From New York Times bestselling author Kate Alice Marshall comes The Girls Before, a chilling psychological thriller that blends survival, suspense, and long-buried secrets into an unforgettable mystery.

A young woman known only as Stranger is trapped in a dark basement. The door won't open. The light is gone. As food and hope begin to disappear, the only clues she has are the desperate messages left behind by girls who never escaped before her.

Meanwhile, search and rescue expert Audrey has spent years haunted by the disappearance of her childhood best friend, Janie. When new evidence suggests that another missing girl may have been abducted on land owned by one of the town's most powerful families, Audrey is pulled into an investigation that uncovers decades of terrifying secrets—and a truth more horrifying than she ever imagined.

Masterfully told through dual timelines and multiple perspectives, The Girls Before is a heart-pounding thriller packed with atmospheric suspense, shocking twists, and emotional depth that will keep readers turning pages late into the night.

Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn, and Karin Slaughter.

Why You'll Love The Girls Before

• New York Times bestselling author
• Dual-timeline psychological thriller
• Missing persons investigation
• Survival suspense
• Dark family secrets
• Atmospheric mystery
• Fast-paced, twist-filled storytelling
• Perfect for thriller book clubs

Perfect For Readers Who Enjoy

• Psychological thrillers
• Missing person mysteries
• Survival fiction
• Crime thrillers
• Domestic suspense
• Dark mysteries
• Page-turning suspense novels
• Book club favorites

Book Details

Title: The Girls Before

Author: Kate Alice Marshall

Format: Hardcover

Genre:

• Psychological Thriller
• Mystery
• Suspense
• Crime Fiction

Pages:
320

Publication Date:
February 24, 2026

Dimensions:
9.51 × 6.60 × 1.11 inches

About the Author

Kate Alice Marshall is the New York Times bestselling author of What Lies in the Woods, No One Can Know, A Killing Cold, and several acclaimed novels for younger readers. Known for her atmospheric settings, emotionally rich characters, and gripping suspense, she lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family.