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Reign of Fear

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Jealousy, obsession and murder collide in this twisty domestic thriller in which two women—one a prominent therapist, the other a bitter rival out for revenge—go head to head in an electrifying game of cat and mouse.

When Abbie runs into Kristina Hayward in the lobby of an upscale London hotel, her perfect life begins to unravel. It’s been fifteen years since Kristina made a chilling promise after she spotted the glittering diamond engagement ring on Abbie’s finger.

Abbie is now Dr. Cooper-Rambally, a well-respected neuropsychologist and Harvard instructor married to a prominent cardiothoracic surgeon—the man Kristina once deeply loved. Determined to claim the charmed life that should have been hers, Kristina sets a diabolical plan into motion.

But Kristina makes a costly mistake by underestimating her adversary. She’s about to find out what Abbie is capable of, how far she’s willing to go to protect her family and the devastating secret that must remain buried at all costs.

Don't miss the gripping and emotionally-charged conclusion to the multi award-winning Fearless Series.

Unknown Binding

First published June 21, 2023

4 people are currently reading
23 people want to read

About the author

Glede Browne Kabongo

15 books174 followers
Gledé Browne Kabongo is a multiple award-winning author of unputdownable psychological thrillers about resilient women who navigate dark secrets, deadly lies, and impossible choices.

Her novels, characterized by their strong emotional core, heart-pounding suspense, and jaw- dropping twists include: The Forbidden Heiress, A Game of Malice, Our Wicked Lies, Fool Me Twice, Conspiracy of Silence, and the Fearless series.

Readers have described Gledé’s work as "unbelievably addictive," "brilliant," "captivating," "unputdownable," "spellbinding," "deliciously duplicitous," and "haunting and complex."

Gledé has spoken at multiple industry events including the Boston Book Festival, Sisters in Crime (SinC) New England Crime Bake, Concord Festival of Authors, and the Women in Publishing Summit.

She lives outside Boston with her husband and children. You can reach her at glede@gledekabongo.com or her author website.

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5 stars
19 (70%)
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7 (25%)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Ana Ross.
Author 30 books268 followers
January 9, 2024
A Gripping Thriller That Keeps You on the Edge of Your Seat!

Reign of Fear by Glede Browne Kabongo is a thrilling rollercoaster of jealousy, obsession, and murder that captivates from the very first page. In this electrifying domestic thriller, two women, Abbie and Kristina, find themselves entangled in a twisted game of cat and mouse. Abbie, now a distinguished neuropsychologist and Harvard instructor, encounters Kristina, her bitter rival, setting off a chain of events that unravels the perfect life Abbie has built over the years. What ensues is a chilling battle between the two, fueled by jealousy and revenge, as Kristina, determined to claim what she believes is rightfully hers, initiates a diabolical plan.

Kabongo masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and psychological intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the tension escalates. The characters are brilliantly developed, and the depth of their emotions adds layers of complexity to the narrative. Abbie's resilience and determination shine through, making her a formidable adversary against Kristina's misguided quest for vengeance. As the story unfolds, the stakes rise higher, and readers are taken on a heart-pounding journey, wondering how far Abbie will go to protect her family and the explosive secret that threatens to shatter her carefully constructed life. Reign of Fear is a gripping and intense thriller that explores the dark depths of human nature, leaving readers breathless until the final, shocking last act before the curtain falls.

If you're a fan of heart-pounding thrillers with well-developed characters and a touch of social relevance, this is a must-read. Reign of Fear is a triumph that will linger in your thoughts long after you turn the final page. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Jenni.
6,498 reviews81 followers
Want to read
January 22, 2026
4 stars

Reign of Fear is most definitely an unputdownable psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist, and Glede Browne Kabongo absolutely delivers on the promise of that title. It is the fourth exciting book in the Fearless series. This story is enthralling from the first page, packed with tension, layered with intrigue, and steeped in the kind of suspense that leaves you with the hairs on your arms rising.

Everything begins to unravel the moment Abbie unexpectedly crosses paths with Kristina. The air shifts, thick with the weight of something long buried but never forgotten. Kristina’s presence feels like a storm rolling in — dark, deliberate, and carrying the echo of a promise that should have died years ago. What she doesn’t see is the steel beneath Abbie’s calm exterior. There’s resolve there… and something far more dangerous. Abbie will protect her family with everything she has — and she’ll do whatever it takes.

The tension escalates with every chapter, pulling you deeper into a world where fear, obsession, and survival collide. Kabongo masterfully balances psychological depth with high-stakes suspense, crafting a narrative that keeps you perched on the edge of your seat right up to the final twist.
A gripping, adrenaline-fueled journey from start to finish — and one that leaves you eager for whatever Glede Browne Kabongo writes next.
168 reviews2 followers
June 8, 2023
Abbie and Ty Rambally finally seem like they are in a good place, enjoying a business trip to London with their three kids. However, a seemingly chance meeting opens old wounds and sets forth a diabolical scheme which will follow them home to Boston. How long can an old flame carry a torch? When this chance reunion sparks hopes of the future she once dreamed of, Kristina Hayward Saxena will stop at nothing to finally achieve the happy ending she was denied years ago. Whether you are new to these characters or already familiar with their story, the fast-paced twists and turns will keep you turning pages and ignoring interruptions to find out what moves and countermoves will follow in their lives as they try to win the upper hand. The ending is satisfying but far more complex than it initially appears and clever indeed. The author always gives the reader a thrilling plot with well-defined characters faced with impossible choices, who are determined to protect their families and survive every obstacle they encounter. Thank you, Glede Browne Kabongo for a wonderful ending to this much loved tale and I can’t wait for the new book featuring Abbie and Ty’s children. This is my honest review of an ARC I received from the author.
Profile Image for David Taylor.
1,542 reviews24 followers
June 13, 2023
What a tangled web we weave to get what we want.

Do you enjoy psychological thrillers with well-developed characters who are multidimensional? What about stories that keep you guessing until the end? I recently got an offer to read an advance reader copy of Reign of Fear and without reading the description or even knowing this was book four in a series I jumped on the offer because the title hooked my interest. I have to say this is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read. There are so many levels woven together in this story it is almost impossible to predict where it is going or what the outcome will be. Of course, there are several well-placed twists to keep you off balance. As I said earlier, I had no idea this was the book four in a series of four books and I didn’t feel like I was missing any part of the overall story, however after finding out it was the last of a series, I’m now looking at how to schedule the first three books into my reading schedule. I received an advance reader copy of Regin of Fear from the author and chose t provide my review.
Profile Image for Stormy Shadows.
561 reviews14 followers
August 24, 2024
DNF
Thanks to BookSprout for this ARC. This is told in third person and it’s multi pov. Right from the beginning I got sucked into the drama between the characters Abbie and Christina. Lots of jealousy and drama right from the get go and it and tensions rise high throughout the book. I found myself losing focus at some points of the book because there were so many characters and with certain things it can get a bit much but I really only focus on Abbie and Kristina and Ty. Those 3 are all I care about and the vengeance Kristina wants on Abbie. As the story goes on we learn of Abbie and Kristina’s past and their hate for each other all because of Ty and personally I just lost interest.. I wanted to love it and I really thought it was gonna be so fast paced and cutthroat cause of Kristina and Abbie but for what I read, it was still pretty alright and I would still recommend if you love drama and a revenge type of story.
Profile Image for Bobbi Wagner.
5,028 reviews65 followers
January 21, 2026
I enjoyed reading this thriller story. This is not my first book by this author and it is one of my favorites yet. One of the things I enjoy about this author is their creative details that made the twist and turns come to life. This is an engaging story about deadly secrets and how you are willing to go to win. This is a story about Kristina who is holding a grudge against Abbie who got the man she wanted. But Abbie has a dark secret that could destroy her marriage. What will happen when Kristina tries to ruin Abbie? Will Kristina even see Abbie coming? I enjoyed all the characters in this story. They are strong, engaging and connectable. Their growth throughout the story is great. The twist and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seating just waiting to see what would happen next. This is a fast paced and hard to put down story and one you don’t want to miss. I look forward to seeing what is next for this author. I highly recommend this story.
Profile Image for Randi Robinson.
657 reviews15 followers
June 23, 2023
When I started this book I did not realize it was part of a series. Although I could sense there were things in Abbie's past I didn't know, it really did not have an impact on my enjoyment of this book. The characters were wonderful and believable. I hated Kristina from the word go. She was pure evil. I couldn't help but root for Abbie and Ty, the good upstanding doctors with their loving family. The support cast of Christian, Callie, and Callum and others were equally believable. The plot line of the rejected ex seeking revenge was not new but well done with several twists and surprises thrown in. The style of writing is highly readable with each chapter told from a different character's perspective. I could not put this book down once I started it. I really loved it and plan to go back and read the rest of the series.
501 reviews20 followers
August 14, 2023
Respected professional couple Abbie and Ty Rambally are on a trip to London when they encounter Ty's college ex, who is now married and making her life there. This encounter triggers obsession and revenge.

Objectively, this novel ticks all the expected boxes for the genre and is generally well-executed. The pacing is on point. The plot is interesting.

But I just couldn't connect with the characters at all. I wasn't interested in any of them in the least and I didn't find any of them to be compelling in any way.

I didn't especially enjoy this book, but, aside from perhaps some concern around the portrayal of trauma and its aftereffects, I can't point to any specific areas the author could have changed to affect that. It's just not the right book for me.

I received an ARC via the author.
280 reviews2 followers
June 8, 2023
This is the first book I have read by this author and I loved it. Kristina and Ty dated while they were both going to Yale. Abbie was also at Yale but a few years behind Ty. Eventually they met and began dating. Fifteen years later Ty and Abbie (Cooper) are happily married with three kids and Kristina has had 15 years for her hatred of Abby to fester. Now Kristina is out for revenge but she has met her match in Abbey. Secrets are revealed and may the better woman win. This is a book I didn't want to stop reading. The twists and turn kept me wanting more. The characters are so well developed that you either love them or hate them right from the beginning. I am looking forward to more from this author.
Profile Image for _booknerd.4ever_.
1,536 reviews11 followers
May 31, 2023
Whoa! I couldn’t put this one down! The plot was interesting and twisted. I loved Abbie and Ty together. This couple deserves a HEA with all they’ve been through, some based on their choices and some based on other’s choices. The plot has twist and turns galore. The characters were well developed and easily relatable. I’m not sure I would have had the strength to do what Abbie did to protect her family. She’s such a strong character. This is a must read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book provided by Hidden Gems
851 reviews10 followers
July 25, 2023
Abbie marries a cardiothoracic surgeon, who Kristina was actually in love with. Kristina has vowed for revenge since then. When they run into each other years later, Kristina starts her plan. It gets intense as Abbie protects what’s hers, and there are twist and turns. I enjoyed the book and will continue to read others from this author. I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.
868 reviews8 followers
June 19, 2023
A very satisfying end to this series! It was great to get back to the lives of Abbie and Ty. This was another great thrill ride as a face from the past threatens their family. I enjoyed the book so much. I've loved Abbie as a character and love how strong she has been with everything she has overcome.
Profile Image for AMBER CLARK.
961 reviews24 followers
September 11, 2024
Kabongo sure knows how to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, holding their breath. You will feel every emotion under the sun while reading this thriller. Just brilliant and a must read for anyone interested in this genre! Kabongo does it right! 15 years of hate! Can you imagine what that would do to one's psyche? Now you won't have to.
Profile Image for Faith Murcia.
8 reviews
October 17, 2024
I could not put this book down! There were so many twists and turns, it kept me on the edge of my seat. The author did a great job at weaving all these characters stories together where each one had a vital role and it came with chapters from their POV, which I really loved reading about. The way the author ended the story and weaved all the information together was amazing!
12.7k reviews189 followers
June 18, 2023
A definite bite your fingernails and stay up late to read book. Kristina leads a wonderful life, great job, husband, what more can you ask for. Little does she know about the danger coming from her husband’s ex. There’s no stopping until you find out what happens.
Profile Image for Lee Simpson.
Author 4 books12 followers
June 4, 2023
This story was interesting and held my attention for the most part. This story goes to show the crazy things people will do when they allow jealousy to rule their lives.
Profile Image for Kandy.
1,393 reviews13 followers
June 8, 2023
Wow! This story kept me guessing how it was all going to turn out. I did not see any of it coming. Great book.
Profile Image for Lori.
50 reviews
October 4, 2024
This book was excellent! I was hooked from the first page and could not put it down. I read it in one sitting as I couldn't wait to find out what would happen. I highly recommend!
Profile Image for Lucille Bransfield.
1,055 reviews
August 6, 2023
As usual, Glede Browne Kabongo kept me thinking through the whole book. I really enjoyed this latest story. I was happy to get to read it early so I could give an honest review. I have read a few of her books now and always enjoy her writing. Great characters and storyline. Really loved the shocking ending.

The opening of the book definitely grabbed my attention. I wanted to get revenge on Kristina if that gives you an idea of being invested.
I didn’t lose interest at any point. Really ran smoothly.
I loved the ending. Kristina’s poor husband getting revenge was sweet.
My favorite characters were probably Abbie and her friend Callie. I also liked Ty a lot.
I completely disliked Kristina, which anyone would. Not in a way of not wanting to read though.
I felt like I knew all the main characters well enough.
I would say this was a suspense, edge of seat story.
I really liked the story, characters, and setting.
Thank you for the chance at an early read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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