Blade

Judith D Collins
6 days ago
7 min read

By: Wendy Walker

Narrator: Julia Whelan

ISBN: 9781662531927

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Publication Date: 02/01/2026

Format: Hardcover

My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)

FEB 2026 MUST-READ BOOKS

From USA Today bestselling author—and former competitive skater—Wendy Walker comes a chilling psychological thriller set in the cutthroat world of elite figure skating.

Ana Robbins was an Olympic star in the making—until tragedy forced her to leave that world behind. At the age of sixteen, she gave up her dream and never looked back. Fourteen years later, she’s a successful defense attorney, revered for her work with minors. But when her former coach turns up dead, Ana lands right back where it all began, and abruptly ended: The Palace, a world-renowned skating facility nestled high in the mountains of Colorado.

Ana returns to The Palace to defend the young skater accused of the brutal crime—Grace Montgomery. Despite her claims of innocence, all evidence points squarely at Grace’s guilt, and she’s days away from facing charges of first-degree murder.

But Ana’s investigation dredges up childhood memories of her own, triggering the fear that permeates this place where she once lived and trained far from home as an “orphan.” With a blizzard raging outside, and time running out for Grace, Ana is determined to uncover the truth—even if it means exposing her own secrets that she buried here long ago.

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About the Author

Wendy Walker is the author of the psychological suspense novels All Is Not Forgotten, Emma in the Night, The Night Before, Don’t Look for Me, What Remains, and the Audible Originals Hold Your Breath, American Girl, Mad Love, and The Room Next Door. Her work has been translated into twenty-three languages, topping bestseller lists both in the United States and abroad, and featured by the Today show, the Reese Witherspoon Book Club, and the Book of the Month club. Six of her titles have also been optioned for television and film.

Wendy holds degrees from Brown University and Georgetown University Law School. Prior to her writing career, Wendy trained for competitive figure skating, worked as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs, and practiced both corporate and family law. She resides in Connecticut, where she raised her three sons. WEBSITE

Praise

“Walker nimbly toggles back and forth in time, slowly revealing the depths of Dawn and Emile’s depravity before tying everything together in the shrewd conclusion. The author is at the top of her game.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Fast-paced and emotionally charged, Blade digs into the dark side of elite sports in this gripping thriller. Wendy Walker is at the top of her game!”

—Ashley Elston, #1 New York Times bestselling author of First Lie Wins

“Blade pairs intricate plotting and a winning protagonist with an insider’s take on the fierce pressures placed on young women in competitive ice skating. Wendy Walker always delivers.”

—Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author of The Note

“Set in the world of elite figure skating, Walker’s latest thriller is as chilling as it is propulsive. Raw, emotional, and razor sharp, Blade kept me breathless until the final page.”

—Jeneva Rose, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Divorce

“Wendy Walker is an autobuy author for me—I’ll read anything she writes. Her books are smart, compelling, and packed with tension from start to finish. Every story is a masterclass in suspense, and Blade is her best yet.”

—Liv Constantine, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish

“Beautifully written and emotionally charged, Blade is a gripping thriller that delivers triple-Axel plot twists while pulling back the curtain on the cutthroat, high-stakes world of elite figure skating. Both chilling and mesmerizing, it’s a story that slices deep and lingers long after the final page.” —Kate White, New York Times bestselling author of I Came Back for You

“Wendy Walker’s Blade is riveting, propulsive, explosive, and heart wrenching! I started reading this early one night and didn’t stop until I’d finished, desperate to know how Walker’s intricate plot would unfold! With Walker’s signature scalpel-sharp prose and visionary storytelling, Blade is Megan Abbott’s Dare Me meets Eliza Jane Brazier’s Girls and Their Horses, a timely and timeless portrait of a female subculture complete with power dynamics, toxic friendships, buried secrets that seethe under the surface, and nerve-shredding suspense. I couldn’t get enough of this world!”

—May Cobb, award-winning author of The Hunting Wives (now a hit Netflix show)

“This addictive, atmospheric thriller cuts deep, delving beneath the sequins and spotlights to take an ice-cold look at the darker side of figure skating. Wendy Walker balances every element in her gripping story with the precision and artistry of a gold medalist.”

—Layne Fargo, bestselling author of The Favorites and They Never Learn

“Blade is Wendy Walker at her boldest: unflinching, urgent, and unforgettable. This is a deeply psychological, fiercely feminist, and emotionally devastating reckoning; Walker captures the weight of trauma, the pulse of fear, and the aching need for redemption with razor precision.”

—Carter Wilson, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of Tell Me What You Did

#Blade

My Review

BLADE by Wendy Walker (favorite author) is an intense and riveting psychological mystery thriller that follows a defense attorney who must return to her former elite figure skating academy to defend a young skater accused of murder, confronting her own traumatic past in the process.

About...

Ana's Past:

At thirteen, Ana moved to "The Palace," a world-renowned but high-pressure skating facility in Colorado, living as an "orphan" in the dorms. She bonds with three other skaters, and all four endure traumatic experiences under the strict regime. At 16, a "tragedy" occurs, causing Ana to leave the world of competitive skating and never look back.

The Present Day Murder:

Fourteen years later, Ana is a successful defense attorney specializing in cases involving minors. Her former coach is found dead at The Palace.

Ana's Return and Investigation:

Ana is drawn back to The Palace to defend Grace Montgomery, the teenage daughter of one of her former friends, who is the primary suspect in the coach's murder.

The Crime:

Grace is accused of brutally murdering an assistant coach, with all evidence pointing to her guilt, but she claims innocence.

Unraveling Secrets:

As Ana investigates Grace's case, the return to the facility triggers deeply buried and repressed childhood memories of her own time there.

Dual Timelines:

The narrative switches between the present-day murder investigation slowly revealing the events of the past, providing potential motives for the current crime.

Blizzard:

A blizzard traps everyone inside the facility, increasing the tension as Ana races to uncover the truth about the current murder and her own past before time runs out for Grace.

My thoughts...

"BLADE" stands out as one of Wendy Walker's finest works, showcasing her exceptional storytelling skills that have captivated readers for years. As a long-time admirer of her writing, I've delved into every one of her books.

The novel skillfully utilizes dual timelines (past and present) to unravel the mystery. BLADE explores themes related to trauma, power dynamics, ambition, and the lasting impact of early experiences within the isolated, high-pressure world of elite figure skating. From memory, moral ambiguity, and the psychological scars left by elite sports, with twists that challenge perceptions of guilt and innocence.

The story shifts between Ana's present-day investigation and her traumatic past as a young skater at the facility, linked by the group of four girls known as "The Orphans" (Ana, Grace's mom Jolene, Kayla, and Indy).

Major Themes

~The Lasting Impact of Trauma

~Power, Trust, and Vulnerability

~Ambition, Pressure, and Sacrifice

~Silence and Secrets

~Identity and Resilience

~Friendship and Belonging

~Justice and Moral Ambiguity

Walker delves into the dangerous power imbalances inherent in institutions like elite sports academies, where young, vulnerable athletes (the "orphans") are isolated from their support systems and subject to the authority of coaches and other adults. This raises questions about who can be trusted when power is unevenly distributed.

The novel highlights the cutthroat nature of competitive figure skating, examining the immense pressure placed on young athletes and the personal sacrifices—including safety and well-being—made in the pursuit of Olympic glory.

A major theme is the culture of silence that allows abuse and dark secrets to thrive within closed-off institutions. Ana's investigation cracks open a history of hidden truths that were buried. The bonds of friendship among the skaters become crucial for survival and a sense of belonging, and the story explores how these relationships are tested and fractured by shared trauma and secrets.

The title's significance:

~Figure skating requires immense precision and control, just as a blade must be handled with expertise. This mirrors the meticulous and "razor precision" with which the story unfolds and Ana's work as a defense attorney.

~While the blade is a sharp tool, it also represents the fragility and vulnerability of the young athletes, who are susceptible to emotional and physical abuse in the isolated facility.

~The novel is about confronting and reclaiming one's past. The "blade" can also symbolize the courage required to "unsheathe the sharp edge of experience" and face the hidden truths, no matter how painful.

The novel warns against prioritizing success and glory over the well-being and safety of vulnerable individuals, particularly children and young athletes.

The takeaway message is that the pursuit of elite athletic glory can create a toxic, isolated environment where power is abused, and young athletes are vulnerable. The book explores how trauma can be repressed and how one must confront their past to achieve true justice and healing.

Emotionally-charged and atmospheric, BLADE is a profound exploration of trust, toxic friendships, buried secrets, ambition, betrayal, trauma, healing, self-discovery, and the pursuit of justice.

I wholeheartedly recommend this remarkable title, along with other titles by this exceptionally talented favorite storyteller. (a former professional skater)-Check out her video and story on her website.

I look forward to listening to the audiobook narrated by the award-winning Julian Whelan.

Recs...

Books similar to BLADE by Wendy Walker often blend high-stakes competitive environments with themes of repressed trauma, institutional corruption, and psychological suspense.

Fiction: Sports-Centric Thrillers & Drama

~Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein

~The Girls by Abigail Pesta

~A Figure Skating Mystery series by Alina Adams

~The Skiers by Jen Craven

Thrillers with Similar Themes

~Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

~Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

~Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker

~American Girl by Wendy Walker

~Don't Look For Me by Wendy Walker (another favorite)

~The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf