Breaking Bad’s Krysten Ritter Explores Con Artist’s Mind in New Novel (Exclusive)

Krysten Ritter is returning to the mystery genre with a new book.

The Breaking Bad actress announced exclusively with PEOPLE that she will publish her second novel, Retreat, through HarperCollins Publishers in 2026. The book is co-written with Lindsay Jamieson.

“I’m really excited about this book,” Ritter tells PEOPLE. “It’s been many years in the making, and it’s been so fun to write.”

Ritter, known for her roles on Marvel’s Jessica Jones, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 and Breaking Bad, published her suspenseful debut novel, Bonfire, in 2017. Retreat follows Liz Dawson, a con artist used to blending into crowds. After she’s offered a job in the home of Isabelle Beresford, a wealthy woman with a villa on the Mexican coast, Liz jumps at the chance for a fresh start and to quit grifting for good.

When Liz is accidentally mistaken for Isabelle, however, she is pulled back into her old ways, and takes on Isabelle’s identity. As Liz goes deeper into Isabelle’s life and the resort community where she lives, she comes to see the danger that follows Isabelle — and which may soon become a part of her own life.

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Ritter, who currently stars on the AMC+ series Orphan Black: Echoes, has created memorable characters across television, and the actress tells PEOPLE that it’s no different in her writing.

“I’ve always been into complex and layered female characters and wanted to explore the perspective of a con artist — how easy and seductive it can be to escape into another life, but also the dark side of losing yourself,” Ritter says. “I hope readers enjoy all the twists in store!”

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