Book Review: The Women In White: A Novel by Sarah Pekkanen-Mystery/Thrillers

Hello, dear Readers,

My book review of: The Women in White: A Novel by Sarah Pekkanen.

Title: The Women in White

Rating:  5/5 Stars

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Author: Sarah Pekkanen

Publisher: St.Martin's Press

Publication Date: August 04, 2026

Language: English

Hardcover: 288 pages
Meet the Author: Sarah Pekkanen
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

The next thriller from #1 bestselling author Sarah Pekkanen combines a decades-old mystery with spine-tingling paranormal elements in this twisty novel of the seen and unseen.

Extrasensory perception.

The Gift.

A Sixth Sense.

Or something else….

In 1964, four remarkable young women at a prestigious university became the subjects of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist. On the cusp of a historic breakthrough, the women mysteriously vanished, and the program was erased from history.

Decades later, Riley Bell, newly divorced and desperate for a fresh start, accepts a caretaker job for an elderly widow named Betty. Riley steps into a home that is frozen in another era - no microwave, television, or cell phones, and Betty has never heard of the internet.

Why has Betty lived in such profound isolation for so many years, and why does she need Riley now? As the story unfolds across two timelines - Betty’s 1960s era of 5 o’clock martinis and high-stakes experiments, and Riley’s quest to uncover the truth about the missing women - old secrets rise to the surface. And the only way to survive is to confront the mystery that has lingered for sixty years.

My Thoughts

The best thriller I read this summer. And my new Sarah's favorite.

Although there were not a lot of twists, the suspense is rich, and the characters are unique to the story.

Fast-paced, with scientific elements and a dual timeline, this thriller is a very enjoyable read. 

Thank you, St. Martin's and Netgalley, for the free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wendy  

Book Review: Gone Tonight: A Novel by Sarah Pekkanen-Mystery/Thriller

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of Gone Tonight: A Novel by Sarah Pekkanen.

Title: Gone Tonight: A Novel

Rating:  4/5 Stars

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Author: Sarah Pekkanen

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: August 01, 2023

Language: English

Hardcover: 352 pages
Meet the Author: Sarah Pekkanen
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

New from the #1 bestselling co-author of The Golden Couple and The Wife Between Us!

"I'm a huge fan of Sarah Pekkanen's books, and GONE TONIGHT is her best yet." ―Colleen Hoover

Catherine Sterling thinks she knows her mother. Ruth Sterling is quiet, hardworking, and lives for her daughter. It's been just the two of them against the world all her life. But now, Catherine is ready to spread her wings, move from home, and begin a new career. And Ruth Sterling will do anything to prevent that from happening.

Ruth Sterling thinks she knows her daughter. Catherine would never rebel, and would never question anything about her mother's past or background. But when Ruth's desperate quest to keep her daughter by her side reveals cracks in Ruth's carefully constructed world, both mother and daughter begin a dance of deception.

My Thoughts

I was very excited to read this book. Sarah Pekkanen and Greer Hendrix are some of my favorite authors, and seeing Sarah publishing a solo work, I had to read it. 

I have to start by saying that this book deals with situations that may be hard for some people to read about. Trigger Warning on teenage pregnancy, homeless hardships, poverty, domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, pain pills, alcohol use, and mishandling of medication.

The book started a little slow for me but after Coach's murder scene, it took off, and the action and adrenaline rush never stopped. Loved the structure of the book, each of the main characters, Ruth and Catherine, get to tell us their story, one chapter after another. 

I had to hold my breath for most of the time. I really thought James was going to get out victorious but it was good to see that somehow Ruth got justice for all that occurred in the past with him. Also, I knew Ruth's motives to protect Catherine may have not been the best but I loved to see how protective she was of her as her mother, she would have done anything to make sure she was okay.

I loved this book and enjoyed it a lot, however, my favorite scene is the final one with Ruth, her brother, and her father. It got to my heart, more than I expected and it honestly surprised me. 

What a thriller. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't stop reading. 

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the Advanced Free Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wendy

Book Review: You Are Not Alone: A Novel by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen-Thriller

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of You Are Not Alone: A Novel by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen.

Title: You Are Not Alone: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Thriller

Author: Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: March 03, 2020

Language: English

Hardcover: 352 pages
Meet the Author: Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

Shay Miller wants to find love, but it eludes her. She wants to be fulfilled, but her job is a dead end. She wants to belong, but her life is increasingly lonely.

Until Shay meets the Moore sisters. Cassandra and Jane live a life of glamorous perfection, and always get what they desire. When they invite Shay into their circle, everything seems to get better.

Shay would die for them to like her.

She may have to.

My Thoughts

Greer and Sarah nailed it again. Another brilliant, suspenseful, addictive thriller. I would read anything this duo writes, never disappoints.

It started slow for me, nothing wrong with that, but different from their other two books, however,  once it picked up, oh boy, there was no stopping. One of these books where you think you have it figured out but no, the authors keep surprising us. Family dynamics, betrayal, love, hate, friendships, lost. You are not alone has it all.

I personally love when an author comes up with a story where the characters can be relatable, Like Shay, where they seem to be like most people, with problems, struggles, going through things that we somehow can relate to. And of course, we have the plot, stories with unique twists and addictive.

If you've enjoyed the author duos' previous two novels, you will definitely enjoy this one.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Wendy