Those Empty Eyes: A Chilling Novel of Suspense with a Shocking Twist

"Draws readers in from the first heart-stopping pages and doesn't let go until the end." —Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of Local Woman Missing

The bestselling author of Twenty Years Later and master of modern suspense is back with a brilliantly twisting, skillfully plotted thriller perfect for fans of Jeneva Rose and Colleen Hoover’s Verity.


Alex Armstrong has changed everything about herself—her name, her appearance, her backstory. She’s no longer the terrified teenager a rapt audience saw on television, emerging in handcuffs from the quiet suburban home the night her family was massacred. That girl, Alexandra Quinlan, nicknamed Empty Eyes by the media, was accused of the killings, fought to clear her name, and later took the stand during her highly publicized defamation lawsuit that captured the attention of the nation.

It’s been ten years since, and Alex hasn’t stopped searching for answers about the night her family was killed, even as she continues to hide her real identity from true crime fanatics and grasping reporters still desperate to locate her. As a legal investigator, she works tirelessly to secure justice for others, too. People like Matthew Claymore, who’s under suspicion in the disappearance of his girlfriend, a student journalist named Laura McAllister.

Laura was about to break a major story about rape and cover-ups on her college campus. Alex believes Matthew is innocent, and unearths stunning revelations about the university’s faculty, fraternity members, and powerful parents willing to do anything to protect their children.

Most shocking of all—as Alex digs into Laura’s disappearance, she realizes there are unexpected connections to the murder of her own family. For as different as the crimes may seem, they each hinge on one sinister truth: no one is quite who they seem to be . . .

“Engrossing
not to be missed.” —Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW

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Published Mar 28, 2023

64 pages

Average rating: 7.27

349 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Cartagena
Jun 02, 2026
10/10 stars
Excellent novel! Couldn’t put the book down! The story follows Alex Armstrong, a young woman who survived a horrific crime as a teenager. Her entire family was murdered, and she was found at the scene—leading many to believe she was responsible. Although she was never convicted, suspicion has followed her ever since.
ChocolateChip87
Nov 13, 2025
6/10 stars
It was a tight plot, interesting read.
Lmad5989
Nov 12, 2025
10/10 stars
Absolutely loved this book! The writing style (almost like journal entries) kept me reading and interested in the story. There were a lot of characters introduced but I stuck with it and it came together beautifully. Very entertaining and literally the last few sentences have your jaw dropping.
Mlkarlson
Aug 19, 2025
9/10 stars
Lydia’s pick
Krystalf71107
Feb 03, 2025
9/10 stars
Really great read and awesome twists

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