A Killer in the Low Country

Premise

• The novel follows two high school teachers, Amber Dorris and Leticia Laye, who become obsessed with a true-crime podcast about a 1999 murder of 12-year-old Sarah Gerlach.
• Sarah’s alleged killer, Blake Wernerhet, maintains his innocence. As Amber’s personal life unravels, she enters into correspondence with Blake and becomes convinced of his innocence, leading her and Leticia to hatch a plan to help him escape during a final appeal.
• The tension lies in whether Blake is truly wronged or whether Amber is naïvely placing her trust in a charismatic manipulator.

What Works

• Compelling Hook & Tension
  The core premise is strong: blending true-crime fascination with personal obsession gives it built-in tension. The uncertainty about Blake’s guilt helps maintain suspense.
• Multiple POV / Psychological complexity
  The narrator’s interest in the case becomes entangled with her own emotional life, which gives depth beyond just a procedural or serial killer thriller. The blurred lines between truth, belief, and manipulation are effective in keeping readers guessing.
• Narration / Audio Production
  For those listening, the audiobook version features a full cast (including Uzo Aduba, Chrissy Metz, etc.) which many listener reviews call immersive and cinematic.
• Pacing & Twists
  Early feedback suggests the plot moves briskly, with frequent turns and revelations that shift one’s perspective on characters and motives.