All June Left Behind

by Karen Grose

Bestselling Author of Flat Out Lies and The Dime Box, an Amnesty International Book Club novel.
Ray had it all—a loving relationship with his wife June, a busy farm, and two beautiful grown children. Until the night June was shot on their fortieth anniversary during a botched robbery at a restaurant. Two years after June’s death, the man convicted of her murder is granted a new trial.

Horrified that his wife’s killer might walk free, Ray vows to take justice into his own hands. But when rumours surface about his wife, Ray teams up with young crack reporter Fan Mohamed to dig into June’s past. They discover a long-buried police case, a shocking murder-mystery with connections to June’s family, that has never been resolved.

Caught in a web of secrets and a race against time, Ray, his children, and Fan must band together to discover who killed June…before the killer finds them."Captivating and loaded with suspense. A twisty, well-crafted tale."
Brenda Chapman, Author of the Stonechild and Rouleau mysteries

Genres: Thriller

324 pages, Paperback

Published May 6, 2025

About the author

Karen Grose is from Toronto, Canada. Her debut novel, The Dime Box, was selected by Amnesty International for its 2021 Book Club. Flat Out Lies, and All June Left Behind followed. What We Keep Silent, the first novel in The Bri Watters Thriller Series will be released in Spring 2026.

She has flash fiction, poems, and short stories published by Roi Faineant Press, Paddler Press, Punk Noir Magazine, Epistemic Literary Magazine, Hooghly Review, Bunker Squirrel Magazine, and Superior Shores Press. She is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and the #thrillsandchills writing group.

Track her down on X: @kgrose2, IG: karengrosewrites, Facebook, or at www.karengrose.ca

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Karen Grose for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Karen Grose has proven herself to be a great Canadian thriller writer and has delivered once more with a new and intense novel. After a harrowing experience of losing his wife, Ray Meadows can rest somewhat calmly knowing that her killer is behind bars. However, after the court grants an appeal, new truths and surprises come to light, all of which turn the life that Ray had on its head. How well did he know his wife and could the man who was accused of killing her actually be innocent? Emotions run high and nothing is as it seems, leaving Ray to grasp at anything as he tries to get to the truth once and for all. Karen Grose pens a great thriller where nothing is quite assured at any point.

Ray Meadows has spent the last four decades loving his life. His marriage to June, his busy life on the farm in small-town Ontario, and the two children he's seen grow into adulthood and make reliable choices all bring him such joy. All that changes the night that June is shot and dies. After a few days, a suspect is apprehended, is found guilty in court, and sentenced to life in prison. Things are as settled for Ray as they can be, though life without June is truly unbearable.

Two years later, news reaches him that the man who murdered June has petitioned the court and received a new trial. Ray is beside himself and his children are just as distraught. Worried that June's murderer might go free due to a legal loophole, Ray decides to take things into his own hands to ensure justice is not lost. After receiving some startling information about June and her past from a relative, Ray cannot trust anything he knows. He engages the assistance of a sharp reporter, Fan Mohamed, who helps sift through truths and lies to discover what might have happened to June and her less than public life before settling in rural Ontario.

What Ray and Fan uncover is both disturbing and intriguing. June may be tied to a police investigation that has not seen the light of day for decades, in which her family is connected to a gory murder. Ray is astounded that he knew nothing about this, but things get even worse when everything tied to June changes before his eyes. The trial heats up and a key member of the process soon changes everything in the blink of an eye. It becomes apparent to Ray Meadows that a reversed verdict in this retrial is the least of his worries, while trying to make sense of who June Meadows might have been before they ever met. Karen Grose kept me flipping pages well into the night with this well-crafted piece and I am eager to see what others think about it as well.

I enjoy when I cannot predict how a thriller will present itself, feeling that this is the best the genre can offer. Karen Grose does that effectively, while also keeping a great Canadian flavouring to the writing. The narrative moves along well and keeps the reader connected with the larger story, while never getting too bogged down. There is a great sense of movement, particularly in the second half of the book. This is complemented by great characters and Grose's ability to highlight the small-town nature of the piece. The story gains its feet just in time for plot points to shake things up and provide a strong sense of surprise. It never wanes until the final reveal, where truth meets blurry past. I quite enjoyed this piece and am eager to see what Karen Grose has in store for the reader next.

Kudos. Madam Grose, for providing such a well-developed thriller for all to enjoy.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Rebecca Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as you start reading this, you want to know what happened to June. This is such a good thriller that keeps you on your toes the whole way through… I also really appreciate that this thriller has an angle that I’ve never read in a thriller before! And the ending was super twisty and fast-paced which is truly what makes or breaks a thriller for me.

[Diane Bator · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first sentence of this book I was HOOKED! It was also one ending I only partly guessed, which made me love it even more.

Ray is such a fascinating character who learns to accept all his strengths and weaknesses as well as trying to get justice for his late wife and her family through - even learning to trust technology with the help of a much younger accomplice in order to track down clues and leads.

Grose also has a great style of description, choosing minimal wording which gets the point across without going off into great details. My favorite was "the moon is the finest of fingernails" to describe the crescent moon. She chooses short, to the point sentences which helps add to the action in a story that slows for few deep breaths!

Kudos!! I'm eagerly awaiting the next one!

[Sakshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder changes you. If it's your wife, you lose your mind."

I've been in such a long reading slump and I think I'm finally out of it, thanks to this book.

Ray lost the love of his life, his wife, June. She gets shot in the middle of the street during a robbery. Two years later, the man convicted for her murder is granted a new trial.

Determined to do anything, and cross any lengths to make sure that the man goes back to prison, Ray teams up with a fellow reporter and starts an investigation of his own.

What he wasn't expecting was that he didn't know who June really was. Digging up into her past only brings out more surprises for him. At EVERY SINGLE step.

This is hands down, one of the best fast paced murder mysteries I've read lately. The story picked off a bit rocky, taking its own time to set the premise. But once it picked up, oh boy!

The story is so intense and the primary characters have much depth. And not knowing what was happening until the very last page, that's what I want a mystery book to have!

[Kelly Malacko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent character driven mystery written by a Canadian author. Emotionally taut, with deep and relatable characters, this story will pull you in and keep you guessing as it unfolds.

[Ashli Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

He thought he lost his wife to a random crime—until the real story unraveled everything he knew about her.

This book pulled me in with grief, mystery, and a quiet storm of suspense. Ray’s heartbreak is palpable, and as he digs deeper into his wife’s past, the twists just keep coming. It’s more than a murder mystery—it’s about family secrets, love, and how well we really know the people closest to us. A little slow at times, but the payoff is worth it. Perfect for fans of layered, emotional thrillers.

[Stacy Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt this one was a steady pace build up constantly grabbing my attention leaving wondering what else could he possibly find out, the constant determination of junes husband is incredible how he even stayed kept together through it all l, i was constantly want to know whats going to happen now it's such a Thrilling read I've not read a Thrilling book like this before it's usually from the victim or murderers or detective side. I loved it.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

WHAT I LOVED - Ray, the main character. Left with questions after his wife's murder, he will do anything to get to the truth.

WHAT I LIKED - The premise of the story. I like the mystery of an entire hidden life.

WHAT I DISLIKED - I very often found myself reading along and wondering if I missed something.

WOULD I RECOMMEND? Maybe, to a certain type of reader.

Thank you, NetGalley and Kingsley Publishers, for this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

All June Left Behind is a tightly written, emotionally raw story about grief, justice, and secrets that won’t stay buried. It follows Ray Meadows, a weathered farmer trying to keep it together two years after his wife, June, was murdered. The man convicted of the crime is suddenly granted a new trial, cracking open old wounds and unearthing something far more explosive than Ray could’ve imagined, June’s entire past life. What starts as a tale of one man’s pain slowly peels back into a mystery that ties together mob connections, witness protection, and the terrifying thought that maybe, just maybe, everything Ray believed about his wife was a lie.

Ray’s narration is no-nonsense, full of grit, sarcasm, and painful honesty. Right from page one, you feel the weight he carries. That scene where he deletes the detective’s message and talks to his daughter while scrounging for a Pop-Tart is so ordinary, and yet you feel his dread simmering underneath. The writing doesn’t try to be fancy, which I loved. It’s plainspoken, sharp, and emotional when it needs to be. Ray’s grief isn’t pretty or poetic; it’s sweaty, stubborn, and full of denial.

What absolutely floored me, though, was the twist. I had to set the book down and just breathe. The pacing right before and after that moment was pitch-perfect. Karen Grose doesn’t overplay it. She lets Ray react in exactly the way you'd expect, confused, furious, heartbroken. There’s this moment where he’s locked in a cell, soaked in water from a busted faucet, completely unraveling. I could feel the walls closing in. That moment hit hard. And I liked that the book didn’t shy away from showing Ray’s worst sides, his temper, his stubbornness, his pride. It made him believable.

But maybe my favorite part was how Grose writes family. The scenes with Ray and his kids, especially Ryla, are full of tiny emotional jabs. The way they talk around June’s death, the worry in their voices when they think he’s spiraling again is all so layered. The characters felt lived-in, like people you’d meet in a small town diner or at the edge of a cornfield, holding a coffee and a thousand unspoken words.

All June Left Behind is a slow burn with a lot to say about love, anger, and how the past can knock you off your feet when you least expect it. It's a story about trying to move on when you’re stuck in a loop of what-ifs. If you're someone who likes character-driven stories with mystery baked in, this one’s for you. It’s got heart, it’s got bite, and it doesn't let go.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an emotionally charged, suspenseful novel that blends family drama with a gripping murder mystery. You’re immersed deep into the aftermath of loss, guilt, and unanswered questions, while steadily ramping up the tension.

Ray, still grieving the brutal murder of his wife June on their fortieth anniversary, makes for a compelling lead. His determination to protect his wife’s memory—and his rage at the possibility of her killer walking free—pulls you into his struggle. His two grown children add depth, showing how grief ripples differently through a family, and how loyalty can be tested when secrets rise to the surface.

I especially enjoyed the introduction of Fan Mohamed, the young reporter who proves to be both sharp and empathetic. She becomes an unlikely ally to Ray, helping him unravel a tangled past that forces him to re-examine who June really was. Their dynamic gives the story balance—Ray’s pain and stubbornness set against Fan’s persistence and fresh perspective.

For me, the novel’s biggest strength lies in how it shifts from being a straightforward story of justice into something more layered that is surprising. The discovery of long-buried secrets and an unsolved police case tied to June’s family adds a whole new dimension. It’s not just about finding June’s killer—it’s about uncovering truths that change everything Ray thought he knew.

While some sections moved a little slower than I’d hoped, the steady build-up pays off with twists that kept me guessing, which I loved as it doesn’t happen very often for me!

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about grief, truth, and how well we really know the people we love.

This was my first time reading a book by Karen Grose. The story follows Ray, a grieving husband still trying to make sense of life after his wife June was murdered. Just when he thinks he’s starting to move forward, the man convicted of her death is granted a new trial and everything Ray thought he knew begins to fall apart.

I really liked how the book slowly revealed layer after layer of secrets. Ray starts digging into June’s past, and what he finds is shocking. It’s not just about solving a murder it’s about discovering who June really was. The deeper he goes, the more questions come up.

Ray is a strong character, but also very real. He’s angry, confused, and determined, and I could feel his emotions throughout the book. I liked Fan, the reporter who helps Ray with the investigation. She brings a fresh perspective and balances out Ray’s stubbornness.

There were a few moments that truly surprised me, and I love when a mystery keeps me guessing like that. The small-town setting made everything feel more personal.

I’m glad I picked this one up, and I’ll definitely be checking out more from Karen Grose.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part mystery, part family drama this is a book of secrets and family and making time for what is really important. Ray discovers June, the wife he thought he knew was keeping secrets, big secrets that may have got her killed. The more he digs the more dangerous it becomes. Will he figure it out before it’s too late? When I started reading this book the writing style and Ray annoyed me but the more I read the more I appreciated Ray and the writing style worked for this story. Ray changed in the course of the story and I liked how Ray began to make different choices for his family as he realized the importance of it. How he folded Fan into the family and was thoughtful, making vegan food for him, signaled a major change in Ray. I felt for Ray when he learned that June, his beloved wife, had kept a massive and dangerous secret from him. His determination to solve the mystery of her secrets added interest and danger to the story and had me wondering if we ever know everything about the ones you love. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy books about family and secrets and what happens when they are discovered.

Thanks to Love Book Tours for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Pynkbyrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a first person narrator fan at all and try to avoid them unless I have been tricked by the blurb or the plot sounds so intriguing that I just have to bite the bullet and read it. This book would not have worked as well if it had been written in the third person. I would not have felt as connected to Ray, the main character. You understand exactly how sad he is as he talks about eating cereal over the sink, or why he won't get rid of his wife's bathrobe that's still hanging on the back of the bathroom door. So I'm glad I took the chance.

That being said, I also felt that while the plot was unique, I struggled with the reality of it. Yes, it's fiction. If you go down the true crime TikToks with the eerie Sigur Ros music rabbit hole, then it makes it a bit more plausible. You'll know exactly when you hit that part in the book. It happens early on. Don't let it put you off the story because the twists keep it moving and the ending is satisfying.

This is a new author to me, and I will be adding more of her books to my TBR. Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read and review a digital copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine and freely given.

[Julie B. (readingonthebrink) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queue music from
🎵Fire & Rain🎵 by James Taylor

When you combine a murder re-trial, 40 year-old secrets, the mob, and an unlikely detective, you get Karen Grose's latest novel, What June Left Behind.

After a rather sleepy start to the novel, Grose pulls you into Ray Meadow's orbit as he attempts to get to the truth behind his wife's murder. This was not my normal intensely fast-paced thriller, yet nor was it a "cosy" murder mystery. What I really liked about the novel and what kept me reading to the last word was Ray. Grose gave us a glimpse inside the mind of a 68 year old widowed farmer turned amateur investigator. His anguish, his pain, his frustrations, his temper, his sense of honor and duty, his love of family and love of the land all show through.

I admire an author who can successfully write a first person narrative, and I also must give kudos to Grose for keeping me guessing through to the very end! I really thought I knew "whodunit", but I didn't!

Thank you @lovebookstours @karengrousewrites and @kingsleypublishers for my digital copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[glee book adventures · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ray had anything an old farmer would want: a busy farm, loving kids, and an amazing wife June. Until one anniversary, June is shot in which people though was a robbery gone bad. They thought it was cut dry, until a re-trial is granted. Ray takes things into his own hands, and even teams up with reporter Fan. As secrets continue re-surfacing not just about june, but her family....did Ray even know his wife?? is the real killer still out there??

Honestly I loved this read. It brought out all the emotions. One minute I was cheering Ray on, the next clutching/screaming at the book fearful he would end up like june. he learns that all secrets eventually come to light. Ray was my fave character, with his grit. I loved the banter, his homemade detective skills, and that love always endures, and that age is just a number. it was captivating and suspenseful. Perfect pace, amazing plot, and likeable characters (with just as important side chracters). If you love crime mystery/thrillers, you dont want to miss this read!

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

All June Left Behind starts out as a family dealing with trauma story but quickly morphs into a thrilling whodunnit. Widower Ray has been trying to put his life and his family back together after his wife’s murder. His grown children are worried about him. A technicality gives her murderer a new trial and Ray’s wounds are threatening to re-open. When a young reporter starts asking questions Ray isn’t sure of anything anymore. It’s a thrill ride to the end and a book I could not put down until the last sentence.

Love the setting in the rural town of Mitchell, with other familiar Ontario settings that local readers will recognize. Ray is a great character who you will be cheering for. A great read…highly recommend!

[Brit W · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride this book was! It showed how even the closest of people can still be strangers to us. But sometimes those secrets are meant to protect us, just as much as themselves.

I felt fully invested in Ray’s journey as I watched his strength, determination, and dedication as pushed to find out who murdered his wife. Even when he wavered, you could feel the deep love he had for his wife and he wasn’t going to give up until justice was served. My heart felt for his whole family and the secrets that slowly came to light.

The writing, twists, turns, and physiological aspect of this book were absolutely captivating and left me on the edge of my seat and guessing until the very end.

I appreciate the opportunity to have received a gifted copy and my review is honest and voluntary.

[Wendy Remez · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars-A husband and wife are going out to dinner for their anniversary when she is gunned down in an attempted robbery. Two years later the killer is granted a new trial. The attack was random, but who shoots some 6 times in a robbery? Is there more to the store? Who was June, and why did she have to die? I really enjoyed the pace and the writing style of the author.i found myself turning pages as quickly as I could to find out the truth (and let me tell you, I could never have guessed the outcome!) This is an author I will be in the lookout for in the future! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting contemporary mystery that will leave an impression on anyone. You really have to admire Ray who was not only able to move on after the death of his wife but also his courage of dealing with the fact that his wife had a secret she never revealed to him. I can understand why his wife never revealed that information because it was way to complicated and she wanted to move on.

Overall this is a book that will surely have you hooked the moment you start reading it. The characters especially Ray had some really admireable qualities and not to mention the plot was really attention grabbing.

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply invigorating thriller. The story centres around Ray, a widower whose wife was murdered.

When his wife’s killer is granted an appeal, Ray is confronted with the fact that there was more behind this heinous act than originally thought.

I loved the inner turmoil the protagonist experiences as he attempts to balance the stability of his family unit against the reality that everything they have known has been a lie.

I’m not gonna lie, I kind of had one twist clocked from the onset. But there were more than enough equilibrium-shakers to keep this reader engaged.

[Taryn Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced, filled with jaw dropping unpredictable plot twists exposing the impact of family secrets on everyone around them!
I love how this drew me in emotionally. Ray, the main character was raw in his emotions and many times I had to stop and pause as I felt things through him.
If you love a murder mystery, that uncovers secrets as you go that you just won't see coming, then this book is for you.
Karen Grose is a master at drawing you in and keeping you hooked!

[Daisy Hollands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start with this one? Have you ever read a book that has you simultaneously holding your breath, yet reading faster and faster, frantically racing through the pages. No? Get this book. That’s exactly what happened. What started out relatively sedately, soon became so tense, so gripping. I was completely immersed. What a clever, clever plot. Full of twists and turns”what now?!” moments. I loved it. Sublime writing, believable characters and paced perfectly. Highly recommended.

[Maria Vickers - MysteryLFL · Rating 4 out of 5]

The following will be an odd statement, but this is such a heartwarming thriller! We have the most likable MC in history doing anything and everything for love. The story is full of suspense, keeps you engaged, and has solid, unpredictable twists. It falls short in the believability/plausibility department, but it is a great read regardless.

Thank you to Love Books Tours for my copy of this book!

[Hopey’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Grose has written such a brilliant write who keeps you connected and engaged with the characters in the book! I was so intrigued with this mysterious psychological thriller. Don’t get me started with the crime and the truth that had to be unsolved by Ray. Yes, it kept me guessing till the end. I really enjoyed Ray and his determination. I love how unfiltered he is with his emotions and drive to find out the truth. Such a detailed and fast pasted read. I really enjoyed it !

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried many times to get into given how great others reviewed it but the flow was all over the place. I don’t believe April suddenly telling the secret while she is still in protection. Ray doesn’t use smartphones or much technology then suddenly he knows how to research all things mafia. I just couldn’t believe anything I was reading so I had to stop.

[Susan Oram · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this slow-burning thriller, a hardworking farmer hunts down clues to his wife's death and uncovers long-buried secrets, putting himself and family members in harm's way. I enjoyed getting to know the main character and his relationship with his grown daughter and son. The young reporter sidekick was a highlight, as were the surprises revealed at the end of the book.

[Russel · Rating 5 out of 5]

After receiving an early copy of All June Left Behind, I could not put it down and read it in one evening. I loved everything about Ray. This mystery is fast paced, and full of suspense and twists and turns right to the last page

[Heck Starns · Rating 5 out of 5]

All June Left Behind js well-written, full of surprises, and has the best main character to root for. Ray is amazing and he’s supported by a cast of well developed characters. Highly recommend this compelling mystery.

[Claudioa Yerlanev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t stop reading once I started. Ray’s grief felt so raw and real, and the secrets June left behind kept me guessing until the end. Karen Grose writes with such a clear, emotional voice. Highly recommend!

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first half sets up the characters beautifully, and then the second half explodes with tension. I loved the small-town Ontario setting and the way Ray’s world slowly unravels as he uncovers June’s secrets.