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Dead to Her
Marriage can be murder…
SOMETHING OLD
Marcie’s affair with Jason Maddox catapulted her into the world of the elite. Old money, old ties, old secrets. Marcie may have married into this world — but she’ll never be part of it.
SOMETHING NEW
Then Jason’s boss brings back a new wife from his trip to London. Young, attractive, reckless — nobody can take their eyes off Keisha. Including Marcie’s husband.
SOMETHING YOU CAN NEVER, EVER UNDO…
Some people would kill for the life Marcie has—what will she do to keep it?
SOMETHING OLD
Marcie’s affair with Jason Maddox catapulted her into the world of the elite. Old money, old ties, old secrets. Marcie may have married into this world — but she’ll never be part of it.
SOMETHING NEW
Then Jason’s boss brings back a new wife from his trip to London. Young, attractive, reckless — nobody can take their eyes off Keisha. Including Marcie’s husband.
SOMETHING YOU CAN NEVER, EVER UNDO…
Some people would kill for the life Marcie has—what will she do to keep it?
400 pages, Hardcover
First published February 11, 2020
About the author
Sarah Pinborough
76 books6,035 followersSarah Pinborough is a New York Times bestselling and Sunday Times Number one and Internationally bestselling author who is published in over 30 territories worldwide. Having published more than 25 novels across various genres, her recent books include Behind Her Eyes, now a smash hit Netflix limited series, Dead To Her, now in development with Amazon Studios, and 13 Minutes and The Death House in development with Compelling Pictures. Sarah lives in the historic town of Stony Stratford, the home of the Cock and Bull story, with her dog Ted. Her next novel, Insomnia, is out in 2022. You can follow Sarah on Twitter at @sarahpinborough.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,700 reviews
March 24, 2023
WTH! My mind is spinning so hard! Did somebody hit me with a brick or a flower pot hit me in the head as I was passing through? Why I am seeing stars and “ wishing on a star” plays in my head, I don’t listen to KPop and BTS (Taking it back ! I loved their collaboration with Halsey) This is a freaking train ride that you cannot climb out or you don’t want to! If you cannot handle all those twists, surprises, more twists (oh no I don’t want to vomit but my stomach really churns! So much UTURNS and ups-downs, don’t believe any explanations of the author, she tricks you so bad!) this is not the book for you! I’m so overwhelmed so need a real good sleep after all those brain cells’ break dance. I burned so much mental calories so I need too many glasses of wine for my blood sugar balance!
I read a few books of the author. I liked some of them but I think the ending of “Behind Her Eyes” a little (Taking it back, it made me wooaahhh what the hell, what kind of twist is this kind of shocked and truly frustrated!) disturbing for my taste. But thankfully I cannot say the same for the ending of this book because IT’S SO SURPRISINGLY SATISFYING AND MADE ME GRIN TOO MUCH!
So firstly, let’s take a quick look of the story of the book: Marcie Maddox marries for the second time and engages with her new social circle but her secure position changes the day their widower friend brings his new, probably trophy wife Keisha who is her early 20’s, beautiful, sexy and the worst part of it, she takes the full attention of Marcie’s husband Jason. So what is gonna happen? Will Marcie do anything to pretend his husband’s probable affair attempts? Will she sharpen her blades to go to the war?
I cannot say any other word because any of my explanation about the book will mean more spoilers and ruining your reading. Because this is not simple page turner, whodunit book! The identity of “dunit” will make your eyes, mouth and several organs widen ))
This is steamy, capturing, unputdownable, tricky book with delicious, mysterious, entertaining progression, good characterization and perfect conclusion. Lies, secrets, betrayals, back-stabbing, new era’s Dallas meets Dynasty kind of tricks, schemes and voila we have a really great thriller in our hands.
So I had great, enjoyable time and thankfully the conclusion about this book was not illogical or disappointing.
Special thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow to choose me to send this ARC COPY in exchange my honest reviews. It was hell of a crazy train ride and I enjoyed every page of it!
I read a few books of the author. I liked some of them but I think the ending of “Behind Her Eyes” a little (Taking it back, it made me wooaahhh what the hell, what kind of twist is this kind of shocked and truly frustrated!) disturbing for my taste. But thankfully I cannot say the same for the ending of this book because IT’S SO SURPRISINGLY SATISFYING AND MADE ME GRIN TOO MUCH!
So firstly, let’s take a quick look of the story of the book: Marcie Maddox marries for the second time and engages with her new social circle but her secure position changes the day their widower friend brings his new, probably trophy wife Keisha who is her early 20’s, beautiful, sexy and the worst part of it, she takes the full attention of Marcie’s husband Jason. So what is gonna happen? Will Marcie do anything to pretend his husband’s probable affair attempts? Will she sharpen her blades to go to the war?
I cannot say any other word because any of my explanation about the book will mean more spoilers and ruining your reading. Because this is not simple page turner, whodunit book! The identity of “dunit” will make your eyes, mouth and several organs widen ))
This is steamy, capturing, unputdownable, tricky book with delicious, mysterious, entertaining progression, good characterization and perfect conclusion. Lies, secrets, betrayals, back-stabbing, new era’s Dallas meets Dynasty kind of tricks, schemes and voila we have a really great thriller in our hands.
So I had great, enjoyable time and thankfully the conclusion about this book was not illogical or disappointing.
Special thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow to choose me to send this ARC COPY in exchange my honest reviews. It was hell of a crazy train ride and I enjoyed every page of it!
January 22, 2020
I think I've come to the conclusion that I'm just not compatible with the author's books anymore. Please read this one for yourself, because you may enjoy it much more than I did!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
November 28, 2019
Well, well, well, what a tangled web we weave......
Go in as blind as you can! That's the best advice I can give for those who want to read this book. I requested this book simply because I loved Behind Her Eyes by Pinborough. I had no idea what the book was going to be about.
The basic gist from the synopsis is that beautiful Marcie Maddox knows what it is like to be the second wife, who now has a secure place in their social circle. But when their friend, William, a recent widower brings home a new wife after a whirlwind romance in London, their circle is shocked and Marcie feels jealous when she witnesses the attention her handsome husband is giving to Keisha, the new wife.
That's all folks. What I will tell you is that this book took me by surprise and was very entertaining. Just when I thought I had things figured out, Pinborough, changed things up a little. There are some twists, turns, and revelations. And after all of those, she isn't done yet. Just when I thought the final reveal was shown, she surprised me yet again.
This book has it all, the perfect hot steamy setting of Savannah, sexy beautiful people, lies, deceit, secrets, betrayal and mysterious characters. Most of the characters fall into the likable one minute unlikeable in the next because their motivation is never quite clear. Some characters seem pretty transparent, but as I read further, I began to doubt what I thought I knew. Oh, how I love books that keep me guessing. Of course, there are some who just seem questionable from the get-go.
A very entertaining, engaging and captivating book.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley and Edelweiss who both provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Go in as blind as you can! That's the best advice I can give for those who want to read this book. I requested this book simply because I loved Behind Her Eyes by Pinborough. I had no idea what the book was going to be about.
The basic gist from the synopsis is that beautiful Marcie Maddox knows what it is like to be the second wife, who now has a secure place in their social circle. But when their friend, William, a recent widower brings home a new wife after a whirlwind romance in London, their circle is shocked and Marcie feels jealous when she witnesses the attention her handsome husband is giving to Keisha, the new wife.
That's all folks. What I will tell you is that this book took me by surprise and was very entertaining. Just when I thought I had things figured out, Pinborough, changed things up a little. There are some twists, turns, and revelations. And after all of those, she isn't done yet. Just when I thought the final reveal was shown, she surprised me yet again.
This book has it all, the perfect hot steamy setting of Savannah, sexy beautiful people, lies, deceit, secrets, betrayal and mysterious characters. Most of the characters fall into the likable one minute unlikeable in the next because their motivation is never quite clear. Some characters seem pretty transparent, but as I read further, I began to doubt what I thought I knew. Oh, how I love books that keep me guessing. Of course, there are some who just seem questionable from the get-go.
A very entertaining, engaging and captivating book.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley and Edelweiss who both provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 22, 2022
Marcie is known as the hot, young, second-wife to wealthy blue-blood, Jason Maddox.
The couple live in a posh Savannah community, replete with sumptuous mansions and a country club lifestyle, where image is everything.
The older, blue-blooded women in their social circle have come to accept her and even include her in their luncheons and tennis dates.
Regardless, Marcie still can't help but feel like a second class citizen around them.
Her upbringing was far from the life she enjoys now and she keeps the truth of all that buried deep.
When Jason's boss, the wealthy, recently widowed, William Radford IV, returns from a trip to London with a much younger, sexy as hell, second-wife on his arm, the whole of Savannah society gets thrown for a loop.
Especially Marcie.
She's no longer the youngest, or the most desirable for that matter. The way Jason looks at the new Mrs. Radford, Keisha, makes Marcie's skin crawl.
Keisha is brazen in a way that would be refreshing if it wasn't so shocking. The way she plays housewife to the old coot, while also being sure to flirt with Jason every chance she gets, what exactly is she playing at?
After Jason asks her to befriend Keisha, Marcie learns a lot more about the girl than she bargained for!
The ladies quickly become two peas in a pod, but their friendship soon threatens everything Marcie has worked so hard for.
Full of secrets, deceptions and a touch of Southern voodoo and superstitions, this book had me flipping the pages at a rate to set my fingers on fire!
This was unique, full of unlikable characters and drama fit perfectly for daytime programming. I feel like this could be a month's run of General Hospital. Is that show still on?
While I found this to be compelling, I can see how it might not work for everyone.
I wasn't satisfied with the ending at all. In fact, I kind of hated it. Additionally, not totally pleased with how race was presented in this story, but again, that is just my opinion.
I will definitely remember it, that's for sure.
Thank you so much to the publisher, William Morrow Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I appreciate it so much!
The couple live in a posh Savannah community, replete with sumptuous mansions and a country club lifestyle, where image is everything.
The older, blue-blooded women in their social circle have come to accept her and even include her in their luncheons and tennis dates.
Regardless, Marcie still can't help but feel like a second class citizen around them.
Her upbringing was far from the life she enjoys now and she keeps the truth of all that buried deep.
When Jason's boss, the wealthy, recently widowed, William Radford IV, returns from a trip to London with a much younger, sexy as hell, second-wife on his arm, the whole of Savannah society gets thrown for a loop.
Especially Marcie.
She's no longer the youngest, or the most desirable for that matter. The way Jason looks at the new Mrs. Radford, Keisha, makes Marcie's skin crawl.
Keisha is brazen in a way that would be refreshing if it wasn't so shocking. The way she plays housewife to the old coot, while also being sure to flirt with Jason every chance she gets, what exactly is she playing at?
After Jason asks her to befriend Keisha, Marcie learns a lot more about the girl than she bargained for!
The ladies quickly become two peas in a pod, but their friendship soon threatens everything Marcie has worked so hard for.
Full of secrets, deceptions and a touch of Southern voodoo and superstitions, this book had me flipping the pages at a rate to set my fingers on fire!
This was unique, full of unlikable characters and drama fit perfectly for daytime programming. I feel like this could be a month's run of General Hospital. Is that show still on?
While I found this to be compelling, I can see how it might not work for everyone.
I wasn't satisfied with the ending at all. In fact, I kind of hated it. Additionally, not totally pleased with how race was presented in this story, but again, that is just my opinion.
I will definitely remember it, that's for sure.
Thank you so much to the publisher, William Morrow Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I appreciate it so much!
December 9, 2019
2.5 STARS
I couldn't wait to start this newest release by the author the wrote Behind Her Eyes, which was one of my favorite thrillers in 2017.
The first half of the book was intriguing and I wanted to find out more about Keisha, who has recently married the wealthy, and older William Radford IV. She isn't the only trophy wife in town who has recently landed a wealthy hubbie though, Marcie is now Mrs. Jason Maddox and living her best life.
When these two women meet, the past, the secrets and their insecurities threaten to bring someone down, but who?
I was into this one until the weird voodoo/black magic plot line made its way into the story. Suddenly the domestic drama turned into an unbelievable, quite insane and confusing ride with the most dreadful characters I've encountered in a while. Just couldn't get on board this train.
Sadly, this one wasn't the thriller I hoped it would be.
Thanks to NG/pub. for the review copy
I couldn't wait to start this newest release by the author the wrote Behind Her Eyes, which was one of my favorite thrillers in 2017.
The first half of the book was intriguing and I wanted to find out more about Keisha, who has recently married the wealthy, and older William Radford IV. She isn't the only trophy wife in town who has recently landed a wealthy hubbie though, Marcie is now Mrs. Jason Maddox and living her best life.
When these two women meet, the past, the secrets and their insecurities threaten to bring someone down, but who?
I was into this one until the weird voodoo/black magic plot line made its way into the story. Suddenly the domestic drama turned into an unbelievable, quite insane and confusing ride with the most dreadful characters I've encountered in a while. Just couldn't get on board this train.
Sadly, this one wasn't the thriller I hoped it would be.
Thanks to NG/pub. for the review copy
February 21, 2020
I was really looking forward to this book. I have heard so much about this author, I actually have her other books and haven't read them yet. I couldn't wait to dig into this one. This is going to be a weird review for me, I had so many different "feels" on this one. I can literally break it down into sections....
The first 25% I am really liking it...I am thinking that this is the foundation for a great thriller. The older rich man snagging a younger poor wife. The country club all in a tizzy and gossiping. A potential affair in the making...yes! I was reeled in and ready...
Then the middle...the next 50%...I started to wonder..hmm should I DNF this? What is the plot? Is the plot sex? It read more like a steamy, romance novel (which is not what I was bargaining for when I picked this up). People were having sex- here, there and everywhere! Yeah not for me...I want the "killer thriller".
Then the last 25% well...things start getting more interesting..and then the last couple chapters, I am thinking YES! This is what I expected, full on thriller, twisted, evil...YES!! Except I had to wait for about 90% of the book to get to this point.
Honestly this is just my opinion. I have seen some great reviews out there. Just not my kind of read. If I could just rate the last couple of chapters, well they were 5 star worthy for sure.
Thank you so very much to Harper Collins for this ARC.
The first 25% I am really liking it...I am thinking that this is the foundation for a great thriller. The older rich man snagging a younger poor wife. The country club all in a tizzy and gossiping. A potential affair in the making...yes! I was reeled in and ready...
Then the middle...the next 50%...I started to wonder..hmm should I DNF this? What is the plot? Is the plot sex? It read more like a steamy, romance novel (which is not what I was bargaining for when I picked this up). People were having sex- here, there and everywhere! Yeah not for me...I want the "killer thriller".
Then the last 25% well...things start getting more interesting..and then the last couple chapters, I am thinking YES! This is what I expected, full on thriller, twisted, evil...YES!! Except I had to wait for about 90% of the book to get to this point.
Honestly this is just my opinion. I have seen some great reviews out there. Just not my kind of read. If I could just rate the last couple of chapters, well they were 5 star worthy for sure.
Thank you so very much to Harper Collins for this ARC.
February 20, 2020
On the oof meter this book would be on the ooooooooof end. Like a run-out-of-breath type oof. The oofiest of all the oofs.
Ok let's start out with the Pros:
And now to the Cons:
The plot is sloppy
Utterly undeveloped and unlikable characters
No thrills
No chills
No mystery
Sex scenes that make EL James look like a Booker Prize winner
Next.
** Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review **
Ok let's start out with the Pros:
And now to the Cons:
The plot is sloppy
Utterly undeveloped and unlikable characters
No thrills
No chills
No mystery
Sex scenes that make EL James look like a Booker Prize winner
Next.
** Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review **
December 16, 2019
I read Behind Her Eyes and I was one of those people that was not shocked by the unbelievable twist because the unbelievable twist was completely ridiculous to me. I remember turning the last page and feeling so unsatisfied.
So maybe it's my own fault that I requested this book knowing how I felt about her last one. This book, again, was a huge disappointment for me.
Unlikable wealthy people, gold diggers, unnecessary & cringe worthy sex scenes, and voodoo = My head hurts.
Sarah Pinborough has a huge fan following and I wish I could hop on board but her stories just don't work or me. 2 *I think I'm being generous* stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss, and William Morrow for providing me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
So maybe it's my own fault that I requested this book knowing how I felt about her last one. This book, again, was a huge disappointment for me.
Unlikable wealthy people, gold diggers, unnecessary & cringe worthy sex scenes, and voodoo = My head hurts.
Sarah Pinborough has a huge fan following and I wish I could hop on board but her stories just don't work or me. 2 *I think I'm being generous* stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss, and William Morrow for providing me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 2, 2023
This is the epitome of a five-star read. One of the best books I've read so far this year, by a long way.
Dead to Her is a literary triumph. The author is an absolute master of complicated plot and intricate characters. Marcie and Keisha are both tough and intelligent female leads. They are each written with expertise, compassion, and intrigue. The reader gets their compelling backstories, their convoluted emotions, and their innermost thoughts as all the wildness ensues.
I could not have been more riveted. This is a total page-turner, and I am already eager for a reread by just writing this.
Further--This author is quickly becoming one of my favorite living authors. Her twists and turns, suspense and drama, psychologically-thrilling writing...it's chef's kiss. She has an undeniable gift. I am so glad that she is not one of those authors who just churns out content for content's sake. When she writes, it packs punch and it counts.
Bravo, Ms. Pinborough!
Dead to Her is a literary triumph. The author is an absolute master of complicated plot and intricate characters. Marcie and Keisha are both tough and intelligent female leads. They are each written with expertise, compassion, and intrigue. The reader gets their compelling backstories, their convoluted emotions, and their innermost thoughts as all the wildness ensues.
I could not have been more riveted. This is a total page-turner, and I am already eager for a reread by just writing this.
Further--This author is quickly becoming one of my favorite living authors. Her twists and turns, suspense and drama, psychologically-thrilling writing...it's chef's kiss. She has an undeniable gift. I am so glad that she is not one of those authors who just churns out content for content's sake. When she writes, it packs punch and it counts.
Bravo, Ms. Pinborough!
April 13, 2020
EXCERPT: You can't tame a wild thing.
The thought bubbled up from some place deep down inside Marcie, a ripple in the stagnant water that had become her life. She could feel Eleanor's appraising eyes on the guests, looking down from the gilt framed portrait that still hung on the staircase wall, overshadowing them all. Dead less than a year. What would she make of this turn of events?
A hubub of quietly spoken comments from the tight circle of people among whom Marcie stood fluttered in the warm air. Elsewhere, the tension of repressed snickers and sideways glances.
'Well my, will you look at that.'
'The old dog.'
'Has he lost weight? Sure doesn't look like a man ready to retire.'
'I didn't know what I was expecting, but she is something ... else.'
'And so young.'
She was young, this newcomer among them, this second Mrs William Radford IV. What, twenty-two? Younger? Twenty-three at the most. Eleanor had been forty years older than that when she died.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Being the second wife can be murder . . .
“Once a cheat, always a cheat,” they say. Marcie Maddox has worked hard to get where she is after the illicit affair that started her new life a few years ago. But her world of country clubs, yachts and sumptuous houses in Savannah, Georgia, isn’t easy to maintain, no matter how hard she tries. Nor is keeping her husband, Jason, truly interested.
So, when Jason’s boss brings home a hot new wife from his trip to London, the young Mrs William Radford IV isn’t quite the souvenir everyone expected. Sexy, drop-dead gorgeous and black—Keisha quickly usurps Marcie’s place as the beautiful second wife. But when Marcie sees the extra spark in the room when Keisha and Jason are together and their obvious, magnetic attraction, the gloves come off.
Revenge is best served cold, but in the steamy Savannah heat, blood runs so hot that this summer it might just boil over into murder.
MY THOUGHTS: I got about 20% through and couldn't stand these women one second longer. If that's what being rich does, I am giving up buying lotto tickets.
They marry for money, for social status, then wonder why their husbands cheat on them. If it doesn't have a brand name or status, they don't want to know. They are condescending, and bitchy. The men are no better. The only genuine emotion among any of them, is fear. Fear that they are going to be replaced by someone younger, sexier, wealthier....
Not for me.
Reading is a personal and subjective experience, and what appeals to one may not please another. So if you enjoyed the excerpt from Our Little Cruelties, and the plot outline appeals, please do go ahead and read it.
😬
THE AUTHOR: Sarah Pinborough is an award-winning YA and adult thriller, fantasy and cross-genre novelist and screenwriter. She has published more than 20 novels and has written for the BBC and is currently working with several television companies on original projects. (Wikipedia)
DISCLOSURE: I listened to the audiobook of Dead to Her by Sarah Pinborough, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, and published by Harper Collins, via Overdrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The thought bubbled up from some place deep down inside Marcie, a ripple in the stagnant water that had become her life. She could feel Eleanor's appraising eyes on the guests, looking down from the gilt framed portrait that still hung on the staircase wall, overshadowing them all. Dead less than a year. What would she make of this turn of events?
A hubub of quietly spoken comments from the tight circle of people among whom Marcie stood fluttered in the warm air. Elsewhere, the tension of repressed snickers and sideways glances.
'Well my, will you look at that.'
'The old dog.'
'Has he lost weight? Sure doesn't look like a man ready to retire.'
'I didn't know what I was expecting, but she is something ... else.'
'And so young.'
She was young, this newcomer among them, this second Mrs William Radford IV. What, twenty-two? Younger? Twenty-three at the most. Eleanor had been forty years older than that when she died.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Being the second wife can be murder . . .
“Once a cheat, always a cheat,” they say. Marcie Maddox has worked hard to get where she is after the illicit affair that started her new life a few years ago. But her world of country clubs, yachts and sumptuous houses in Savannah, Georgia, isn’t easy to maintain, no matter how hard she tries. Nor is keeping her husband, Jason, truly interested.
So, when Jason’s boss brings home a hot new wife from his trip to London, the young Mrs William Radford IV isn’t quite the souvenir everyone expected. Sexy, drop-dead gorgeous and black—Keisha quickly usurps Marcie’s place as the beautiful second wife. But when Marcie sees the extra spark in the room when Keisha and Jason are together and their obvious, magnetic attraction, the gloves come off.
Revenge is best served cold, but in the steamy Savannah heat, blood runs so hot that this summer it might just boil over into murder.
MY THOUGHTS: I got about 20% through and couldn't stand these women one second longer. If that's what being rich does, I am giving up buying lotto tickets.
They marry for money, for social status, then wonder why their husbands cheat on them. If it doesn't have a brand name or status, they don't want to know. They are condescending, and bitchy. The men are no better. The only genuine emotion among any of them, is fear. Fear that they are going to be replaced by someone younger, sexier, wealthier....
Not for me.
Reading is a personal and subjective experience, and what appeals to one may not please another. So if you enjoyed the excerpt from Our Little Cruelties, and the plot outline appeals, please do go ahead and read it.
😬
THE AUTHOR: Sarah Pinborough is an award-winning YA and adult thriller, fantasy and cross-genre novelist and screenwriter. She has published more than 20 novels and has written for the BBC and is currently working with several television companies on original projects. (Wikipedia)
DISCLOSURE: I listened to the audiobook of Dead to Her by Sarah Pinborough, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, and published by Harper Collins, via Overdrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
May 23, 2020
2.5*
Well, one thing’s for sure.... money does NOT buy you happiness!
Rich and privileged, the blue-blooded country club patrons have a new member. William Radford’s wife passed away from cancer. While on a trip to Europe to begin healing and finding himself, William finds something far more than just peace of mind. Much more! William found himself a new bride! A very young bride. As in her early 20’s to his mid-60’s young.
The heart wants what the heart wants, right?
Enter... Keisha! And watch all heads turn and the whispers begin!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning of this read until it took a bizarre turn, losing me along the way.
I know we all say we want something different, but something believable as well. This book just went completely sideways for me.
I am still a fan of this author and her previous book Behind Her Eyes was a favorite of mine. So yes! I will still be reaching out for her next!
A buddy read with Susanne!🤓📚
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers.
Well, one thing’s for sure.... money does NOT buy you happiness!
Rich and privileged, the blue-blooded country club patrons have a new member. William Radford’s wife passed away from cancer. While on a trip to Europe to begin healing and finding himself, William finds something far more than just peace of mind. Much more! William found himself a new bride! A very young bride. As in her early 20’s to his mid-60’s young.
The heart wants what the heart wants, right?
Enter... Keisha! And watch all heads turn and the whispers begin!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning of this read until it took a bizarre turn, losing me along the way.
I know we all say we want something different, but something believable as well. This book just went completely sideways for me.
I am still a fan of this author and her previous book Behind Her Eyes was a favorite of mine. So yes! I will still be reaching out for her next!
A buddy read with Susanne!🤓📚
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers.
February 21, 2020
Dead to Her is my first book from author, Sarah Pinborough, and what a wild ride. It’s all about being a second wife to a man who has cheated before. Marcie is the “cheatee,” so she has an idea about her husband, Jason.
Marcie and Jason had an illicit affair to start their relationship that now involves yacht clubs and lush verandahs in Savannah, Georgia. It’s been challenging for Marcie to keep Jason invested in their relationship.
Jason’s boss then brings home a “new” second wife all the way from London, and Jason appears to be attracted to her, and she to him, all while Marcie is watching.
And Marcie’s not one to be taken, so she’s going to act before she loses all she’s worked for.
Dead to Her is a drama-filled, juicy page-turner. It made my mind spin. I loved the Savannah setting. It added a richness to the story. There’s a ton of unlikability here, so be warned. The characters are rich and pompous at times. There are also some twists and turns I can see working for some and not for others.
Overall, I found it highly entertaining, so it paid off for me!
I received a gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Marcie and Jason had an illicit affair to start their relationship that now involves yacht clubs and lush verandahs in Savannah, Georgia. It’s been challenging for Marcie to keep Jason invested in their relationship.
Jason’s boss then brings home a “new” second wife all the way from London, and Jason appears to be attracted to her, and she to him, all while Marcie is watching.
And Marcie’s not one to be taken, so she’s going to act before she loses all she’s worked for.
Dead to Her is a drama-filled, juicy page-turner. It made my mind spin. I loved the Savannah setting. It added a richness to the story. There’s a ton of unlikability here, so be warned. The characters are rich and pompous at times. There are also some twists and turns I can see working for some and not for others.
Overall, I found it highly entertaining, so it paid off for me!
I received a gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Read
May 18, 2020DNF @ 27%. This is an eye-roller. Not enjoying reading about rich wives acting like high school mean girls.
February 19, 2020
Unfortunately, this one just didn't work for me. I was so excited to read the newest Pinborough novel, as I loved Behind Her Eyes and really enjoyed Cross Her Heart. I felt like this book suffered from a lack of focus. There were several minor plotlines happening in the book, and many of them didn't feel relevant. Even after finishing the book and understanding why they were included, I just felt like the payoff wasn't there.
The twists in this book felt minor, and it really wasn't what I was expecting when I picked it up. This was focused less on murder (which was mentioned in the blurb) and read more like a domestic drama, with some aspects of voodoo. There was also an orgy. Why? WHO KNOWS. It felt thrown in, rather than an intentional way to drive the plot forward.
Lastly, the characters were all horrible people. Look, not all thrillers have likable characters, but I want to feel like I'm rooting for *someone*, but with this one, I felt like no one deserved to win, so that made it harder for me to get invested.
All in all, I can't say I loved this one, but I do look forward to seeing what Pinborough writes next, considering I did enjoy her previous two books. I'd like to thank William Morrow for my copy of the book. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review.
The twists in this book felt minor, and it really wasn't what I was expecting when I picked it up. This was focused less on murder (which was mentioned in the blurb) and read more like a domestic drama, with some aspects of voodoo. There was also an orgy. Why? WHO KNOWS. It felt thrown in, rather than an intentional way to drive the plot forward.
Lastly, the characters were all horrible people. Look, not all thrillers have likable characters, but I want to feel like I'm rooting for *someone*, but with this one, I felt like no one deserved to win, so that made it harder for me to get invested.
All in all, I can't say I loved this one, but I do look forward to seeing what Pinborough writes next, considering I did enjoy her previous two books. I'd like to thank William Morrow for my copy of the book. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review.
June 4, 2020
Another brilliantly plotted and richly layered novel from the pen of genuine genius Sarah Pinborough.
Deliciously dark, sexy as hell, eternally addictive and a pitch perfect pay off. Also creepy and a *tiny* bit insane.
There you go. You'll want this one. Trust Me. Full review for hardback edition later.
Deliciously dark, sexy as hell, eternally addictive and a pitch perfect pay off. Also creepy and a *tiny* bit insane.
There you go. You'll want this one. Trust Me. Full review for hardback edition later.
August 21, 2019
Get ready for some juicy juju here. Staid Savannah high society isn’t an easy place to live for Marcie, the young second wife of a successful attorney. Enter the boss’s even younger, more beautiful and glamorous second wife who threatens to topple Marcie from her hard won place amid the southern blue bloods. Lies, secrets, and betrayals abound. This is highly entertaining and guano crazy.
November 28, 2020
Giving people a choice is like a magic trick. You should always know what their answer will be in advance.
Veering wildly between boring, ridiculous, and literally impossible, Dead to Her is a thriller that forgot the thrills.
I want to start with the positives, because honestly, there aren't many. Probably what Dead to Her executed best was the sense of outsiderness. Keisha, the very young and gorgeous second wife of an elderly millionaire, doesn't fit in - she's too young, too black, too impulsive. How is she supposed to play perfect trophy wife in a world she doesn't know, a world of tennis skirts and country clubs? I thought Keisha's loneliness and desperation for connection came through well.
All the other characterization though? Garbage. Marcie (one of two narrators, the other being Keisha) has all the charisma of an inanimate object.
Keisha was annoying, but at least I could see where an attempt at character building was made. Everyone else, every rich and shady husband, every pampered housewife, even down to the servants and police detectives, are given the bare minimum. It makes for a super boring read. It's like using chess pieces to play checkers - from a distance, it looks like you're doing a great job, but upon inspection you realize there's no real strategy or thought happening.
There's also the fact that the story is super predictable. It's twisty all right, but I'd say a good 75% of those twists are visible from the space station. I didn't see the big twist at the end coming, but honestly, it's such a fucking stupid twist. It feels cheaper than one ply toilet paper.
One of my biggest annoyances is that it's a book that cares more about trying to shock you than it does about telling you a great story.
Also I need to talk about the fact that a giant plot point the story hinges on is literally impossible . I'm going to go into A LOT of detail in here, so be forewarned, it's a long rant about something that bothers me a lot.
I can forgive a lot in a book. I can agree to go along with ridiculous things and 'suspension of disbelief', heck I'll even throw my hat in and set aside some dodgy science from time to time if I'm enjoying myself. But I can't ignore something that A) is both impossible and easily google-able, B) is a key piece in a character death and an important plot point, and C) exists in what is already a mediocre book. That's where you lose me.
Dead to Her has a myriad of flaws and offers little to offset them. My occasional enjoyment was drowned out by logic holes big enough to sink a city bus, flat characters, and twists for the sake for twists. When it comes to domestic thrillers, this one is dead to me.
Thanks to Edelweiss and William Morrow for the DRC
Veering wildly between boring, ridiculous, and literally impossible, Dead to Her is a thriller that forgot the thrills.
I want to start with the positives, because honestly, there aren't many. Probably what Dead to Her executed best was the sense of outsiderness. Keisha, the very young and gorgeous second wife of an elderly millionaire, doesn't fit in - she's too young, too black, too impulsive. How is she supposed to play perfect trophy wife in a world she doesn't know, a world of tennis skirts and country clubs? I thought Keisha's loneliness and desperation for connection came through well.
All the other characterization though? Garbage. Marcie (one of two narrators, the other being Keisha) has all the charisma of an inanimate object.
Keisha was annoying, but at least I could see where an attempt at character building was made. Everyone else, every rich and shady husband, every pampered housewife, even down to the servants and police detectives, are given the bare minimum. It makes for a super boring read. It's like using chess pieces to play checkers - from a distance, it looks like you're doing a great job, but upon inspection you realize there's no real strategy or thought happening.
There's also the fact that the story is super predictable. It's twisty all right, but I'd say a good 75% of those twists are visible from the space station. I didn't see the big twist at the end coming, but honestly, it's such a fucking stupid twist. It feels cheaper than one ply toilet paper.
One of my biggest annoyances is that it's a book that cares more about trying to shock you than it does about telling you a great story.
Also I need to talk about the fact that a giant plot point the story hinges on is literally impossible . I'm going to go into A LOT of detail in here, so be forewarned, it's a long rant about something that bothers me a lot.
I can forgive a lot in a book. I can agree to go along with ridiculous things and 'suspension of disbelief', heck I'll even throw my hat in and set aside some dodgy science from time to time if I'm enjoying myself. But I can't ignore something that A) is both impossible and easily google-able, B) is a key piece in a character death and an important plot point, and C) exists in what is already a mediocre book. That's where you lose me.
Dead to Her has a myriad of flaws and offers little to offset them. My occasional enjoyment was drowned out by logic holes big enough to sink a city bus, flat characters, and twists for the sake for twists. When it comes to domestic thrillers, this one is dead to me.
Thanks to Edelweiss and William Morrow for the DRC
August 20, 2020
Have you ever had your significant other go out of their way to place their phone face-down? What is the first thought that comes to mind?
“There is no kind of paranoid jealousy like an old rich man’s.”
“...She was a serpent in their midst. But she’d play along for now.”
There’s a new wife in town, and she is one HOT commodity. Not only is Keisha much younger at 22 then even the “newest” of the wives but she’s the only one with lusciously smooth black skin, which is alien to this community. But, it’s only seen as a problem because she is so attractive, with a killer personality to boot. How are any of the other ladies supposed to compete with that?
Marcie, 35, the most recent addition to the “group” coming 6 years before Keisha is immediately taken aback. William Redford IV could be the girl’s grandfather at 65 and he had only just lost his wife, Eleanor, less than a year ago. For Marcie is also a second wife and she knows what it’s like to have someone lust for a younger, much newer prize. Her own husband Jason was no different than “Billy” having cheated on his wife with Marcie, a waitress that he met randomly one evening. So, when she sees Jason’s wandering eye the day that they meet this new bride her self- consciousness goes into full flare. But what she doesn’t expect is for Keisha to return the flirting so quickly; so obviously and in public nonetheless. If they’re trying to get a rise out of her, it’s most definitely working.
“Marcie wasn’t sure if she wanted to rip this breathtaking woman’s eyes out or go and scream in a corner.”
“Your old man’s still got it. You’d better work harder to keep me.”
“She felt her space being erased. She’d been the youngest for so long. It was what she had, the quiet envy of her friends and now it was being stripped from her by this confident younger usurper.”
But when the 2 a.m. phone calls start coming, Jason gets caught lying, and Keisha and Jason keep ironically ending up alone, or at least without HIS wife, Marcie starts to become convinced that there is something going on.
“Once a cheat, always a cheat. Thrill seekers seek thrills and that’s all there is to it.”
“This situation could not continue, something was about to break and she was afraid it would be her.”
But, what happens when her husband demands that she become friends with the new girl? When Keisha confides that her new life isn’t all it was cracked up to be?
“Did he really see himself as her Prince Charming?”
“Dress this way, walk that way, speak this way, be a good girl.”
In this story not a single soul has a clean past. Everyone has something to hide. But, what could possibly lead to the poisoning of an “ innocent” human?
Wait until you find out who the REAL puppet-master is here!
Page 373 😳😳😱😱 !
I could not put this book down! There were twists that I saw coming and some that I hadn’t a clue!
“Behind Her Eyes” is one of my all time favorite thrillers, so I was definitely anxious that this one wouldn’t hold up to my expectations. Oh, but it did!
This book gets weird at times, but hold on and push through it because I promise you Sarah Pinborough doesn’t leave any loose ends! You will have all the answers you could need all in due time !
With 45 pages left I still had NO CLUE what to expect!
Pinborough Nailed it !
5 stars!
“There is no kind of paranoid jealousy like an old rich man’s.”
“...She was a serpent in their midst. But she’d play along for now.”
There’s a new wife in town, and she is one HOT commodity. Not only is Keisha much younger at 22 then even the “newest” of the wives but she’s the only one with lusciously smooth black skin, which is alien to this community. But, it’s only seen as a problem because she is so attractive, with a killer personality to boot. How are any of the other ladies supposed to compete with that?
Marcie, 35, the most recent addition to the “group” coming 6 years before Keisha is immediately taken aback. William Redford IV could be the girl’s grandfather at 65 and he had only just lost his wife, Eleanor, less than a year ago. For Marcie is also a second wife and she knows what it’s like to have someone lust for a younger, much newer prize. Her own husband Jason was no different than “Billy” having cheated on his wife with Marcie, a waitress that he met randomly one evening. So, when she sees Jason’s wandering eye the day that they meet this new bride her self- consciousness goes into full flare. But what she doesn’t expect is for Keisha to return the flirting so quickly; so obviously and in public nonetheless. If they’re trying to get a rise out of her, it’s most definitely working.
“Marcie wasn’t sure if she wanted to rip this breathtaking woman’s eyes out or go and scream in a corner.”
“Your old man’s still got it. You’d better work harder to keep me.”
“She felt her space being erased. She’d been the youngest for so long. It was what she had, the quiet envy of her friends and now it was being stripped from her by this confident younger usurper.”
But when the 2 a.m. phone calls start coming, Jason gets caught lying, and Keisha and Jason keep ironically ending up alone, or at least without HIS wife, Marcie starts to become convinced that there is something going on.
“Once a cheat, always a cheat. Thrill seekers seek thrills and that’s all there is to it.”
“This situation could not continue, something was about to break and she was afraid it would be her.”
But, what happens when her husband demands that she become friends with the new girl? When Keisha confides that her new life isn’t all it was cracked up to be?
“Did he really see himself as her Prince Charming?”
“Dress this way, walk that way, speak this way, be a good girl.”
In this story not a single soul has a clean past. Everyone has something to hide. But, what could possibly lead to the poisoning of an “ innocent” human?
Wait until you find out who the REAL puppet-master is here!
Page 373 😳😳😱😱 !
I could not put this book down! There were twists that I saw coming and some that I hadn’t a clue!
“Behind Her Eyes” is one of my all time favorite thrillers, so I was definitely anxious that this one wouldn’t hold up to my expectations. Oh, but it did!
This book gets weird at times, but hold on and push through it because I promise you Sarah Pinborough doesn’t leave any loose ends! You will have all the answers you could need all in due time !
With 45 pages left I still had NO CLUE what to expect!
Pinborough Nailed it !
5 stars!
February 14, 2020
Love, status, money, power, affairs, voodoo, and murder set in the upper society of Savannah, Georgia in Sarah Pinborough’s latest mind-bending thriller, Dead to Her. I hate to say this, but I need to be a bit vague in this review because this one takes a direction that you won’t see coming from the outset! A must-read thriller this spring, and the perfect dark-side to love thriller for this Valentine’s Day!
This one is hard to not spoil, which is painful for me because I have so much to say! Set in Savannah, Georgia, Dead to Her shows that even the most regal of old southern money and society have their tawdry and salacious secrets. The book is told in four sections, and with each new section there is another twist that you won’t see coming and alters the course of the book. At halfway through, I had no idea where the book was going, and by the end I was delighted by the twisted way everything came together. The epilogue itself will leave your mind spinning!
Marcie Maddox is no longer the youngest and most beautiful second wife in the small close-knit wealthy society in Savannah. After an illicit affair, Marcie replaced Jason’s first wife and cemented herself in this world she doesn’t technically belong in. But Marcie does her best to fit in. She goes to church every Sunday, though it often bores her to tears. She lunches with the right wives, she dresses the right way, and she redecorates the expensive home Jason has just bought to have the right sort of look.
But when Jason’s boss brings home an even younger, more beautiful, and black wife from a trip to London, Marcie instantly goes on alert. Keisha is gorgeous and seems to have that magnetic quality that keeps men running. Marcie sees Jason flirting with Keisha. She doesn’t trust Keisha, and she’s starting to wonder if she trusts her husband.
As the dynamics among the characters heat up through the first half, I found myself unsure what direction it would take. Though the first half may seem a tad slower, the second half takes off at breakneck speed. By the end you won’t be able to put it down!
I loved the setting in Savannah’s high society. I did part of the book on audio and the narrator was fantastic. Those slow, wealthy southern drawls were perfect and really set the tone for the story. Marcie was a fascinating character, and a great lead. Keisha was less interesting to me at first, but what I love about the way Sarah Pinborough writes is that neither Marcie nor Keisha will end up being the stereotype you thought they were. The characters are full of surprises and trust me when I say there is much more to come from them than what you see at first.
And finally, the voodoo! This was a fun twist for me, adding an element of the supernatural to the story that I enjoyed. Like many of the characters of the book, I found myself believing (or at least not NOT believing) in the voodoo that wove throughout the story. It fit the setting perfectly and really enhanced the story. This is a fantastic book and one I recommend to those who like a little revenge and murder in high society!
Thank you to TLC Book Tours and William Morrow for my copy. Opinions are my own.
This one is hard to not spoil, which is painful for me because I have so much to say! Set in Savannah, Georgia, Dead to Her shows that even the most regal of old southern money and society have their tawdry and salacious secrets. The book is told in four sections, and with each new section there is another twist that you won’t see coming and alters the course of the book. At halfway through, I had no idea where the book was going, and by the end I was delighted by the twisted way everything came together. The epilogue itself will leave your mind spinning!
Marcie Maddox is no longer the youngest and most beautiful second wife in the small close-knit wealthy society in Savannah. After an illicit affair, Marcie replaced Jason’s first wife and cemented herself in this world she doesn’t technically belong in. But Marcie does her best to fit in. She goes to church every Sunday, though it often bores her to tears. She lunches with the right wives, she dresses the right way, and she redecorates the expensive home Jason has just bought to have the right sort of look.
But when Jason’s boss brings home an even younger, more beautiful, and black wife from a trip to London, Marcie instantly goes on alert. Keisha is gorgeous and seems to have that magnetic quality that keeps men running. Marcie sees Jason flirting with Keisha. She doesn’t trust Keisha, and she’s starting to wonder if she trusts her husband.
As the dynamics among the characters heat up through the first half, I found myself unsure what direction it would take. Though the first half may seem a tad slower, the second half takes off at breakneck speed. By the end you won’t be able to put it down!
I loved the setting in Savannah’s high society. I did part of the book on audio and the narrator was fantastic. Those slow, wealthy southern drawls were perfect and really set the tone for the story. Marcie was a fascinating character, and a great lead. Keisha was less interesting to me at first, but what I love about the way Sarah Pinborough writes is that neither Marcie nor Keisha will end up being the stereotype you thought they were. The characters are full of surprises and trust me when I say there is much more to come from them than what you see at first.
And finally, the voodoo! This was a fun twist for me, adding an element of the supernatural to the story that I enjoyed. Like many of the characters of the book, I found myself believing (or at least not NOT believing) in the voodoo that wove throughout the story. It fit the setting perfectly and really enhanced the story. This is a fantastic book and one I recommend to those who like a little revenge and murder in high society!
Thank you to TLC Book Tours and William Morrow for my copy. Opinions are my own.
December 17, 2019
After last year's disaster, Cross Her Heart, I was highly skeptical that I'd ever read Sarah Pinborough's books again. Call me a hypocrite, because
Dead to Her
has brought the fire and Sarah Pinborough is back! If you enjoyed Behind Her Eyes, you'll definitely enjoy this book. While the pacing at times was slower than expected (my only issue with this book), the story was intriguing, original, and highly bingeworthy! I highly recommend this book for folks, like me, who are done with the same drawn out domestic thriller and is looking for something on the side of macabre and magic. In true Pinborough fashion,
Dead to Her
will be polarizing to readers and I can't wait to see where everyone ends up on the spectrum.
December 23, 2019
I am a huge fan of Sarah Pinborough. She is an exciting writer to me because she is so creative I honestly never know what I am in for when I pick up one of her books. This one was no exception and with a cast of unlikable characters it was fun to sit back and see everything unfold.
Marcie Maddox and her husband, Jason, had an affair that resulted in him leaving his first wife and eventually marrying Marcie. They hobnob with other wealthy and elite people in their town of Savannah, Georgia. One of those privileged folks is William Radford IV who has just married a much younger and beautiful woman named Keisha. Marcie is not too happy when she notices Jason and Keisha seem to have an attraction to one another. Marcie better keep her eyes on them because she's worked too hard to maintain her lifestyle and would hate to be kicked to the curb like Jason's first wife.
There is way more to the story than what I just wrote in my synopsis but you honestly don't want to know too much going in. What I enjoyed about this book is it is a very slow build up until you get to the big thing that happens in the story. I personally loved that but maybe other readers will find it boring. I feel like this is the type of book that readers can determine fairly early on, like a quarter of the way into it, whether or not this is a book they want to continue reading.
Once the action really starts to pick up, everything starts to hit the fan, but in a good way. In terms of predictability there is something that I wondered about early on, and my suspicions turned out to be true. But it's one of those things in which I didn't really have a good theory as to the details so it was still fun to learn why everything played out the way it did. Also there are some I guess what you might call bonus parts to the ending that were pretty unexpected so it's not likely a reader will be able to figure out every single piece of the puzzle ahead of time.
This is my favorite of the three books I have read by this author. I just think she is a creative storyteller and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. Definitely recommend reading this one if you have enjoyed her other novels. I also recommend it to the readers who liked Behind Her Eyes but hated the WTF? type ending. This one is a more satisfying type read that is much less controversial.
Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
Marcie Maddox and her husband, Jason, had an affair that resulted in him leaving his first wife and eventually marrying Marcie. They hobnob with other wealthy and elite people in their town of Savannah, Georgia. One of those privileged folks is William Radford IV who has just married a much younger and beautiful woman named Keisha. Marcie is not too happy when she notices Jason and Keisha seem to have an attraction to one another. Marcie better keep her eyes on them because she's worked too hard to maintain her lifestyle and would hate to be kicked to the curb like Jason's first wife.
There is way more to the story than what I just wrote in my synopsis but you honestly don't want to know too much going in. What I enjoyed about this book is it is a very slow build up until you get to the big thing that happens in the story. I personally loved that but maybe other readers will find it boring. I feel like this is the type of book that readers can determine fairly early on, like a quarter of the way into it, whether or not this is a book they want to continue reading.
Once the action really starts to pick up, everything starts to hit the fan, but in a good way. In terms of predictability there is something that I wondered about early on, and my suspicions turned out to be true. But it's one of those things in which I didn't really have a good theory as to the details so it was still fun to learn why everything played out the way it did. Also there are some I guess what you might call bonus parts to the ending that were pretty unexpected so it's not likely a reader will be able to figure out every single piece of the puzzle ahead of time.
This is my favorite of the three books I have read by this author. I just think she is a creative storyteller and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. Definitely recommend reading this one if you have enjoyed her other novels. I also recommend it to the readers who liked Behind Her Eyes but hated the WTF? type ending. This one is a more satisfying type read that is much less controversial.
Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
December 6, 2019
Well, this is a tale of the unexpected, a danse macabre, bad juju, voodoo, black magical, diabolical, twisty, and mysterious, superstitious journey into the dizzy heights of Savannah society. Marcie is trailer trash and doing her level best to hide though you can’t help your roots and she marries up. Very up. Jason Maddox is a lawyer and a wealthy member of the Savannah social scene, he’s not exactly blue blood but he’s upwardly mobile. Jason’s partner, a recent widower William Radford IV returns from a vacation in London with a 20 something trophy wife on his arm - stunningly beautiful Keisha, also from the wrong side of the tracks. Keisha does not get an especially warm welcome from the rich Savannah women with their snobbery, their blue blood, saccharine smiles, frozen botoxed faces, taut (old) bodies, oozing poisonous glances and snide put downs. I think I’d rather immerse myself in a tank of piranhas. The story is told from the perspectives of Marcie and Keisha and is highly entertaining to say the least.
The story is very well written and though none of the characters are especially likeable they don’t half make for a good twisty story! There is one character who is vividly described who is very mysterious and threatening who keeps appearing and she is very intriguing. I confess to a sneaking admiration for Keisha as although you could not describe her as entirely innocent, she isn’t as bad as some of the others! It’s steamy at times and I’m not necessarily talking about the southern heat, although I really like the way that the author uses the weather conditions so effectively enhance the storyline. There are some fantastic and quite chilling scenes that are vividly described and keep you interested and questioning what’s going on throughout.
Overall, it’s steamy, mysterious with a tangled web of deception and frankly, some of the characters wouldn’t know truth if it socked them between the eyeballs. There are schemes, counter schemes, counter, counter schemes, revelations, vengeance, with black magic overtones so that your head spins so much your startled eyes are spinning too. One minute you think you’ve got it all sorted and then, wham, you realise your way off base and it’s much more twisted sister than you thought. So obviously, I really liked it and was fabulously enthralled throughout.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC.
The story is very well written and though none of the characters are especially likeable they don’t half make for a good twisty story! There is one character who is vividly described who is very mysterious and threatening who keeps appearing and she is very intriguing. I confess to a sneaking admiration for Keisha as although you could not describe her as entirely innocent, she isn’t as bad as some of the others! It’s steamy at times and I’m not necessarily talking about the southern heat, although I really like the way that the author uses the weather conditions so effectively enhance the storyline. There are some fantastic and quite chilling scenes that are vividly described and keep you interested and questioning what’s going on throughout.
Overall, it’s steamy, mysterious with a tangled web of deception and frankly, some of the characters wouldn’t know truth if it socked them between the eyeballs. There are schemes, counter schemes, counter, counter schemes, revelations, vengeance, with black magic overtones so that your head spins so much your startled eyes are spinning too. One minute you think you’ve got it all sorted and then, wham, you realise your way off base and it’s much more twisted sister than you thought. So obviously, I really liked it and was fabulously enthralled throughout.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC.
January 29, 2020
Having read, and enjoying, Behind Her Eyes, I knew going into Dead to Her, there would likely be some form of crazy.
I wasn't disappointed.
I know many are turned off by the odd turns Sarah Pinborough takes in her novels, but I actually find them creative and refreshing, in what has become a majorly over-saturated genre. Her writing is tight, with zero plot holes, and her red herrings are always masterfully rendered. I, unfortunately, was able to figure out our antagonist very early on, which is why I'm rating this 3.5 stars, instead of 4, but I still felt the need to keep turning pages. That speaks to just how good Ms. Pinborough's writing actually is.
While her characters aren't saints, not by any stretch of the imagination, they are riveting. I desperately wanted to learn more about their lives and secrets. Set in the deep south and told from alternating points of view, those of Marcie and Keisha, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
Recommended to those who love suspense novels, but with a touch of the religious paranormal.
3.5 stars rounded up
Available in stores on February 11, 2020.
**Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
I wasn't disappointed.
I know many are turned off by the odd turns Sarah Pinborough takes in her novels, but I actually find them creative and refreshing, in what has become a majorly over-saturated genre. Her writing is tight, with zero plot holes, and her red herrings are always masterfully rendered. I, unfortunately, was able to figure out our antagonist very early on, which is why I'm rating this 3.5 stars, instead of 4, but I still felt the need to keep turning pages. That speaks to just how good Ms. Pinborough's writing actually is.
While her characters aren't saints, not by any stretch of the imagination, they are riveting. I desperately wanted to learn more about their lives and secrets. Set in the deep south and told from alternating points of view, those of Marcie and Keisha, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
Recommended to those who love suspense novels, but with a touch of the religious paranormal.
3.5 stars rounded up
Available in stores on February 11, 2020.
**Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
February 8, 2020
I have come to the conclusion that Pinborough and I just don't click. I don't enjoy the paranormal content of her books because it doesn't feel like an authentic part of the story. It feels stuck in there: "Oh! What haven't I tried? Astral projection? Nope, did that one. Voodoo! That's it!" Ugh.
And don't get me started on the cheesy sex scenes. This is like Colleen Hoover, but not as polished and that's saying something. If I were a lesbian I would be offended at her portrayal.
I give one extra star because there are a couple of good twists toward the end, but it was a slog for me to get there. This author has her fans, but I think I'm going to step away from requesting her books in the future and leave them to those who enjoy this sort of thing.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
And don't get me started on the cheesy sex scenes. This is like Colleen Hoover, but not as polished and that's saying something. If I were a lesbian I would be offended at her portrayal.
I give one extra star because there are a couple of good twists toward the end, but it was a slog for me to get there. This author has her fans, but I think I'm going to step away from requesting her books in the future and leave them to those who enjoy this sort of thing.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
April 11, 2020
2.5 Stars
Wild Thing, You Make My Heart Sting 🤭
You make Everything, Spooky!
Baawaah!!
“Dead to Her” by Sarah Pinborough started out strong and I was all in. Hooked, like a fish on a line!
Oh the drama! Wealth, High Society. Love, Marriage. INFIDELITY. Oh La La.
If only it stopped there. But alas.. I was not that lucky.
Voodoo. Black Magic and well.. I won’t spoil the surprise.. I’ll leave that for all of you who simply need to find out what all of the hype is about.
Another was a buddy read with Ms. Kaceey. Let’s just say that our 👀 POPPED! 😝 😂
Thank you to Edelweiss, Harper Collins - William Morrow and Sarah Pinborough for the arc.
Published on Goodreads and Edelweiss on 4.11.20.
Wild Thing, You Make My Heart Sting 🤭
You make Everything, Spooky!
Baawaah!!
“Dead to Her” by Sarah Pinborough started out strong and I was all in. Hooked, like a fish on a line!
Oh the drama! Wealth, High Society. Love, Marriage. INFIDELITY. Oh La La.
If only it stopped there. But alas.. I was not that lucky.
Voodoo. Black Magic and well.. I won’t spoil the surprise.. I’ll leave that for all of you who simply need to find out what all of the hype is about.
Another was a buddy read with Ms. Kaceey. Let’s just say that our 👀 POPPED! 😝 😂
Thank you to Edelweiss, Harper Collins - William Morrow and Sarah Pinborough for the arc.
Published on Goodreads and Edelweiss on 4.11.20.
January 28, 2023
This psychological thriller was like reading the most clever and diabolical game of clue ever. It was brilliantly written, it had me questioning everyone and everything they did. I couldn't wait to figure out all of their secrets in the end.
I didn’t much like any of the characters, but that’s what made it so entertaining to read!!
Dan, you were right, I'm glad I gave this author another try
I didn’t much like any of the characters, but that’s what made it so entertaining to read!!
Dan, you were right, I'm glad I gave this author another try
December 26, 2019
I really wanted to like this book - and I did for the first half of it. But then came the black magic, the weird voodoo and it completely lost me. It was such a shame as I was enjoying it for the most part.
The other thing that put me off this book was the excessive and details sex scenes. Really didn't need those.
The first part of this book had me intrigued. 2 second wives - Marcie and Keisha. They are different but shared that role. Their husbands worked together so they needed to be friends. Keishas has just arrived from London after marrying rich widower William Radford. Marcie tries to help her fit in, meet the right people and be a good southern wife. But both women had their secrets and their friendship becomes intense.
Thanks to William Morrow and Edelweiss for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
The other thing that put me off this book was the excessive and details sex scenes. Really didn't need those.
The first part of this book had me intrigued. 2 second wives - Marcie and Keisha. They are different but shared that role. Their husbands worked together so they needed to be friends. Keishas has just arrived from London after marrying rich widower William Radford. Marcie tries to help her fit in, meet the right people and be a good southern wife. But both women had their secrets and their friendship becomes intense.
Thanks to William Morrow and Edelweiss for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
February 5, 2020
I really need to stop requesting books that have beautiful covers! Ugh.
I'm sorry but "Dead to Her" is one of the most generic novels I've read in quite some time. I feel like I'm losing interest in psychological thrillers lately. I used to love this genre, what happened?
The writing was below average and the characters were artificial and vapid. It's really hard to care about entitled, rich brats. No one has any morals, it's pathetic. Apparently I need novels with a little more depth and substance. I can't even recall most of the plot because it was so flimsy and silly. This one is quickly leaving my memory. If you enjoy campy books, then this one might fill that need. I think I lost a lot of brain cells while reading this travesty.
Thank you, Netgalley and Harper Collins for the digital ARC.
Release date: February 11, 2020
I'm sorry but "Dead to Her" is one of the most generic novels I've read in quite some time. I feel like I'm losing interest in psychological thrillers lately. I used to love this genre, what happened?
The writing was below average and the characters were artificial and vapid. It's really hard to care about entitled, rich brats. No one has any morals, it's pathetic. Apparently I need novels with a little more depth and substance. I can't even recall most of the plot because it was so flimsy and silly. This one is quickly leaving my memory. If you enjoy campy books, then this one might fill that need. I think I lost a lot of brain cells while reading this travesty.
Thank you, Netgalley and Harper Collins for the digital ARC.
Release date: February 11, 2020
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