Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Collective: A Novel
    The Collective: A Novel
    The Collective: A Novel
    Audiobook9 hours

    The Collective: A Novel

    Written by Alison Gaylin

    Narrated by Vivienne Leheny

    4/5

    ()

    Switch to ebook

    About this audiobook

    ""Chilling...this terrific novel is...propelled by an iron-tight plot that becomes increasingly tense."" --New York Times Book Review

    ""It’s a nerve-shredding, emotionally harrowing ride. Don’t miss it.” —Megan Abbott, New York Times bestselling author

    The USA Today bestselling and Edgar Award–winning author of Never Look Back and If I Die Tonight asks how far a grieving mother will go to right a tragic wrong in this propulsive novel of psychological suspense.

    Camille Gardener is a grieving—and angry—mother who, five years after her daughter’s death, is still obsessed with the privileged young man she believes to be responsible.

    When her rash actions draw the attention of a secret group of women—the collective— Camille is drawn into a dark web where these mothers share their wildly different stories of loss as well as their desire for justice in a world where privilege denies accountability. Fueled by mutual rage, the collective members devise and act out retribution fantasies via precise, anonymous, highly coordinated revenge killings.

    As Camille struggles to comprehend whether this is a role-playing exercise or terrifying reality, she must decide if these women are truly avenging angels or monsters. Becoming more deeply enmeshed in the group, Camille learns truths about the collective—and about herself—that she may not be able to survive

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateNov 2, 2021
    ISBN9780063000940
    Author

    Alison Gaylin

    Alison Gaylin is the USA Today and international bestselling author of thirteen books, including the stand-alones The Collective and If I Die Tonight (winner of the Edgar Award) and the Brenna Spector series: And She Was (winner of the Shamus Award), Into the Dark, and Stay With Me. Nominated for the Edgar four times, she has also been a finalist for numerous awards, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Strand Book Award and the ITW Thriller, Macavity and Anthony Awards. She lives with her husband in Woodstock, New York.

    More audiobooks from Alison Gaylin

    Related to The Collective

    Related audiobooks

    Suspense For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      The Minders

      Oct 7, 2020

      RELEASED OUT NOW! 448 pages | Paperback/ebook/audiobook Author John Marrs Publisher Del Rey John Marrs’s latest near future, high-concept techno-thriller isn’t so much a sequel to The One (DNA dating app has dark secret) and Passengers (autonomous ca

      1 min read

    • Article

      How To Install Your First Widget

      Feb 9, 2021

      > As you would expect with Apple, the company has made installing widgets in iOS 14 a piece of cake. Your device will come with Apple apps that have their own widgets ready to go, although you might have to launch third-party apps at least once befor

      1 min read

    • Article

      Longer on Moon

      Sep 22, 2022

      Longer on Moon
      19 min read

    • Article

      The Leather Coat

      Apr 4, 2024

      The Leather Coat
      6 min read

    • Article

      All Of Us Here

      Jun 4, 2020

      All Of Us Here
      6 min read

    • Article

      Summer Reads

      Dec 30, 2019

      Summer Reads
      7 min read

    • Article

      Come with Me

      Dec 1, 2022

      Come with Me
      12 min read

    • Article

      Book Extract

      Jan 20, 2020

      My year off was also interesting, in that I didn’t feel any less loved, or cherished, or wanted. Why? Because my life is already rich with soulmates, and I got the chance to behold that. You don’t have to shag someone for them to be a soulmate. We do

      7 min read

    • Article

      The Man I Should Have Married

      Dec 29, 2019

      The Man I Should Have Married
      11 min read

    • Article

      Dear Frankie

      Aug 1, 2021

      Dear Frankie
      19 min read

    • Article

      The Night That Changed Me

      May 12, 2021

      The Night That Changed Me
      8 min read

    • Article

      Righteous

      Jan 22, 2019

      Righteous
      8 min read

    • Article

      Shush, Shush

      Jan 1, 2023

      Shush, Shush
      12 min read

    • Article

      My Best Friend

      Oct 1, 2020

      My Best Friend
      6 min read

    • Article

      Penny

      Jul 2, 2020

      Penny
      6 min read

    • Article

      Ghost Girl, Banana

      Aug 21, 2023

      By the time I was 25, there were only two things I remembered about Mumma. The first was that she smelled of watermelons, the second was that we were happy. We’d taken our father’s name of course, but a name is only half a story. The other half exist

      6 min read

    • Article

      J. Jezewska Stevens

      Dec 15, 2017

      The party was a failure. I can’t even tell you what a failure it was. There are no words. Only a great pain in my chest when I wake up. On the veranda. It’s better when I sit in the chair. Oh, but then I can see around. The gauzy curtains, pushed by

      15 min read

    • Article

      Excerpts From The Works Of The 2024 Whiting Award Winners

      Apr 10, 2024

      The 2024 Whiting Award winners were announced Wednesday night. Below are excerpts from their work.

      19 min read

    • Article

      Six Sonnets

      Jan 1, 2021

      Goldenrod, I could say, you know, everybody wants somethingfrom me, but, well, everybody wants something and nobody wantsnothing from me, goldenrod, towhead, beast. Goldenrod, you packthe meadows like gold-plated sardines. I have heart palpitationsbu

      3 min read

    • Article

      Summer Beach Reads

      Jan 10, 2021

      Summer Beach Reads
      7 min read

    • Article

      Musings On My Father

      Aug 8, 2022

      Musings On My Father
      5 min read

    • Article

      Diary of My Leg Hair

      Dec 8, 2022

      Diary of My Leg Hair
      21 min read

    • Article

      My Twin

      Jul 12, 2024

      My Twin
      28 min read

    • Article

      Your Poetry

      May 28, 2021

      Email your poems to: ([email protected]) or post to Your Poetry, Choice, 4 Milnyard Square, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6GX There’s a train that runs on barren track, along the side & at the back,of the caravan. The children laugh & sho

      3 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for The Collective

    4/5

    556 ratings25 reviews

    What our readers think

    Readers find this title to be a thrilling and thought-provoking read. The book hooks readers from the first page and keeps them guessing until the very end. The plot is intriguing and the characters are well-developed. While some reviewers found the ending unsatisfying and criticized the motives of the antagonists, overall, the book is praised for its suspense, narration, and the unexpected plot twists. It explores complex themes of grief, loss, and friendship, and leaves a lasting impact on readers. Despite some flaws, it is considered a great book worth reading.

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      I loved the ending. It’s nice to have an ending you wouldn’t expect with a main character.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 2/5
      Weird book overall, and an even weirder ending if that was even possible. Maybe even problematic given the concept of revenge killings posed as justice. No sense of resolution. Like what was the point of this book and the story? While the story toyed with ideas of complex grief, sense of despair and powerlessness, solidarity within people who have experienced loss, it did not hold anyone accountable for their mindless acts of violence. I get that the complete dissolution of this group because of the protagonist 's actions would have seemed both impractical and ambitious, but atleast showing some consequence for the acts of the group would have felt more logical. This book felt like it was written with the sole purpose of promoting the idea of revenge as swift justice in the guise of a thriller.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      The story was good and the narrator did a good job. I was expecting some kind of wild twist at the end but didn’t really get that so that’s why I gave it 4 stars. I will say that I didn’t really expect it to end the way it did or didn’t see it coming the way it did and it was a good ending. Definitely worth the read, lots of suspense and investigating.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      A perfect sort of low stakes beach read. You could read this at the beach or half-drunk or sun-dazed and love it. An easy, accessible thriller that doesn't insult the reader. Well written to boot.
    • 5/5
      I don’t know why this book has less than 10 stars. It amazes me because books like You and Verity have 5 stars it’s disgusting. This book is amazing and well written a true page turner and the only book I have felt worthy have a review.
    • 4/5
      This book hooked me from page one! Brilliantly executed, evenly paced, dark, edge of your seat read. Fantastic thriller that's definitely going to be a memorable read. Great narration.
    • 5/5
      This is a great story line. Perfect length. Great narration. Finished in less than a day.
    • 5/5
      This was AMAZING!! ? Was not expecting this book to be what it was, and Omgosh! Everyone needs to read this!
    • 5/5
      Very interesting read that artfully intertwined a suspense novel with one about grief, loss, and friendship. Didn’t love the ending but overall was a great book.
    • 5/5
      This book is creepy and I guarantee will stay with me. Amazing plot and developed characters. Keeps you guessing until the very very end. Going to look for more from this author!
    • 4/5
      Interesting story for sure. I'd say it was worth the read
    • 5/5
      Just wow! I'm not much of a mystery/thriller reader, but I am slowly delving into the genre. I have to admit that The Collective had me in suspense and my jaw dropped one too many times. I thought one thing was going to happen but the twist at the end had me shocked.
    • 4/5
      A really enjoyable read from start to finish. Love the twist at the end.
    • 4/5
      The Collective was a propulsive read that is at once disturbing and thought-provoking. The protagonist in this book abandons her moral compass to get revenge, something most of us would never consider doing. Could I ever kill someone if he or she had intentionally caused my child’s death? Could I play a role in the murder of a person who had caused the death of another mother’s son or daughter? Heck no—I can barely step on a spider. But reading about women who plot to do it was morbidly fascinating. Gaylin has written an intense, first-class novel that will have you wringing your hands to find out what happens next. Yeah, I liked it. 4 stars. For more reviews visit amyhagberg.com.
    • 3/5
      The premise was very interesting but some of the action the main character took was silly? The ending wasn’t very satisfying and the motives of the antagonists were flimsy imo.

      The story also had lulls that got heavy. The author does the thing where white people are the default and all other characters of color need to be explained. I don’t recall any white characters being explicitly stated, then I realized the book relies on the assumption that characters are white and everyone else needs to be explained.
    • 4/5
      Interesting story with unexpected plot twists! The ending was a big surprise for me.
    • 4/5
      Three and one-half starsReview of eBookCamille Gardener lost her fifteen-year-old daughter, Emily, some five years ago after a gone-tragically-wrong fraternity party she’d attended with Harris Blanchard, a college freshman she’d deemed a “nice” boy. But, exonerated in court, he returns to his rich and privileged life, leaving Camille incensed over the lack of justice for her daughter. When the young man receives a prestigious accolade, Camille creates a scene at the ceremony. Shortly afterward, she finds herself with an invitation to join a group of mothers in similar circumstances . . . they’d lost a child and the legal system failed to hold the responsible person accountable.As Camille becomes entrenched in this group, known as the Collective, she finds some peace with the knowledge that, finally, there is some justice for a grieving mother. But who exactly is in charge of the collector? And is their justice truly justice?=========Filled with a group of largely unlikeable characters and a plot that, at times, seems to glorify vigilante justice, the narrative, ultimately, presents a morality that is gray and rather difficult to defend. It’s a story that’s dark and sad, overflowing with grief. Still, readers are likely to find the vehement hatred that follows the grief a bit difficult to accept.In this often-predictable narrative, the rich and privileged become the “antagonist” group always absolved of all blame and never held accountable for their actions. [This is the failure of the justice system.] And while mothers who have lost a child form a group that no one wants to become a member of, readers may find it difficult to accept so many women bent on dishing out retribution. By naming themselves judge, jury, and executioner, they become no better than the people who stole their children’s lives in the first place. And while the plot may make for an exciting tale, readers are sure to find they need a strong dose of suspension of disbelief. No one [except Luke, one of the few likable characters in the telling of this tale] comes close to realistic behavior; contrary to the opinion expressed here, the tragedy of losing a child does not turn every mother into a crusading avenger.Nevertheless, most of the story is intriguing; however, readers may find the rather disappointing denouement a let-down.
    • 2/5
      This book makes very clear the importance of mental health for victims and their families. An ultra-secret (dark web) organization of women contacts Camille, whose daughter was raped and murdered 5 years before. Camille had been seeing a counselor but her grief and anger were too much for her and this organization appealed to her as a way to get revenge. She had lost so much and her behavior spiraled out of control more frequently as time passed. There were assignments in which she participated until she began to question the rightness of the punishment in all cases. Big mistake--she became a threat to the collective.
    • 3/5
      The theme of this book is revenge. When Camille's daughter is found in the forest, and she makes a statement to her mother about who did it, Camille is consumed with grief. She seeks out a therapist, Joan, for help, and she donates Emily's organs - the heart goes to Luke.A few years after Emily's death, Emily's attacker is being lauded, and Camille goes a bit out of control. She is then contacted by a member of a vigilante group who want revenge on people who got away with terrible crimes. Camille, in her grief, decides to join this group. However, as Camille gets deeper into the group, she senses something sinister, and realizes too late that what she thought was revenge is much scarier than she expected.Thanks to Scene of the Crime and The Book Club Girls for this early read. #HarperCollins #WilliamMorrow
    • 4/5
      The Collective by Alison Gaylin is a 2022 William Morrow publication. Five years ago, Camille’s only daughter, Emily, was raped and murdered and the person responsible got away with it. Camille’s marriage disintegrated and she now survives on grief, anger, and anti-depressants. When Camille is approached by a woman inviting her to join a secret group on Facebook, Camille signs up, and finds that it feels good to vent her frustrations online, which leads to an invitation to join another group- but on the dark web, this time. The members are all women who have lost children and never got the justice they deserved. The group is called 'The Collective' and they plot revenge against those who never paid for their crimes.Camille initially thinks it’s like a role-playing game- it’s cathartic, and for a while she starts to feel better again..Until she realizes this is no game… Okay, first things first. You need to know going in that this is not your ordinary thriller. The premise is not intended to be hardcore realistic, but to examine human frailties, a broken justice system, the underbelly of the internet, and how grief, without the proper closure, can eat away at even the most ordinary, honest, law-abiding citizens, and how vigilante justice can seem like a way to relieve that pain and grief… Until the unconsidered consequences arise. The tale is a dark portrait of grief and revenge, but it also shows how anyone might get blamed disproportionately and might end up on the radar of some underground ‘collective’, But are they a candidate for vigilante justice or just plain old revenge?At first I felt sympathetic towards these ladies who had lost so much. Though my favorite mantra is ‘Two wrongs don’t make a right’- who in Camille’s shoes wouldn’t have entertained dark fantasies of revenge? But then things start to get a little dicey. Who gets to decide what passes for a legitimate crime and if they really deserve vigilante justice?I thought the author did a great job on this one. The vengeful planning is cunning, well thought out, and truly twisted. How easy would it be to jump down a rabbit hole when your heart or head is not in a good place? I think it would be easier than one might think because we hear about people falling down rabbit holes on YouTube or secret internet groups or apps, to the point where they lose their grip on reality. They too feel like they are working towards a specific, even honorable, purpose and it's scary has all get out. So, while this story does require some suspension of belief, there's a lot of plausibility in here too- more than we'd like to believe, I'm sure. Overall, this story is fast-paced, riveting, and truly terrifying. I really was on the edge of my seat! It's one wild roller coaster ride- full of surprises, with an incredibly taut atmosphere. It many ways it’s a cautionary tale, and the ending is absolutely chilling! Hate is a bottomless cup; I will pour and pour.4 stars
    • 4/5
      Gripping. Great ideas discussed.
    • 4/5
      Well, I didn't see that ending coming! Excellent thriller!
    • 4/5
      This is the first book by Alison Gaylin that I have read. “The Collective” reminded me of the book “The Chain.” How far would you go to get revenge against the murderer of your child?The killer of Camille’s daughter not only has gotten away with the murder, shockingly he was just awarded a Humanitarian Award. Camille goes ballistic and attracts the attention of a group of women calling themselves The Collective. Accessed on the dark web, the women share their stories of grief over losing their children and vent their anger. They all want justice. The Collective makes that happen.But when does justice become revenge? Is revenge killing ever justified? Is collateral damage acceptable? There is a lot to think about here.Camille swears loyalty to The Collective but what happens when she wants out? I was completely immersed in the story but didn’t see the ending coming even though I should have.Excellent writing. A somewhat slow start that quickly gained momentum. Twists that worked well with the story. And a stunning conclusion.
    • 4/5
      “We’re grieving mothers, all of us. Wild cards.”Five years after the death of her fifteen year old daughter, Camille Gardner still seethes with grief, pain and rage. The knowledge that the young man, who drugged, raped and left Emily to die in the woods during a frat party, escaped any repercussions, thanks in part to his wealth and privilege, is a torment she struggles to accept. So after a messy public incident with the boy and his family at an awards ceremony leads Camille to a mysterious collective on the dark web that promises to deliver the justice she craves in exchange for keeping their secrets, she eagerly accepts.Alison Gaylin delivers on a provocative premise that explores grief, guilt, justice and vengeance in The Collective. It’s a shame, I think, that the synopsis supplied by the publisher gives some crucial details away as it reduces the suspense somewhat, though to Gaylin’s credit, the well paced plot is still compelling, and offers some shocking twists.The author’s portrayal of Camille, trapped in a fugue state of grief and rage, feels authentic. As a parent myself I sympathised with Camille, easily imagining the depth of her loss, and her anguish of knowing that the person responsible remained unpunished. I can’t really fault her, or the other women who have lost their children to deliberate acts, for their graphic fantasies of revenge. As Camille is drawn into the Collective she is convinced of the righteousness of their actions…until they turn on her.The Collective is the rare thriller I think would make for an excellent book club reading, raising as it does some challenging questions about moral relativism. This is a clever, thought-provoking and gripping novel.
    • 5/5
      Original! Scary! Your child is killed, the accused is set free with little or no repercussions. Justice has not been served! Would you or could you take matters in your own hands and make sure the killer pays for what they did? Karma! A group of mothers grieving together on a Facebook site. Daydreaming out loud about making their child’s killer pay. Then, you are invited to join a highly secretive group on the dark web, where Karma is given out, but at what price. This book is original, and so realistic and far reaching enough that I so could see it happening, especially in this day and age. Story is well written, you can feel the pain of the characters, especially Camille a grieving mother whose world is upside down and inside out at the death of her teenage daughter. She’s angry. Makes heartfelt and vivid comments and is led to the dark world of The Collective, where she is sucked in and karma is dealt out methodically and meticulously. Very well written. This story kept me reading well into the night. The ending was a heart pounding surprise! I look forward to reading this author again. Thanks to Alison Gaylin, William Morrow and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.