Nothing spreads faster than small-town gossip—except maybe a scarecrow-obsessed lunatic.
I just finished listening to Behind You by Rylie Dark, which I snagged on Chirp for a song. I’ve paid more for a mediocre cup of gas-station coffee. Lucky for me, this turned out to be the first book in a series and a really solid introduction to a new-to-me author.
Hailey Rock, our lead detective, is exactly the kind of strong female character I gravitate toward. She’s tough, smart, and capable, but she’s also believably human. She whines occasionally. She butts heads with her family. She doesn't float through life being perfect, which makes her infinitely more interesting. And yes, she can absolutely kick butt with the best of them.
Her older sister Alice is another powerhouse, with just enough snark to keep things fun. Honestly, I think older sisters are required by law to be at least 40% snark. (You can ask my little sister to confirm, but spoiler: I’m right. Always.)
The small-town setting is another layer of fun here. Everybody knows everybody and everybody’s business, and word travels faster than an out-of-control roller coaster. It’s equal parts endearing and annoying. exactly how small towns actually are. Dark captures that chaotic charm perfectly.
The case itself involves a lunatic with a scarecrow obsession who thinks people need to be “purified” into literal scarecrows. This man does not need a psychiatrist... He needs an entire TEAM working in rotating shifts. It’s creepy, weird, unhinged, and exactly the kind of villain I love in a thriller.
This thriller is fast-paced, twisted, set in a small town buzzing with gossip, and anchored by two strong female leads with real personalities. It was a great listen and a fantastic surprise find. I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
