The First to Die by Suzanne Trauth

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The First to Die

by Suzanne Trauth

Published by Willow River Press on November 18, 2025
Setting: New Jersey
Genres: Psychological Thrillers
Pages: 336
Format: ebook, Kindle, Paperback
Source: the Author
Goodreads
Bookhype
BookBub
Storygraph
Get Your Copy at: Amazon

Connie Tucker, a free-spirited beach bartender, has been estranged from her family in New Jersey ever since her actress mother, Simone, disappeared one night during a violent storm at the theatre where she was rehearsing. Uncontrollable and in a rage at the loss of her parent, fifteen-year-old Connie is exiled to California, due to her delinquent behavior, to live with an aunt she doesn't know.

Fifteen years later, Simone's murdered remains are discovered at a construction site and Connie returns to the east coast for the funeral-she owes it to her mother. The cold case unit will take over now and solve the crime. But then she discovers a message her mother left behind. It feels like a dispatch from the grave.

Connie must face her tortured past, the guilt of concealing a devastating secret, and the part she played in her mother's disappearance. Unearthing buried family history and childhood demons, she confronts the agonizing reality that she doesn't know where she belongs, where to call home. Who to trust. When a second suspicious death occurs, Connie races to unravel the events of the night Simone disappeared. Her mother was the first to die...but not the last.

The First to Die by Suzanne Trauth is thrilling and full of family drama.

Will Connie find the truth about her mother’s death?

Connie Tucker

Our heroine is Connie Tucker. She isn’t your first choice for a heroine. But she is tenacious. Connie isn’t going to leave town until she has justice for her mother’s death. That person must pay for taking her mom away from them all.

I like Connie much better than her sister. Connie definitely isn’t afraid to be herself or voice her opinion. She is smart and pretty. But if her mom had lived, would she be the same person that she is? That is always the question.

The Mystery

Basically, we ask: Who killed Simone Tucker? Simone is so much more than Connie remembers, but not everything Simone did was as perfect as Connie remembers. No one is perfect, and we never see everything that makes up each person. Connie learns so much about her mother’s life. Her mom had so many secrets Connie never would have guessed. One of the things that makes it hard for Connie is that everyone who sees her immediately compares her to her mother, especially since the two look so much alike.

Connie and her sister discover hard truths neither of them was prepared for. But Connie is ready for justice. She isn’t returning to San Diego until she gets it.

Four Stars

My rating for The First to Die by Suzanne Trauth is four stars. This is a good thriller, with lots of red herrings, tons of suspense, and the right amount of thrill. I enjoyed getting to know Connie and her family. I do recommend this story.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The First to Die by Suzanne Trauth.

Until the next time,

 

Baroness’ Book Trove is an Amazon affiliate, which means that if you purchase something from Amazon, this blog receives a tiny percentage of the sale. This helps with the cost of the website and a few giveaways.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Cloak and Dagger JEN
• 2026 Goodreads RC JEN
• 2026 Medical Examiner Mystery RC JEN
• 2026 Six Shooter RC JEN
• 2026 Thriller RC
• 2026 Traveling the World JEN

Related Posts