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The One Who Walked Away

the gripping new standalone thriller from the queen of suspense

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The One Who Walked Away

By: Karen Rose
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A bounty hunter must outrun her past before it catches up to her in this pulse-pounding new standalone thriller from Sunday Times bestselling author Karen Rose
'Intense, complex and unforgettable' JAMES PATTERSON

'High-wire suspense that keeps you riveted' LISA GARDNER

Bounty hunter Elle Randolph is on the hunt for a fugitive in the wilderness of Mendocino County. She's also on the run from her past, and the accident she walked away from - but that killed her abusive husband.

When the manager of the inn Elle is staying in is murdered, she and her boss Sara become people of interest to local detective Ronan Clarke. He needs to know exactly what placed these strangers at the scene of the crime.

As Ronan questions Elle and Sara, he realises the fugitive they are tracking could be a suspect for the local murder. But to share information there needs to be trust. And, right now, is Ronan in a position to drop the bounty hunters from his enquiries?

When another person turns up dead, Ronan sees there could be more to this investigation than he could have imagined. And that Elle Randolph isn't telling him everything . . .
____________________

READERS LOVE KAREN ROSE:

'Karen Rose never disappoints!'

'The characters are so well described you feel as if they are real people'

'I love this author's writing. Each book is like meeting up with old friends'

'Her books catch you from the first page and hold your attention until the very end'

'It is just painstaking waiting for her next novel'©2026 Karen Rose Books, Inc. (P)2026 Penguin Random House Audio Romantic Suspense Suspense Thriller & Suspense Crime Exciting Bounty Hunter
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Critic reviews

Praise for Karen Rose
Intense, complex and unforgettable (James Patterson)
Karen Rose delivers the kind of high-wire suspense that keeps you riveted (Lisa Gardner)
Effortlessly balances romance and crime . . . An excellent example of how far-reaching and varied romance can be
Fast and furious
A pulse pounding tale that has it all
All stars
Most relevant
not my favourite. The story was quite predictable, the villain obvious. I found Elle a bit annoying, a damsel in need of saving rather than a strong woman who gets the job done.

very predictable

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Karen Rose at her best, just love this author. Great characters, great setting, great plot, very proud of myself as I figured it out,!

wowser

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Love anything by Karen Rose.
Brilliant story line…as usual!

Brittany Presley’s narration is outstanding 😊 Highly recommend!

Brittany Presley!

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but the ghosts still haunt her.

Elle is a fantastic character, she is far stronger than she believes and her huge heart will steal yours as she constantly tries to put others before herself. But she does have secrets and it's those secrets that frustrate Ronan and ultimately they may just cost her everything. She has no idea who has targeted her and when they finally unravel the past.... it's her worst nightmare. I listened to this on Audible, the narrators are great and the plot will keep you guessing.

She may have walked away....

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the amount of people who had to die to save the main character. it felt like no one else was worthy, like her life was so much more important than anyone else's. also Ronan, the detective didn't seem particularly bothered by anyone's life except Gizele's.
Kim Jones

ridiculous focus on one character

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