Again in the summertime of 2021 I learn this creator’s debut novel, “Please See Us“, and was very impressed along with her writing. Evidently, I used to be desirous to learn what she got here up with subsequent. “Heather” didn’t disappoint.

Written in a twin time line format, the story follows twin sisters again within the early Nineteen Nineties. The sixteen yr previous ladies stay in a home the place the mom is absent, and the daddy may as effectively be. One sister, Sabrina, rebels by dropping out of college and having a relationship with an older man. The opposite sister, Annabelle, works laborious in school and desires to flee her life by way of training. Annabelle is curious although, and he or she makes the grave error of assembly up along with her sister’s ‘older man’, and turns into pregnant by him.

The scenes portraying Isabelle’s desperation and bewilderment at how her life has been upended are written with a visceral poignancy.

In the meantime, within the current day, Callie Hauser is the brand new police chief of her residence city within the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Previously an enormous metropolis narcotics detective, Callie got here residence to assist out her greatest good friend, Jane, after she was severely injured in a hit-and-run accident. Sadly, one of many first individuals Callie arrests in her new place, is her very personal mom, Jenna – who vanishes after her launch from a DUI cost. Callie has been estranged from her mom for years because of Jenna’s substance abuse.

Jenna’s issues all started at a young age when she discovered a useless toddler within the woods. This child was mentioned to have had ties to Annabelle and Sabrina Riley, twin sisters who then subsequently disappeared. This chilly case has Callie effectively and really intrigued. However the extra she investigates the case, the extra she realizes that there could also be ties to her personal life, and her personal emotional well-being…

Then, after some time, the reader encounters a 3rd narrator, a teenage lady named Blair. A lady whose personal curiosity and nosiness will put the soundness of her household in jeopardy and have life-changing penalties.

With themes of sexual exploitation, innocence misplaced, resilience, lack of company, small city corruption, and household secrets and techniques, “Heather” will attraction to many. The one quibbles I had have been the differing voice tenses. Some characters have been written in first particular person, different characters in second particular person, and many others. Additionally, I believed the story was a tad longer than it wanted to be.

The narrators of this audiobook did a superb job of holding the characters distinct in my head. I particularly preferred Christine Lakin’s efficiency of Callie’s character.

In summation, Heather is an immersive, gradual burn of a thriller. The characters are absolutely fleshed out, the setting atmospheric, and the writing is compelling. A multi-layered story, that may probably stay in your reminiscence.

This overview was written voluntarily and my ranking was on no account influenced by the truth that I obtained a complimentary digital copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio by way of NetGalley. I listened to the novel by way of the NetGalley Shelf app. Printed by Macmillan Audio. Unabridged.

Listening time roughly 12 hours, 8 minutes.

Publication date: June 9, 2026
Writer: Macmillan Audio
ASIN: ‎B0FML63X8N

Caitlin Mullen earned a BA in English and Inventive Writing from Colgate College, an MA in English from NYU, and an MFA in fiction from Stony Brook College. She has been the recipient of fellowships and residencies from the Saltonstall Basis and the Vermont Studio Middle.

She grew up in upstate New York and the Jersey Shore and at present lives in Brooklyn.

Her debut novel was Please See Us.

Heather is her second novel.

Comply with Caitlin Mullen on Instagram and/or Goodreads OR go to her web site.

Bailey Carr – a two time Audie Award winner, a number of Earphones Awards, Odyssey Award, and Voice Arts Award-winning audiobook narrator working in NYC. She obtained a BFA in Performing from NYU’s Tisch College of the Arts and has narrated over 500 audiobooks.

Christine Lakin – an American actress and director. She is greatest recognized for her function as Alicia “Al” Lambert on the Nineteen Nineties ABC/CBS sitcom Step by Step. She additionally performed Joan of Arc on Showtime’s Reefer Insanity, , and offers the voice of Joyce Kinney in Household Man.

Mia Wurgaft – a New York Metropolis primarily based actor, voiceover artist and coach. She just lately graduated from The Juilliard College along with her MFA in appearing.