This is the best thriller I have read in a while.

Willa is a child psychologist. She grew up in a chaotic home. He own mother struggled with mental illness and addiction. When Willa’s aunt dies she has to head back to the small Louisiana town she grew up in to go through her aunts house and retrieve her mother’s belongings. There is a lot going on in town as dead bodies are being pulled out of the bayou. Is there a serial killer at large?

I thought this book was smart and very well written. Willa is a strong and capable female lead. The book kept me turning the pages and got intense at the end. I’m impressed with this debut and can’t wait to read her next one!

Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book!

This story was an unexpected surprise…really enjoyed the mystery of a serial killer, and the relationship to the past …it was suspenseful, and moving.

Well written but I just couldn't connect with the characters, or the scene in this one . I'm sure some people will love it but just not for me:(

I don't have words! It did not disappoint For this to be a debut novel is surprising to me. This was the perfect Halloween, thriller, suspense read. The plot was on point and character development was great. The setting of the story created the perfect spooky; dark back drop to the story.

Dr. Willa Watters is a child psychiatrist that has made her way from living in Broken Bayou, Louisiana, to a Fort Worth podcast creator and novelist. She is contacted by a lawyer, that was hired to take care of her great aunts estate, that she needs to pick up boxes of her mother's belongings before the local historical preservation society takes over the house. What she finds unlocks pandora's box. What was supposed to be a quick trip quickly ends up being a week long excursion. The town is quite a stir already by the time she arrives to Broken Bayou with news of a young teacher that has gone missing and a barrel found in the local bayou with human remains found in it. Willa goes back to retrieve what was left behind and finds some family secrets.

This is a page turner that is hard to put down. The reader uncovers a plot twist that was unexpected and the end reveals the killer. But......is it who you think it will be. I truly didn't see this one coming. I thought at one point I did and doubted it. I hope Mrs. Moorhead continues to write more mystery novels I would love to read more of her books.

(Originally I was going to take away a star because I have grown up near Champaign, Illinois, (home to the Fighting Illini) and couldn't help but laugh at the comment of beating Illinois. I'll let it slide. LOL)

Thank you to the author, Jennifer Moorhead, and Thomas & Mercer publishing for the advanced copy for review.

Highly enjoyed this debut thriller!

I liked the twists and turns, liked that it involved a child psychologist, and I liked the pacing.

This is up there with some of my favorite thrillers which is not an easy feat :)

I also think this would be a good like "starter" thriller for someone entering more into this genre

For this to be a debut thriller, I’m very impressed !

Dr. Watters is a school psychologist specializing in children on the spectrum. She just published a book, but had a disastrous interview that is threatening to ruin all she had worked for.

She escaped to her where she spent so much time as a child, to the Broken Bayou. Her trip bring home drudges up secrets of her mother’s past. These secrets come when human remains are found due to the drought, in addition to Dr. Watters mother’s car.

Willa can’t help but feeling tied to the murder as her past creeps up. Not to mention the distraction from an old romance with the sheriff (of course).

Overall- I really enjoyed and would read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this captivating debut novel, Dr. Willa Watters makes her way back to the enigmatic town of Broken Bayou, LA. As a dedicated psychologist specializing in children with special needs, Willa's journey is both professional and deeply personal. Following the passing of her beloved aunt, she returns to her childhood home to collect cherished belongings. The narrative intricately weaves in the poignant struggles of her mother, who battles bipolar disorder and alcoholism, adding layers of depth to Willa's story.

Upon her arrival, the serene facade of Broken Bayou is shattered by a chilling discovery: skeletal remains of women are found hidden in barrels scattered around town. This unsettling revelation sets the stage for a gripping mystery that intends to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Amidst the turmoil, Willa rekindles a connection with her high school sweetheart, Travis, who has since become a town police officer. Their reunion adds a touch of romance and nostalgia, enriching the story with heartfelt moments.

While the blurb hinted at a whirlwind of action, the story itself held back much of its intensity until the very end. The pacing was swift, but the frequent shifts between present and past through Willa's reflections made it somewhat confusing. The sections detailing past abductions required a bit of re-reading due to their abrupt transitions. Overall, while the story had its moments, the execution could have been smoother.

At first, Willa's character seemed rather unlikable, particularly with her constant diagnosing of everyone in the small town. Despite some characters making silly decisions, I found myself genuinely liking many of them. Although I figured out the villain halfway through, which left me feeling somewhat indifferent, the story remained enjoyable.

Overall, I see great potential in the author's talent and would be interested in exploring her future works.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for the arc! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What an incredible debut novel! I was blown away when I found out this was the authors first book, because it read like she has been writing for years. I absolutely devoured this book. I loved our main character Willa, and was rooting for her the entire book. I was very invested in the mystery, and kept turning pages because I needed to know who did it. I also loved the discussions of trauma sprinkled throughout this book, and how the author showed us that childhood trauma is not just something you get over, it’s something that affects our lives forever, in ways we can never expect. I really enjoyed this one, and will be on the lookout for whatever this author does next.

“A story with a twist is the best kind”

"Broken Bayou" by Jennifer Moorhead is a fantastic read that pulls you right into the heart of Louisiana. It follows a child psychologist with her own issues, returning to the little town she left behind - only to face a serial killer and family secrets she thought were long buried.

Moorhead’s writing is so vivid — you can practically feel the mix of beauty and eeriness in the bayou. The characters are relatable and well-developed, making you genuinely care about their journeys. The dialogue flows naturally and really captures the local vibe.

I loved how the story dives into personal themes, with twists that keep you guessing and make you question everything multiple times.. It’s a great pick for anyone who enjoys emotional and atmospheric thrillers, with twists you don’t always see coming — what a debut!

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!

Broken Bayou was a fast paced thriller. I really enjoyed the setting of Louisiana. It added a hint of mysteriousness and drama to the story. The story had two different timelines, the present and the past. The author tied in both stories masterfully. The characters were well done and quirky. I would love to see this become a series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Broken Bayou is a great mystery suspense thriller debut book. It starts a little slow but it picks up and keeps you guessing up until the end. Dr. Willa Watters is a child Psychologist who goes back to her home town in Louisiana when her Great Aunts pass away. Her Mom, Sister Emily, and her used to spend their Summers in Louisiana. She had a troubled childhood growing up and she has tried to put her past behind. However, going back to Louisiana brings back those memories of her past, her childhood friend Travis and his family, hidden secrets, etc. There is also a Serial Killer in town while she is there getting her Mom’s things. Travis is a Cop now and she reconnects with him while she is there. He and Dr. Willa had similar family lives in that they both came from broken homes, they have remained good friends, and they trust each other. However, sometimes those people we think we know and can trust in our lives are not who we thought they were after all. Dr. Willa definitely realizes that in this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me a complimentary ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

If the rest of this new author's books are anywhere near as good as her debut of Broken Bayou, then I'm sure I'll be reading them! Interesting and captivating from the very start. I loved seeing life through the eyes of the main character, Willa, as well as seeing other characters POV's. I also liked the flipping back in time, which helped to unravel the events occurring! Never a boring minute from beginning to end!

Wow! For a debut novel this was awesome! Dr. Wiilla Watters is a child psychologist specializing in young kids on the spectrum. She also hosts a podcast, Honest Healing that's popular--even more so when she accidentally humiliates herself and has her running back to her hometown. Her mother is in a rehab facility and family friend, Travis--now a police officer--comes to visit and they begin dating. But odd things have been happening there with several young woman discovered in the bayou--all dead in barrels with no clue how or why they met this gruesome end. Vacillating in time between 2002 and the present, the novel details the behavior of the killer as well as the unsuspecting victims and the "gifts" someone keeps leaving for Willa. It's a crazy, wild ride that kept me guessing until the last page!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

What a ride this book takes you on! It sticks you waist deep into the Bayou. The atmosphere in the book was superb! I am always a huge fan of multiple points of view in a story and I especially like the one's when the killer has their own POV as well. It was thrilling and emotional and sometimes gave creepy vibes. I would recommend this and Jennifer Moorhead will be an author I keep an eye out for her next books. It was a great debut thriller. I was finished in 2 days and at times was creeped out and worried about what was going to happen next! The suspect I never once guessed and I was kept guessing throughout the story. I do have an unanswered question at the very end that I would love to have explained.

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Love this thriller! I saw this on other sites and was so excited to read it. This thriller will have you guessing until the end.

I love suspenseful books that take place in small Louisiana towns on a mysterious bayou, and this book ticks all the boxes! It's written well, with a haunting sense of place, and I'm surprised it's the debut from this author. She paced the story well and managed a twisty ending. I look forward to future books. Thanks, NetGalley!

A compelling and atmospheric debut full of well crafted suspense, unexpected plot twists and deep, dark secrets. The pacing was great and so was the writing. If you're a fan of serial killer thrillers you're going to want to add this one to your list!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for access to the e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jennifer Moorhead’s Broken Bayou is a compelling contemporary fiction novel that deftly weaves together elements of mystery and drama. The story is set in a small, tight-knit community and explores themes of family, secrets, and personal redemption. The characters are well-developed and multifaceted, with their personal journeys and relationships adding depth to the story.

The protagonist's struggles and growth are portrayed with sensitivity and insight, making them relatable and engaging. Moorhead’s skilful character development helps drive the plot forward and keeps the reader invested in the outcome. The mystery aspect of the novel is well-executed, with enough twists and turns to maintain suspense without feeling overly contrived. While some elements of the plot may be predictable to seasoned mystery readers, the story remains engrossing and well-crafted.

There are moments where the pacing slows due to extensive descriptive passages, but these serve to enrich the setting and character development. The resolution of the central conflict is satisfying, providing closure while allowing for some lingering questions and reflections.

Broken Bayou is a richly atmospheric novel that combines mystery with deep emotional resonance. It’s a thought-provoking read for fans of contemporary fiction and mystery who appreciate well-drawn characters and a captivating setting.

I picked this up for the Goodreads challenge to be the debut author, second half of the year. I like it, really good development of the scenes in Louisiana and the bayou areas, you could almost smell the air. I think there could have been a little bit more done with the explanation of what happened to Willa at the beginning of the book but overall the story tracked and the suspense built day over day. Great first book!

It's not often that a mystery totally dupes me but Broken Bayou succeeded and I enjoyed it all the more for it!

This was a great mystery involving Willa, a child psychologist, who returns to the small town where she spent her childhood summers. Returning sparks up old memories - good, but mostly bad - and when barrels start emerging from the bayou with human remains, secrets from her childhood come crashing back. Thrills, chills, and mystery abound in this page turner and I didn't want to put it down.

I liked all the different storylines, unique characters, and the setting. Broken Bayou was almost a character in and of itself and I could picture the town collapsing in on itself between the drought and the devastation of the barrels.

I'm impressed that this is a debut. It was well written, well paced, and had a complex but tidy plot. I highly recommend!

Thank you to Amazon First Reads and Thomas & Mercer for the copy.