Grabtown
a psychological thriller
Small towns are great for scolding the kids who throw too many snowballs, but not always good at spotting real evil.
Twin sisters Cassandra and Anastasia have discovered their mother's legacy: a 40-year-old cold case murder.
When Cassie and Ana return to their childhood home in rural Connecticut, among their deceased mother's belongings they stumble across an unpublished manuscript: a murder mystery, written by their mom's girlfriend AJ -and featuring their mother as a key character.
Cassie, a writer, wants to turn the old story into a bestseller. Ana, fearful of what they will learn, wants to destroy it.
As the sisters delve into AJ's story, they uncover a disturbing trail leading to an abandoned village the locals call Grabtown.
When Cassie's volatile husband, Marsh, demands they stop digging, and a retired detective arrives asking dangerous questions, the twins realize someone believes AJ's story isn't fiction-it's a confession.
What's really behind Marsh's highly successful rare-motorcar enterprise? Why does the past refuse to stay buried? And why is a major crimes detective now urging them to flee?
Set in rural New England, Grabtown is a powerful twofold story that exposes the dark underbelly of small-town secrets, where courage and unshakable loyalty become the only weapons against those who prey on the vulnerable.
If you enjoy suspense, high-stakes tales of sisterhood, and satisfying stories of justice and redemption, you'll love Grabtown. Chosen as a semi-finalist for the 2025 CIBA Clue Award.
"Beautiful, bold, and utterly unforgettable." -- Seattle Book Reviews
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3 ratings
Cassandra J.
Samara H.
This one started off a little slow for me, but once it found its stride I was completely hooked. The unfolding mystery around the twins, their mother’s past, and the chilling manuscript had me turning pages faster than I expected. It’s one of those stories that quietly builds tension until suddenly you realise you’re fully invested.
The atmosphere was brilliantly done — eerie, unsettling, and layered with secrets that just keep deepening. The abandoned village, the old manuscript, the family dynamics… everything blended into a gripping, twist-filled plot that kept me guessing right to the end.
By the final chapters I was completely absorbed. What began as a slow burn turned into a clever, addictive mystery with characters you can’t help but root for. A fantastic psychological thriller that delivers in all the right ways. Five stars!
Jolene C.
From the start, I was completely hooked. Every time I thought I’d take a break, the story pulled me right back in. The layers, the secrets, and the slow unraveling of the truth kept the tension tight all the way through.
What really stood out to me were the characters. They felt real, messy, and complicated in the best way. I was so invested in their choices and what would happen next that I had to keep reading until I got answers.
The premise alone is gripping. Twin sisters return home and uncover a manuscript that blurs the line between fiction and reality, pulling them into a decades-old mystery tied to their own family. From there, the story builds into something darker and more unsettling, with twists that keep you guessing and questioning everything.
If you enjoy mysteries packed with family secrets, eerie small-town vibes, and a plot that keeps tightening its grip, Grabtown is definitely worth picking up.