Behind Her Eyes

November 28, 2016
British author Pinborough (Murder) effectively shifts perspectives between two complex characters in this twisty psychological thriller set in North London. Louise Barnsley is chagrined to learn that the hunky man who kissed her in a bar turns out to be her new, married boss, therapist David Martin. Louise and David agree that the flirtation would be just a onetime thing, but their interactions become more complicated when David’s gorgeous wife, Adele, bumps into Louise and cultivates her friendship. Sections set in different time frames provide an ominous backdrop for the triangle, with references to dirt under fingernails and things having been done “that could not be undone.” Despite her deepening bond with Adele, Louise is unable to successfully repress her attraction to David, even as he shows sides of his personality that disturb her. Pinborough will keep even veteran genre readers guessing about which members of the trio, if any, are providing trustworthy accounts of their pasts and presents. Agent: Veronique Baxter, David Higham Associates (U.K.).

Starred review from November 1, 2016
Pinborough, an accomplished author of horror, mysteries, dark fantasy, and psychological suspense, has drawn on all her gifts to tell her latest story, a masterpiece of suspense centered on a bad marriage. Readers are introduced to alternating narrators, Londoners Adele and Louise. Adele is a troubled young heiress married to successful psychologist David. Louise is David's secretary and mistress. She's also Adele's new best friend. Using the alternating points of view, short chapters, some red herrings, and a few key flashbacks, the story creates a sense of disorientation and dread that is highly satisfying. But it is with the plot, so tight and yet also intricate, that Pinborough shines. No detail or character is extraneous. Every word comes back into play and matters as the story moves to the disturbing conclusion that everyone is talking about (it even has a hashtag campaign, #WTFThatEnding). Readers will likely never see it coming. They'll think they've got it, but they don't, and that is a rare joy for readers. Give this intense book to patrons freely, but especially target those who are fatigued with the current spate of female-driven psychological suspense. It will be enough to shake things up for them.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

August 1, 2016

Positioned as a blockbuster and given a shout-out on Day of Dialog's Editors' Picks panel, this new work features psychologist David and wife Adele. They seem like the perfect couple, but David's new secretary thinks that something is creepily off. Pinborough's The Language of Dying won the British Fantasy Award for Best Novella.

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