‘Dead To Her’ Is Sarah Pinborough’s Best Work Yet

Only a few books have managed to suck me in this year, and I was beginning to feel as though maybe 2020 wasn’t going to deliver as well as the previous years. I felt like I was on a bumpy rollercoaster, and forcing myself to get through some snooze-fest books–that was, until I picked up Sarah Pinborough’s latest thriller Dead to Her.

Pinborough is known for her “WTF just happened?!” endings and salacious storylines filled with twists and turns alongside equally scandalous characters. All of this is perhaps best seen in Behind Her Eyes, a novel written by Pinborough which was picked up by Netflix and is set to release as a six-part drama series this year thanks to an ending that left millions, including myself, reeling–and Dead to Her was no different. Pinborough delivered, and she delivered big. In fact, this may be my favorite novel of hers to date, and perhaps one of my favorite books of all time. (If not of all time, then definitely of 2020 so far. I read a lot, what can I say?)

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‘Dead to Her’ Synopsis:

Marriage can be murder…

SOMETHING OLD

Marcie’s affair with Jason Maddox catapulted her into the world of the elite.

Old money, old ties, old secrets. Marcie may have married into this world–but she’ll never be a part of it.

SOMETHING NEW

Then Jason’s boss brings back a new wife from his trip to London.

Young, attractive, reckless–nobody can keep their eyes off Keisha.

Including Marcie’s husband.

SOMETHING YOU CAN NEVER, EVER UNDO…

Some people would kill for the life Marcie has–what will she do to keep it?

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Although the synopsis is vague, it is the best possible way to give you an idea of what to expect from this story without spoiling it. This is the kind of book where it’s best to go in blind–knowing less as opposed to knowing more—in order to truly get the full Pinborough experience.

Unlike Pinborough’s usual work which is typically set in the UK, this one is set in Savannah, Georgia. The setting of this book lays down the atmosphere beautifully, as ties to the values of the Deep South, religion, and voodoo are prominent themes throughout. The sticky, summer heat of the Georgia sun makes this novel feel all the more claustrophobic, making the disassembling of marriages, friendships, loyalties, and the binds that tie all the more brilliant.

Nothing is what it seems in this book—the houses, money, cars, clothes, relationships, and even the characters telling this story. One minute you think you have it all figured out, the next you’re back to square one. The surprises in this book were a dime a dozen, and were revealed little by little in the best way possible; just when you think Pinborough is done, you’re hit with another twist. Beautiful people, lies, betrayal, and deceit; no one’s motives ever become clear until the end, regardless of how transparent they may seem.

I thought I was going to have this book figured out, and oh my God, was I wrong. I was so, so, so wrong! I have not been this mind blown by a book in such a long time, I wish I could personally thank Sarah Pinborough for writing this masterpiece. This is undoubtedly Pinborough’s best work yet. (IMO, of course.)

Wildly seductive, deliciously dark, and a tiny bit creepy, Dead to Her is simply addictive. Trust me, once you get your hands on this book you won’t be able to put it down. I mean, even the cover is alluring, and it lays down Easter eggs for this novel. (Message me once you’ve read this and figured it out what they are 😉 )

Every year the book world has a trendy theme that pops up across newly released books. This year I’ve noticed toxic female friendships, unhealthy obsessions, and twisted love as a celebrated trend and I am L I V I N G for it.

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Dead to Her is available now in the U.S and will be available in the UK August 2020.