In this riveting psychological thriller, a woman must decide whether she can believe a dementia patient who claims to have a dark secret—from the New York Times bestselling author, Joy Fielding.
Ballantine Books / August 5, 2025
In this riveting psychological thriller, a woman must decide whether she can believe a dementia patient who claims to have a dark secret.
Reeling from her husband’s death and best friend’s dementia diagnosis, seventy-six-year-old Linda Davidson is feeling lost and alone. Her beloved daughter Kleo and son-in-law Mick move into her house to keep her company, but the constant bickering quickly turns their presence into just another thing on Linda’s long list of worries.
Eager to escape the tension at home, Linda goes to visit her friend at Legacy Place, a Memory Care facility for the elderly, where she meets Jenny Cooper, a ninety-two-year-old dementia patient who makes a shocking confession: she kills people.
Linda dismisses the so-called “secret” as the confusion of an ailing mind, but Jenny seems strangely lucid over the course of their visits as she tells Linda about her many victims—mostly men who hurt her. Then, a fellow patient at Legacy Place dies. Everyone else sees the natural death of an old, sick man, but Linda can’t help but wonder: is there any chance Jenny’s telling the truth?
Thanks to the wonderful publisher Ballantine books and Netgalley for this eARC.
I greatly enjoyed this story; as soon as I saw an offering from Joy Fielding (an author I have followed for decades) I immediately requested it.
This novel is one of those great slow burn reads with excellent character development that does what only the best books can do - pulls you out of your daily ennui / doldrums and provides you with a brand new world to become immersed in.
I greatly enjoyed the characters in this book, the aging widow, Linda Davidson, who is gracious enough to allow one of her two loving daughters, Kleo, to live with her, as well as her lout of a husband, Mick.
Linda meets Jenny Cooper when she is visiting her best friend in an assisted living apartment.
Jenny Cooper is a stellar character a seemingly ordinary (albeit cantankerous) elderly woman with a few extraordinary secrets to share. This story reminds us that within each elderly individual we meet a whole new world exists, if only we take time to listen.
My adoration for Jenny Cooper grew as steadily as Linda Davidson's.
I don't believe in adding spoilers to my reviews, but trust me, read this book; it is a testament to relationships - not just among the family members which are ours by birth, but also our friends who are family members by choice.
This book addresses themes of trust, friendship and love, in all its circumstances (including misplaced spousal delusion and misplaced adoration).
Fielding, a seasoned storyteller, once again proves her prowess in creating characters of great depth and plots with gripping storylines.
Fielding's writing style is engaging and accessible, with a knack for building suspense. Her descriptive prose brings the settings to life, and her dialogue feels authentic and natural.
The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of action interspersed with quieter, introspective scenes.
Whether you're a longtime admirer of Fielding's work or a newcomer to her novels, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.
5 stars from this deeply pleased fan, it pulled me out of myself at a time when I greatly needed the escape. Then, it sent me back to the bookstore, to catch up on any previous delights that I have missed from the talented Joy Fielding, the author of captivating novels.
