It’s a crisp spring morning when the small-town community around Briar Ridge Elementary School is shattered by devastating news. Bright and shy five-year-old Nicole has disappeared at recess.  

Nicole’s mother, Gia, is lost in her grief. On the same day her baby girl vanished, Gia found out she was pregnant with the sister Nicole had begged for. Gia is also devastated that her best friend, Karen, was supervising the playground when Nicole was taken. And when Nicole’s body is discovered, Gia can’t help but ask: Why didn’t Karen protect her little girl? 

Someone knows what happened in school that day and Detective Jo Fournier is determined to find the truth. Jo’s little nieces also attend Briar Ridge, and she would cross mountains to keep them safe. As she starts to dig into the mothers’ secrets, she begins to wonder if anyone is telling the truth. Gia’s been hiding a part of herself for years, and Jo can tell it’s eating her apart. And Karen is definitely lying - but what is more important than finding the killer of her best friend’s daughter? 

As Gia and Karen struggle with their guilt, a teacher at Briar Ridge dies in what looks like a tragic accident. But with two deaths in such a short time, Jo knows better than that. In this school, where soccer moms flock to the gates with cookies for teachers, someone is willing to kill to keep a secret. The only question is who.  

A completely addictive thriller that will not let you go! Perfect for fans of Gregg Olsen, Christopher Greyson, and Teresa Driscoll.