, hindering the development of meaningful connections between characters.

The writing style in <i>Everything She Feared</i> is also lacking. While the prose is functional, it lacks the elegance and finesse needed to truly elevate the story. Descriptions are often overly simplistic. No real sense of atmosphere and mood that is crucial in a thriller is created.

Additionally, the pacing of the novel is inconsistent. There are long stretches of exposition and backstory bogging down the narrative. Scenes that should be filled with tension and excitement are instead mired in unnecessary detail.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>Everything She Feared</i> is a forgettable thriller that fails to leave a lasting impression. Seriously, I forgot that I was reading this book sometimes. While it may appeal to fans of the genre looking for a quick read, those seeking a more gripping and immersive thriller would be better off looking elsewhere.

Everything She Feared; A Suspense Novel was not for me, personally. I am still thankful that I got to read this!

4.5⭐
Genre ~ crime thriller
Setting ~ Washington
Publication date ~ April 11, 2023
Est page Count ~ 446 (87 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 11 hours 35 minutes
Narrator ~ Jennifer Jill Araya
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ teenage death, multiple timelines, old secrets

9 year old Katie has witnessed her babysitter, Anna's, death.
Sara is Katie's mom. A mom who will go to great lengths to protect her daughter, as most mother's would do. But perhaps there is a secret from the past that will make her question what really happened the day Anna died.

Detective Kim Pierce's investigative skills were top notch. I wouldn't mind if this was turned into the beginning of a series staring her and her partner, Carl.

Ryan's sister, Carrie, was killed back in the 90's and her body was never found. He's determined to get the bottom of things, so he and his parents can finally lay her to rest.

There's a lot going on with this one. Twisty and turny with multiple timelines and a popular crime podcast thrown in to bring this one to the heart pounding conclusion.

I quite enjoyed my first experience with this author and I'll for sure read him again and again.

This was the first book i've read by this author and it was solid! lots of twists and turns and for me, never lulled. Would def recommend if you're looking for a thriller

A teen falls off a cliff, supposedly taking a selfie and getting too close to the edge. The last person who sees her alive is a nine year old girl named Katie. The investigators aren’t sure this was an accident, but is someone that young capable of such harm? Katie’s own mom has her reasons to worry too, and she’s desperate to keep things in the past where she thinks they belong. I found this to be an intriguing mystery, and I liked the questions of nature vs. nurture. I did find it to be a bit more slow moving than I’d typically like for this genre though.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

What a fun quick thriller! Anna, teenage babysitter of Katie, falls off a cliff while trying to take the perfect selfie. Katie is the only witness and the last one to see her alive. Katies mom is concerned though, this isnt the first death that Katie is linked to. Is it an accident or is it a trend linked to her own past?

This one came out of nowhere and I liked wayyyyy more than I was expecting to. The characters were solidly written and the plot moved at a great pace. Just enough details to keep an amateur sleuth guessing!

Are we destined to follow in the footsteps (good or even evil) of our ancestors? An interesting premise, explored by this author, as we meet nine-year-old Kate Harmon, with her very complicated parentage, who happens to be the only witness to a horrific fatal event. An event which may have been a tragic accident, but perhaps could be something more. As we learn, little by little, Katie’s genealogical history, we find ourselves compelled to consider her duplicity. As is the case as the characters Katie is surrounded with in this book discover. And none more hauntingly than Katie’s own tormented mother.

Written as a combination police procedural, from the POV of newly promoted Detective Kim Pierce, who is leading this, her first major case, and a domestic thriller following the families of perpetrators and victims of a historical serial killing spree with what may or may not be a connection to the current day accident or crime.

A twisty read which will keep you guessing, and a slow burn, this reader found the plot well thought-out and the premise appealing, although the pacing and the characterization of this story did not stand out.

A great big thank you to the publisher for an ARC of the book. All thoughts presented are my own.

*** three and a half stars

As an ER nurse, I've seen mothers who are afraid of their children. This book really resonated with me for that fact alone. I could envision what Sara might be feeling and how frightening it must be. Caught between protecting your child and protecting everyone else, the decisions Sara makes will have an impact on everyone around her. I would never wish this on anyone!

I am so thankful to Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA, Rick Mofina, and NetGalley for getting advanced digital and physical copies of his book before publication day. What a seriously twisted and demented tale needing to be told. I am literally living for this book.

This was the first book I have read by this author, and it won't be the last! Quite a few twists and turns here, and a fair few red herrings. I never expected the ending, either. All the characters were well-written, the dialogue made sense, and the book kept me interested from beginning to end, and none of my theories were true! This was a great multi-point of view story, helped along by flashbacks and a true crime podcast, as well as an amateur investigator, who happens to be the brother of a victim covered in the podcast. I look forward to reading more books by this author, if they're all as good as this one!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read and review this ebook. All opinions are expressed freely and are my own.

This is my first Rick Mofina book and I am so glad that I chose to read it. Everything She Feared follows the suspected accidental death of Anna. However, it is so much more than a suspicious accidental death as it is also following the story of the couple serial killers the Vrykers, specifically that of Magda and her daughter.


When I first started to read the story, I found it to be a bit disjointed because it kept going back and forth between the death of Anna, case files on murders committed by the Vrykers and the search for Magda and her daughter. It takes a while to draw any connections between these three stories.

With that being said, I enjoyed this book. Once I was able to figure out how all aspects of the story were connected, then it was much easier to follow and to be drawn into the story. Before that happened, I found myself skipping over bits and pieces where I didn't understand how it fit into the story.

Rick Mofina creates a storyline that creates intrigue in the reader. It makes it so you do not want to put the book down because you want to know what happens next.


Rating 4 out of 5. I would pick up another Rick Mofina book if it was as good as this one. I am giving it a 4 out of 5 though because of the disjointed beginning.

Everything She Feared by Rick Mofina
A story that keeps you guessing was Katie guilty or not of pushing her friend/babysitter over the edge. Great story lots of characters and different points of view but still a fast read. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this and leave my opinion.

A teenager’s supposedly accidental death by falling off a cliff becomes immensely more complicated when the detectives investigating her case are convinced that it was no accident. Could the young girl who was the only witness actually be responsible? A very tangled web of evil and deception is exposed as this very twisted story unfolds. Mofina does an excellent job of weaving an intricate backstory and creating suspense.

FIRST LINE: "Seventeen-year-old Anna Shaw didn't want to die."

THE STORY: A strong and ambiguous opening draws the reader into "Everything She Feared" and the pages keep turning. A teen falls taking a selfie at the edge of a cliff. The last thing she sees is nine year old Katie Harmon looking down at her.

Using a variety of points of view, the story is a puzzle with bits and pieces carefully shared throughout. The worry is, "Was Katie involved?" This all turns out to be much more complicated and there are many characters to follow from detectives, therapists, true-crime podcasters, and a journalist researching the death of his sister.

WHAT I THOUGHT: This was my first (and probably last) Rick Mofina. His writing style is repetitive which works for most readers, but some will find overdone. He did his research on police procedures in Washington State and beyond. My other comment is the ending seems to happen quickly although I was finally able to stop holding my breath. He does know how to touch his readers and I would give this book a 3.5

BOTTOM LINE: RECOMMENDED for mystery/thriller readers. If you find you enjoy Mofina, he has written many books in several series and has a devoted following.

DISCLAIMER: A copy of was provided to me by Harlequin Trade Publishing/Mira /NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My mind is blown away at the talent of this author whom I had never read before now! (How did I miss this one?!?) The plot is so intricately woven, the suspense so intense and the message so powerful that I literally had difficulty putting this book down. Sara Harmon has a secret past, one that terrifies her and keeps her awake at night. Her one goal in life is to protect her young daughter Katie from the truth about the past and how it could affect her future. Unfortunately, when Katie’s babysitter Anna dies in a freak fall at a local park, the protection starts to unravel as does Sara and her hiding from the truth. There are so many facets to this multi-layered story, but I think my favorite was the one about Ryan Gardner, an investigative reported determined to find out what happened to his older sister Carrie. His queries take him into a dark world of serial killers, secrets, lies and manipulation and is totally intriguing. I enjoyed meeting the characters and felt as though I were reading a true crime novel, so detailed were the descriptions of the police procedures and the settings. This book is part thriller, part suspense, part police procedural and all entertainment rolled up into one propulsive story that has depth and head-spinning twists. I cannot recommend this book highly enough and plan to look for other books by this author since I know that I can count on him for crackling tension and a brilliantly woven plot.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This was my first time reading a book by this author and it was really a good one! This was an interesting multi-layered mystery with a creepy kid! There are quite a few people to keep up with who they are but I managed that ok - re-read a chapter or two. I look forward to reading more books from this author!