Emerald O'Brien

She’s desperate to leave the past behind her. But fear has a way of following.Lynda McGowan knows all about stalkers. Her father, a jaded musician with local acclaim, was brutally killed by his. When a friend begs her to play a few shows with his band after their lead singer’s sudden departure, she can’t resist the opportunity to live out the dream she left behind after her father died. But it isn’t long before a series of mysterious and disturbing events occur, and she senses she’s being watched—just like her father was. Still, Lynda forces herself to refute the connection. After all, his killer is dead. Is she paranoid? Or is she being followed as part of a dangerous game? And how far must things go before someone believes her? Follow Her Home is an edge-of-your-seat psychological suspense novel. If you like atmospheric stories, determined characters, and spine-tingling twists, then you’ll love Emerald O’Brien’s new page-turner. Includes a downloadable original song by singer-songwriter Adrienne Ashley that features in the story.

Follow Her Home

Knock Three Times

The Assistant's Secret

An accident or a homicide? Detective Grace Sheppard arrives at the scene of a car wreck in Tall Pines that appears to be an accident, but could it have been more than that? After looking into the victim of the crash, Grace discovers another mysterious death linked to the young man. Under pressure to solve the case from the police chief, Grace sets out to find the truth with help from Officer Adam MacIntyre and Medical Examiner, Raven Lockwood. But Grace soon learns that Raven is dealing with her own mystery. A secret admirer or a stalker? P.I. Madigan Knox is on a mission to find someone. Her biological mother. As leads on her mother's whereabouts run dry, Grace asks Madigan to investigate a mysterious gift Raven received after a date gone wrong. Madigan is determined to find the person responsible, but when another gift is delivered, she questions her abilities and fears for Raven's safety. Grace and Madigan delve deeper into their respective cases, and as questions lead to more discoveries, one thing is clear: someone is watching, protecting their secrets at all costs.

The One Who Watches

The killer is cunning and ruthless, but even the best killers make mistakes. Emerald O'Brien, author of unpredictable mysteries packed with suspense, brings you the first thrilling novel in the Avery Hart trilogy that keeps readers guessing until the final installment. Avery Hart narrowly escapes death after being attacked in the woods of Crown River. Ten years later... The body of a young woman is discovered along the path of a park in the same town. The next woman to be attacked survives and reveals a potential link between the current killer on the loose and the attack on Avery years ago. Noah Cotter, an ambitious new inspector, becomes drawn to the case when his curiosity combines with his attraction to Avery. The dangerous search for truth appears to be muddied with each shocking secret brought to light as they realize that when someone is deceived for too long, sometimes...

Lies Come True

For fans of Halloween and Scream, Bleed is the first gripping novel in The Skull Serial Killer Thriller series. If you enjoy the slasher genre and psychological thrillers, you’ll love this chilling and unpredictable story from bestselling author Emerald O’Brien. A Halloween to remember… if she makes it out alive. In the quiet town of Auburn Hills, a man in a skull mask forces a father to watch as his daughter is murdered, only to be granted the twisted reprieve of his own death when a witness calls for help. The sadistic killer escapes, and the grief-stricken father gives his statement before admitting himself to a mental health hospital. One month later, Fox Dallener is eager to celebrate her Halloween traditions with her cousin. But after a disturbing experience at work, she can’t shake the eerie feeling of being watched. On edge, she hopes for safety in numbers as she and her cousin attend a Halloween party with their group of misfit friends. However, all bets are off when the inconsolable father is spotted leaving the hospital and the witness is reported missing. As the night progresses, unsettling events push Fox’s paranoia to the limits. Though her panic could be the result of simple, harmless pranks, she can’t help but feel like a target. Desperate for answers and safety, Fox fears the worst. Has her past finally caught up to her? The killer isn’t the only one with a mask. Fox wears one of her own. Written by a student of the slasher genre, lover of horror, and bestselling author of over twenty psychological thriller novels, Emerald O’Brien’s twisted new series in the vein of Riley Sager and Taylor Adams is sure to bring readers heart-pounding suspense. “An eerily suspenseful, sinister, completely cinematic story with characters you’ll love… Bleed is Emerald O'Brien at her best. I was riveted to the page from the chilling opening scene until the final heart-stopping moment. It's a true work of art… my favorite book by O'Brien and my favorite read of 2023!” -Kiersten Modglin, bestselling author of The Arrangement.

Bleed

Five can keep a secret if four are dead. On a cold fall night in a small Canadian town, four of Chelsea’s friends are found dead, victims of a brutal stabbing—a selfish act of revenge. The only witness, Chelsea spends the next five years struggling to bury her trauma. The victims’ families call her a hero. Her fiancé calls her the love of his life. Her best friend tells her there's nothing more she could have done for her friends. She’s almost convinced herself that it’s true when she attends an anniversary memorial held at the scene of the crime. But Chelsea’s ability to ignore the past comes to an end that very night when she receives an intimidating message. Tell the police the truth about what you all did that night or I will. You have 48 hours to confess. Is it an empty threat from someone digging for facts they don’t actually possess? Or does someone else know Chelsea shared a secret with her friends? Either way, Chelsea knows the stakes are too high to ignore when the blackmailer resorts to violence—those closest to her might be the next victims if she doesn’t do as they ask. The truth can ruin her life. But the lies have her just as trapped, a pawn in a deadly game even she doesn’t fully understand. She has no choice but to confess. But Chelsea’s about to discover that some things are best taken to the grave.

I Heard You Scream

From the author of The Girls Across the Bay, comes the highly anticipated second novel in the thrilling, five-book Knox and Sheppard mystery series. They vowed to love each other forever… When a dead body is discovered outside the Tall Pines reception hall, Detective Grace Sheppard is called to the scene. Searching for the truth among deceitful suspects and within herself, Grace struggles when her professional relationship becomes muddled with attraction. They swore nothing would come between them… As Grace races to find a killer, a personal vendetta is formed when her sister, Madigan Knox, becomes obsessed with a traumatic event from her past. Madigan’s hunt leads her closer to the truth than she has ever been and further away from the person who loves her the most. But promises are broken, and the secrets they keep threaten their lives. Both sisters are willing to find their culprits at any cost, but will the price of secrets and revenge be their demise?

The Secrets They Keep

A debt owed. A woman missing. During their traumatic childhood, Madigan Knox and Detective Grace Sheppard were rescued from their abusive foster home by Officer Tina Morelli. When Morelli goes missing, Madigan and Grace connect with her daughter, eager to help in any way possible. As the suspect list grows, the detective on the case warns them to stay out of the investigation, but Morelli's daughter is convinced she knows who left the bruise she found on her mother's arm the day she disappeared. Madigan and Grace can't help but follow the leads. When the motive of one nefarious suspect implies a fate worse than death for Morelli, Madigan's investigative skills are put to the test, and on their first case together, Grace must decide what is more important—her job or finding Morelli—before it's too late and she loses both. Book 3 of the beloved five-book Knox and Sheppard Mysteries series is perfect for fans of Tess Gerritsen, Lisa Regan, Meghan O'Flynn, Sara Blaedel, and Blake Pierce.

The Lies You Told

Who can you believe when you can’t trust your own eyes? Hayden is excited to begin a new life with her husband, Sid, after he accepts a job offer back in his hometown. She doesn’t love the idea of being so far from her family, but she understands why he’s pushing for the move—after a car wreck and addiction issues, it makes sense that he’d want a fresh start. Sid has even agreed to throw a party to celebrate the transition. But when Hayden steals away to their cottage for some time alone, she makes a shocking discovery. Terrified, she races home, but by the next morning, she’s more confused than anything. What did she really witness? Is her mind playing tricks on her? If she’s right, what she saw might upend both her marriage and her very freedom. But Hayden can’t risk making accusations, not without proof. After all, it’s not the first time she’s seen something that wasn’t there.

We Don't Leave

Samantha Tillman had one rule after leaving Crimson Falls: Don't look back.Not at the one thing she loved most. Not even after the murder of her father.When her mother calls, one cold October night, begging for help, Samantha breaks her rule and returns to the town where her self-destructive coping habits were created in the hopes that she can save her.But when she arrives at her childhood home, she is confronted with the past and people she desperately tried to forget, and the realization that a part of her never really left the town behind. As Founders Day approaches, disturbing events occur, and Samantha is reminded of the insidious nature of the people who reside within. Truth has consequences, and as she wrestles to find a way out of the madness, trying to escape again could cost her life. A standalone installment of the thrilling Crimson Falls novella series Do you dare to read all eight?-Original Sin by Greta Cribbs -The Last Dupont by Rachel Renee -All the Dark Corners by Emerald O'Brien -Flawed Plan by Amabel Daniels -Returned Home by Julie Strier -Sight in the Dark by AM Ialacci -The Stranger in the Woods by Kiersten Modglin -Little Girl Lost by Laurèn Lee

All the Dark Corners

Filled with emotion and packed with tension, The Girls Across the Bay is the first book in The Knox and Sheppard Mysteries. Lovers of Tess Gerritsen, Lisa Regan, Kendra Elliot, Allison Brennan, Melinda Leigh, and Meghan O'Flynn are sure to enjoy this gripping, heart-wrenching, and totally unpredictable series by bestselling author, Emerald O'Brien. A bond stronger than blood. Madigan Knox and Grace Sheppard became sisters the day they entered their foster home. After living through a childhood nightmare, one brave act set them free, but split them apart into different homes. As adults, they are reunited in the small coastal town they dreamed of living in as children, but the reality of life in Tall Pines is far from what they had imagined. A connection that could end it all. When a woman is found dead in her home, Madigan reports on the crime while Grace investigates. A dark connection to the victim is discovered, pulling them both closer to the crime and the traumatic past they are desperate to move on from. With old wounds ripped open and dark secrets threatening their bond, the sisters must rely on each other more than ever before to survive. "Dramatic and tense... For fans of Rizzoli and Isles and Dean Koontz's Jane Hawk." -Meghan O'Flynn, bestselling author of the Mind Games series "... a clever and thrilling mystery with plenty of intrigue, suspense, and dramatic moments." -Goodreads Review "I was hooked from the very beginning and I didn’t want to put it down until I had read the last page." -Goodreads Review "Love this series... couldn't put them down!" -Kristy Cantrell

The Girls Across the Bay: Book #1 in an unpredictable small-town murder mystery series

From the bestselling author of We Don’t Leave, comes a fast-paced, chilling psychological thriller in the vein of Jennifer Hillier, Riley Sager, and Kiersten Modglin. Remey Owens is desperate to move on with her life after the brutal murder of her next-door neighbour, Marlena. When the opportunity to housesit for her best friend’s parents arises, it feels almost too good to be true. While staying in the beautiful Craftsman-style home, she hopes she won’t hear the banging through the walls or Marlena crying, even if it is now only in her mind. But things don’t go as planned. While she finds some solace knowing that Marlena’s killer is dead, the calls from Remey’s obsessive ex and the strange noises in the house make it hard to relax. And there’s a prickling down her spine when she returns late one evening—something’s amiss. Soon, it becomes apparent that she’s not as alone as she believed. The quiet isolation of the home that had once seemed peaceful, now feels far more threatening. Here, there are no neighbours close enough to save her. To survive the night, Remey must let go of everything she thought she knew about Marlena’s death. Because the terrifying truth is more disturbing than she could have imagined, and it’s coming for her too.

Over half a million copies of The Knox and Sheppard Mysteries series by Emerald O'Brien downloaded to date! Join Detective Grace Sheppard and reporter, Madigan Knox, in all five novels of this unpredictable series readers are calling "...a beautiful, harrowing tale." "...with more twists than a red vine!" The complete set with over 2500 pages includes: Book 1 The Girls Across the Bay When a woman is killed in their small town, reporter Madigan covers the crime while her detective sister, Grace, investigates. But as they discover a dark personal tie to the victim, the pair must confront secrets buried in their past… Book 2 The Secrets They Keep While detective Grace hunts down a murderer who left a dead body outside a wedding reception hall, her sister Madigan plumbs her own dark history — and grows closer to danger… As the two women delve further into their separate investigations, a shocking link becomes apparent. Book 3 The Lies You Told A debt owed. A woman missing. During their traumatic childhood, Madigan Knox and Detective Grace Sheppard were rescued from their abusive foster home by Officer Tina Morelli. When Morelli goes missing, Madigan and Grace connect with her daughter, eager to find a lead--and their hero. Book 4 The One Who Watches As detective Grace investigates two strange deaths, private eye Madigan discovers a stalker is targeting the local medical examiner. Could the cases be connected? Book 5 The Sisters of Tall Pines Two sisters with a troubled past. A murderer with a kill list. How long until he gets to them? When the sisters discover their foster father was murdered in prison, their goals shift to staying alive. It seems that anyone with a connection to their past is in danger. Someone is tying up loose ends…and fast. It’s a race against time. And it will take more than the bonds they’ve forged to survive. Scroll up and purchase your box set copy of The Complete Knox and Sheppard Mysteries series today!

The Knox and Sheppard Mysteries Complete Box Set

This box set includes 3 full-length psychological thriller standalone novels by Emerald O'Brien. These stories are set in the fictional town of Auburn Hills, Ontario, and can be read in any order. Follow Her Home She’s desperate to leave the past behind her. But fear has a way of following. Lynda McGowan knows all about stalkers. Her father, a jaded musician with local acclaim, was brutally killed by his. When a friend begs her to play a few shows with his band after their lead singer’s sudden departure, she can’t resist the opportunity to live out the dream she left behind after her father died. But it isn’t long before a series of mysterious and disturbing events occur, and she senses she’s being watched—just like her father was. Still, Lynda forces herself to refute the connection. After all, his killer is dead. Is she paranoid? Or is she being followed as part of a dangerous game? And how far must things go before someone believes her? Follow Her Home is an edge-of-your-seat psychological suspense novel. If you like atmospheric stories, determined characters, and spine-tingling twists, then you’ll love Emerald O’Brien’s new page-turner. Includes a downloadable original song by singer-songwriter Adrienne Ashley that features in the story. The Waking Place Givers must set limits, for takers have none. When Lane moves in with her beloved uncle Donnie after his dementia diagnosis, she drops everything to take care of him. After her sister arrives unexpectedly, Lane is hopeful for more help. Instead, she watches as Cece leads a carefree life despite their uncle's rapid deterioration, and resentment begins to fester. As one sister grows bitter, the other harbours a dark secret. Cece's wild and spontaneous life is far from what it appears... Fearing for Donnie's safety as he begins trying to leave the house after dark, Lane forces herself into a reckless pattern of sleepless nights. But a mistake leads to a series of disturbing events and a big decision for Lane. When Uncle Donnie's menacing son gets word his father will be placed in long-term care, he returns to his childhood home with questionable motives. And after a terrible accident, Lane is forced to turn to a sister she no longer trusts to hide the evidence, crossing lines they never thought possible. This family's secrets are to die for... But will they have to kill to keep them? We Don't Leave Who can you believe when you can’t trust your own eyes? Hayden is excited to begin a new life with her husband, Sid, after he accepts a job offer back in his hometown. She doesn’t love the idea of being so far from her family, but she understands why he’s pushing for the move—after a car wreck and addiction issues, it makes sense that he’d want a fresh start. Sid has even agreed to throw a party to celebrate the transition. But when Hayden steals away to their cottage for some time alone, she makes a shocking discovery. Terrified, she races home, but by the next morning, she’s more confused than anything. What did she really witness? Is her mind playing tricks on her? If she’s right, what she saw might upend both her marriage and her very freedom. But Hayden can’t risk making accusations, not without proof. After all, it’s not the first time she’s seen something that wasn’t there.

The Auburn Hills Psychological Thriller Box Set

Avery Hart knows a serial killer is coming for her. Surrounded by death since his hunt began, the brutal murder of a loved one has pushed Avery past her breaking point. Desperate to end the suffering of those in his path and stop looking over her shoulder, Avery prepares to fight for her life. Noah Cotter knows time is running out. The killer has eluded Noah's team, and with the looming threat of being removed from the case, he is ready to do whatever it takes to keep Avery and their group safe. Together Avery and Noah find courage in each other. The stakes have never been higher as they search for a killer determined to take the lives of... Every Last Mark

Every Last Mark

From the author of Follow Her Home and What She Found comes a heart-clenching and atmospheric psychological suspense novel that will keep readers guessing until the final page. Givers must set limits, for takers have none. When Lane moves in with her beloved uncle Donnie after his dementia diagnosis, she drops everything to take care of him. After her sister arrives unexpectedly, Lane is hopeful for more help. Instead, she watches as Cece leads a carefree life despite their uncle's rapid deterioration, and resentment begins to fester. As one sister grows bitter, the other harbours a dark secret. Cece's wild and spontaneous life is far from what it appears... Fearing for Donnie's safety as he begins trying to leave the house after dark, Lane forces herself into a reckless pattern of sleepless nights. But a mistake leads to a series of disturbing events and a big decision for Lane. When Uncle Donnie's menacing son gets word his father will be placed in long-term care, he returns to his childhood home with questionable motives. And after a terrible accident, Lane is forced to turn to a sister she no longer trusts to hide the evidence, crossing lines they never thought possible. This family's secrets are to die for... But will they have to kill to keep them?

The Waking Place

Two sisters with a troubled past. A murderer with a kill list. How long until he gets to them? Grace was seven years old when her sister told her she saw a dead body in their childhood foster home. Between that and the drug trafficking her foster father was eventually arrested for, it’s no surprise that Grace wound up a detective. But Grace’s world is turned upside down when she discovers her current homicide investigation is connected to similar murders in the neighbouring city of Amherst. Is she chasing a serial killer? Going back to the city where she began her career is complicated to say the least—her old colleagues seem hellbent on jamming her up. Grace’s sister Madigan isn’t a detective in the official sense, but that doesn’t stop her from answering a call for help from John Talbot, another child who spent time in the same foster home. John believes someone is after him…and it might be related to a crime their foster father committed—one that was never pinned on him. It’s not the first time John has dragged Madigan into a dangerous situation, but her loyalty knows no bounds. When the sisters discover their foster father was murdered in prison, their goals shift to staying alive. It seems that anyone with a connection to their past is in danger. Someone is tying up loose ends…and fast. It’s a race against time. And it will take more than the bonds they’ve forged to survive. Lovers of Tess Gerritsen, Lisa Regan, Kendra Elliot, Allison Brennan, Melinda Leigh, and Meghan O'Flynn are sure to enjoy this gripping, heart-wrenching, and totally unpredictable series by Emerald O'Brien.

The Sisters of Tall Pines

It was supposed to be the perfect getaway, but a knock at the door could ruin their lives. "Mesmerizing. A captivating page-turner about fear, loss, and the ties that bind. This is O’Brien at her finest." - Meghan O'Flynn, bestselling author of The Ash Park Series After her recent separation, Tabitha Weaver is holding her life together by a thread. Luckily, her six closest friends have the perfect cure for heartbreak: a weekend in the countryside complete with relaxation, a blind date, and all the wine she can handle. But it isn’t long before their night at the secluded rental house goes sour. The drinks flow a little too freely and lingering tensions arise before they’re interrupted by frantic knocking at the door. The stranger claims to have been in an accident, and though her head is bleeding, she refuses to let them call an ambulance. With Tabitha distracted by her new beau, another friend leaving to check out the scene of the accident, and the rest of the group busy feuding, they lose track of the stranger’s whereabouts. It isn’t until she wakes up with a hangover that Tabitha finds a note on her dresser: Don’t stop until you find it. Tabitha disregards the note, and the evening, and returns home believing the weekend is behind her. But when the strange woman is reported missing, the police start circling—the group must reexamine their accounts of what happened that night. And the discrepancies in their stories cannot be overlooked. It doesn’t help that the police have discovered clues to suggest foul play. As the evidence mounts against them, loyalties are tested. Tabitha is desperate to find the truth about what happened to the woman. Which of her friends is lying? Who can she trust? A gripping psychological suspense for fans of Kiersten Modglin, Meghan O'Flynn, and Abigail Haas. If you liked Ruth Ware’s In a Dark, Dark Wood , you’ll love What She Found. “Addictive, terrifying, and absolutely twisted, O'Brien has masterfully crafted a web I couldn't figure out and won't soon forget." -Kiersten Modglin, author of The Good Neighbors

Emerald O'Brien

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