I liked the novel and the descriptions of the rich in Savannah. I didn't care for any of the characters, per se, but the novel kept me interested in what was happening. A lot of the reviews discuss the aspect of the voodoo parts of this novel, and, while it is a part of the book, it's not the main part. The book also deals with greed, infidelity, and power. While it wasn't my favorite Pinborough novel (I don't think anything can beat Behind Her Eyes), it was interesting.

Another solid title by Sarah Pinborough.  Mystery lovers won't be disappointed.  "Behind Her Eyes" held more twists and turns but fans will still enjoy.

As the younger second wife of a successful wealthy man, Marcie knows how ruthless you have to be to get there, but with a newer, younger second wife entering her social circle, one who seems to have a spark with Marcie's husband, she will have to decide how ruthless she is willing to be to stay there.

I went into this book with an incorrect idea of what it would be about. I loved The Last Mrs. Parrish for having characters you root for but hate, bad guys seeming to win, and lots of descriptions of wealthy life that you enjoyed vicariously. I thought this might be in the same vein, but it really isn't. It's still good, but it is its own thing.

For one, we are never sure where to place our sympathies, but we also don't have many (female at least) characters to outright hate. I'll never truly blame a female character who is in hard times and has a skeezy guy try to use her so she uses him right back. He doesn't love you, just wants you for your body, so it's fine by me for you to use him for his money or as an escape or something without love. Both Marcie and Keisha fall into that boat, but then the promised "ruthlessness" doesn't really show up and that didn't do it for me. It was more about how their lives seemed kind of sad and maybe they fought for something they didn't end up really wanting. Even the back cover copy promising a rivalry is resolved quickly, and in a way I quickly guessed but was very happy to see carried through.

There's a lot of interesting stuff about race here, Keisha, the newest wife, is black and entering Southern society. Her being British changes some things, and I would have loved to see that explored a bit more. Her family immigrated to England from Africa, and the way they are treated versus how Keisha is treated as an immigrant from England, they way marriage to a wealthy man and the "exotic but cultured" idea white Americans have of England making for an easier path, that she is coming from a perceived as white country softening immigration views even though both US and UK have some tough anti-black sentiment? That could have been really interesting, and I would have preferred it to the voodoo aspects that are expanded on instead.

I was a bit uncomfortable with how voodoo/voudon is portrayed here. I'm not someone whose opinion should matter much, I am white and from northern USA and culturally Catholic, but even with my very limited knowledge (like, I read a couple books for a class in college ages ago and I did a tour when visiting New Orleans) knows that it is a real religion practiced by real people and I wonder if making magic unambiguous and able to cause harm to people is respectful to these real practitioners. I think I would be uncomfortable with a novel that focused on "drinking God's blood!" giving a Catholic powers that she uses to commit murders or something. So, anyway, I cringed a little bit during those parts but it is possible that the author or publisher used sensitivity readers and it is all fine and just my ignorance overthinking it but it does limit my willingness to recommend this book to friends or library patrons. [spoiler tag used on goodreads] The ghost boy was explained well, I liked the twist but it does paint her family and therefore the culture they come from as savages a bit. I know it is true that many cultures would see albinos as subhuman and useful for ritual purposes, but I don't know how recent that is and I fear it as a plot point adds to the racist white Westerner view of Africa as a backwards place stuck in the past, as opposed to realizing that Keisha's family just sucks and are murderers and are awful. There are no other characters to really show that difference. (hide spoiler)]

I appreciated that the end got a little Richard Matheson "Button, Button" inspired, and would have liked to see a bit more of that devious flavor in the rest of the novel. As it is, some of the main story got a bit of a slog. I would have loved some more description of excesses of the rich or some low level drama amongst society, but while I appreciated that Iris seemed to actually be a good person (and I suspected her as the bad guy because of it), we are just left with a bunch of people who are neither good nor bad but mostly trying their best. Realistic, sure, but less fun.

So yes, I enjoyed it, but it wasn't fun like I expected and hoped, and the action of the suspense part of the novel wasn't so quick moving as to keep me super interested and none of it really kept me from the discomfort of unfortunate racial and religious implications. Recommended only with reservations.

I have not enjoyed Pinborough’s last novels AT ALL (behind her eyes is still messing with my head). After starting this and reading other negative reviews, I’ve decided to skip this one and move on to other books that appeal to me more.

Being the young second wife to one of the Savannah’s rising attorneys is tough. Marcie has a colorful past that she wants to remain secret. It is hard enough fitting in without everyone looking down at her past. Then comes the Boss’s new, younger, second wife. She is beautiful and all of a sudden Marcie starts feeling more inferior and it doesn’t help that her husband has taken notice of the new member to their group. 

The story starts with the basic tenants of a domestic thriller but then morphs into so much more; lies, deception, and betrayal. Never have the police had so many worthy candidates for the attempted murder. The book is broken into several parts. The first half has the lies, paranoia, sex, and cheating while the second part introduces a darker voodoo vibe that plays nicely into the story. 

The is a hard to put down, who-done-it psychological thriller. With the creative and manipulative ending, this is sure to a favorite book this winter.  Highly recommend! 

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, and the author for allowing me a chance to read an electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

With Dead to Her, Sarah Pinborough has cemented herself into my must read and also recommend to many readers on the reference desk.  Her previous book, Behind Her Eyes, was also incredible.  Dead to Her tells the  tale of a younger 2nd wife being introduced into old money in a small town in Georgia.  From the beginning it is very twisty, quite good.  Definitely recommend.

I was so excited to get this book! I became a fan of this author with "Behind Her Eyes". I really liked this book too. I think the only thing keeping me from rating a 5/5 is because it seemed almost like I had two different books. What I mean is that it took me some time to read this book as life was busy. The first half seemed like a bunch of old money, rich Savannah people who just can't be happy. One sleeps with one who may or may not be sleeping with the other. It gets steamy in Savannah but in an alternate way that what usually happens with a cheating spouse scenario. (I don't want to ruin anything). Then the story takes a turn into some NOLA-brand voodoo with well-known players involved. So that made it fun. It definitely wasn't the typical domestic/psychological suspense/thriller which are so popular right now. 

So, I am a fan of Ms. Pinborough now and I look forward to her next!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, and the author for a free electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a special kind of book where you don’t like any of the characters, but are still really invested in what happens to them. Moody and atmospheric, with a great ending.

This is the first Sarah Pinborough book I have read and truthfully, I wasn't impressed.  The book started very slow for me but I continued to read and thought it was getting better.  However, the story line then turns to voodoo and odd superstitions and I just didn't care for it.   Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the the advanced copy.  I was hoping to enjoy it more than I did.

What begins as a reasonable mystery about the relationships between several couples in Savanna, upended when the most powerful of the group brings home his new bride. Keisha doesn’t fit in with the others, she is young, British and Black. 

This begins the stirring of a pot full of intrigue, secrets and divided loyalties. The problem is that It devolves into a nonsensical discussion of voodoo, superstition and absurd plots. I don’t know who this would appeal to, certainly not any of my readers.  I would say skip this in favor of one of the many books of this genre that make sense. 

Thank you Netgalley.