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Maribelle’s Shadow
The only thing that spreads faster than gossip in Palm Beach is news of a mysterious death.
As the editorial director of Palm Beach Confidential , Maribelle Walker knows what lurks beneath the glittering facade of the moneyed elite on Florida’s most glamorous coast. Or does she?
When her adored and impressive husband, Samuel, dies suddenly, the secrets and lies between Maribelle and her sisters rise to the surface. Compounding the anguish, the authenticity of their socially ambitious mother and lavish lifestyle of mansions, privilege and couture clothes is thrown into doubt.
As their carefully constructed image unravels, each sister realizes she must fend for herself. The pathway out is steep and worth any risk. Until the winner takes all.
From a nationally renowned observer of women’s relationships comes Maribelle’s Shadow , a compelling tale of deception and family loyalty.
As the editorial director of Palm Beach Confidential , Maribelle Walker knows what lurks beneath the glittering facade of the moneyed elite on Florida’s most glamorous coast. Or does she?
When her adored and impressive husband, Samuel, dies suddenly, the secrets and lies between Maribelle and her sisters rise to the surface. Compounding the anguish, the authenticity of their socially ambitious mother and lavish lifestyle of mansions, privilege and couture clothes is thrown into doubt.
As their carefully constructed image unravels, each sister realizes she must fend for herself. The pathway out is steep and worth any risk. Until the winner takes all.
From a nationally renowned observer of women’s relationships comes Maribelle’s Shadow , a compelling tale of deception and family loyalty.
1 pages, Paperback
Published June 27, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 8, 2023
EXCERPT: '.....It's about my family.'
When Raleigh said this, she realized how little her mother and sisters considered her marriage and child. Almost as if she came upon Alex and Caleb when she was out doing errands one day. After an hour at Publix she had returned with the goods - a husband and small son along with pineapples and papaya. What Alex said about people was true, including her family, especially her family. There were plenty of ulterior motives and a shortage of empathy.
ABOUT 'MARIBELLE'S SHADOW': The only thing that spreads faster than gossip in Palm Beach is news of a mysterious death.
As the editorial director of Palm Beach Confidential , Maribelle Walker knows what lurks beneath the glittering facade of the moneyed elite on Florida’s most glamorous coast. Or does she?
When her adored and impressive husband, Samuel, dies suddenly, the secrets and lies between Maribelle and her sisters rise to the surface. Compounding the anguish, the authenticity of their socially ambitious mother and lavish lifestyle of mansions, privilege and couture clothes is thrown into doubt.
As their carefully constructed image unravels, each sister realizes she must fend for herself. The pathway out is steep and worth any risk. Until the winner takes all.
MY THOUGHTS: I had a shortage of empathy for all the characters in this book and was unable to relate to any of them.
The pace is extremely slow. To the point of stagnation. My interest flared briefly around the 30% mark but then waned again and I skimmed the final 50% of the book totally disinterested.
The characters are flat and uninteresting. It's all about image. Maribelle's husband cheats on her, yet she stays . . .
In retrospect, I should have abandoned this read and, really, I don't know why I didn't. Even the reveals at the end of the book didn't make it worth the read.
A definite case of 'cover love' gone wrong.
⭐⭐
#MaribellesShadow #NetGalley
I: @susannahshapirobarash @beaufortbooks
T: @susannahmarren @BeaufortBooks
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama
THE AUTHOR: Marren is the pen name of Susan Shapiro Barash, who has firm roots in Long Beach Island. She has authored 13 nonfiction works concerning women’s issues in addition to her fiction novels
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Beaufort Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Maribelle's Shadow by Susannah Marren for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
When Raleigh said this, she realized how little her mother and sisters considered her marriage and child. Almost as if she came upon Alex and Caleb when she was out doing errands one day. After an hour at Publix she had returned with the goods - a husband and small son along with pineapples and papaya. What Alex said about people was true, including her family, especially her family. There were plenty of ulterior motives and a shortage of empathy.
ABOUT 'MARIBELLE'S SHADOW': The only thing that spreads faster than gossip in Palm Beach is news of a mysterious death.
As the editorial director of Palm Beach Confidential , Maribelle Walker knows what lurks beneath the glittering facade of the moneyed elite on Florida’s most glamorous coast. Or does she?
When her adored and impressive husband, Samuel, dies suddenly, the secrets and lies between Maribelle and her sisters rise to the surface. Compounding the anguish, the authenticity of their socially ambitious mother and lavish lifestyle of mansions, privilege and couture clothes is thrown into doubt.
As their carefully constructed image unravels, each sister realizes she must fend for herself. The pathway out is steep and worth any risk. Until the winner takes all.
MY THOUGHTS: I had a shortage of empathy for all the characters in this book and was unable to relate to any of them.
The pace is extremely slow. To the point of stagnation. My interest flared briefly around the 30% mark but then waned again and I skimmed the final 50% of the book totally disinterested.
The characters are flat and uninteresting. It's all about image. Maribelle's husband cheats on her, yet she stays . . .
In retrospect, I should have abandoned this read and, really, I don't know why I didn't. Even the reveals at the end of the book didn't make it worth the read.
A definite case of 'cover love' gone wrong.
⭐⭐
#MaribellesShadow #NetGalley
I: @susannahshapirobarash @beaufortbooks
T: @susannahmarren @BeaufortBooks
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama
THE AUTHOR: Marren is the pen name of Susan Shapiro Barash, who has firm roots in Long Beach Island. She has authored 13 nonfiction works concerning women’s issues in addition to her fiction novels
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Beaufort Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Maribelle's Shadow by Susannah Marren for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
August 4, 2023
Normally I really enjoy books about sisters but that wasn't the case with this book. The three sisters in this book were trying to outdo each other with their importance and their place in Palm Beach society. Their mother pitted them against each other and even though they acted close in social situations, they were in bitter competition in their real lives. This is a book about money - lots of it -, power and how family secrets can affect lives and keep a family divided.
The Barrow sisters and their mother are all well known in Palm Beach Society. They always dress to impress and support philanthropic causes that are popular. The three sisters appear to be close friends but are really in competition with each other.
-Maribelle is the oldest sister. As the novel begins, her beloved husband, Samuel, has just died in a boating accident. Even though she knew that he was unfaithful, she accepted it so that they could keep their place as the IT couple in local society. When their mother uncovers the fact that there was money missing from the family company, all fingers point to Samuel.
-Caroline is married to Samuel's best friend and they both work at the family business. She knows that her husband knows more about Samuel and the missing money but won't share information with her.
-Raleigh is the youngest sister. She appears to have a good marriage but she is actually having an affair and is being very deceptive to her husband. She and her husband are struggling artists and her husband has never really been accepted by her mother like Maribelle and Caroline's husbands.
I didn't really like any of the characters in the book -- not the three sisters and definitely not their mother who pushed them all to be highly visible members of Palm Beach society even though the family came from humble beginnings. The thing I enjoyed most about the book was the description of life for the rich in Palm Beach. Their lives were totally different and it was interesting to read how shallow some of them were and how paper thin their friendships were with each other -- they would willingly throw someone under the bus if it would increase their status. As the book ends, there is a slight hint that the three sisters may be able to change their lives but I found that highly doubtful considering the way that they played the roles that their mother set for them.
If you like books about family drama and high society, you'll enjoy this book.
The Barrow sisters and their mother are all well known in Palm Beach Society. They always dress to impress and support philanthropic causes that are popular. The three sisters appear to be close friends but are really in competition with each other.
-Maribelle is the oldest sister. As the novel begins, her beloved husband, Samuel, has just died in a boating accident. Even though she knew that he was unfaithful, she accepted it so that they could keep their place as the IT couple in local society. When their mother uncovers the fact that there was money missing from the family company, all fingers point to Samuel.
-Caroline is married to Samuel's best friend and they both work at the family business. She knows that her husband knows more about Samuel and the missing money but won't share information with her.
-Raleigh is the youngest sister. She appears to have a good marriage but she is actually having an affair and is being very deceptive to her husband. She and her husband are struggling artists and her husband has never really been accepted by her mother like Maribelle and Caroline's husbands.
I didn't really like any of the characters in the book -- not the three sisters and definitely not their mother who pushed them all to be highly visible members of Palm Beach society even though the family came from humble beginnings. The thing I enjoyed most about the book was the description of life for the rich in Palm Beach. Their lives were totally different and it was interesting to read how shallow some of them were and how paper thin their friendships were with each other -- they would willingly throw someone under the bus if it would increase their status. As the book ends, there is a slight hint that the three sisters may be able to change their lives but I found that highly doubtful considering the way that they played the roles that their mother set for them.
If you like books about family drama and high society, you'll enjoy this book.
May 5, 2023
Maribelle’s Shadow, Susannah Marren, author
In the interest of transparency, I received this book to review from Meryl Moss Media, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure I would like it, but living in the Palm Beach area, I thought I would give it a try. I actually not only liked the book, I loved it. It was set in the perfect place for the rich and famous to play in and to betray each other. Rather than being a fluffy book about the spoiled and pretentious, it exposed the warts and scars that the shallow and greedy gathered, in their pursuit of wealth and acclaim.
People dream about being a part of life in Palm Beach, even as temporary visitors. Tourists will stroll down Worth Avenue which is a world that fulfills fantasies. They pretend that they belong there and are a part of it. The stores are definitely not for the hoi polloi, though, as the prices are beyond the reach of the average citizen. Designers of every stripe are featured in the shops. The restaurants cater to the rich and famous who tip the maître d’ before even sitting down, not only to get a table, but to get one that is suitable for their station in life. The entitled and super successful inhabit the country clubs and the homes. While this picture that is painted might seem idyllic and free from worry or scorn to the outsider, you can be sure the residents harbor their own secrets, lies and nightmares, but they keep them carefully hidden from view.
Brought up in this rarefied atmosphere, they are taught to protect their image. They are careful not to disturb the appearance of peace and harmony. Is this idealized image of Palm Beach the real thing, or is it the Palm Beach of our imagination, the Palm Beach carefully constructed by those who live there? This author has undressed Palm Beach and its residents so that their warts and foibles are visible, and the underbelly of the landscape of Palm Beach is exposed, with all of its weaknesses and strengths laid bare. She has used the fictional Barrows family as the vehicle to define the entitled and their lives.
Maribelle, Caroline and Raleigh Barrows are sisters. Maribelle is the eldest and Raleigh the youngest by ten years. She is the most sensitive and Caroline is the most driven. Maribelle is the Editor of the “PB Confidential”, a magazine she has made more successful, and her husband Samuel Walker was CFO of the family business. Maribelle and Samuel were sweethearts when they lived in Kesgrave, located in the panhandle of Florida, on the Gulf Coast.
Caroline is very much involved with the Barrows business. She loves her Palm Beach life with all of its frivolity and perks. She hopes to become the next CFO. Her husband Travis Sears is the CEO of the family business. He was best friends with Samuel, both having grown up in Kesgrave and both having attended the same schools. When tragedy strikes, he still claims ignorance when it comes to Samuel’s secrets.
Raleigh and her husband Alex, are both struggling, but fairly successful artists, she of portraits and he of more classical art. All of the women are well-trained by their mother, Lucinda, who since the death of their father Reed, is now married to Walter. Reed had his own private life while Lucinda was wrapped up with the business. Walter, on the other hand, is kind of arm candy, a decorative display piece to chaperone her, but he has no real influence in the story. Lucinda has trained all of her daughters well to play their roles in Palm Beach as prima donnas representing the rich and famous. They have all come a long way from the panhandle, and would not like their history to get around. They must keep up appearances to be fully accepted in the rarified atmosphere of Palm Beach. They are aware of the friends they must make, the causes to support, the clothes they need, the dinners they must attend and the way they must behave in public. They are truly the picture of entitled women, who are interested in their image, are always aware that the fall from the ladder and grace will be treacherous.
All goes well for the Barrows family and business until Samuel dies in a boating accident. He was very handsome, alarmingly charismatic and so beloved by many, including his mother-in-law, that his flaws had been overlooked. Now they were bright and shiny, like a new penny, and they became the bane of Maribelle’s existence as the family brought in Julian, a forensic accountant to investigate Samuel’s behavior before he died. Maribelle knew her husband had been unfaithful, but she was blinded by her love for him. Now she wondered who his last mistress was and what happened to the millions of dollars that were missing from the family business? Would she be responsible for his debts? Who knew what he had been doing? Was it his best friend Travis who knew his secrets? Who was the real Samuel Walker, and what were his secrets? He had been the CFO of the Barrows family business, managing the money that kept them all in high society.
Each of the characters was a bit larger than life, a bit like a caricature of a real person, but each was so well defined that you might be able to actually visualize them as they entered each scene. All of the characters, major and minor, seem to have a secret that they are keeping from each other and the world. Each of them yearns for something they do not have, some to climb even higher in Palm Beach society and some to leave it altogether and have a quieter, less competitive, but more contented life or someone or something that is forbidden.
Enter Julian, a forensic accountant hired to investigate the shenanigans of Samuel, brought in by Aunt Bryant, Lucinda’s sister and the godmother of Maribelle. He too has his secrets, but as he uncovers Samuel’s deception, he too has a confession to make, though not of the same corrupt nature. As the fog clears, many decisions are made, some in haste, some more thoughtfully, but all alter the lives of the Barrows.
When the novel ended, and the family situation resolved in a way I approved of, I had some overriding questions to consider. Do we ever really know anyone, what motivates disloyalty, is forgiveness possible in extreme cases of infidelity, are we all vulnerable and capable of insincerity, are any of us above the throes of temptation? Can we be true to our ideals regardless of what we are offered, or will we all betray our values in order to achieve our goals?
In the interest of transparency, I received this book to review from Meryl Moss Media, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure I would like it, but living in the Palm Beach area, I thought I would give it a try. I actually not only liked the book, I loved it. It was set in the perfect place for the rich and famous to play in and to betray each other. Rather than being a fluffy book about the spoiled and pretentious, it exposed the warts and scars that the shallow and greedy gathered, in their pursuit of wealth and acclaim.
People dream about being a part of life in Palm Beach, even as temporary visitors. Tourists will stroll down Worth Avenue which is a world that fulfills fantasies. They pretend that they belong there and are a part of it. The stores are definitely not for the hoi polloi, though, as the prices are beyond the reach of the average citizen. Designers of every stripe are featured in the shops. The restaurants cater to the rich and famous who tip the maître d’ before even sitting down, not only to get a table, but to get one that is suitable for their station in life. The entitled and super successful inhabit the country clubs and the homes. While this picture that is painted might seem idyllic and free from worry or scorn to the outsider, you can be sure the residents harbor their own secrets, lies and nightmares, but they keep them carefully hidden from view.
Brought up in this rarefied atmosphere, they are taught to protect their image. They are careful not to disturb the appearance of peace and harmony. Is this idealized image of Palm Beach the real thing, or is it the Palm Beach of our imagination, the Palm Beach carefully constructed by those who live there? This author has undressed Palm Beach and its residents so that their warts and foibles are visible, and the underbelly of the landscape of Palm Beach is exposed, with all of its weaknesses and strengths laid bare. She has used the fictional Barrows family as the vehicle to define the entitled and their lives.
Maribelle, Caroline and Raleigh Barrows are sisters. Maribelle is the eldest and Raleigh the youngest by ten years. She is the most sensitive and Caroline is the most driven. Maribelle is the Editor of the “PB Confidential”, a magazine she has made more successful, and her husband Samuel Walker was CFO of the family business. Maribelle and Samuel were sweethearts when they lived in Kesgrave, located in the panhandle of Florida, on the Gulf Coast.
Caroline is very much involved with the Barrows business. She loves her Palm Beach life with all of its frivolity and perks. She hopes to become the next CFO. Her husband Travis Sears is the CEO of the family business. He was best friends with Samuel, both having grown up in Kesgrave and both having attended the same schools. When tragedy strikes, he still claims ignorance when it comes to Samuel’s secrets.
Raleigh and her husband Alex, are both struggling, but fairly successful artists, she of portraits and he of more classical art. All of the women are well-trained by their mother, Lucinda, who since the death of their father Reed, is now married to Walter. Reed had his own private life while Lucinda was wrapped up with the business. Walter, on the other hand, is kind of arm candy, a decorative display piece to chaperone her, but he has no real influence in the story. Lucinda has trained all of her daughters well to play their roles in Palm Beach as prima donnas representing the rich and famous. They have all come a long way from the panhandle, and would not like their history to get around. They must keep up appearances to be fully accepted in the rarified atmosphere of Palm Beach. They are aware of the friends they must make, the causes to support, the clothes they need, the dinners they must attend and the way they must behave in public. They are truly the picture of entitled women, who are interested in their image, are always aware that the fall from the ladder and grace will be treacherous.
All goes well for the Barrows family and business until Samuel dies in a boating accident. He was very handsome, alarmingly charismatic and so beloved by many, including his mother-in-law, that his flaws had been overlooked. Now they were bright and shiny, like a new penny, and they became the bane of Maribelle’s existence as the family brought in Julian, a forensic accountant to investigate Samuel’s behavior before he died. Maribelle knew her husband had been unfaithful, but she was blinded by her love for him. Now she wondered who his last mistress was and what happened to the millions of dollars that were missing from the family business? Would she be responsible for his debts? Who knew what he had been doing? Was it his best friend Travis who knew his secrets? Who was the real Samuel Walker, and what were his secrets? He had been the CFO of the Barrows family business, managing the money that kept them all in high society.
Each of the characters was a bit larger than life, a bit like a caricature of a real person, but each was so well defined that you might be able to actually visualize them as they entered each scene. All of the characters, major and minor, seem to have a secret that they are keeping from each other and the world. Each of them yearns for something they do not have, some to climb even higher in Palm Beach society and some to leave it altogether and have a quieter, less competitive, but more contented life or someone or something that is forbidden.
Enter Julian, a forensic accountant hired to investigate the shenanigans of Samuel, brought in by Aunt Bryant, Lucinda’s sister and the godmother of Maribelle. He too has his secrets, but as he uncovers Samuel’s deception, he too has a confession to make, though not of the same corrupt nature. As the fog clears, many decisions are made, some in haste, some more thoughtfully, but all alter the lives of the Barrows.
When the novel ended, and the family situation resolved in a way I approved of, I had some overriding questions to consider. Do we ever really know anyone, what motivates disloyalty, is forgiveness possible in extreme cases of infidelity, are we all vulnerable and capable of insincerity, are any of us above the throes of temptation? Can we be true to our ideals regardless of what we are offered, or will we all betray our values in order to achieve our goals?
July 9, 2023
From the blurb, the story appears to be a murder mystery - a cross between a Miss Marple and Big Little Lies, a whodunnit of sorts. Let me tell you, it is so much better than that.
Maribelle's Shadow is a story of three sisters navigating their lives with their husbands and children under the thumb of their ever-so-watchful mother. They do it all together. They are each other's support.
Suddenly, Mirabelle's husband dies in a boating accident, and turmoil begins. His secrets come bubbling to the surface, and with it, the scratches on the surface of their perfect lives start to crack open. The storm that took down his boat is the storm that could bring them down. The sisters have to stick together for their family and company.
The story of Maribelle's Shadow is one of family and situations that make or break us. But, at its heart, it is about change.
The sisters were dragged from their humble homestead at Kesgrave to the stylish Palm Beach, where perception matters more than the truth. Here gossip thrives, and everybody, no matter where you stand on the social ladder, looks to pull you down a notch.
The sisters changed from small-town girls to society wives under the guidance of their mother.
But all of them wanted more.
Raleigh dreamed of living in Kesgrave to build her family and paintings there... Caroline planned to improve the family company with her husband... Maribelle wanted to leave the town and start somewhere else...
All three sisters were being held back by their husbands and their mother.
If the revelation of North's true identity was meant to be a twist, it did not have the intended effect, as I had already guessed.
What did surprise me was the sister's reaction to the revelation - Caroline, like her mother, wanted to protect the family's reputation, Raleigh wanted to confess, and Maribelle was furious for being left out of the secret.
The real twist was Aunt Bryant, her role in the family suddenly becoming all too clear.
Although the ending of this isn't a "happily ever after" it is a start, to a journey of self-discovery for all three sisters.
This standalone book is highly recommended for lovers of family drama and new beginnings.
Maribelle's Shadow is a story of three sisters navigating their lives with their husbands and children under the thumb of their ever-so-watchful mother. They do it all together. They are each other's support.
Suddenly, Mirabelle's husband dies in a boating accident, and turmoil begins. His secrets come bubbling to the surface, and with it, the scratches on the surface of their perfect lives start to crack open. The storm that took down his boat is the storm that could bring them down. The sisters have to stick together for their family and company.
The story of Maribelle's Shadow is one of family and situations that make or break us. But, at its heart, it is about change.
The sisters were dragged from their humble homestead at Kesgrave to the stylish Palm Beach, where perception matters more than the truth. Here gossip thrives, and everybody, no matter where you stand on the social ladder, looks to pull you down a notch.
The sisters changed from small-town girls to society wives under the guidance of their mother.
But all of them wanted more.
Raleigh dreamed of living in Kesgrave to build her family and paintings there... Caroline planned to improve the family company with her husband... Maribelle wanted to leave the town and start somewhere else...
All three sisters were being held back by their husbands and their mother.
If the revelation of North's true identity was meant to be a twist, it did not have the intended effect, as I had already guessed.
What did surprise me was the sister's reaction to the revelation - Caroline, like her mother, wanted to protect the family's reputation, Raleigh wanted to confess, and Maribelle was furious for being left out of the secret.
The real twist was Aunt Bryant, her role in the family suddenly becoming all too clear.
Although the ending of this isn't a "happily ever after" it is a start, to a journey of self-discovery for all three sisters.
This standalone book is highly recommended for lovers of family drama and new beginnings.
June 26, 2023
This book is a family drama about 3 sisters, their husbands, and the matriarch of the family. It’s set in the world of wealthy Palm Beach, Florida.
The book alternates points of view of each sister.
The book starts as Maribelle’s husband, Samuel, dies on his boat. The book continues with the aftermath of the death once it’s discovered that Samuel embezzled 7 million dollars from the family business.
I liked this one because the family came from humble beginnings that the matriarch likes to pretend didn’t exist. I also enjoyed the interweaving of all the drama and the hint that maybe Samuel’s death wasn’t an accident. The fancy outfit and location descriptions were also a plus.
The book alternates points of view of each sister.
The book starts as Maribelle’s husband, Samuel, dies on his boat. The book continues with the aftermath of the death once it’s discovered that Samuel embezzled 7 million dollars from the family business.
I liked this one because the family came from humble beginnings that the matriarch likes to pretend didn’t exist. I also enjoyed the interweaving of all the drama and the hint that maybe Samuel’s death wasn’t an accident. The fancy outfit and location descriptions were also a plus.
June 27, 2023
Lies and deception surround Maribelle after the death of her husband. The state of the family company comes into question and it goes even deeper than missing money. Who was Samuel really?
This family....I really couldn't stand the mother. She was so unfeeling and uptight. She had no remorse for the death of her son-in-law. Her sisters are more concerned with other things.... One-covering up an affair of her own and the other wanting to take the job Samuel had.
This family....I really couldn't stand the mother. She was so unfeeling and uptight. She had no remorse for the death of her son-in-law. Her sisters are more concerned with other things.... One-covering up an affair of her own and the other wanting to take the job Samuel had.
Read
July 19, 2023Once again from the excess and folly of Palm Beach society, the novelist Susannah Marren has woven an intricate tapestry of secrets and foreboding in MARIBELLE'S SHADOW!
Read the full review on BookTrib.com!
Read the full review on BookTrib.com!
June 23, 2023
A very strong domestic thriller; the family dynamics are spot on.
June 14, 2023
I was fortunate enough to receive this book as an ARC from Beaufort Books!
Maribelle’s Shadow by Susannah Marren is about the high society family, the Barrows, which includes the three Barrows sisters, their mother, and their respective husbands. The perfect image of Palm Beach high society, may just be an illusion. Unexpectedly, Maribelle’s husband dies and the so called perfect family starts to fade. Instead many lies and betrayals are revealed. Will this family survive this epic downfall?
In my personal opinion, this book moved pretty slow and most of the reveals were all at the end. Also, there were a few things (no spoilers) added that didn’t really make sense to the plot and felt out of place or too rushed. I did enjoy the very in depth descriptions of Palm Beach and the fashions, I imagined I was right there in it.
I would recommend this to those who love to read books about high society and drama filled families. People who love reality shows or soap operas, this book is for you!
Maribelle’s Shadow by Susannah Marren is about the high society family, the Barrows, which includes the three Barrows sisters, their mother, and their respective husbands. The perfect image of Palm Beach high society, may just be an illusion. Unexpectedly, Maribelle’s husband dies and the so called perfect family starts to fade. Instead many lies and betrayals are revealed. Will this family survive this epic downfall?
In my personal opinion, this book moved pretty slow and most of the reveals were all at the end. Also, there were a few things (no spoilers) added that didn’t really make sense to the plot and felt out of place or too rushed. I did enjoy the very in depth descriptions of Palm Beach and the fashions, I imagined I was right there in it.
I would recommend this to those who love to read books about high society and drama filled families. People who love reality shows or soap operas, this book is for you!
July 4, 2023
"SISTERS SHOULDN'T BE PLAYING THESE GAMES"
...
A new to me author and, if I am totally honest, not a genre of book I would pick up off the shelf and buy for myself. However, aware of just how well the folks at Meryl Moss Media Group know me by now, when the review opportunity was offered, I knew I probably wouldn't be disappointed. It was definitely worth the punt!
Even though I suspected, correctly as it turned out, some of the multitude of twists this storyline had to offer, there was still so much which eluded me, with events and revelations I most definitely never saw coming. At times I was almost ashamed to admit to being a woman. I had no idea there were so many manipulative, bitchy females out there. I must have led a very sheltered life!
Anyway, you have no idea what I am talking about, so let's get down to the storyline...
...
It is the start of the 'high season' in Palm Beach, so everyone who is anyone, is due in town anytime soon. For the Barrows women; matriarch and mother Lucinda, her best friend and godmother to her daughters Aunty Bryant, and three daughters Maribelle, Caroline and Raleigh, now is the time to prepare to be seen in all the right places, at only the very best gatherings, always dressed to impress and with the right man by your side; cue her three sons-in-law, Samuel, Travis and Alex. Lucinda's first husband, father of her children and founder of the Barrows empire, Reed, passed away some years ago and now Lucinda is married to the equally distinguished and eminently suitable William.
Unfortunately, the family have to work harder than many to maintain their good name, authenticity and fine standing, as unlike so many of their wealthy counterparts, neither their fortune nor their status is inherited, or came naturally to them. Life for them began on the wrong side of the tracks, in the Florida Panhandle, something they try never to speak about or be reminded of. Lucinda has long since shaken the dirt poor dust from her shoes and conveniently side-lined the homegrown family members who still live there. Even their altruistic and philanthropic charitable activities, are carefully choreographed, so as to outwardly appear all-encompassing, but in reality, only truly benefitting those organisations or individuals which will visibly elevate the Barrows status and kudos amongst their select group of acquaintances.
Scratch the surface of this seemingly perfect family empire though and the cracks quickly begin to show, tap it gently and it starts to crumble in front of your eyes...
Samuel definitely looks and acts like the golden boy of the Barrows dynasty, although wife Maribelle knows differently, or at least she thinks she does! When Samuel very inconveniently and unexpectedly dies, her world is about to be rocked to its very core several times, as each new revelation about her wayward husband and duplicitous, self-centred family unfolds. Following her son-in-law's death, Lucinda's power play actions are inadvertently the catalyst which sets Maribelle on a course to rethink her entire life, something which she suspects, had already been happening subliminally for some considerable time. With the exit stakes becoming ever higher and more dangerous, Maribelle realises that there can be no going back, when both her mother and sisters openly express their disdain for and their wish to have, her distance herself from them, before their remaining reputations and aspirations are damaged irrevocably. In this female controlled family, loyalty needs to be unquestioning and unequivocal. You are very much either with them, or against them. There is no middle ground and they take no prisoners, not even one of their own!
...
This fast-paced, multi-layered, yet easy to follow storyline, is narrated by each of the three sisters and told from their individual perspectives, in short, well-signposted chapters. As their carefully constructed images unravel and their aspirations are challenged, each sister realizes she must fend for herself and fight for not only what she longs for, but believes in. However, with the tension between our protagonists building to a bitter and almost certainly acrimonious crescendo, it becomes obvious that not everyone is going to escape unscathed by the experience.
Author Susannah Marren, explores in great detail the power of women to succeed, by fair means or foul. Lucinda has become an expert in allowing her male contemporaries to believe that they rule the roost and have absolute authority, when in fact they are being manipulated every step of the way, by the wiles of an even stronger and more ruthless woman. These are traits she has nurtured and propagated in her three daughters and their respective husbands, although she has recently had cause to become disappointed with one or more of them, a scenario which cannot be allowed to continue and must be punished most severely.
Whilst each of the cast is well defined, fleshed-out and easy to visualise, intrinsically, everything about them is superficial and insincere, with none of them having any true depth of character. Any genuine feelings are always supressed under a thin outer veneer of entitlement, bravado and one-upmanship, with life being a constant struggle to achieve top ranking status and then to maintain that position, no matter whose shoulders you need to stand on to attain such lofty heights, or which reputations you need to trample underfoot and destroy along the way. Definitely not characters I could either invest in, relate to, or empathise with. And as for any of them stooping so low as to crack a smile or interact in a positive way with their children, other than by showering them with possessions and contrived 'play dates' and parties, that simply wasn't going to happen, thus making for a continually tense and claustrophobic atmosphere, where everyone seemed to be treading on eggshells, in an effort to fit into the required mould as a Barrows protegee.
I really don't think that Palm Beach would be my kind of place, not because I feel that any of the residents or other visitors would be any better than me, even though they may consider themselves to be far superior. But simply because of all the posturing, posing and incessant name dropping, which would really get on my nerves, as it is so overtly superficial, false and affected. That aside, the author did a great job of making me feel as though I was actually there and part of the unfolding saga, with some wonderfully detailed and descriptive narrative and dialogue, setting the scene and offering a great sense of time and place. What more could this dedicated 'armchair traveller' ask for?
I marked this one down to four stars, for no other reason than that the constant top-to-toe listing of every designer name and brand label, whenever someone walked into a space or joined a gathering, became rather tiresome after a while. However, I am certain that for any dedicated fashionistas that will be a problem you will love to have. You will be in your element and definitely not disappointed.
...
A new to me author and, if I am totally honest, not a genre of book I would pick up off the shelf and buy for myself. However, aware of just how well the folks at Meryl Moss Media Group know me by now, when the review opportunity was offered, I knew I probably wouldn't be disappointed. It was definitely worth the punt!
Even though I suspected, correctly as it turned out, some of the multitude of twists this storyline had to offer, there was still so much which eluded me, with events and revelations I most definitely never saw coming. At times I was almost ashamed to admit to being a woman. I had no idea there were so many manipulative, bitchy females out there. I must have led a very sheltered life!
Anyway, you have no idea what I am talking about, so let's get down to the storyline...
...
It is the start of the 'high season' in Palm Beach, so everyone who is anyone, is due in town anytime soon. For the Barrows women; matriarch and mother Lucinda, her best friend and godmother to her daughters Aunty Bryant, and three daughters Maribelle, Caroline and Raleigh, now is the time to prepare to be seen in all the right places, at only the very best gatherings, always dressed to impress and with the right man by your side; cue her three sons-in-law, Samuel, Travis and Alex. Lucinda's first husband, father of her children and founder of the Barrows empire, Reed, passed away some years ago and now Lucinda is married to the equally distinguished and eminently suitable William.
Unfortunately, the family have to work harder than many to maintain their good name, authenticity and fine standing, as unlike so many of their wealthy counterparts, neither their fortune nor their status is inherited, or came naturally to them. Life for them began on the wrong side of the tracks, in the Florida Panhandle, something they try never to speak about or be reminded of. Lucinda has long since shaken the dirt poor dust from her shoes and conveniently side-lined the homegrown family members who still live there. Even their altruistic and philanthropic charitable activities, are carefully choreographed, so as to outwardly appear all-encompassing, but in reality, only truly benefitting those organisations or individuals which will visibly elevate the Barrows status and kudos amongst their select group of acquaintances.
Scratch the surface of this seemingly perfect family empire though and the cracks quickly begin to show, tap it gently and it starts to crumble in front of your eyes...
Samuel definitely looks and acts like the golden boy of the Barrows dynasty, although wife Maribelle knows differently, or at least she thinks she does! When Samuel very inconveniently and unexpectedly dies, her world is about to be rocked to its very core several times, as each new revelation about her wayward husband and duplicitous, self-centred family unfolds. Following her son-in-law's death, Lucinda's power play actions are inadvertently the catalyst which sets Maribelle on a course to rethink her entire life, something which she suspects, had already been happening subliminally for some considerable time. With the exit stakes becoming ever higher and more dangerous, Maribelle realises that there can be no going back, when both her mother and sisters openly express their disdain for and their wish to have, her distance herself from them, before their remaining reputations and aspirations are damaged irrevocably. In this female controlled family, loyalty needs to be unquestioning and unequivocal. You are very much either with them, or against them. There is no middle ground and they take no prisoners, not even one of their own!
...
This fast-paced, multi-layered, yet easy to follow storyline, is narrated by each of the three sisters and told from their individual perspectives, in short, well-signposted chapters. As their carefully constructed images unravel and their aspirations are challenged, each sister realizes she must fend for herself and fight for not only what she longs for, but believes in. However, with the tension between our protagonists building to a bitter and almost certainly acrimonious crescendo, it becomes obvious that not everyone is going to escape unscathed by the experience.
Author Susannah Marren, explores in great detail the power of women to succeed, by fair means or foul. Lucinda has become an expert in allowing her male contemporaries to believe that they rule the roost and have absolute authority, when in fact they are being manipulated every step of the way, by the wiles of an even stronger and more ruthless woman. These are traits she has nurtured and propagated in her three daughters and their respective husbands, although she has recently had cause to become disappointed with one or more of them, a scenario which cannot be allowed to continue and must be punished most severely.
Whilst each of the cast is well defined, fleshed-out and easy to visualise, intrinsically, everything about them is superficial and insincere, with none of them having any true depth of character. Any genuine feelings are always supressed under a thin outer veneer of entitlement, bravado and one-upmanship, with life being a constant struggle to achieve top ranking status and then to maintain that position, no matter whose shoulders you need to stand on to attain such lofty heights, or which reputations you need to trample underfoot and destroy along the way. Definitely not characters I could either invest in, relate to, or empathise with. And as for any of them stooping so low as to crack a smile or interact in a positive way with their children, other than by showering them with possessions and contrived 'play dates' and parties, that simply wasn't going to happen, thus making for a continually tense and claustrophobic atmosphere, where everyone seemed to be treading on eggshells, in an effort to fit into the required mould as a Barrows protegee.
I really don't think that Palm Beach would be my kind of place, not because I feel that any of the residents or other visitors would be any better than me, even though they may consider themselves to be far superior. But simply because of all the posturing, posing and incessant name dropping, which would really get on my nerves, as it is so overtly superficial, false and affected. That aside, the author did a great job of making me feel as though I was actually there and part of the unfolding saga, with some wonderfully detailed and descriptive narrative and dialogue, setting the scene and offering a great sense of time and place. What more could this dedicated 'armchair traveller' ask for?
I marked this one down to four stars, for no other reason than that the constant top-to-toe listing of every designer name and brand label, whenever someone walked into a space or joined a gathering, became rather tiresome after a while. However, I am certain that for any dedicated fashionistas that will be a problem you will love to have. You will be in your element and definitely not disappointed.
May 18, 2023
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of Maribelle's Shadow. While I don't fall into the book's target demographic, I really enjoyed the novel and am a fan of all of Susannah Marren's work. Maribelle's Shadow takes readers through many ups and downs, while I was shocked by several twists throughout the novel. I definitely recommend Maribelle's Shadow, even for readers that may not be in the target audience.
May 12, 2023
I finished this book but I did not care for it. Three daughters and a controlling mother are bought together after the husband of one of the daughters is killed in a boating accident. Missing money, extramarital affairs dominate the book. I will not recommend this.
September 5, 2023
Samuel was the "Star" of Palm Beach. Women were smitten over him even the men weren't unaffected by his impressive personality. Samuel had it all, A beautiful wife, money, charm, a powerful position of CFO in barrow's company, A company established by his wife Maribelle's parents "Lucinda and Reed".
On a Tuesday morning, word came that Samuel had drowned, leaving Maribelle with "Seven million dollars debt". Money stolen from their own company. Maribelle finds herself in a predicament, whether to believe her perfect dead husband (who may have had an extramarital affair) or her family's unruly accusations.
“He was the best of the husbands,” “The best of the Barrows sisters’ husbands.”
Maribelle was envied by other women in Palm beach, probably her two younger sisters, Caroline and Raleigh as well. Nosey parkers of palm beach have begun snooping around for gossips to tear down barrow family's reputation and prestige.
Now that Samuel is dead and unable to defend himself, the accusations against him keep piling up shattering his reputation as the perfect Man/Husband. How is Maribelle going to get out of this web of lies and deceit, knitted by her own husband? With whom was he having affair with? Where did the money go? Money, that caused a rift among barrows sisters.
The plot centres around Infidelity, Jealousy and Greed. It all began with love but ended with lust and disloyalty. The book had a good plot. It seemed promising at first. However, as the story progressed, it seemed to drag for eternity and I lost the will to read. The story derails and circles around pointless conversations amongst the main characters at many occasions. I would have found the story less confusing if there weren't too many unimportant characters introduced out of nowhere.
I would say the author ingeniously managed to conceal "the truth/truths" until the very end of the story, which was the most engaging and engrossing part of the book. The author has used a high moderate level of English language as well as a lot of the french vocabulary has also been used. Maribelle's Shadow is a Mystery Thriller shrouded in drama, betrayal and manipulation.
On a Tuesday morning, word came that Samuel had drowned, leaving Maribelle with "Seven million dollars debt". Money stolen from their own company. Maribelle finds herself in a predicament, whether to believe her perfect dead husband (who may have had an extramarital affair) or her family's unruly accusations.
“He was the best of the husbands,” “The best of the Barrows sisters’ husbands.”
Maribelle was envied by other women in Palm beach, probably her two younger sisters, Caroline and Raleigh as well. Nosey parkers of palm beach have begun snooping around for gossips to tear down barrow family's reputation and prestige.
Now that Samuel is dead and unable to defend himself, the accusations against him keep piling up shattering his reputation as the perfect Man/Husband. How is Maribelle going to get out of this web of lies and deceit, knitted by her own husband? With whom was he having affair with? Where did the money go? Money, that caused a rift among barrows sisters.
The plot centres around Infidelity, Jealousy and Greed. It all began with love but ended with lust and disloyalty. The book had a good plot. It seemed promising at first. However, as the story progressed, it seemed to drag for eternity and I lost the will to read. The story derails and circles around pointless conversations amongst the main characters at many occasions. I would have found the story less confusing if there weren't too many unimportant characters introduced out of nowhere.
I would say the author ingeniously managed to conceal "the truth/truths" until the very end of the story, which was the most engaging and engrossing part of the book. The author has used a high moderate level of English language as well as a lot of the french vocabulary has also been used. Maribelle's Shadow is a Mystery Thriller shrouded in drama, betrayal and manipulation.
August 14, 2023
In the heartwarming yet tumultuous tale, we delve into the lives of the three remarkable sisters, each weaving her unique thread into the intricate tapestry of a family's journey from modest beginnings to the opulent shores of Palm Beach.
Maribelle's world is shattered as her husband, Samuel, meets an untimely demise aboard his beloved boat. This sudden loss becomes a catalyst for unraveling long-guarded truths, revealing a staggering embezzlement of 7 million dollars from the family enterprise. As the ashes settle, the family is left grappling with the legacy of a man they thought they knew.
The threads of destiny are tightly woven around the sisters, each narrating her chapter with an individual voice, laying bare their innermost desires and struggles. Amid the glamour and excess of their newfound life on the Palm Beach coast, the sisters confront the disparities between their public facades and private aspirations.
At the heart of this story is a matriarch, a controlling force with a laser focus on her societal standing. Her relentless pursuit of prestige and power, however, threatens to fracture the bonds between mother and daughters, as well as the sisters' relationships with their respective husbands.
As the plot unfolds, layers of intrigue, betrayal, and redemption are peeled away, offering a riveting glimpse into the dynamics of high society. Amid the turmoil, the sisters are forced to confront their own motivations, forging new paths as they navigate the treacherous terrain of wealth and influence.
Maribelle's world is shattered as her husband, Samuel, meets an untimely demise aboard his beloved boat. This sudden loss becomes a catalyst for unraveling long-guarded truths, revealing a staggering embezzlement of 7 million dollars from the family enterprise. As the ashes settle, the family is left grappling with the legacy of a man they thought they knew.
The threads of destiny are tightly woven around the sisters, each narrating her chapter with an individual voice, laying bare their innermost desires and struggles. Amid the glamour and excess of their newfound life on the Palm Beach coast, the sisters confront the disparities between their public facades and private aspirations.
At the heart of this story is a matriarch, a controlling force with a laser focus on her societal standing. Her relentless pursuit of prestige and power, however, threatens to fracture the bonds between mother and daughters, as well as the sisters' relationships with their respective husbands.
As the plot unfolds, layers of intrigue, betrayal, and redemption are peeled away, offering a riveting glimpse into the dynamics of high society. Amid the turmoil, the sisters are forced to confront their own motivations, forging new paths as they navigate the treacherous terrain of wealth and influence.
November 4, 2023
I'd been saving this book for my recent vacation in Florida 🏝️🍊 I was just across the inlet of Palm Beach as I opened this book and began to read...📖🏖️
I always find Palm Beach society fascinating even though it can be superficial. This story focuses on an affluent family, The Barrows of Palm Beach. The family originated from the Panhandle region of the state but they have carefully constructed a new way of life and do not now mention their origins. There's the matriarch, Lucinda and her three daughters, Maribelle, Caroline and Raleigh. Each one of the daughters are married and two of the husbands work in the family business. At the beginning of the story Maribelle's husband tragically dies. Just what happened to him and who is keeping secrets? That's the basis of the story.
What I really enjoyed about the story was the Palm Beach locations mentioned and the way of life. I am familiar with most of the places and it was interesting to hear about them in the book. The story was slow paced but I still found it intriguing. There's a mystery to it but it was pretty much predictable. I did not quite connect to the family as I didn't feel the sisters were fully developed. It was hard to root for anyone really. I did enjoy it for the most part and I would try something else from this author again.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Beaufort books for granting me access to this Advance Readers Copy.
Now available
I always find Palm Beach society fascinating even though it can be superficial. This story focuses on an affluent family, The Barrows of Palm Beach. The family originated from the Panhandle region of the state but they have carefully constructed a new way of life and do not now mention their origins. There's the matriarch, Lucinda and her three daughters, Maribelle, Caroline and Raleigh. Each one of the daughters are married and two of the husbands work in the family business. At the beginning of the story Maribelle's husband tragically dies. Just what happened to him and who is keeping secrets? That's the basis of the story.
What I really enjoyed about the story was the Palm Beach locations mentioned and the way of life. I am familiar with most of the places and it was interesting to hear about them in the book. The story was slow paced but I still found it intriguing. There's a mystery to it but it was pretty much predictable. I did not quite connect to the family as I didn't feel the sisters were fully developed. It was hard to root for anyone really. I did enjoy it for the most part and I would try something else from this author again.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Beaufort books for granting me access to this Advance Readers Copy.
Now available
July 25, 2023
"Maribelle's Shadow: Sisters shouldn't be playing these games" written by the author Susannah Marren is an intriguing story. The story features three Barrows' sisters and their husbands living a high life in Palm Beach. Maribelle is aware of the unfaithfulness of her husband Samuel but she couldn't confront him.
One day Maribelle read a text from Rebecca on her husband's phone and once she received a phone call that her husband had ordered special earrings for someone. In spite of his affairs, Samuel always gets back to Maribelle. One morning, Samuel went for speed boating even though he was warned by Maribelle about the bad weather. After Samuel's death in the boating accident, the secrets between Maribelle and her sisters came forward. Maribelle's mother Lucinda lives a royal life too. Find out more about their secrets.
If you enjoy reading stories of deception and family loyalty then get your hands on this book. The title of the book is suitable. The narration is smooth and strong. The writing style of the author is amazing. The storyline is intriguing and I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it. Go ahead with it without any second thoughts.
One day Maribelle read a text from Rebecca on her husband's phone and once she received a phone call that her husband had ordered special earrings for someone. In spite of his affairs, Samuel always gets back to Maribelle. One morning, Samuel went for speed boating even though he was warned by Maribelle about the bad weather. After Samuel's death in the boating accident, the secrets between Maribelle and her sisters came forward. Maribelle's mother Lucinda lives a royal life too. Find out more about their secrets.
If you enjoy reading stories of deception and family loyalty then get your hands on this book. The title of the book is suitable. The narration is smooth and strong. The writing style of the author is amazing. The storyline is intriguing and I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it. Go ahead with it without any second thoughts.
December 20, 2023
☕️ “Maribelle’s Shadow” is a high-octane thriller that weaves a chilling murder mystery with the suffocating intensity of family drama. It's a story of betrayal, greed, and the dark secrets that bind us together, where bloodlines hold both promise and peril.
If you’re someone who enjoys stories with a deep rooted histories of conspiracies and family drama, this is your book, a page turner that kept on the edge throughout, what makes it a perfect winter read is the fact that’s it’s thrilling and cozy at the same time.
I loved the fact that the main characters here are all women, they run story and they run it crazy, sisters and their strong ruler, their mother, the story is filled with secrets and twists that will surely shook you from within.
For me the first half was a little slower but the second half had the perfect pace and I just couldn’t keep it down, the world buildings and settings of the story makes it more interesting to get into.
It’s not a very quick read but definitely a book that will surely take you through a ride you never experienced before, go for it.
Rating: 4.25🌟
July 1, 2023
“Does anyone ever totally understand what someone else is thinking?”
Maribelle Walker, editorial director of 𝘗𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭, thinks she knows what lurks beneath the glittering facade of the moneyed elite on Florida’s most glamorous coast.
When her adored and impressive husband, Samuel, dies suddenly, the secrets and lies between Maribelle and her sisters rise to the surface. Compounding the anguish, the authenticity of their socially ambitious mother and their lavish lifestyle of mansions, privilege, and couture clothes is thrown into doubt.
As their carefully constructed image unravels, each sister realizes she must fend for herself. Who can you trust when everything you thought you knew is wrong?
This is the twisty and crazy story of secrets revealed amidst tragedy. No one is as honorable as they portray themselves to be as family turns on family in ways none of them could have ever expected. What a wild ride where jealousy, resentment, and competition abound. The story was a bit simple, though. I was surprised by the twists but found myself skim reading a bit of it.
Thank you to @meryl_moss and @susanshapirobarash for the #gifted copy.
Maribelle Walker, editorial director of 𝘗𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭, thinks she knows what lurks beneath the glittering facade of the moneyed elite on Florida’s most glamorous coast.
When her adored and impressive husband, Samuel, dies suddenly, the secrets and lies between Maribelle and her sisters rise to the surface. Compounding the anguish, the authenticity of their socially ambitious mother and their lavish lifestyle of mansions, privilege, and couture clothes is thrown into doubt.
As their carefully constructed image unravels, each sister realizes she must fend for herself. Who can you trust when everything you thought you knew is wrong?
This is the twisty and crazy story of secrets revealed amidst tragedy. No one is as honorable as they portray themselves to be as family turns on family in ways none of them could have ever expected. What a wild ride where jealousy, resentment, and competition abound. The story was a bit simple, though. I was surprised by the twists but found myself skim reading a bit of it.
Thank you to @meryl_moss and @susanshapirobarash for the #gifted copy.
Read
August 4, 2023This story reads like an onion ... layer upon layer is peeled away as you get deeper into the book.
Each chapter focuses on a different sister and somewhat from their point of view - it was a fresh take on the story. There's no overlapping or time confusion. The story still progresses evenly.
I feel like it really opened up the Palm Beach lifestyle, which I'm unfamiliar with but could identify with, being from California. But the social rules and regulations are on steroids compared to California! Whoa!
As for the actual story, with no spoilers, three sisters with an overbearing mom are at the height of Palm Beach society when a husband is killed in an accident. This is where the onion peels begin and they don't stop until the absolute end of the story. You will be confronted with a lot of fronts, smokescreens, out and out lies, hiding the truths, suspecting, fake friendships, family turmoil, and love.
This is perfect for the end of summer - read it now!
Each chapter focuses on a different sister and somewhat from their point of view - it was a fresh take on the story. There's no overlapping or time confusion. The story still progresses evenly.
I feel like it really opened up the Palm Beach lifestyle, which I'm unfamiliar with but could identify with, being from California. But the social rules and regulations are on steroids compared to California! Whoa!
As for the actual story, with no spoilers, three sisters with an overbearing mom are at the height of Palm Beach society when a husband is killed in an accident. This is where the onion peels begin and they don't stop until the absolute end of the story. You will be confronted with a lot of fronts, smokescreens, out and out lies, hiding the truths, suspecting, fake friendships, family turmoil, and love.
This is perfect for the end of summer - read it now!
September 28, 2023
I had a love/hate relationship with "Maribelle's Shadow" by Susannah Marren. I didn't care for or have empathy for any of the characters. You won't get this reader to feel sorry for the troubles of rich people. Apparently Palm Beach society is filled with a bunch of fake individuals trying to one up or completely ruin each other and you can't trust any of them. Even family members. Some parts of the story were abrupt and the ending felt rushed. Strangely, I kept being pulled back in wanting to know what happened next. I think it was because I was searching for any plausible explanation as to why/how people could behave in the manner that they did. If you can relate to or enjoy backstabbing, elite theatrics, by all means give this a read.
I was provided an ARC copy from Beaufort Books, and this is my honest opinion
I was provided an ARC copy from Beaufort Books, and this is my honest opinion
July 18, 2023
Fans of all genres will get their fill of thrilling plot twists and page turning mysteries in Marren's latest masterpiece: Maribelle's Shadow.
From the onset, readers are plunged into a world of deception with the sudden and mysterious death of our heroine's beloved (yet unfaithful) husband. It's then off to the races for the rest of our characters, Maribelle's sisters and mother. Each woman is distinctly different, with unique points of view, personal goals, and private truths that will surface and wreak havoc on the lives they all thought they knew.
This story is for lovers of mystery, female psychology, family drama, and fully developed characters! I had to force myself to put it down and even then, the plot swam its way into my dreams...
From the onset, readers are plunged into a world of deception with the sudden and mysterious death of our heroine's beloved (yet unfaithful) husband. It's then off to the races for the rest of our characters, Maribelle's sisters and mother. Each woman is distinctly different, with unique points of view, personal goals, and private truths that will surface and wreak havoc on the lives they all thought they knew.
This story is for lovers of mystery, female psychology, family drama, and fully developed characters! I had to force myself to put it down and even then, the plot swam its way into my dreams...
August 20, 2023
Thank you to LibraryThing, the publisher and the author.
I've always enjoyed this author's books and they are always set in the hoity toity town of Palm Beach with rich people. A lot of name dropping of clothing brands of course and how Lucinda (the matriarch) wanted the Barrow girls to act and dress. Mirabelle, Caroline, and Raleigh are very close and then the worst happens and then it gets out of control with both the company that bears their name run by Lucinda. Caroline and Travis, Mirabelle and Samuel also. Raleigh and Andrew are artists and have nothing to do with the company.
It all comes out in the end of what happened on the day the tragedy with Samuel happens and other family thing "secrets."
I've always enjoyed this author's books and they are always set in the hoity toity town of Palm Beach with rich people. A lot of name dropping of clothing brands of course and how Lucinda (the matriarch) wanted the Barrow girls to act and dress. Mirabelle, Caroline, and Raleigh are very close and then the worst happens and then it gets out of control with both the company that bears their name run by Lucinda. Caroline and Travis, Mirabelle and Samuel also. Raleigh and Andrew are artists and have nothing to do with the company.
It all comes out in the end of what happened on the day the tragedy with Samuel happens and other family thing "secrets."
July 25, 2023
ARC Book Review
Maribelle’s Shadow
A Novel Written By Susannah Marren
Fiction - Family Drama
Published June 2023
320 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Family secrets are revealed in this family drama set in Palm Beach, Florida. Maribelle Walker’s life begins to unravel when her husband, Samuel, is killed in a boating accident. One person’s selfish decisions cause a family to be destroyed. The author shows readers how money, power, family, and loyalty don’t always mesh together. There are layers to many of the characters in this book. Most of these layers are not admirable.
“Money does a mind trick on people.”
Maribelle’s Shadow
A Novel Written By Susannah Marren
Fiction - Family Drama
Published June 2023
320 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Family secrets are revealed in this family drama set in Palm Beach, Florida. Maribelle Walker’s life begins to unravel when her husband, Samuel, is killed in a boating accident. One person’s selfish decisions cause a family to be destroyed. The author shows readers how money, power, family, and loyalty don’t always mesh together. There are layers to many of the characters in this book. Most of these layers are not admirable.
“Money does a mind trick on people.”
July 23, 2023
"Maribelle's Shadow" is a captivating page-turner that delves deep into the intricacies of womanhood in the modern era. It fearlessly delves into themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the complexities of balancing personal ambitions with family and societal expectations. With thought-provoking insights into relationships, career choices, and individual identity, "Maribelle's Shadow" sparks meaningful reflections about the evolving roles and experiences of women, making it not only an enthralling read but also a poignant exploration of contemporary womanhood.
November 6, 2023
Maribelle Walker is part of the Palm Beach social scene and when her husband suddenly dies she and her sisters become the food for the gossip mill. She is an editor for the Palm Beach Confidential and as their carefully constructed image unravels, each sister realizes she must fend for herself. The pathway out is steep and worth any risk. Until the winner takes all. Story of family and false lives.
July 19, 2023
I thought this was a good, fast-paced read. The story was engaging and keeps the reader wanting to know more. Sometimes, things aren't as they always seem. And sometimes we really don't know our families and what they are capable of doing. I felt the author did a good job in bringing these things to light and tying all the loose details together at the end.
July 30, 2023
I pushed for this past my normal percentage point of DNF … took halfway through for me to decide i needed to finish and see how this ended. It still had my attention since I did not put it down but I really wanted to like this more. But just because it was an ok for me doesn’t you will not enjoy it more!
November 18, 2023
“Maribelle’s Shadow” is a story of family and loyalty, and how far some people will go to hang on to what they have. It is recommended for readers who enjoy women’s literature centered around socialites, power, and money.
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My Review
March 9, 2024
I attended a presentation by the author and bought this book. It's an easy, fairly predictable read with 1 surprise twist.
The author is very interesting to meet in person and I admire anyway who can develop a plot line and see it to fruition. She also is very knowledgeable about designer fadhions and furnishings.
But in the end I really didn't care about any of the characters .
The author is very interesting to meet in person and I admire anyway who can develop a plot line and see it to fruition. She also is very knowledgeable about designer fadhions and furnishings.
But in the end I really didn't care about any of the characters .
January 5, 2024
Wanted to read something about Palm Beach.
A lot of characters not all of them useful.
Author referred to A1A as “the A1A” which annoyed me.
Also, said that Royal Ponciana Plaza was one block from the beach. That’s a long block lol.
A lot of characters not all of them useful.
Author referred to A1A as “the A1A” which annoyed me.
Also, said that Royal Ponciana Plaza was one block from the beach. That’s a long block lol.
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