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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In the propulsive debut novel from the host of the #1 true crime podcast Crime Junkie, a journalist uncovers her hometown’s dark secrets when she becomes obsessed with the unsolved murder of her childhood neighbor—and the disappearance of another girl twenty years later.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: PopSugar
 
You can’t ever know for sure what happens behind closed doors.

Everyone from Wakarusa, Indiana, remembers the infamous case of January Jacobs, who was discovered in a ditch hours after her family awoke to find her gone. Margot Davies was six at the time, the same age as January—and they were next-door neighbors. In the twenty years since, Margot has grown up, moved away, and become a big-city journalist. But she’s always been haunted by the feeling that it could’ve been her. And the worst part is, January’s killer has never been brought to justice.

When Margot returns home to help care for her uncle after he is diagnosed with early-onset dementia, she feels like she’s walked into a time capsule. Wakarusa is exactly how she remembers—genial, stifled, secretive. Then news breaks about five-year-old Natalie Clark from the next town over, who’s gone missing under circumstances eerily similar to January’s. With all the old feelings rushing back, Margot vows to find Natalie and to solve January’s murder once and for all.

But the police, Natalie’s family, the townspeople—they all seem to be hiding something. And the deeper Margot digs into Natalie’s disappearance, the more resistance she encounters, and the colder January’s case feels. Could January’s killer still be out there? Is it the same person who took Natalie? And what will it cost to finally discover what truly happened that night twenty years ago?

Twisty, chilling, and intense, All Good People Here is a searing tale that asks: What are your neighbors capable of when they think no one is watching?

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House Publishing Group (December 26, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593496493
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593496497
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.5 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.16 x 0.72 x 7.98 inches
Reviewer: Kristen Williams
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: From the Queen of True Crime!
Review: I have been so excited to read this book again! I first read it when it came out and it’s jaw dropping. The writing is amazing and it all came from the mind of the Crime Junkie Queen herself, Ashley Flowers. I loved every second of it! Personally, it reads to me like her take on the infamous JonBenet Ramsey case. I’m not sure if she’s confirmed that or not though. I love the dual POVs with alternating time lines. It really gave you a more complete picture and really helped you get into the minds of the characters. Now if you’re looking for a book with a happy ending, this isn’t for you. But if you want an amazing story that captures you and holds you hostage the whole way through with a very real true crime style ending, you’ve found your people. The first time I read it, my jaw was on the floor for a solid 15 minutes after reading that ending. 🤯 I still don’t know how I feel about it. It was raw and so real. An amazing ending but it definitely leaves you with all the questions. I highly recommend if you’re a true crime fan like myself!!

Reviewer: Susan M. Baumann
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Promising Debut
Review: A string of child murders in a small Indiana town become an obsession for a reporter and former resident. Margot returns to Wakarusa to care for her ailing uncle, Luke. She moves in to help with daily tasks, due to Luke’s cognitive decline. Quickly immersed again in the gossip and thrum of small town living, Margot picks up the thread of a cold case, involving the death of her childhood friend, January Jacobs, 25 years ago. The rumor mill speculates that the case is related to other recent homicides of young girls. The book loosely resembles the JonBenet Ramsey case, and perhaps the story was structured around, or inspired by, that real-life crime. The book reads like a screenplay. Heavy emphasis on plot, but no deep-dive into character development. Emotions are stated, rather than felt. Lots of telling, but very little showing. The exception to this is Jace, January’s brother. Here, Flowers gets it right. Jace’s childhood trauma is hauntingly depicted in a few vivid flashbacks and believable, nuanced dialogue. One particular two-line exchange between Jace and his mother, Krissy, is utterly wrenching. It reads like a bullet to the heart, perfectly rendering all the confusion, anger and longing of a bereft child. The scenes with Jace are sparse, but luminous and real. Other characters in the story would have benefited from this same attention to detail. The reader knows that Margot is earnest and tenacious, but in her quest to solve the mysteries of past and present, she’s met with little resistance and few obstacles. Every lead she follows pans out. Law enforcement takes her seriously, even when she says she’s being stalked by a woman, whose only defining characteristic is auburn hair. Still, the story is compelling and there is enough momentum for the reader to want to uncover the secrets and find out the truth. However, the ending arrives so abruptly and ambiguously that I thought I’d inadvertently skipped a page. I went back and re-read several paragraphs, certain that I’d missed something. I’m not sure why Flowers chose to end it on a discordant note. Shock value? Potential sequel? Perhaps to generate buzz and get people to talk about the book. Maybe because many crimes are left unsolved, and this was meant to underscore that fact. Whatever the reason, it’s a quick, worthwhile read.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: One of the best mystery books!
Review: One of the best books I’ve ever read! I love it so much! First learned about the author through the podcast which is a must listen to also! Only con was I wish I knew what happened with Margot!

Reviewer: Sarah Dutcher
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Decent book without a satisfied feeling at the end
Review: The beginning was slow and I had a hard time getting into the book. When I was a little over halfway through the book, I had to go back to the beginning and reread the first few chapters to remember specific details. From the middle to close to the end, it was really good and suspenseful. The ending was horrible. It was very much not expected and 48 hours after finishing the book I am still in a bad mood and feel just yucky about the ending. I don’t have that satisfied feeling I usually have after reading a book like this. I love Ashley flowers but I am a bit surprised she went that direction with the ending.

Reviewer: KarenD
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Read
Review: Couldn’t put the book down, can’t wait for her next!

Reviewer: Brian Pace
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Perfect for any “Crime Junkie”
Review: Love the author’s podcast and was super excited to read a book by her. This book had all the twists and turns you want in mystery novel. I was a little disappointed at the ending, as it left you on a major cliffhanger. I would love to know what happened to the main character but do not know how she could write a sequel since the story has already been played out.

Reviewer: MommaLayne
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Gripping Unraveling of Hometown Secrets and Dark Mysteries
Review: **"All Good People Here": A Gripping Unraveling of Hometown Secrets and Dark Mysteries.****"All Good People Here: A Novel"** by Ashley Flowers is a haunting debut that intertwines the threads of a chilling unsolved murder with the harrowing disappearance of a young girl in a small Indiana town. After the infamous case of January Jacobs reverberates through the community for two decades, Margot Davies, a childhood neighbor and now a big-city journalist, returns home to care for her ailing uncle. Haunted by the past and the feeling that she could have been January, Margot is compelled to confront the lingering shadows of her hometown.As she investigates the recent disappearance of five-year-old Natalie Clark, which echoes the tragedy of January’s death, Margot finds herself navigating a world of secrets and resistance. The townspeople, including the police and Natalie’s family, seem to guard their truths fiercely, leaving Margot to question not only the safety of her community but also the intentions of those she once trusted. Flowers skillfully builds suspense, creating a narrative steeped in tension and intrigue that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, showcasing how perceptions can be shattered by the darkness that hides behind closed doors. **"All Good People Here"** is a compelling exploration of memory, fear, and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth, making it a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and true crime mysteries.

Reviewer: cassidy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Sooooo good!
Review: This was perfectly written. Can't wait for the next one!!! Definitely recommend!

Reviewer: Deon Khan Johnson
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Arrived on time, great reading, the author takes you through all the stories of wanting to read more. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Maria
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Overall I'd give this book around 4.8 because I think some of the editing could have been a bit better to enhance readability in some chapters but the storyline, characters, and overall plot of this book were awesome. For Ashley's first book, I'm insanely impressed. That ending though... Mind-blowing. I'm really hoping it leads to a sequel? And maybe a bit of small-town romance for Margot?? Either way, I was hooked from the beginning.

Reviewer: britt pfundt
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Amazing book ending was a bit abrupt but other the that amazing

Reviewer: jennifer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I loved this book! It's a really good story with loads of twists and turns which keep you guessing all the way through. The more I read the more I could not put it down. Would definitely recommend to anyone and everyone.

Reviewer: Marcelo A.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I bought this book as I know the author though her podcasts and it did not dissapoint me.I strongly recommend it and I would read any second part she would write or other books.