Staff Pick
Calling all mystery/thriller readers: Kara Thomas is an author you NEED to pay attention to. Every time I thought I had made it to the climax or the main reveal in Out of the Ashes, Thomas surprised me with another unexpected twist. This book is somewhat like a roller coaster, but more like one of those amusement park rides that aggressively whips you around in a figure eight and might actually be unsafe for riders. Recommended By Sarah B., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
A woman's investigation into her family's murders uncovers lies, secrets, and dangerous truths in a heart-wrenching novel of suspense.
When she was thirteen years old, Samantha Newsom's family was murdered and their Catskills farmhouse set ablaze in an unsolved crime that left nothing behind but ashes.
Twenty-two years later, Sam is pulled back to her hometown of Carney, New York, under the shadows of the grim tragedy she's never forgotten or forgiven. Authorities mishandled the evidence, false rumors were seeded about her family, suspects yielded nothing, and the case went cold. Not anymore. Investigator Travis Meacham has been assigned to the case, and he has news for Sam: a prison inmate has come forward with a shocking admission. Sam's baby sister, presumed dead in the fire, made it out of the house that night.
It's not the only reveal that upends everything Sam thinks she knows about the crime and her family. But Carney protects its secrets. And this time, Sam might not be able to escape the town alive.
Review
"A masterful, smart, slow-burning suspense. Out of the Ashes drew me in with its sinister secrets and wouldn't let me go until the very last page." — Elle Cosimano, USA Today bestselling author of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It
Review
"This story simply engulfed me. I didn't trust a single seedy character that Samantha Newsom came in contact with while on her quest to unearth, after twenty-two years, who was responsible for murdering her entire family and setting their Catskills farmhouse aflame. Out of the Ashes is gritty, raw, and chock-full of tension as suffocating as the tiny town of Carney itself." — Stacy Willingham, New York Times bestselling author of A Flicker in the Dark
Review
"This elegant suspense yarn from YA author Thomas dodges expectations at every turn...and the enthralling plot delivers a steady stream of surprises. Thomas's first foray into adult fiction is a thrilling success." — Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Kara Thomas is a part-time librarian and an unsolved-mystery enthusiast who dreams of one day solving a cold case. She lives on Long Island with her husband, son, and rescue cat. She is the author of That Weekend, The Cheerleaders, Little Monsters, and The Darkest Corners. For more information, visit www.kara-thomas.com.