Total disclosure: I picked up this book because of the title. See, I know a Jenn Cooper. She isn't old and doesn't have dementia, but how could I resist? And now I know her secret! (lol!) For a good majority of the story, I thought perhaps this book had been miscategorized. It felt like more of that genre I so dearly love: old people not being old. Jenny is such a sassy character! I loved the balance she provided to Linda Davidson's ailing friend and the quirkiness she brought to Linda Davidson's stagnant life. Other than Jenny Cooper, the characters were all pretty stereotypical. No big surprises, but that only made Jenny that much more fascinating. This is almost more a character study than a suspense, but it all made for a great read!

Thank you Ballantine Books for the gifted copy!

I unfortunately decided to DNF this one about 30% in... not enough murder talk and too much old people doin' it for my liking.

NetGalley is the only consumer site I will leave a review on as I didn't finish the book.

Jenny Cooper does not, in fact, have a secret. She shares her "secret" with our unlikable protagonist on the very first page,so the mystery goes immediately out the window. When Linda visits Legacy Place, a memory care facility, to visit her long-time friend, Carol, she immediately comes upon a frail women about 20 years her senior. This woman is clearly nuts. Linda clearly doesn't care. Uncomfortably living with her daughter and her son-in-law in the wake of her husband's passing, Linda is eager to find something to fill her time. For some reason, she selects Jenny Cooper.

This has got to be some of the least enjoyable writing I have ever had the displeasure of encountering. I would say these characters have many uncharacteristic outbursts, but I don't feel that I got to know anyone in this story well enough to know what was uncharacteristic. Most of the dialogue within these pages is completely nonsensical, riddled with chapter-long repetition, useless side characters, and just downright unrealistic back-and-forth. Fielding plops random characters into the story and removes them without much thought. She seems to do the same with major plot points. What became of Carol, Ms. Fielding? Do we care?

There was not a single redherring in this story. I think I figured out exactly how it would end 30 pages in. TRIGGER WARNING for completely unnecessary child sexual assault, spousal abuse, and bad plot development.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this arc.

This book is refreshingly original and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Our main character, Linda Davidson, is going through a rough patch. Her husband has recently passed away, her best friend has been moved into a memory care facility and her daughter and son-in-law have moved in with her, bringing constant conflict. During a visit to her friend, Linda meets Jenny, a 92-year-old memory care resident and that’s when the real fun begins. Despite the serious themes of dementia, abuse, and murder, quirky Jenny brings an unexpected charm and liveliness to the story. Her personality adds a layer of humor and heart ​​that bring lightness to even the darkest moments. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader’s copy.

I absolutely loved this book! Linda and Jenny are the heart of the story—two women who strike up an unlikely friendship at a memory care facility. Linda is dealing with the recent loss of her husband, the decline of her best friend due to dementia, and the slow unraveling of her daughter and son-in-law’s marriage—all while trying to maintain her own independence.

Enter Jenny Cooper: a sharp, hilarious, unpredictable 92-year-old who casually claims she’s killed people. From there, I was hooked. Is Jenny just confused, or is there something darker hiding beneath the surface? Like Linda, I found myself laughing at Jenny’s outrageous behavior one moment and questioning her sanity the next.

This story had everything—grief, love, humor, heartbreak, and mystery. It made me laugh, it made me tear up, and I didn’t want it to end. A beautifully written, emotionally rich story that I’ll be recommending to everyone.

A gripping and twisty thriller with a unique premise. I loved the mix of suspense and emotion, and the question of whether Jenny’s confession is real kept me hooked. A fast, unsettling read!

I do not believe I have ever been more surprised by a book than I was with this one. It was not at all what I expected, especially after reading the blurb. I kept thinking I am not going to finish this book, but I could not help myself. I was hooked on a 92 year old lady named Jenny Cooper. She stole my heart with her mouth, which was foul at times, but more than anything I could see a lonely lady buried underneath all of that gruffness. I also had to know if she was, in fact, a serial killer.

This book is advertised as a psychological thriller, but I think it is more women's fiction with a little suspense on the side. I am not stating this because the book is not good. I just feel that it needs to be more clearly classified.

Linda never dreamt her visit to her best friend in the memory care facility would be a life changing event. There is just something about Jenny Cooper that intrigues Linda, mainly the fact that she confesses she has killed people. Jenny will make you laugh and maybe even cry a little, while you are wondering if this little old lady is a serial killer or are her rantings just the fantasies of a woman who is not quite in her right mind.

Sometimes you find friends in strange places, and Linda needs friends. She also needs to escape from her toxic household where her daughter and lazy son-in-law fight constantly, which is another facet to the story.

Suffice it to say that you do not need to expect to read what I consider a psychological thriller to be, even though there are a few mind games. However, you will find yourself loving the story of two elderly women who each needed friendship. This book addresses a lot of emotional issues including abuse, dementia and family relationships. The author does a great job of handling the emotional issues with grace and care. Each character in this book adds a little more to the story and makes it even more palatable.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Jenny Cooper Has a Secret by Joy Fielding is a spellbinding psychological thriller.
This is a super fast paced book. It’s really well written even though some characters weren’t really likable.
Fielding's skillful storytelling weaves a unique twist and turn story that kept me engaged till the very end.
The characters are complex and well-developed, adding depth to the intricate plot.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one early in exchange for a honest review!
Jenny has a Secret by Joy Fielding with a Publicatuon Date of August 2025! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Interesting story that follows Linda, her family and her best friend who has Alzheimer’s.! The book deals with family dynamics but also has a totally different part of the storyline which is perpendicular to the name of the book. Cute story, kept me interested! I Look forward to more from Joy Fielding!!

What a great mystery with some humor thrown in. Jenny Cooper is someone I would love to have as a friend. I am so glad I read this book.

This book had an interesting storyline. Who knew that two older ladies could capture my heart and leave me guessing all until the very end. If you enjoy a good twisty, suspenseful and eye opening read you need to definitely add this one to your TBR.

**Please check trigger warnings because this book touches on several hard topics that could be hard to read.

Another fast paced excellent book by Joy Fielding. Linda Davidson is a widow who is dealing with her best friend’s dementia diagnosis and her subsequent move to a nursing home. On top of the sadness from her friends situation, her daughter and son in law has moved in with her and things are not going smoothly. Linda soon meets a woman in the nursing home with an incredible story. Since the nursing facility is a memory care facility, Linda is not sure if the dark story the woman is telling is fact or fiction. Totally original, sad, and sometimes darkly funny novel that is not to be missed.

This is Joy Fielding at her finest—smart, suspenseful, and deeply human. It centers on Linda Davidson, a recent widow who meets ninety‑two‑year‑old Jenny Cooper in a memory care facility—a woman who confesses she has killed people. What unfolds is a slow‑burn mystery threaded through with friendship, grief, and trust. Fielding’s strength lies in her nuanced character portraits and emotional insight; rather than relying on cheap thrills, the novel invites you to wonder: is Jenny telling tall tales, or is Linda in danger?

There’s a haunting kindness to the narrative—balanced with quiet tension—that makes this an engaging read without the need for gore or over-the-top shock. It’s perfect for fans of thoughtful psychological thrillers that linger after the final page. A captivating choice for book lovers seeking suspense served with heart and depth. ([publishersweekly.com][1])

A page turner that will keep you guessing as to whether Jenny, now 92, has really killed people, many people, before entering a memory care unit. Linda, who is 76, meets Jenny by chance while she's visiting her own pal in the unit and finds her fascinating if, to put it mildly, a bit out there. And then someone is murdered. Linda goes looking for answers and no spoilers for what she finds. This merges the unreliable narrator with the tough issue of dementia and abuse. Fielding's fans know that she has a way with a thriller, with short chapters that end with a bit of a hook to keep you reading and a slightly implausible plot (or is it?). Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Will be a good airplane read.

This story kind of reminds me a little bit of Fried Green Tomatoes. Linda has lost a lot. Her age is starting to get to her and those that she loves. So, when her best friend is diagnosed with dementia and placed in a home, she takes it upon herself to visit her as much as possible. What she wasn’t expecting was to meet the lively Jenny Cooper. They become close friends as closes as two people can get when one has dementia and the other is trying to figure out if she is dealing with a serial killer or just someone who thinks they have murdered people in their lives. This book is a beautiful story about the frailty of life, but a life that can be well lived. Taking back the power where power can be taken and looking at life with a different view. Jenny is a colorful character that is sprinkled with humor, and tragedy, but she will keep you engaged right up until the end. I truly loved this book and I hope that readers enjoy it as much as I did.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Another great thriller/suspense novel by one of my favorite authors. The plot kept me going back and forth and I wasn’t sure what to believe. Jenny was one of the best characters I’ve read in a long time. She had me laughing and even shedding a few tears. Joy Fielding you surprise me every single time I read one of your books and this one was one of the best. Great job!!!

Linda Davidson's life is pretty much at a standstill. She lost her husband a while back and her best friend Carol is in a dementia facility. While visiting Carol, she connects with another patient, Jenny Cooper a ninety plus year old woman who begins to share with Linda the many secrets and experiences ofher past life. Linda becomes enamored with Jenny's stories as things in her own personal life get a little complicated. One of her beloved daughters and her husband have moved in with her and home is just not what it once was. To complicate matters she is lonely for male companionship, friends now gone, and just something to do with herself. Jenny's secret keeps haunting her as she visits with this very entertaining and complicated lady. As a female approaching Linda's age I related to the issues and loved the plot twists. This is a really good read. Thanks to #NetGalley#JennyCooperHasaSecret#JoyFielding

⭐️ Bingeability - 1 ⭐️ This was a quick read, with nice, short chapters.

⭐️ Storyline - 1⭐️ I loved the old ladies who do bad things storyline. Or was it ladies who give people what they deserve...???

⭐️ Writing Style - 1⭐️ I have always loved Joy Fielding's writing style, and this did not disappoint.

⭐️ Ending - 1 ⭐️ The ending tied everything up nicely, even if a little predictable.

⭐️ Recommend? 1 ⭐️ Yes. This was a fun, quirky thriller, but definitely not cozy.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.

Jenny Cooper has a Secret follows Linda Davidson as she befriends a lady in a memory care unit as she confesses to several murders. I found it interesting to have a seventy-something year old narrator. It made me realize I rarely read any books from that pov. While Jenny Coopers stories were interesting, this book was a little slow. Overall I still enjoyed.

Oh gosh, I have read Joy Fielding since the 80's. I am a huge fan and was obviously super-excited to pre-read Jenny Cooper Has a Secret. I loved it! This story is a bit different than her usual domestic suspense. The story centers around 76-year-old Linda. Linda is visiting her friend Carol at her retirement home and runs into Jenny and a dead pedophile. Jenny has already been telling Carol that she kills people sooooooo........ did she? This was actually a sweet, fun and sort of emotional story that really touched on the aging process without being depressing or heavy-handed. Yes, there is suspense, but we also get Linda's fear of losing her friend Carol, who is showing signs of dementia and her relationship with Jenny is greatness!! I loved their interactions. Plus, it was just awesome to read about women in a certain age group that rarely get a lot of main character time, and they all turned out to be fascinating. Even the secondary characters were interesting. Linda's daughter, for instance. This 58-year-old lady is very happy after reading this, but it is a heart-warming sort of thriller for all adult stages still.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Joy Fielding and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of August 5, 2025.