On the Edge: The twisty new mystery for summer 2026 about long-held secrets and betrayal from the bestselling author of The Inheritance, perfect for readers of Sally Hepworth and Liane Moriarty

A homecoming will shake this small town to its very foundations. The taut new mystery from the bestselling author of The Inheritance, perfect for readers of Sally Hepworth and Liane Moriarty.

Desperate people do desperate things...

Sixteen years ago, teenage Maddie Marshall's body was found on a desolate beach near her hometown, Carrinya. Vibrant, feisty Maddie was the only daughter of a high-profile politician. The case was the talk of the town but was ultimately never solved.

Nel Foley, daughter of the town doctor and Maddie's best friend, was the last known person to see her alive, and the Carrinya rumour mill was vicious. Nel fled the town and has never been back. Until now.

Now a 32-year-old city GP, Nel returns after her father's sudden death, determined to get in and out as quickly as possible. Begrudgingly, she agrees to run his clinic for a few weeks, but during that time she meets local mum Sophie Warner and that changes everything.

Sophie's husband Ryan, a prominent local real estate agent, was Maddie's boyfriend and Nel is certain he played a role in her death. When Nel discovers that Ryan is not the loving husband and father that he seems, she decides she must prove what he did all those years ago. But as she starts to unravel the past, she discovers the truth is far more complex than she could have imagined.

A twisty, suspenseful mystery about the desperate things people do when they're on the edge.

PRAISE:

'Twisty, layered and simmering with small town intrigue, ON THE EDGE is a nuanced mystery that delves deep into the many forms of grief.' - Jane Harper, author of Last One Out

'ON THE EDGE mixes small-town secrets with gripping family drama. It explores the toll grief takes on a person, and builds a claustrophobic picture of a seemingly idyllic coastal town. Kate writes family dynamics with warmth and insight, making this a nuanced, compelling read.' - Vanessa McCausland author of The Last Illusion of Paige White

'A taut, immersive mystery of small-town secrets, friendship, and betrayal that will linger long after the final page.' - Sarah Barrie, author of Endgame

'ON THE EDGE is a compelling, multilayered story, in which Kate Horan skilfully weaves together the past and present narratives around a young girl's death, exploring the complex dynamics of small communities, and how some secrets never let go.' - Sara Foster, author of When She Was Gone

© 2025 HarperAudio (Audiobook): 9781038102065

Release date

Audiobook: 30 December 2025