You'll Never Know
- Judith D Collins
- Dec 4
- 9 min read
By: Caleb Stephens
Narrators: Danny Montooth, Brittany Pressley, and Adam Verner
ISBN: 9798991461016
Publisher: Thrillerscape Press
Publication Date:11/18/2025
Format: e-book
My Rating: 5 Stars + (ARC)
TOP THRILLERS OF 2025!
When his wife and unborn child are abducted, Grant Wilson races against the clock in this pulse-pounding thriller packed with riddles, danger, and the desperate fight to save his family, perfect for fans of Adrian McKinty’s The Chain.
They took his wife.
They took his unborn child.
He only has hours to find them …
or they’re dead.
Grant Wilson has never been happier. He has a wife he loves, a home in the country, and a brand-new baby on the way. But all of that shatters when two masked men abduct his wife, Avery, in broad daylight.
The instructions Grant receives are bizarre: If he wants Avery back, he must solve a series of riddles that arrive one after another—and the clock is ticking.
With every piece of the puzzle more outrageous and complex than the last, Grant knows he’s playing a dangerous game. But he’s determined to do whatever it takes to save Avery’s life … even if it kills him.
About the Author
Caleb Stephens is an award-winning author writing from Denver, Colorado. His novels include the thrillers You’ll Never Know, If You Lie, The Girls in the Cabin, and What Waits Below.
His short fiction has appeared in dozens of publications and podcasts and his story, “The Wallpaper Man” was adapted for film in 2022 by Falconer Film and Media. He'll forever be crossing my fingers it’s one day made into a feature film.
He loves hearing from you. In the meantime he'll be hard at work writing his next book.
Connect with Caleb:
Caleb's Books
Exceptional Authors.
Standout Books. Elevator Talk.
Behind the Book & the Author
INTRIGUING QUESTIONS. INQUIRING READERS WANT TO KNOW.
Welcome to the December 2025 edition of #LitLiftMiniAuthorChats, a part of the #AuthorElevatorSeries Today, we’re thrilled to welcome bestselling author Caleb Stephens, discussing his enthralling new psychological thriller, YOU'LL NEVER KNOW, available now in e-book, paperhack, and audio formats. My top thrillers of 2025! A must-read for thriller fans.
When his wife and unborn child are abducted, Grant Wilson races against the clock in this pulse-pounding thriller packed with riddles, danger, and the desperate fight to save his family, perfect for fans of Adrian McKinty’s The Chain.
Join us for an engaging conversation and discover more about this remarkable book and its talented author.
Welcome, Caleb!
Behind the Book
Q. Give us your best ELEVATOR PITCH for your new book.
A man must solve a series of increasingly bizarre riddles in order to save his newly-pregnant wife from her abductors.
Q. DESCRIBE your novel in three words.
Twisty, relentless, emotional.
Q. TOPICS: Name 1-3 topics or themes addressed in the novel?
Grief, regret, and vengeance.
Q. SETTING: Book setting (s), timeline (s), season, and why you selected it.
You’ll Never Know is primarily set in Ouray and Durango, Colorado, which are two mountain towns close to my hometown of Cortez, Colorado. As a native Coloradoan, I try to set the majority of my thrillers in my state. I love everything about it, and I don’t see it used as a setting in enough books—so I guess it’s my calling to do so!
The main timeline takes place over two intense days as Grant attempts to save his wife and child. There are two other POV characters with separate timelines however, spanning from a few years for one, and an entire lifetime for another. I can’t say much more than that without giving something away.
For the present timeline, the season is summer. For this novel, I wanted to play with the contrast of something terrifying happening on an otherwise beautiful day.
Q. DID YOU KNOW? Name 3-5 things that readers may (or may not) know about your book.
This is the first book I fully plotted before ever writing a word. It took me about two months to think through. And to be honest, the writing process was much smoother as a result.
I was told by several people that the concept for You’ll Never Know was too complicated to properly execute, and that I should simplify it. But I didn’t; the book had other plans.
My first beta-reader, the wonderful Faith Gardner (check out her books if you haven’t, she’s incredible), suggested a change to the structure of the book that sent me into a full-on panic because I knew she was right, and I knew how much work it would take as a result. But it was worth it. Her feedback made the book so much better.
Behind the Author
Q. BOOKS: How many books have you written?
I’ve written six full-length novels and dozens of short stories. I’ve published four. My first was garbage. I have another one sitting on my hard drive that’s not a thriller, which is why I haven’t released it yet. I love it though and do plan to get it out there at some point.
Q. DID YOU KNOW? Name 3-5 things that readers may (or may not) know about YOU, the author.
I play guitar and was in a ska band in college. I auditioned for and almost made it onto both The Real World and Fear Factor. I’m a CPA. And one of my short stories was turned into a short film in 2022. (The director and I even have a full-length screenplay on circulation in LA. I’ll be forever hoping the film is actually made.)
Q. Recommendation: A book you recommend. .
Beta by Sammy Scott. It’s a ridiculously-good techno-thriller that far too few people have read.
Q. ELEVATOR: If you were stuck in an elevator with someone, who would you want it to be? (celebrity, influence, author--dead or alive).
My favorite author, Gillian Flynn. I would force her to teach me everything she knows.
Q. UPCOMING: Currently working on, or upcoming project?
Yes! I’m about seven thousand words into my next thriller. I’m afraid this one is going to be too dark for people. But I love the idea, so I’m going to write it anyway!
Praise
"Thrilling, reckless, and packed with twists and turns that are so sharp you'll feel the whiplash. Cancel your plans, buckle up, and hang on tight!"
—Noelle W. Ihli, bestselling author of Ask for Andrea
"Riveting and relentlessly twisty, this fast-paced thriller had me hooked from the first page and gasping by the last. Fans of Gillian Flynn and Freida McFadden will tear through it in one sitting."
—Faith Gardner, author of The Mirror House Girls
My Review
Top Thrillers of 2025!
Cabel Stephens’ latest electrifying masterpiece, YOU'LL NEVER KNOW, plunges readers into a labyrinth of suspense that is both intricate and exhilarating. This riveting thriller is rife with spine-tingling twists, lurking dangers, nuanced characters, and complex, intricate puzzles that challenge even the sharpest minds.
With masterful craftsmanship and a tempo that maintains exquisite control, Stephens expertly cranks up the tension and emotional stakes on every page. You'll find yourself perpetually on alert, teetering on the brink of your seat, as each heart-stopping revelation leaves you gasping for breath and yearning for more.
Prepare for a wild ride! A full-throttle thriller, dark and driving. Swift, sharp, and relentless. I devoured. Bingeworthy, and prime for the big screen! Thriller fans, this is a must-read.
About...
YOU'LL NEVER KNOW revolves around Grant Wilson, a man who must solve a series of increasingly complex and dangerous riddles to save his pregnant wife, Avery, after she is abducted.
Main Characters:
Grant and his wife, Avery, live an idyllic life. Happily married and expecting their first child.
Abduction:
Avery is kidnapped in broad daylight by two masked men during what was meant to be a peaceful hike.
The Challenge:
Grant receives instructions he must follow—a trail of riddles and a series of "impossible choices" to secure his wife's return.
Race Against Time:
In a high-stakes, "race against the clock" scenario, with the threat that Grant only has a limited time to find her before she and the baby are killed.
Escalating Danger:
Each riddle and subsequent puzzle that Grant must solve becomes more complex, difficult, and perilous than the last. The "riddles" themselves serve a purpose beyond simple instruction, designed to unravel the couple's life and expose hidden truths.
Personal Stakes:
It becomes clear to Grant that the abduction is a personal attack, not a random crime. Someone wants revenge and is clearly targeting him.
The Present Timeline:
Follows Grant in real-time as he desperately tries to solve the intricate riddles and follow the instructions left by his wife's abductors. This timeline is fast-paced and action-oriented, building suspense as the clock ticks down on Avery's life.
The Past Timeline:
This narrative delves into the history of Grant and Avery's relationship, as well as Grant's earlier life and his connection to the setting where the present events are occurring. These chapters delve into past secrets, choices, and unresolved conflicts that appear to be the motive behind the abduction. (This timeline is spine-chilling and unputdownable).
The ongoing mystery: How do these narratives intertwine?
My Reflections...
Propulsive, shocking, and exquisitely crafted, Stephen's fantastic thriller features flawed characters and a harrowing truth: 'We can never escape our past.'
Prepare to be captivated and totally immersed! YOU'LL NEVER KNOW is an exceptional, edgy thriller that stands out in the genre. (My 465th book read and reviewed in 2025, and the majority being thrillers).
This was my first experience with the author, and I must say, I was utterly impressed! A heartfelt thank you to Author Noelle Ihli for the recommendation—Stephens has undoubtedly earned a spot on my list of favorite authors, and I eagerly anticipate exploring his previous works.
With an abundance of intricate layers to this narrative, and while I'd love to delve deeper, I'll save those discussions for your book club to avoid spoilers—it's an ideal selection for such a gathering with much to discuss.
Stephens expertly crafts a gripping mystery that unfolds across dual timelines, presenting readers with pieces of a complex puzzle that challenge us to connect past events to the present. (While both timelines are equally compelling, I thought the past was the most intriguing.)
The dual timeline structure is pivotal to the thriller's essence, as understanding the "why" behind the kidnapping is just as crucial as unraveling the "how" of saving Avery.
The narrative, marked by multiple perspectives, introduces a significant and unexpected plot twist that seamlessly intertwines the various threads of the story. This twist compels both the protagonist and the reader to reevaluate their assumptions, leaving them questioning every character's motivations, including Grant's own potential role and the abductor's hidden agenda.
Throughout the novel, love and danger exist in a delicate balance, with love serving as the emotional core that imbues the danger with meaning and elevates the stakes to astonishing heights.
This fast-paced psychological thriller immerses readers into the intense pressure and moral dilemmas Grant confronts as he fights to save his family, all while grappling with the haunting question, "How far would you go to protect someone you love?"
The narrative is a continuous struggle against manipulation, deception, trust, danger, desperation, loss, trauma, and love, intricately woven into each character's journey. Delving into the contrasts between good and evil, the moral ambiguity of challenging choices, and the secrets that lurk beneath seemingly perfect relationships.
I assure you, you will be SPELLBOUND by the interplay of past and present perspectives and the unexpected twists that await. After finishing, you may find yourself revisiting earlier chapters to uncover clues you might have missed.
The Title Significance
The title, "YOU'LL NEVER KNOW," carries profound significance, reflecting the novel's central themes of uncertainty, hidden truths, and the unpredictability of human nature, all culminating in a major, unforeseen plot twist. Much like the protagonist Grant, readers will constantly find themselves guessing, never truly aware of what lies ahead until the author unveils the truth. This title alludes to the hidden depths of the characters' lives and the reality that one can never fully comprehend another person's story or capabilities.
The themes explored within this novel—love, sacrifice, manipulation, deception, trust, difficult choices, secrets, desperation, the repercussions of a concealed past, redemption, forgiveness, justice, family ties, and past transgressions—create a riveting tapestry of life and death.
Ultimately, the novel invites us to reflect on the deceptive nature of appearances and how easily trust can be exploited, while also examining the extreme pressures and moral ambiguities that arise when survival is at stake.
The Bonus Epilogue:
The book includes an exceptionally clever addition, a downloadable bonus epilogue, AFTER WHAT I'VE DONE, which adds a final layer to the story. I am hoping we might see a continuation of these characters in another book.
Additionally, you’ll find an enticing excerpt from If You Lie. I’m eagerly anticipating the release of the audiobook for The Girls in the Cabin on December 2.
In a thoughtful addition, the book also delves into the topic of MLD: Metachromatic leukodystrophy, a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain and nervous system, which is highlighted in the book and in the Author's note.
Recs...
For both devoted fans of the author and new fans, as well as those who enjoy high-stakes, electrifying, intense, and emotional psychological suspense, both plot and character driven by notable authors, Taylor Adams, Mary Kubica, Alice Feeney, Joshua Moehling, Carter Wilson, Chevy Stevens, and Noelle Ihli.
Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. I am looking forward to listening to the audio narrated by my favorites: Danny Montooth, Brittany Pressley, and Adam Verner.
An author I need to add to my featured #LitLiftMiniAuthorChat or #AuthorElevatorSeries!
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars *
Pub Date: Nov 18, 2025
Bonus Epilogue
YOU'LL NEVER KNOW is a must-read! At the end, there is a delicious bonus book that tells you what happens next.
However, you must read the book first to get the bonus epilogue, AFTER WHAT I'VE DONE.
Now, I hope we get a series as this book & epilogue are too good to end!
