Minka Kent delivers another razor-sharp domestic thriller with Circle of Strangers, the chilling second installment in her Dangerous Strangers series. Picking up the psychological tension and creeping paranoia that made Imaginary Strangers so addictive, this sequel proves that Kent remains a master at crafting stories where every neighbor hides something and every secret could be deadly.
The story follows Camille and Will Prescott, a couple trying to rebuild their marriage after surviving trauma. Hoping for a clean slate, they move from San Diego to a quiet gated community in Phoenix. It seems like the perfect refuge: manicured lawns, smiling neighbors, and a sense of security. But appearances, as always in Kent’s world, are deceiving.
Camille’s new neighborhood is anything but peaceful. Her overly eager neighbor Sozi seems desperate to insert herself into Camille’s life, while Mara and Oscar the volatile couple next door are the subject of endless gossip. What begins as harmless curiosity quickly spirals into obsession as Camille starts piecing together the secrets behind every perfect façade. But as she watches others, she begins to see cracks forming in her own marriage and when a figure from her past suddenly resurfaces, Camille’s fragile sense of safety shatters. Then, one morning, she finds a dead body in her garage.
From that moment on, the tension never lets up. Kent keeps readers on edge with her signature mix of claustrophobic atmosphere and rapid pacing. Each short, punchy chapter ends on just the right note of unease, pulling you deeper into the mystery. The writing is taut, cinematic, and full of energy. You can practically feel the Arizona heat pressing down as secrets begin to boil over.
Camille is an unforgettable narrator flawed, suspicious, and completely absorbing. She teeters between paranoia and intuition, and part of the thrill is never quite knowing if she’s uncovering the truth or losing her grip on it. Through her perspective, Kent deftly explores themes of trust, trauma, and how easily the illusion of suburban perfection can collapse.
Circle of Strangers stands strong on its own, but readers who have followed Camille’s story from Imaginary Strangers will find this continuation especially rewarding. The development of her character feels natural, showing both growth and lingering vulnerability. Kent also expands her world of deceit and danger, creating a community where everyone has something to hide.
The final act is pure adrenaline a blur of revelation, betrayal, and sharp twists that redefine everything you thought you knew. And though the ending lands on an infuriating cliffhanger, it does its job brilliantly: you’ll be desperate for the next book.
With its relentless pacing, unsettling characters, and perfectly controlled tension, Circle of Strangers is everything a domestic thriller should be. It’s dark, addictive, and impossible to put down a testament to Minka Kent’s skill at turning the ordinary into something utterly terrifying.
If you love twisty, fast-paced thrillers that keep you second-guessing everyone, don’t miss Circle of Strangers. Get your copy here: Buy on Amazon.
