If there’s one thing I love discovering, it’s a debut novel, especially a good debut thriller or mystery and I am thrilled to be partnering with ITW — International Thriller Writers – to help spotlight the debut authors that are part of this year’s Debut Author Program. I have already started sharing some of these over on Instagram, but I also want to share them here.
Nasty Little Secrets by Gabbie Hanks
Publisher – Zando
Pub Date – June 16, 2026
Summary:
A bold psychological suspense debut about a fiery true crime writer whose infamous case is blown back open when her sister goes missing—and her bestselling book might be the key to finding her
Rose Dearling’s life changed forever when her older brother was arrested for the murder of his high school sweetheart, Alexandria Hopely. Now, a decade after the crime that ripped her family and her close-knit Florida hometown apart, Rose is the only one who still believes he didn’t do it. So much so that she wrote a bestselling true crime novel about the case, pinning the murder on Alex’s father. This may have gained her a reputation for being a lying, opportunistic bitch, but it has also bought her a new life in Manhattan, far away from where it all began.
Then Rose gets a call that shatters her world for the second her younger sister Hazel has gone missing without a trace. Back home and under the same roof as her family for the first time in years, Rose tries to avoid dark memories as she searches for her sister. But when connections between Hazel’s disappearance and Alex’s murder emerge, Rose realizes the past, and her own book, could hold the answers—including proof of her brother’s innocence. And if he didn’t do it, that means the real killer is still on the loose, and they’ve been hiding in plain sight all this time.
Razor-sharp and propulsive, Nasty Little Secrets is a crackling psychological suspense about family secrets and small-town scandal, which keeps its grip on you until the final jaw-dropping twist.
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About the author:
Gabbie Hanks is a former librarian, who now works for the government. She is an avid psychological suspense reader and loves to write gripping, twisty thrillers.
While she was born and raised in South Florida, Gabbie now lives in Des Moines, Iowa with her fiance and their three cats. When she isn’t writing, Gabbie can be found shopping at her local indie bookstores, making BookTok content with her bookish friends, or buying antique furniture she does not need.
NASTY LITTLE SECRETS is her debut novel.
Follow Gabbie Hanks on social media:
Her website | Instagram | TikTok
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Praise for Nasty Little Secrets
“It’s rare to read a debut thriller and somehow know that the writer will be a future star in the genre, but that’s my prediction for Gabbie Hanks. Nasty Little Secrets is a dazzling debut—a twist-fest about family, secrets, and systemic injustice with a protagonist you won’t soon forget. A star is born.”—Alex Finlay, bestselling author of Parents Weekend
“Gabbie Hanks’s sharp debut is as nasty as the secrets in the title, a perfectly thrilling psychological with teeth.” —CrimeReads
“Voiced by a tough-as-nails, not-to-be-messed-with narrator, Nasty Little Secrets by Gabbie Hanks is a mesmerizing thriller filled with chilling secrets and heart-tugging emotion. Murder, lies, and obsession add up to a smart, twisty debut that will keep you guessing until the final shocking twist. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time. Readers take note—Gabbie Hanks is a writer to watch!” —Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Hosts
“With dynamic characterization, such as Rose’s spitfire banter that accompanies her troubled past, along with the author’s ability to make everyone appear to have a motive, this title will captivate readers.” —Library Journal
“A sharp, character-driven story that’s equal parts heartbreaking family drama and intriguing mystery. At its heart is Rose Dearling, a character that you won’t forget for a long time. Nasty Little Secrets is a great debut perfect for fans of Jennifer Hillier and Amy Tintera.” —Kellye Garrett, award-winning author of Missing White Woman
“Hanks has readers’ heads snapping as this story tumults to its thrilling and surprising conclusion.” —First Clue Reviews
“Perfectly set in the sweltering Floridian heat, Nasty Little Secrets is packed with secrets, suspects, and deliciously messy characters. It’s twisty and utterly gripping, the tension (and temperature!) mounting with every page. A riveting debut!” —Sophie Stava, author of Count My Lies
“Impressive debut . . . [Hanks] exhibits remarkable control for a first-time novelist” —Publishers Weekly
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Hope I have enticed you to consider picking this one up! I know I will be reading it soon and I cannot wait!!! In the meantime…you can check out my feature for this debut on my Instagram account, where Gabbie shared a quick video. Head here to see!
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