Don't Answer the Phone

by Miranda Rijks

She’s the woman of his dreams. He’s the monster from her nightmares.

When Daniella rescues elderly Peggy from a mugger on a Boston street, she expects nothing in return. But then she meets Peggy's son, Lucas—devastatingly handsome and utterly captivating. Unlike her distant husband Grant, Lucas sees her. Wants her.

Daniella can’t resist and they spend one reckless night together which she immediately regrets.

Too late, because Lucas doesn't just want Daniella. He needs her. And he's willing to destroy everything—and everyone—standing in his way.

Lucas plays the long game, worming his way into Daniella's life—befriending Grant, charming her twin daughters, inveigling his way into her family. Every time she turns around, he seems to be there.

As the depths of his obsession become clear, Daniella realizes she’s in a fight for her life. Because the family she tried to help is hiding something dark. Something deadly.

And she's already in too deep to escape.

Don’t Answer the Phone - the chilling psychological thriller from the best-selling author of One Little Mistake and The Visitors.


What readers are saying about Don’t Answer the Phone:

“Obsessed. I think all my reviews for Miranda’s books start like that but this book was brilliant. I flew through this in 24hrs, I couldn't put it down. There were so many twists…” -Goodreads Reviewer

If you’re a fan of this author, then get ready for the ride of your life! …perfect for anyone who enjoys a gripping, dark read filled with complex characters…” -Goodreads Reviewer

“This author never disappoints. Continues to deliver great thrilling reads that will leave you gasping at the twists. Love the rollercoaster ride!” -Netgalley Reviewer

“…another bingeworthy, fast-paced popcorn thriller that fans of Freida McFadden will love. Easy to be read in one sitting, this is perfect for a relaxing, if intense day off. The twists worked well and were plentiful.” -Netgalley Reviewer

“I REALLY enjoyed this book! I was doing all the things... sitting on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, clenching my jaw. This is a great binge read!” -Netgalley Reviewer

“Miranda Rijks is the master at dark and deeply disturbing psychological thrillers, and Don't Answer the Phone is exactly that. Rijks keeps her readers hooked by spoon feeding twists and revelations at just the right moment. The pacing is perfect and the character development is superior.” -Netgalley Reviewer

“Miranda Rijks always writes the best thrillers, and this was no exception. As usual, no plot holes or twists that seem to come out of nowhere… I loved every bit of this story and am anxiously awaiting her next book!” -Netgalley Reviewer

Genres: Thriller, Suspense, Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Mystery Thriller

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 8, 2026

About the author

Miranda Rijks is the author of 26 psychological thrillers, many of which have been Amazon bestsellers. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband and black Labrador.

Her fast-paced, twisty thrillers are inspired by scary things that have happened to her or places she has visited.

Miranda turned to writing after recovering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She's so grateful that she's now a full-time author and living the dream!

Visit www.mirandarijks.com to get her FREE novella, The Cheat, and the chance to name characters in her books.

Reviews

[CarolG · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Daniella rescues elderly Peggy after she's attacked by a mugger on a Boston street, she expects nothing in return. But then she meets Peggy's son, Lucas, devastatingly handsome and utterly captivating. Unlike her distant husband Grant, Lucas sees her. Wants her.
.
A story of obsession which once again proves that you can't judge a book by its cover ... as it applies to people that is. This book is a quick read although I found the chapters longer than I was expecting. Lucas is very creepy as we watch him insert himself into Daniella's life and things become very tense. Peggy, his mother, understands him and tries to make him see reason, not always successfully. In the end maybe I shouldn't have felt such compassion for Peggy. Although this is a story that's been told before there are some unique twists and it's a smooth read with some intriguing characters.

Thank you to Inkubator Books, via Netgalley, for providing an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: March 8, 2026

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story gripped me from the prologue and never let go! Right from the start the tension with thick and I knew I was in for a wild ride. It also immediately jumped through what appears to be a different timeline so there’s that lingering feeling of what and who that prologue was about!

The story follows Daniella as her life begins to unravel after saving her elderly neighbor Peggy from a mugger, which led her son Lucas to show up and stop at nothing to convince Daniella how grateful he is. Some of the characters that I did not like in the beginning grew on me and some that I thought were very charming ended up being my most unliked characters.

I really enjoyed the dual POVs between Daniella, Lucas, and Peggy. Seeing the story unfold from multiple perspectives added depth and kept the suspense going up as the different threads slowly started to connect.

Overall, this was a great read and Miranda Rijks does a fantastic job of creating characters that keep you guessing. This was my 5th read by her and I have enjoyed them all!.

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

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miranda Rijks books are always fast moving and intense. I would have read this in one sitting if I hadn’t been so tired, it had me hooked. Full of twists and a psychopath who is terrifying, this book really is tough to put down.

Looks can be deceiving, and Daniella finds this out quickly. After rescuing an elderly neighbour from being mugged on the streets of Boston, she meets the son who is devastatingly handsome. This begins the nightmare that is Lucas and his obsession with her and breaking up her family. He will stop at nothing to get her, with deadly consequences.

I was on edge for so much of this book, wondering just what Lucas would do next. I felt sorry for Daniella, she tried so hard to rebuff him without much luck. An awful situation to be in, with a man who won’t take no for an answer.

Thanks so much to Miranda for my early copy of this book to read. It comes out on March 8th.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you say psychopath with a capital P? This book had me on the edge of my seat from the very first page. Miranda Rijks is a fave author of mine and I don’t even have to read what it’s about, I know it will be a great thriller. This was fast paced and addicting! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

PS Can we talk about how cute this pink telephone is on the cover???? I have a pink phone very similar to this that belonged to my 95 year old mother-in-law and I want to send a picture to Miranda!! 📞

[Jannelies · Rating 2 out of 5]

I needed something light to read so I turned to the latest title from Miranda Rijks. Usually I quite like her books but sadly this one left me a bit disappointed. My main problem is that the characters, especially Daniella and Lucas, read more like caricatures than real characters. And I found all other characters lacking in depth. I also still don't understand what the phone calls had to do with the story.

Well, not a big problem because the story had its moments, and next time better!

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE BY MIRANDA RIIJKS.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
I literally read this book within the day.
I was absolutely hooked from the first page until the last.
Bravo 👏
The cover is 🔥 Absolutely gorgeous

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of this author, then get ready for the ride of your life!

Daniella rescues elderly Peggy from a mugger and meets her son, Lucas, who is strikingly handsome and charming. After a reckless night together, Daniella regrets her decision, but Lucas becomes obsessively determined to win her over, infiltrating her life and family. As his obsession intensifies, Daniella discovers that Peggy's family harbors dark secrets. Realizing she’s in a dangerous situation, she fights to escape Lucas's increasing control over her life.

The story unfolds through several points of view, including Daniella, Lucas, and Peggy, allowing you to connect with each character in real time. You’ll likely find yourself drawn to your favorites. Daniella is a relatable character who faces everyday struggles; Peggy is the beloved grandma we all know, with her quirks; and Lucas is probably that person in your life who seems to be lurking, watching you live your day-to-day. I found myself completely engrossed in this story—it was darker than I had anticipated. Let’s not overlook Bippie! I have a soft spot for dog characters who show up in the stories I read, and I really hope no one harms them. At least it’s great to see a happy ending for one character!

The events and behaviors were so vividly depicted that I could easily picture the challenges poor Daniella faced and the twisted mind of a stalker. And Peggy? She raised a real piece of work, but trust me, no spoilers here! It was hard to put this book down, especially as everything unraveled towards the end—let me tell you, it got extremely unhinged! The twists and final reveals were all surprises I never saw coming. Miranda is improving with each book she writes. The layers of lies and deception kept me hooked, like a book junkie craving their next fix. Kudos to her for that!

This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a gripping, dark read filled with complex characters—some you'll find yourself liking, while others you might want to steer clear of. If obsession, violence, and deep-rooted family trauma don’t scare you away, this story will grab your attention. There’s a saying in my country: “Pro dobrotu na zebrotu,” which loosely translates to “No good deed goes unpunished.” So, the next time you help someone, keep your guard up and weigh your options carefully, as that seemingly simple moment could change your life forever. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll block a random old lady’s number that I helped—just to be safe! Ha!

Thank you, Inkubator Books and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

​Chilling, Claustrophobic and Captivating!
Miranda Rijks has crafted a brilliant illustration of obsession and betrayal. When Danielle performs a simple act of kindness for an elderly neighbour, she has no idea she’s inviting a predator into her life.
The neighbour’s handsome son doesn't just offer friendship; he orchestrates a devastating mistake that threatens to ruin Danielle’s entire world. ​
The tension is claustrophobic, building with every chapter as his fixation turns into a relentless campaign of terror.
As Danielle’s business and family life fracture under the pressure, I was gripped by her desperate struggle to escape.
With an ending tied up as neatly as a bunch of silk sunflowers, this is a dark, expertly woven must-read for thriller fans.
My thanks to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC. This is my own opinion.

[Jindi (readingwithcaffeine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super easy to get through even though it filled me with rage the entire time. After rescuing an elderly woman named Peggy from a random street mugging, Daniella expects nothing in return. However, the woman and her charming son, Lucas, insist on keeping in touch. What starts as a wholesome relationship, soon turns sinister. She suddenly finds herself bumping into Lucas wherever she goes. Is he following her or is this just a coincidence?

With her own marriage in shambles, lacking the intimacy she so desperately craves, she quickly finds herself captivated by Lucas who seems to have everything her husband doesn’t. After one night of reckless behaviour, wracked with guilt she decides she can never see him again.. but Lucas won’t accept that. He believes Daniella is his soulmate and won’t let anything or anyone stand in his way when it comes to pursuing her.

Honestly this book made me feel so nauseous at times. I didn’t find myself particularly caring much about any of the characters but I was just so stunned by the series of events. When you think it can’t get worse, it somehow does. I managed to read this in just a couple of house and found it to be an addictive read. 3.5 stars

[Tina A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fatal Attraction vibes are bleeding out of Miranda Rijks latest release, Don’t Answer the Phone! With unhinged behavior during a relentless pursuit of a married woman, Lucas systematically infiltrates the lives of Daniella and her husband, Grant, and their twin daughters. Lives will be destroyed as the body count rises- guaranteed!

The fractured mind of Lucas’s obsession was so unbelievably off the rails—and wildly entertaining—I could NOT put this down! Definitely my favorite book by Miranda Rijks, thus far.

Easy 5 stars!

***I received an advance reader copy from Inkubator Books via NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.***

[Stefanie Verhelst · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Daniella meets Peggy and Lucas, she doesn’t know this will be the start of a nightmare, a battle for her life and the ones she loves.

The suspense is build up brilliantly, I was literally on the edge of my seat while reading this book.

I would recommend it to people who like a psychological thriller with emotional depth!.

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

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks)]

Dont Answer The Phone is like your favorite dessert, easy to devour. This one hookedme at the start. 

Daniella's marriage needs some work so she finds herself drawn to Lucas, an incredibly handsome man. 

Let's just say this grass is not always greener. What does one do when a psychopath becomes obsessed with you? You'll just have to read it to find out!

[Di · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good portion of this book revolved around infidelity and that just rubbed me the wrong way. If infidelity is triggering for you, this book isn't for you. (I seem to be the unpopular opinion) My review does not reflect against this author or their writing style. It just wasn't for me.

[Jill McGill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t Answer the Phone by Miranda Rijks is a fast-paced psychological thriller that kept me turning the pages. The premise is unsettling and immediately pulls you in, and has an underlying sense of dread that builds steadily throughout the story. Rijks does a great job creating an atmosphere where you constantly feel on edge, questioning motives and wondering who can be trusted.
The story moves quickly and is full of twists that kept things interesting, even when I thought I had it figured out. Some moments felt a bit predictable, and there were a few parts where I wanted a little more depth from the characters, but overall the suspense more than made up for it.
If you’re looking for a gripping, easy-to-read thriller with plenty of tension and surprises, this one delivers. It’s not perfect, but it’s an entertaining and solid read that earns a strong 4 stars.

[Karen Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed. I think all my reviews for Miranda’s books start like that but this book was brilliant.

I flew through this in 24hrs, I couldn't put it down. There were so many twists, loved Daniella's character, she was very empowering.

Miranda is an instant read author for me and i am so excited to read what is next. I'd love to know where she gets her ideas from 🤣.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Bo.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story opens with a very quick but shocking prologue, and I was instantly glued and wanted to solve the crime right away.

When Daniella rescues elderly Peggy from a mugger, she expects nothing in return from the incident. Until she meets Peggy's drop-dead gorgeous son Lucas, and immediately, there is an instant 'love-at-first-sight attraction' between the two. Only problem is, not only is Daniella married, but she realises after it's too late, that Lucas is obsessed, relentless, and needs her at any cost.

Overall, I thought it was a fast-paced and addicting read that I wasn't able to put down once I started. Following the main characters felt like foreseeing a train wreck, and I genuinely found some moments with Lucas, to be creepy and unsettling. I thought the author did well to show the consequences of making reckless decisions and how quickly things can escalate.

It became clear for me quite early on where the plot was heading, so I wasn't entirely shocked by some of the twists, and unfortunately, the plot left me with some unanswered questions.

This was nowhere near being a banger, but if you like fatal attraction, dark family secret type thrillers, this might be a hit for you.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniella rescues Peggy from a mugging in the street. She didn’t think much of it, and expected nothing in return. She meets Lucas, Peggy’s son, who is very handsome and he wants her. At first, Daniella has some of the same thoughts. She’s been in a 20 year marriage and there is no intimacy. Then Daniella and Lucas have one indiscretion and Daniella regrets it. Lucas now believes that Daniella is his one and only, and will stop at nothing to make her his.

I enjoy Rijks’ books, and this is another one that I enjoyed! Told in multiple viewpoints, we really get to be inside the head of the characters and see the events through their eyes. Along with that, the book is fast paced and full of twists.

I didn’t mind Daniella as a character, but I felt bad for her husband Grant, and I really despised Lucas. Even at first, the fact that he was so disrespectful to her just sat with me the wrong way. Peggy is quite an interesting character and I love the way that Rijks revealed who Peggy is throughout the book. Quite clever!

I’d recommend this book to anyone!

[Donna Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is a quick moving thriller. I read it in one day because once I started I didn’t want to put it down.

The premise was interesting. The FMC was naive and annoying at times. The story was twisty- some more obvious than others. Some of those twists worked better for me than others. But overall, the story was well done.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author that I have enjoyed.

[Monika Armet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniella Morris is a middle-aged woman running a small but successful faux floristry business in Boston. She has been married to Grant for more than two decades, and together, they have twin daughters, Arlysa and Tasia.

As the twins are preparing to leave the nest, Daniella is dreading letting her beloved children go. She also feels lonely in her marriage.

One day, Daniella prevents an elderly lady, Peggy, from being robbed. At Peggy’s request, she accompanies her to the hospital, where she meets Lucas, Peggy’s very handsome son.

Sparks fly between Daniella and Lucas, and they spend a night together. Something that Daniella immediately regrets.

However, Lucas will not let her go that easily…

I really enjoyed this tense thriller! I read the book in a couple of sittings.

Lucas’s erratic behaviour has chilled me to the bone. As the book progressed, his actions worsened.

At the start, I didn’t have much sympathy for Daniella, as she had everything a lot of people want in their lives: a loving husband, two great daughters, a business, and a house. However, as Lucas became more deranged, I ended up feeling sorry for her. We all make mistakes, and it was clear that Daniella has regretted hers.

Be prepared for some delicious twists along the way, especially towards the end!

[Lu thrillskillsandchills · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a tense, addictive read.

The premise hooked me immediately — one small act of kindness leads Daniella into the orbit of Lucas, a man who quickly proves far more dangerous than she first realises. What starts as an uncomfortable situation slowly escalates into something far darker, and watching Lucas quietly weave himself into Daniella’s life was genuinely unsettling.

Miranda Rijks does a great job building that creeping sense of dread. Lucas is one of those villains who hides behind charm and politeness, which somehow makes him even more disturbing. The way he gradually embeds himself into Daniella’s family and social world had me constantly waiting for the next move.

The pacing is quick with short chapters that make it easy to fly through, and I found myself increasingly invested as the tension ramped up.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers about obsession, manipulation and the consequences of one impulsive decision, this is a very bingeable read.

[NK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Swept up in the green eyes of a handsome and intoxicating stranger, an unsatisfied wife must escape the crosshairs of his fixation and fight for her life.

*SPOILERS*

Daniella Morris is a loving and devoted spouse, and she encourages her emotionally distant husband to attend couples counselling in the hopes that they can reignite the intimacy in their marriage. When she rescues an older lady, Peggy Denman, from a mugging in their otherwise peaceful neighbourhood and misses their first counselling session, Daniella catches the attention of Peggy’s son, Lucas, and the attraction is mutual and intense. Daniella finds herself daydreaming of Lucas with a passion that is sorely lacking at home. It doesn’t take long before his dazzling smile and easy demeanour seduce her into an encounter that she quickly regrets. Told from three points of view, Daniella’s guilt about this fleeting affair starts to consume her, while Lucas descends into the throes of obsession. He eventually makes a choice: if Daniella continues to deny their unmistakable connection, he will have to show her that only he can love her the way she deserves.

The prologue and the gradual relationship development set the tone for dark suspense, but the book contains some inconsistencies in character and narration. It culminates in an ending that feels hollow compared to what was assured by the strong build-up.

Minor narrative conflicts weaken the intensity of this promising story of obsession.

[hannah eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

My thoughts about this book are complicated, to say the least. It was a solid thriller, but I had a few issues with it:

1) The premise:
I feel like the title and blurb are slightly misleading, because the phone-storyline just wasn’t important to the main plot. It's referenced in the first chapter (which I LOVED), but then it kind of gets pushed to the side. I would have loved for the phone theme/the Denmans’ backstory to be more relevant to the story.

2) Pacing:
Now, this is entirely subjective, but I felt like the middle part of the book dragged on for way too long, whereas the ending almost seemed a bit rushed.

3) Lesley:
I’m just not sure what Lesley and Daniella’s friendship struggles (and Matt’s character in general) really added to the plot. Matt causing problems can’t have been a red herring, since it was already obvious who the “bad guy” was, so… why was it such a big thing?

Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Miranda Rijks for this opportunity.

[Kimmy C · Rating 3 out of 5]

After 20 years of marriage, Daniella and her husband Grant find things getting a bit stale. Enter: Lucas, the son of the elderly woman Daniella rescues after a mugging: sparks fly, one thing leads to another, and soon Lucas is obsessed, and will stop at nothing to realise his dream of marrying Daniella, once all the pesky barriers are out of the way.
Personally I found One Little Mistake by this author a better read - pretty much with the exception of Bippie the dog, I didn’t much care for any of them (heads up: nothing happens to the dog). However it trots along at a good pace, and even though you guess how it may work out, a few things may surprise you. With thanks to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the preview copy.

[Diane Dachota · Rating 3 out of 5]

Riijks is the queen of popcorn thrillers and this story about a woman named Daniella was a quick read. Daniella is married and has twin daughters about to head off to college. She and her husband Grant have been having marriage problems and she feels alone and already missing her daughters who plan on a gap year abroad. One day she is one her way to her faux flower shop when she sees an elderly neighbor being mugged. She can't see the mugger but helps the woman named Peggy and goes with her to the hospital. It turns out that Peggy has a very handsome son named Lucas and when Daniella meets him there is an instant attraction. Only Lucas is not the nice guy he seems to be.

There weren't a lot of surprises here as we find out immediately that he is obsessive and means to have Daniella at any cost. After the couple spend one night together, Daniella regrets cheating on her husband and wants to just remain friends with Lucas, but he has other things in mind,. I didn't get the title because that really has nothing to do with the plot and some side stories like Daniella's business partner wanting to expand and bring her boyfriend into the business, seemed added just to add to the page count. There were some twists towards the end but they didn't affect the main story and I thought they weren't needed. Not my favorite of this author's work but still tense and readable. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.

[Gidha Iftikhar · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel would have worked much better if the characters were younger—early forties would have been fine. Daniella being 52 makes the attraction and fantasies feel unrealistic, and the supposed chemistry between her and Lucas comes off more uncomfortable than believable.
Grant, who is supposed to be a science genius and MIT professor, felt surprisingly clueless throughout. I kept expecting him to step up, take control, or reveal some bigger plan at the end, but nothing like that happened. It was very disappointing.
Matt and Lesley’s subplot also felt unnecessary, added only to stretch the story and create extra drama. And of course, their issues conveniently overlap with Lucas entering Daniella’s life, just to make everything more complicated. Even the girls’ characters were underdeveloped and didn’t really add anything meaningful to the story.
Overall, it was a very plain and simple story that could easily be summed up in a single line.

[Lucy Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniella rescues an elderly woman named Peggy from a violent mugging on a Boston street. This selfless deed introduces her to Peggy’s son, Lucas, who is magnetic, handsome, and seemingly the perfect contrast to her emotionally distant husband.
Drawn to Lucas's intense attention, Daniella has a brief, reckless "indiscretion" with him. She immediately regrets it and attempts to end the connection, but for Lucas, the night was just the beginning.
As Daniella tries to pull away, Lucas becomes increasingly unhinged. The death of his former girlfriend—initially ruled a suicide—begins to haunt the narrative as Daniella realizes the true extent of his predatory nature

[Megan Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! This is why thrillers should just go back to the basics. It didn’t have a crazy plot, wasn’t that unique and reminded me of so many thrillers BUT that’s why it worked. It was the perfect way to write a domestic thriller. It reminded me a lot of You. I did find it dropped the ball a bit at the end, I just felt a lot of information was coming at my at once BUT either than that.. such a solid, must read thriller.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were no surprises in this book. I liked how fast the pace was but towards the end I just found the book boring and repetitive. The author also kept using the word ‘invalid’ to describe people with injuries and it just rubbed me the wrong way! How offensive.

Won’t be reading any books by this author again 🤮😴

[Madison Deavers · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s crazy how no good deed goes unpunished! What started out as a kind gesture from a good samaritan turns into a nightmare. Really enjoyed this book. I finished it in less than 24 hours because I could not put it down and I had to know what happened next. Great read!