Lai Sanders’s debut novel is a timely, razor-sharp thriller exploring race and privilege, perfect for fans of R. F. Kuang.

One of Publishers Weekly’s Most Anticipated Thrillers of 2026

“A strangely dark, seductive debut novel.” —Kirkus Reviews

Shelley Hu’s life is over. A viral video cost her a spot at Columbia Law, her prestigious Manhattan law firm internship, and her hopes to build a better life for herself and her mother. Now Shelley is back in Kissimmee, Florida, working the night shift at a kitschy motel near Disney World—the very same job she held in high school. Shelley’s life is a black hole while those who caused the incident that cost her everything have been free to happily move on with their lives. But one night, the beautiful, enigmatic Sophia Moon checks in to Shelley’s motel with her husband and young son. Sophia’s appearance is far from random—she too has experienced a public shaming, and she proposes a plan to help Shelley get back what she deserves and enact revenge on the three people responsible for the worst day of her life.

Shelley returns with Sophia to New York with a new identity, new career, and new ambitions. Shelley ingratiates herself in her targets’ worlds until they begin to suffer one odd calamity after another. Soon Sophia’s support turns to obsession, as Shelley is forced to reckon with Sophia’s dark and mysterious past and the chilling truth that Sophia’s real plans are far beyond what Shelley ever imagined.