My Review:
Rick Mofina’s book “If Two are Dead”
Mentions a quote by Benjamin Franklin.
"Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead,"
And so we enter the woods with three girls, and only Carrie was able to come back. She woke up in the hospital finding her dad, Vern, looking at her worriedly.
How was Carrie able to escape the murderous events in the woods. She cannot remember. Even with the help of her doctor and therapy sessions won’t bring the events into Carrie’s mind.
Carrie and her husband Luke, and baby girl Emilia were living in California. However, Vern, the dad, had terminal illness therefore California family moved back to their hometown in Texas.
Luke had his own troubling issues, and he had some difficulties helping Carrie, who tried to cope with her trauma.
Investigation to the two girls’ murder started getting new leads. One journalist, Deese, was interviewing Carrie and started digging around to a point that she had published exclusive articles that caused Carrie even more anxiety, and deep self blaming thoughts.
Her world was in turmoil, as was Luke’s, too.
In my opinion, the role of Deese’s made me very angry and I was discussing with her how her poking around and should not be published too quickly, as most of it was speculation and made readers accuse Carrie.
This book kept me in it, I was living with them, I was telling how I could help Carrie and Luke, the way Mr. Mofina had told the fictional story caused me to feel emotions with characters. And I didn’t like Deese, sorry. Her character was so well written that she made my dislike open.
I will not touch the ending areas. I had my suspects and as always, well off the grid.
I will recommend this book with all my heart. Thank you, @Harper Collins, for giving me this opportunity to read a great book. @Rick Mofina, your next book will be in my hands, I can wait. Thank you for keeping me glued to your amazing writing of this story.

A girl goes into the woods with 2 other high school girls and she is the only one that makes it out alive. Why did she survive? Was she the one that killed them? No one truly knows because she lost all her memory of the incident due to a head injury. Years later, she returns to her hometown and starts remembering what happened.

This was a good, fast paced read. Her husband also was going through his own little mystery and everything does come together in the end. I wasn’t 100% sold on the ending as it was a little far fetched to me, but I still enjoyed the ride and all the build up.

Overall, this is a good read that creates good suspense.

Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
This was another awesome read by Mofina!
Years ago in high school three girls enter the woods but only one returns running and beat up. What happened in the woods? Carrie the girl who made it out of the woods was injured and can’t remember what happened. After years a reporter begins digging into the story of the three girls. Will she find the answers. Can she help Cassie remember?

First, thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. I'm always grateful to receive an ARC in exchange for my review.

This one left me unable to stop reading and I stayed up much too late for a Sunday before work. With a couple of mysteries all wrapped up in one novel, it's a gripping, page turning read from beginning to end. While you think you've got one figured out, the others leave you dumbfounded or flabbergasted. The end? Man, it sure was tied up nicely. Looking back, there were some subtle clues, but hidden enough that you didn't realize they were clues until the end. That's how an incredible thriller is done! 10/10 highly recommend this one. Now, excuse me while I read everything else by Rick Mofina!

If Two Are Dead by Rick Mofina is a chilling and suspenseful thriller that weaves together past and present tragedies in the small town of Clear River. The story begins with a tense and haunting scenario: Luke Conway, an off-duty cop, accidentally strikes something in a rainstorm while driving. Confused and scared, Luke finds no body and no witnesses, and instead of reporting the incident, he decides to investigate on his own. This decision sets in motion a terrifying series of events that brings him face-to-face with a dark secret tied to his wife, Carrie, and the unsolved murder of two teenage girls in the area.

The tension in If Two Are Dead builds as Luke’s search for answers leads to a shocking discovery. The book deftly explores themes of guilt, fear, and the lengths people will go to when hiding the truth. Carrie’s haunting memories of being the sole survivor of a horrific crime years ago add a layer of emotional depth to the story, making the stakes feel even higher.

Rick Mofina’s writing is tight, creating a constant sense of dread and urgency. The twists and turns in the plot keep readers on edge, and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters make them relatable, even as their actions become increasingly desperate. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with a strong, emotionally complex narrative, If Two Are Dead will leave you hooked until the very last page.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview If Two Are Dead.
This is a good plot that begins with a young married couple that are returning to their home in Texas. Carrie and Luke and their child are living in California but due to Carrie’s dad being sick they are moving back. Luke had a good job as a police officer had lost his job due to an incident that occurred.
But moving back to Texas impacts Carrie as she will have to deal with her own problems. When she was a teenager she had a terrible experience. But Carrie has no memory of what happened. She went into the woods with two young women. They were killed and she survived.
It’s been thirteen years and moving home will open up old wounds.
Lots of people think she is a murderer but Carrie has never been convicted.
The murder of the girls remain unsolved but returning home will be harder than she thought. And Carrie is the only person who can solve this crime. But she has no idea how she survived and will have to live with the consequences.
But if she didn’t kill them there is a murderer who is guilty and has gotten away with murder. Or is she a murderer.
Lots of characters and subplots. A bit wordy but overall good read 3.5 sty

This guy is a longtime must-read for me! Rick Mofina never disappoints. Are some better than others? Sure, seeing as he has written a LOT of books. I do know though, that I will always get an entertaining read, and this book is no different. Luke and Carrie move from LA back to Clear River, Texas to help Carrie's sick father. Carrie swore she would never return due to past trauma. years ago. Three girls went into the woods and only Carrie came out. She has no memory of what happened. Luke is already wanting to leave LAPD, so he is ready to go. He becomes a Deputy in Clear River. Luke is off-duty and driving one night, thinks he hits something, can't find a body so he drives on, planning to investigate on his own. As it turns out, Luke has his own demons, and everything all comes back to haunt both Carrie and Luke. This is a slower burn at first than most of Rick Mofina's books and then it's all on and hold onto your hat! Very suspenseful and a great twist from the whodunnit aspect! This is a really good standalone and I highly recommend it. I also still look forward to this author's new books!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Rick Mofina and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Facebook and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of April 29, 2025.

An edge of your seat book, kept me guessing all the way through. I’ve just started reading books from this author and I have not been disappointed. A police officer, with his own troubling career, tries to help his wife who is dealing with mysterious deaths from years before. Thank you for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and HTP Books/Mira for the advanced copy of

This was my first Rick Mofina book. This is a standalone book, a great suspense thriller that kept me at the edge of my seat.

When you read the book, make sure to read the acknowledgements, how this story inspired the author from his time as a journalist.

Thank you again for the arc!

If Two are Dead is more of a police procedural than a thriller. We are slowly given clues to two events – the murder of two young Clear River girls years earlier and the possible hit and run committed by a newly arrived Clear River Deputy. And then, it is suddenly no longer a slow burn but a fast paced, page turner you won’t be able to stop reading.

This is a fast read. I was surprised by the twist and how the stories all tied together in the end. I did not feel a connection with any of the characters, especially the husband. However, the mystery in itself, is what keeps you wanting to read more.

This was okay. I like the author which is the main reason I picked this up. I do however like his other work I have read from him better than this one.

The last 30 percent was fast paced and fun. The first 70 percent was too slow for me to give it a better rating. If the first portion of the storyline read like the last I would have been able to rate it higher.

I liked how there was so many ways this could have went when Carrie was trying to figure out who the “bad guy” was. I kept on changing my guesses throughout which I enjoyed.

I would recommend it if you are looking for a police style who done it case. But I would skip this one if you are a Rick Mofina fan as it’s not as good as his other work ( in my opinion)

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC In exchange for an honest review.

This good paced story is told with alternating timelines and multiple POVs. The characters are okay and the plot is well designed, but the thrill is missing in this thriller as it moves too slowly. I enjoyed the book but I cant say that I loved it.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley.

Molina writes another heart pounding, page turning psychological thriller that leaves the reader guessing until the very end!! Molina never disappoints and can expertly weave 2 stories into one for an unexpected ending. Thanks for the advanced read and I look forward to his next book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"If Two Are Dead" by Rick Mofina is a pulse-pounding thriller that takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of suspense and intrigue. Mofina's storytelling prowess shines through in this captivating narrative, where he expertly weaves together a tapestry of complex characters, dark secrets, and relentless danger.

The story centers around a chilling cold case that resurfaces, propelling investigative reporter Jack Gannon into a world where trust is a rare commodity and betrayal lurks around every corner. As Gannon digs deeper into the mystery, the stakes become increasingly personal, making the reader feel every twist and turn with bated breath.

Mofina's strength lies in his ability to create a palpable sense of urgency and tension. The plot is meticulously crafted, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that compels you to keep turning the pages. His characters are richly drawn and multi-dimensional, with their flaws and vulnerabilities adding depth to the narrative. Gannon, in particular, is a compelling protagonist whose determination and resilience make him someone you can root for.

The pacing of "If Two Are Dead" is relentless, ensuring that there's never a dull moment. Mofina's crisp, clear prose keeps the reader engaged, and his attention to detail brings the settings and scenarios vividly to life. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, enhancing the overall immersion into the story.

What sets this novel apart is its exploration of the human psyche and the moral ambiguities faced by those in pursuit of the truth. Mofina delves into themes of justice, redemption, and the cost of uncovering buried secrets, making this story a thought-provoking read.

"If Two Are Dead" is a masterful blend of suspense, emotion, and intrigue. Rick Mofina has once again proven his ability to captivate and thrill readers. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Mofina's work, this novel is a must-read for anyone who loves a well-crafted, gripping thriller.

If two are dead follows a young couple originally from Texas, as they move back to their hometown from California. Both have experienced trauma and are dealing with the fall out of death and despair following them.

Luke gets a job with the local sheriffs department thanks to an in from his father in law, but he is hiding a hit and run that he was involved in while off duty…his wife is trying to unlock the trauma she endured while in high school. How did she survive while someone got away with killing two of her classmates the same night?

Who could be the killer? Will they strike again now that the only survivor is back and trying to find out the truth?

This was a nice slow burn of a thriller. I really enjoyed it!

It’s time to go home…
Carrie swore she would never return to her home town. But with her father falling ill she needs to buck up and face all the accusations and rumors she so desperately wanted to leave behind. But in small towns, people tend to have great memories and just can’t wait to pick up where they left off.

Luke is Carrie’s husband. A move across country to a small town’s sheriffs’ office may be exactly what he needs. He was looking for an opportunity to leave the LAPD and this move couldn’t have come at a better time. Brace yourself Luke, you’re only in your first few days of the job and already you’re finding yourself in an open field of whoopsie-daisies.

Rick Mofina is one of my favorite authors and I enjoy both his series and stand-alones equally. This latest is no exception.

A propulsive read you’ll find hard to put down. With a satisfyingly shocking ending! Put your weekend plans on hold because once you start this read you will not be able to step away!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing

If Two are Dead by Rick Mofina is a suspense book that focuses on a few mysterious events. The novel begins with Luke and Carrie moving back to Texas to take care of Carrie's father. Luke, a new sheriff, runs into problems from the beginning. Carrie returns to the town where she experienced trauma and has to deal with the townspeople and their opinions.

The story I was most drawn to was that of Carrie and how she was the sole survivor of a serial killer when she was a teen. Carrie has no memory of the events and tries her hardest to put the pieces together when she returns home to Texas after having left for several years.

It took a while for the main stories to connect (this is the only part I was frustrated with) but when everything comes together, it made for a great ending.

The characters, the setting, and the overall story were interesting, Overall, this book was a pageturner.

I give this book 4 stars.

*** Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.

The suspense in this book was masterfully crafted, and the two spects of the story wove together beautifully. This is definitely a page-turner that I could not put down.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I always enjoy a good Rick Mofina book and this time was no different. A fast read that kept me up until I finished.