While We Were Burning

by Sara Koffi

Parasite meets Such a Fun Age in a scorching debut that is as heartbreaking as it is thrilling, examining the intersection of race, class, and female friendship, and the devastating consequences of everyday actions.

After her best friend's mysterious death, Elizabeth Smith’s picture-perfect life in the Memphis suburbs has spiraled out of control—so much so that she hires a personal assistant to keep her on track. Composed and elegant, Brianna is exactly who she needs—she slides so neatly into Elizabeth’s life it's almost like she belonged there from the start, and proves herself indispensable. Soon, the assistant Elizabeth hired to distract her from her obsession with her friend's death is the same person working with her to uncover the truth behind it.

Because Brianna has questions, too.

She wants to know why the police killed her young Black son. Why someone in Elizabeth’s neighborhood called the cops on him that day. Who took that first step that stole her child away from her. And the only way she’s ever going to be able to find out is to entwine herself deep into Elizabeth’s life, where the answers to her questions lie. As the two women hurtle towards an electrifying final showdown, and the lines between employer and friend blur, it becomes clear that neither of them is what they first appear.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Adult

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 16, 2024

About the author

Sara Koffi is a thriller writer from Memphis, TN, which means she's always rooting for The Grizzlies and always catching up on Netflix cult documentaries. She’s also an overenthusiastic cat mom and perennially behind on reading her TBR pile (despite this she continues to purchase new books). As a writer, she strives to explore the nuances of “unlikable female characters” and humanize Black women by giving them space on the page to breathe.

Reviews

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 2 out of 5]

After her best friend's mysterious death, Elizabeth Smith’s picture-perfect life in the Memphis suburbs has spiraled out of control—so much so that she hires a personal assistant to keep her on track. Composed and elegant, Brianna is exactly who she needs and slides so neatly into Elizabeth’s life, almost like she belonged there from the start. Soon, the assistant Elizabeth hired to distract her from her obsession with her friend's death is the same person working with her to uncover the truth behind it.

Because Brianna has questions too.

She wants to know why the police killed her young Black son. Why someone in Elizabeth’s neighborhood called the cops on him that day. Who took that first step that stole her child away from her. And the only way she’s ever going to be able to find out is to entwine herself deep into Elizabeth’s life, where the answers to her questions lie. As the two women hurtle towards an electrifying final showdown, and the lines between employer and friend blur, it becomes clear that neither of them is what they first appear.

Ummm… okay? I had such high expectations for While We Were Burning. But from the thoroughly unlikeable characters to the range of distinct scenes that lacked any type of flow amongst them, I had a hard time getting invested in this tale of revenge. To be frank, I had a hard time even figuring out the genre. I anticipated a mystery/thriller, but when the big twist was laid out flat within the first 100 pages, very little suspense seemed to develop from there. Don’t get me wrong, this wrecking ball of destruction did quite the thorough job, but due to my lack of connection to any of the characters, I just didn’t care.

Unfortunately, those weren’t my only issues. With a promising premise and a plot that could have been reminiscent of B.A. Paris, I was unsurprisingly discouraged to find the beginnings of an illicit affair that took the storyline into the bizarre. Then there was the frank unbelievability of it all. Going beyond the need to suspend all disbelief, the direction in which this one went felt cringey for the sake of being uncomfortable. Or so it felt. But then, maybe that’s just me.

Don’t get me wrong, there were some definite pluses to this debut novel. A startling expose on racism and the disastrous repercussions of one’s unthinking actions, the plot made me think long and hard. As a white woman living in a society primed against those of color, the daily difficulties that others must endure often slips my mind—despite my earnest attempts to understand. I also absolutely adored the snarky banter and exploration of identity. Even if it still wasn’t quite enough to make this into a winner.

All in all, I just felt there could’ve been so much more to this one. More emotion. More poignancy. More grab-me-and-don’t-let-go connection to the characters. If all of that had been true, then maybe I would’ve loved the climax and finale. As it stands, there was a definite lack of appeal, especially with the conclusion. From one-dimensional personas to over-the-top behaviors, none of it quite rang true to this thriller lover. And let me spare you that as well—for 90% of this novel, it was a long, slow burn with no thrills in sight. Still, I did finish it in one sitting so I will give the author that. Rating of 2.5 stars.

Thank you to Sara Koffi and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Trigger warning: suicide, death of a child, racism, infidelity, gaslighting

*Synopsis provided by the publisher.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast Paced Psychological Thriller, with Insane Characters you will not like. Still, it was a book I did want to stop reading. I liked the premise of the book, but the last quarter of the book, the book becomes completely unhinged. You do have to suspend belief, as it’s hard to really believe people would behave this way. It becomes a giant soap opera, with a strange ending. Too Over the Top, but still worth a read. Just don’t go into this thinking you are getting great social commentary or literature. It’s more towards the Lifetime Movie Genre.

Thank You NetGalley, Sara Koffi, and Penguin House Putnam for a copy of this book. I leave reviews for all books I read.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

When @rachkollercroft told me that I needed to prioritize Sara Koffi's debut novel, WHILE WE WERE BURNING, I immediately requested it from @putnambooks, thank you for the gifted copy! This story is a unique spin on mystery/thrillers in sadly an aspect that happens in American society.

The story focuses on Elizabeth Smith and her journey after witnessing her friend Patricia's death—the complete deterioration of her family and personal life, and her reputation around the neighborhood. As Elizabeth's spiral becomes unmanageable, she hires a personal assistant, Brianna, to help her get back on track. As Brianna begins to work for Elizabeth, she too is thrown into this mystery behind Patricia's death, because it somewhat relates to the death of her son. Brianna's Black son was killed by police during a confrontation started by someone in Elizabeth's neighborhood and she is going to find out who's responsible at any cost.

This book is a character-driven, voyeuristic, revenge story that uses tragedy and emotions to drive Elizabeth and Brianna forward. Obviously given the subject matter, this story has trigger warnings, so I encourage you to go into this story knowing that. This book dives into topics of female dynamics, toxic friendships, and neighborhood drama. WHILE WE WERE BURNING pushes forward how much racism and classism within communities can have a ripple effect. I am will definitely be tuning into whatever Sara Koffi writes next.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of While We Were Burning.

The most exciting thing about this book is the title.

The premise was intriguing but this didn't fulfill my expectations namely because the narrative was too hard to suspend disbelief for.

** Minor spoilers ahead **

I love revenge stories and I thought that was Brianna's motivation but the narrative took a hard right turn into Lifetime-silly territory when she and Elizabeth's husband hook up.

Elizabeth is a one dimensional character, poorly developed and difficult to take seriously.

Not surprisingly, she's an unreliable character with a lot of issues, and not just because she discovered her non-friend Patricia's dead body and becomes convinced she was murdered.

Brianna isn't great, either. Her character really had potential to be someone wily, dark, and dangerous, but instead she becomes the next Elizabeth.

The writing is average, and the narrative is neither suspenseful or exciting, filled with unlikable and/or characters you don't like or care about.

[Natalia Farnham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Man this one just didn’t do it for me. And I’m pretty generous with my star ratings as most would notice hehhehehe. I just think it had potential but it got so muddled up and just no one in this book was likable and took any type of accountability. A miss for me but I could see someone else maybe thinking it is okay. I guess one good thing is it was a shorter book so there’s that.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book that could/should have been great, but sadly, it just doesn’t even come close to reaching its potential. The dialogue is comically unnatural (who calls someone by name multiple times per sentence in normal conversation?!), characters are constantly contradicting their own thoughts and actions, and the plot veers into Lifetime Original Movie territory. I'm actually sad about this one because Such a Fun Age meets Parasite, as the blurb claims, would have been searing if executed well.

[Brittani Roudybush · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly this was kind of painful to read. The writing was generally awkward and the dialogue extremely so. Especially the use of the characters names when talking to each other. So unnatural. The overarching concept of the plot had potential but the writing and pacing and characters did not deliver.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to Putnam Books for the ARC. I enjoyed this one and it doesn’t come out until my Birthday next year.

The writing was really good and a fast read.

[Krissy (books_and_biceps9155) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @putnambooks for my advance copy! This was a whip smart, sharp and fiercely written story of a toxic friendship. As the story unravels, bits and pieces of both women reveal themselves and make the story that much more twisted. I liked the social points that Koffi brought into the story such as classism, racism and an elitist mentality. It brought up good points and brought to light stuff that happens daily.

My only issue with the books was that both characters were insufferable and a bit underdeveloped. There is a specific scene with Elizabeth that we don’t get any background with or explanation and it just made it awkward. I do look forward to Koffi’s next work because as I said, her writing is excellent.

3.5 rounded up **

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

While We Were Burning, while interesting in concept, was just too unbelievable for my taste. Brianna is a confusing character and her deeds go far beyond reality. I finished the book, but had a hard time reading it toward the end, as I was rolling my eyes so much.

2 stars

[Bbecca_marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

While You Were Burning by Sara Koffi

Thank you so much Putnam for my gifted copy and PRH Audio for the free audiobook.

Blurb:
Parasite meets Such a Fun Age in a scorching debut that is as heartbreaking as it is thrilling, examining the intersection of race, class, and female friendship, and the devastating consequences of everyday actions.

✨My thoughts:
Oh how I loved and inhaled this book! I did not want to come up for air. As usual, if I’m loving a physical book but I have things to do, I’ll look wherever I can for the audiobook and PRH Audio came through yet again! Seriously, an angel on Earth! And just like the physical book, the audiobook was absolutely incredible. The cast was perfect and little did I know, one of my favorites was part of the cast. Karissa Vacker can do no wrong in my eyes. This one was on wild story so make sure you buckle up before the ride begins. It’s twisted and unique while touching on some very real topics. The book, the audiobook, and the originality was *chefs kiss* perfect. You’ll want to get your hands on any version of this book you can. While You Were Burning is out tomorrow, 4/16/24!

Happy reading 📖

[JoyReaderGirl1 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readers Proceed With Caution—“Burning” Rife With Incendiary, Disturbing & Triggering Content

Set in Memphis with both white and black protagonists, Sara Koffi’s debut novel, “While We Were Burning,” is a treatise on racism, bigotry, lies, deceit, adultery, and murder.

Elizabeth is a pretty white woman who lives in a posh neighborhood with her dishy successful husband. At his suggestion, and that of their therapist, Elizabeth hires a personal assistant to help her through an emotional breakdown.

Elizabeth and Brianna, an alluring Naomi Campbell model-look-alike with gleaming bronze skin, have instant chemistry and hit it off great during the interview.

Brianna, although not a college grad, is smart, calm and perfect for the PA position—or so it seems. The job appears ideal for her, too. It pays $25/hour to make sure that Elizabeth takes her meds, stays calm, and gets her daily tasks done. Great gig, right?

However, Brianna has ulterior motives for wanting to be in Elizabeth’s fancy neighborhood. Underneath her calm demeanor, Brianna is a pressure cooker ready to blow.

”Burning” is an emotional, controversial and disturbing testament to the often uneasy relationships between blacks and whites, police and minorities, and couples after tragedies.

JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Sara Koffi, and G.P. PUTNAM’S SONS Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC for this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) for review.

[Megan Stroup Tristao]

I find myself being constantly disappointed by "psychological thrillers," and I have to take responsibility for this. I know what I like and what I don't like, and I should pick my thrillers accordingly. Unfortunately, this book did not work for me. I felt like DNF'ing for the first 20 percent or so. It actually did get better (I was much more invested once Brianna was introduced), and I love that the author gave us a big secret early on and didn't spend 300 pages annoyingly alluding to some mysterious connection from the past. Kudos for that! However, in the end I didn't really enjoy reading this book even though I wanted to love it. It was one of my most anticipated novels of the year. Better luck next time!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free advance copy of this book.

[Stacy40pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

While We Were Burning by Sara Koffi. Thanks to @putnambooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reeling from her best friend’s death, which she refuses to believe was a suicide; Elizabeth hires Brianna as her assistant. Instead of distracting her, Brianna helps her investigate the suicide but she has her own motivations.

I didn’t like any of the characters in this story, and I didn’t understand any of them either. I always enjoy a good revenge story, but this one was odd. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but as the characters’ flaws became more obvious, I became disconnected. It ended on a strange note that left me uncomfortable.. which maybe was the point.

“Maybe I was a broken woman. Maybe I was just striking a pose.”

While We Were Burning comes out 4/16.

[tyrosine · Rating 2 out of 5]

THIS BOOK PMO SO BAD.

I was here for the revenge arc but so much of it got watered down to senseless drivel—just back to back scenes of characters talking to each other. There was some suspense in the flashback scenes but the present day ones didn’t appropriately connect and the entire ending felt lackluster.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

This had a fantastic premise.
I truly wish this had been structured differently. The reveal was excellent but unfortunately not used as a reveal, just shared as information.

This is largely a missed opportunity for me but I'll definitely read another novel by this author.

[Cait Richine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wowowowow does a lot happen in this book. A quick, fun, intriguing read.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Wow! This book was not at all what I was expecting but I loved it even more because of that reason! The roller coaster ride the author takes you on is WILD! And just when you think there’s not another twist to the story, BOOM! She hits you with another one! This story is unbelievable in alot of ways but raw and authentic at the same time. The author hits on some real life racial and socioeconomic issues while also creating a story that only can exist in books (IYKYK). Great read!

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is how it's billed: "After her best friend's [Patricia's] mysterious death, Elizabeth Smith’s picture-perfect life in the Memphis suburbs has spiraled out of control—so much so that she hires a personal assistant ]at her husband's urging] to keep her on track... Brianna is exactly who she needs... [and shortly] proves herself indispensable.... Brianna has questions, too. She wants to know why the police killed her young Black son. Why someone in Elizabeth’s neighborhood called the cops on him that day.... As the two women hurtle towards an electrifying final showdown, and the lines between employer and friend blur, it becomes clear that neither of them is what they first appear." [OY--AND THERE WERE MANY OY MOMENTS!!]

Well, yes, but...it's so much more and so MUCH LESS [IMHO}!! Transparent-- should have been more suspenseful but wasn't.

Revenge, cheating, lies, toxicity, pettiness.

A soap opera. Melodramatic. And often, just seemed silly.

Who is likeable? No one.

I wonder was it necessary to write that the front doorbell was ringing--are there many side and back doorbells--maybe, but why not just doorbell? Petty, but just another thing that annoyed me.

I went back to the beginning to verify what I thought {no spoiler from me], Elizabeth and Patricia were NOT best friends--a premise the book sets out--and sort of retracts. And a big disconnect for me was some of David's voice--I do not believe men talk/think like he was presented--at least for the most part. Add in other characters--primarily Jack, Patricia's husband, and Janice, Elizabeth's boss and there are two more unlikeable people. And Nathan--he adds some sideplot, but not that much.

Many of the scenes between Lizzie [David's affectionate term for her] and her husband, David--tiresome, repetitve banter. And her mother--OMG! The David and Brianna moments--UGH. And did Elizabeth really consider Brianna her friend [epilogue]--I guess--more than just an employee, but...

Sorry to be so negative but this JUST DID NOT DO IT FOR ME.

A debut novel; I think she [and her editor/s] have a way to go. Sorry to pan it, but... 1.5, but will give it a 2 as I did finish it and it was a quick read--I could have walked away AT ANY TIME as it became clear early on, this was not my jam.

[Erin Crane · Rating 3 out of 5]

David makes me wanna 🤮🤮 😂

This honestly wasn’t as twisty as I thought it’d be, but it was a good fast read. Very bingeable. A few too many problems for me to want to give it 4 stars, but there are multiple things I did really like.

The premise was unique, or at least new to me. I liked that this wasn’t the same old domestic suspense. I’d definitely read more from the author in the future because this had the right amount of bananas behavior. These people are messssyyyy across the board. No one to root for here, but that’s my kind of thriller.

I also liked, and wanted more of, Elizabeth’s weird reaction to Patricia and Camilla’s deaths. She’s not even really friends with these people but she acts like they meant so much to her on their deaths - what is going on there?? I liked that and wanted it explored more.

Naturally, my issues with the book are spoilery, so… spoilers below.

1. David - omg I hate him. I hate him more than Nathan somehow. I was expecting the phone call in the end to be his fault, and I’m kind of sad it wasn’t. But the main issue I have is Brianna’s response to him. Girl. She has so much impulse control before him, but then she sees him two times and that’s out the window. I could not see his appeal, despite the way Elizabeth described him as so amazing. It seemed like the main thing going for him was that he was hot, but I don’t remember Brianna ever noting that. However, I am on board with her icky dynamic with him at the end as some weird revenge on Elizabeth. I mean, I’m also sad about it because Brianna deserves better, but I get it.
2. It’s unclear to me how Brianna pulled off Patricia’s murder. We’re told the wounds on her body prove it wasn’t murder, so… I wish we had gotten to see how all that went down.
3. There’s a weird religious vibe that I feel murky about. The way abortion is discussed, the way church is discussed… I dunno. I was creeped out by the pastor at the beginning, and I don’t know if I was supposed to be. Is my church trauma showing? 😂

I liked the writing on a sentence level, I liked the focus and escalation of the story, and I liked the messy characters, so I think there’s a lot of potential for Koffi to write something I enjoy more in the future. Had a good enough time with this one!

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The description of While We Were Burning being a twist between Such a Fun Age and Parasite is completely accurate, in the best kind of way. This book was a page turner that I couldn’t put down; there was so much anticipation to know the ending. The main characters in this book - Elizabeth and Brianna are so unlikeable at times, yet you are simultaneously able to deeply empathize with them. This is rare and a testament to the author’s skillful writing.

My biggest criticism is that we never get enough background on Elizabeth to fully understand why she is the person she is. There’s a scene early on in the book, during a sexual encounter with her husband, where it’s clear she has some kind of sexual trauma in her past, yet we never find out more. Situations continue to arise throughout the book where it’s made clear that Elizabeth is a very “broken” woman with a lot of trauma. Outside of our exposure to her mother who is a narcissist, we never get any deeper background information. I think that I would better understand the book, as well as Elizabeth, if we’d been given more insight into her past.

Overall, I recommend this book. It’s a fast read that will keep you wondering.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House, G. P. Putnam’s Sons for an advanced digital copy of this book!

[Georgette · Rating 2 out of 5]

What the hell did I just read???? Definitely not what I thought, it rolled down the hill real quick. Gets your attention, keeps your attention, then throws it into the street.

[Jillian Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm. I’m struggling to collect my thoughts on this one.
I liked it enough, but I didn’t love it?
I felt the way the plot ended up coming together with all of the twists and reveals were a bit unrealistic and disjointed. Tbh, I didn’t feel emotion or care towards a single character, and they were all hard to connect to. The premise of this story truly intrigued me, but I feel like the fundamentals of the motives behind the character’s actions just weren’t fleshed out in a way that felt meaningful or packed a punch.
It was kind of just like watching a bunch of unhinged people who unravel and/or succeed in their crazy behaviors based on which side of the story they were on. I didn’t feel sad, happy, or satisfaction for anyone within this story because of how they were written.
I feel like there was potential for this story to be a triumph and to force reflection on truly real issues, especially regarding relationships between Black folks and white folks in that suburban setting, and the real risks run with white people making careless and thoughtless decisions in privilege… but it became too character personal and not connected to real life or that bigger picture.
It was like little fires everywhere without the reader having connection to the story or characters in it.

That being said, it was engaging and gripping, and I was full sucked in to reading it. It took me only 24 hours to get through, so its compelling nature deserves credit.
I would be open to reading more by this author in the future again and seeing how their writing style maintains and evolves.

Overall though, this is 2.5 ⭐️ rounded up.

[Erica Naone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a departure for me - I don’t usually read thrillers and I’m not sure how I feel about unlikeable or untrustworthy protagonists.

That said, I couldn’t put this book down. I thought the entire thing was so well done - I didn’t know where it was going, and where it ended up was wild but also made sense with everything. The arc of how I felt about each main character shifted in an interesting way as the book progressed. I have to say I liked one of the unlikeable protagonists no matter what she did - and I think the author did too and there was purpose there.

A dark story engaged with many of the contemporary difficulties of our time. I’ll be so interested to see what’s next for this author

[Erin Goettsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a wild ride but I HATED the end. I spent the whole book not knowing who I was even rooting for (that’s not a complaint; it made it interesting) but the end cheapened the twisty ride for me. This isn’t normally my genre so take my opinion with a grain of salt. Maybe it’s great for what it is. For my tastes, it had a lot of promise and didn’t fully land. I liked it enough I’d read more from her though!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am honestly not 100% sure how I feel about this book. It had some really good messages, but that ending was messy af. Made it seem like her entire end goal was to steal a b*tches rich husband, not get revenge for her sons death/murder by cops.

[Janette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book quickly because I was hopeful that the interesting premise wouldn’t disappoint. However, the dialogue was so unnatural and the characters were one-dimensional (not for a lack of trying by the author). I also really didn’t care for the ending. 2.5 stars

[Krista crone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review coming soon

[Bree]

Didn’t see that coming. Wait. I did.

[Fatemeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought I’d figured it out after the first few chapters. Turns out, I had and I hadn’t. Good read!