Thread by Thread

by Katelynn Townsend

Layla Dean is used to control—until it’s taken from her.
When strange events begin to infiltrate her carefully guarded life, Layla finds herself caught in a dark spiral where nothing feels safe, and no one can be trusted. As reality begins to slip, she’s forced to confront the terrifying possibility that someone has been watching her for far longer than she realized.

Set against the backdrop of psychological unease and slow-burning dread, Thread by Thread is a gripping thriller that explores obsession, identity, and the thin, unraveling line between love and control.

For readers who crave high-stakes tension, haunting intimacy, and stories that get under your skin—and stay there.

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2025

Reviews

[sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

i do not wish what happened in this book to happen to anyone. it is not for the faint of heart; not depraved but an intense read.
the MMC’s obsession is crazy scary and written well in the book👀

Townsend writes beautifully with the emotion and flow behind it. i felt the tension come off every page, and had me holding on to the very end (barely).

the epilogue?! 🤯

the multiple POVs help form the plot seamlessly and creates an overall dynamic story.

i am looking forward to reading more books from the author.

[Matt Yeager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect this book to hit as hard as it did. This book is like stepping into a nightmare you can’t wake up from—and not wanting to. The suspense builds slow and tight, and then slams you with scenes that make your stomach drop. It’s raw, it’s gritty, and it doesn’t flinch.

The stalker angle? Chilling. The tension? Constant. You think you’ve got it figured out, then she pulls the rug out and dares you to keep going. And you will—because it’s that good.

This isn’t a soft thriller. It’s the kind that stays with you. If you’re into psychological mind games and darker stories that dig under your skin, this one’s for you. No fluff. Just fear, obsession, and a story that doesn’t let go.

FYI- the ending is one hell of a plot twist! The cliff hanger will make you go... What the fuck?!

[Sarah Dressel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story. The character development was very mixed. Some decisions and thoughts felt very out of place. Several plot items were brought up and then never mentioned again. Or there was suddenly an important item that had never been mentioned. Several plot holes throughout. I felt this book would have been much better if it had a slower and more dramatic ramp up. That way, the story would have more tense and unsettling moments. Make him seem like more of an ever lingering threat creeping up. Instead, it accelerated too fast as if the author couldn’t wait to write the captivity section. The zero to a hundred felt very jarring, and the story could’ve been so much better.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Holli Mattox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can confidently say this is top 5 best books I have ever read. When I read the trigger warnings (there were MANY) I knew I was gonna like this book. The mental and physical warfare that Layla experienced was diabolical. Her fears and her curiosity was palpable through the pages. The creation of Lola was a mind f*ck. And then THE PLOT TWIST OF THE CENTURY!!! I still cannot wrap my head around the ending of this book. I have no idea what is to come for these characters, but this book will be on my mind for a very long time.

[Cheryl Tabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definately a must read if you want a good phycological Thriller, with a very unexpected ending. This was wild, and am eager to read anything else by this Author. Thanks Goodreads, the Publishers and Author for such a great read. There are no dull spots in this book, just everything gripping you from the 1st page to the last, further into it all. I don't want to spoil anything, so you just have to trust me!

[Dee Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won a copy from Goodreads.

This book pleasantly surprised me with how quickly the darkness pulled me in and refused to let me put the book down. The mental and physical ordeal that Layla goes through had me surprised at her ability to go on. The twist at the end was completely unexpected and has me questioning if there were any easter eggs that hinted at it.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pulls you in

I love a book that pulls you in and keeps the reader interested. This one did just that. I had no idea how this story was going to unfold, needless to say the shocking twist at the end. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Rachelle McKinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book drew me in quickly and I enjoyed the tension. It felt a little rushed at times, but overall good. It seems like there may be some plot holes, though it’s possible I’m just missing something with the ending? Hoping there’s going to be a second book to explain!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent psychological thriller that will keep you turning pages. The twist at the end was the perfect ending to keep the chill factor going.