The Society

by Karen Winn

Rumors about the Knox and its influence have swirled through Boston for centuries. While some believe the secret society is merely an elite social club, others are convinced it hides something more sinister...

Vivian Lawrence was born into old-money Boston, but when her family fortune vanishes, so does her carefully curated life. Desperate, she turns to an old family legend about ties to the Knox and its inheritance, seeking a way into the exclusive secret society. She doesn’t expect that entry to come in the form of Peter, a Knox insider with movie star good looks and just enough roughness to his charm to make Vivian truly weak in the knees for the first time in her life.

Far from Boston’s glittering elite is newcomer Taylor Adams, a young nurse eager to leave her humble past behind. When the effortlessly glamorous Vivian lands in her ER after a suspicious fall, Taylor is instantly captivated. But then Vivian abruptly disappears without a trace, sending Taylor on a search for answers that pulls her into the Knox itself—as their new employee.

The further Taylor ventures into the Knox’s world of unimaginable wealth and dark history, the more the mystery of Vivian deepens. As Taylor will soon discover, more so than wealth or status, secrets are the society's true currency.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Dark Academia, Adult Fiction, Suspense

480 pages, Paperback

Expected publication January 20, 2026

About the author

Karen is the author of two novels: The Society (coming 2026), and Our Little World, published by Dutton/ Penguin Random House. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where she may or may not have belonged to a secret society. Karen obtained her MFA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Writing is her first love and second career; she previously worked as a nurse and then a nurse practitioner. Originally from New Jersey, Karen now lives in the charming Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston with her husband, two children, and their 100-pound bernedoodle.

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 3 out of 5]

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The author's debut novel, Our Little World , was a five-star read for me, so I had high expectations for her sophomore release. The Society was a bit of a disappointment, but that's only because I had such high expectations! This one is about Vivian Lawrence; when her family's money disappears, she decides to try to get entrance into the Knox, a secret society with ties to an old legend.

She crosses paths with Taylor Adams, a nurse who is fascinated with Vivian, after Vivian lands in the ER following a suspicious fall. When Vivian disappears, Taylor takes a job at the Knox to search for answers, which takes her into a world of wealth and danger where she discovers secrets abound.

If you've read any of my reviews, you know I love a book with plenty of atmosphere, and this one has it in spades. Winn vividly writes about Beacon Hill and the Knox’s secrets. She is also very good at shifting between both characters' points of view and keeps the pace going nicely. I enjoyed reading about Taylor’s investigation into Vivian's disappearance.

However, the story lacks any character depth. The premise is an excellent one, but the main mystery gets bogged down by the many subplots, and I especially didn't enjoy all the romantic entanglements, which didn't feel natural. Dual points of view are my favourite, but sometimes I had to remind myself who I was reading about.

Overall, the book adequately delivers a twisty escape for those who enjoy the drama of the rich and famous. I found the plot a tad predictable, but it is a solid, atmospheric read, though not one that offers anything new. It is listed as Women's Fiction on NetGalley, and even though it's not a thriller, it is a Mystery and Suspenseful one. Colour me confused! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A binge-able read that had the Gothic feel of du Maurier’s Rebecca, The Society was a spellbinding tale that I couldn’t put down. You see, not only was the well-layered plot filled with immersive writing, escalating tension, and rich descriptions, but the mystery at the core of the storyline centered around an enigmatic secret society that utterly captured my attention. From the well-hidden, long-buried secrets to the dark history of the society, it was just as intoxicating as the rest of the story. That being said, it was the amateur sleuthing that had me flying through the pages. Well, that and the wealthy people behaving badly. A sinister look at power, class, and privilege, the short chapters and three distinct voices made it impossible to put down until its twisty conclusion.

All said and done, despite the 450+ page length and inordinate number of subplots and side characters, the page-turning game of cat-and-mouse made for quite the suspenseful read. After all, while the narrators weren’t necessarily all that well-developed, I still found myself rooting for them both thanks to the introspective, fly-on-the-wall nature of the writing. Add in the wild twist and turns in the second half of the novel and the paranormal elements that were rather…ummm…interesting, and I couldn’t resist finishing this book in one very long night of reading. So if you love haunting tales with oodles of dark secrets, a cinematic vibe, and delicious scandals, be sure to grab a copy now. After all, I didn’t sleep a wink until I reached the very last page. Rating of 4.5 stars.

SYNOPSIS:

Vivian Lawrence was born into old-money Boston, but when her family fortune vanishes so does her carefully curated life. Desperate, she turns to an old family legend that ties her to the Knox and its inheritance, seeking a way into the exclusive secret society. She doesn’t expect that entry to come in the form of Peter, a Knox insider with movie star good looks and just enough roughness to his charm to make Vivian weak in the knees for the first time in her life.

Far from Boston’s glittering elite is newcomer Taylor Adams, a young nurse eager to leave her humble past behind. When the effortlessly glamorous Vivian lands in her ER after a suspicious fall, Taylor is instantly captivated. But then Vivian abruptly disappears without a trace, sending Taylor on a search for answers that pulls her into the Knox itself—as their new employee.

The further Taylor ventures into the Knox’s world of unimaginable wealth and dark history, the more the mystery surrounding Vivian deepens. As Taylor will soon discover, more so than money or status, secrets are this society’s true currency.

Thank you Karen Winn and Dutton Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: January 20, 2026

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published January 20, 2026.

2 stars

Depending on what edition of THE GREAT GATSBY you are reading its page count is between 180 and 256 pages. THE SOCIETY is nearly 400.

Two women, Vivian and Taylor, encounter each other at the Mass General ER. Vivian is brought in as a patient who has taken a bad fall down some stairs and Taylor is her nurse. Then we continue on with the story from the POV of each, which, for Taylor, should be nothing, but isn’t, because, in thriller world, nurses are insatiably nosy. Vivian’s POV is from before the incident, Taylor’s from after. It’s all centered around The Knox, one of Boston’s secret societies in which both women have an interest (or, again, just nosy.)

So, when did this middling thriller lose me for good? Oh, I think it was when the building started narrating chapters. Nearly a DNF for me. The idea of geomancy seems to be important, but then it is barely explained and hardly touched on. And why is Taylor willing to risk everything for Vivian? Because she’s wealthy and Taylor is enamored with her lifestyle? That….does not seem like a good reason. Also left a big unanswered question. Can’t recommend this.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded down.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book and I'm definitely going to have to grab a copy of Karen Winn's pervious novel! The Society hooked me right off the bat and I was invested in this story about young Taylor Adams and her patient, Vivian Lawrence. Taylor recently moved to Boston from the Outer Banks to become a nurse. Boston was significant for her, as it's the last place her mother had lived before she mysteriously died in a basement fire. One day, Taylor is assigned to be the nurse of TBI patient Vivian Lawrence. That chance encounter opens a door into the world of The Knox, a secret society for Boston's elite movers and shakers.

I love a secret society. I was so so so so excited to read this story, but it didn't wholly live up to my expectations. This book is written from three different perspectives, and all were done wonderfully! The pace of this novel was pretty fast, but I wish it had been pulled back just a bit to develop the story a bit more. There are somethings that left me wondering what the significance was or how it played into the character development, but I never did figure that out. If we could have gotten more depth in the characters and their relationships that would have brought this book up A LOT imo. The ending left me satisfied, but I still wanted more out of it--there were things that happened in The Knox that I wanted to know more about, but then it was just over.

This book is an easy and engaging read (despite being nearly 500 pages) that will keep you flipping through, but there are also a few things that could be improved upon. I'll absolutely continue to keep an eye out for more from Karen Winn in the future!

[Jackie Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curiosity. We want to see what's hidden. This book takes readers into a secret society of the Knox in Boston.

There are three points of view which includes two main characters and the Knox, a building with eyes that could see everything. It was established by William Knox in the early 19th century as a place to strategize about the opium trade business.

It started with Taylor at 25 who was trying to find her niche in life. She moved from the Outer Banks to Boston in part to find out how her mother died years ago in this vibrant city full of bars and drugs. Taylor got a job as an ER nurse.

She found herself wanting to know more about a patient, Vivian, 44, who had fallen down a steep stairway. Or, one might think she was pushed inside the mysterious Knox. Taylor could have been a detective. She wanted answers.

The book had my attention with short chapters and smooth transitions. It was perhaps a bit longer than it needed to be but it didn’t slow down with the suspense. There were times when I had to shrug off some of the coincidences with the timing of events.

However, the story made me want to take a trip to Boston with the description’s unique historical point of view. There was much about the world of antiques, rare books and the explanation of geomancy. Apparently, it’s an ancient form which predicts the future with patterns and dots.

It was a challenging adventure that centered around what it would be like to walk inside the Knox with its underground organization tied to the opium mob. It’s was a story that kept me reading late into the night.

My thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of January 20, 2026. The views presented are my own.

[BAMF_Book_Nerd · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Society by Karen Winn is slated to be released January 20, 2026. This read included tropes such as dark history, elite secret society, old money with new secrets that is set in Boston.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Danna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Society refers to a secret society, The Knox: a private club in Boston’s illustrious Beacon Hill for the exorbitantly wealthy. Taylor, a nurse and recent transplant from North Carolina, wants in for three reasons: 1) Taylor is obsessed with the wealthy and wants to get closer, 2) Taylor had a patient, Vivian, she became infatuated with who might have ties to The Knox, and 3) her deceased mother also might have been connected to The Knox in some way.

The story is told from three perspectives: Taylor’s, Vivian’s and The Knox building itself. Overall, the narrator transitions were easy and I didn’t mind the building having a voice in the story (especially since it was always brief). None of the characters, including the extras not mentioned here, are particularly likable. On the flip side, I didn’t hate them either. Taylor’s obsession with Vivian and wealth is over the top and weird, but there are enough soft spots in her character that I didn’t view her as vapid, either.

Initially, I was into The Society, but by halfway, I was exceedingly eager for it to get to the point. I started skimming some of the long scenes to make the end come faster. I did want to know what happened, but not so much that I wanted every detail, nor did I build much connection to the characters.

Ultimately, I would recommend this book if it was cut by 1/3. I doubt that’s happening by the time the final product is released, in which case, I wouldn’t recommend it. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted this book to be better than it was in the end, but I still really enjoyed it. The first 70%-ish was really great and I couldn’t wait to keep reading more, but as the end of the story got closer, things fell apart a bit for me. It was still a really interesting read, because I love anything to do with mysterious secret societies and old fancy buildings with a lot of character, but the ending just didn’t live up to my expectations.

[Brian West · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC of this book.

I was extremely excited to read this book about a secret society. It didn't turn out to be all I wanted. The elements of the society were there, but the largest focus was on the pathetic, obsessed Taylor. A very hard character to like which brough the read down to a 3 for me. In all it was a decent read.

[Shannon Rochester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I believe I MAY have been approached about reading this one but I almost always accept if I am not too terribly behind or bored with what I already have. In this case, it was a good book but I was not always able to hang in and stay interested. I normally love the idea of a secret society and this one started out really strong for me but it almost felt like it was too long or the story dragged on or something so I would lose interest every now and then. This book is written in multiple perspectives and that can sometimes lose me as well. Honestly, I liked the story line and most of the characters but it was way too long for me and I feel like there were parts of the book that didn't really explain what was happening or why. I kept hoping for more, I think.

[Shelley Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fun read, in the gothic novel style of REBECCA by Daphne du Maurier. Karen Winn’s rich descriptions and details immersed me in the setting of real-world Boston and the fictional secret Knox Society. The plot twists and interconnections were delightful, as were the hidden rooms, geomancy readings, initiation rites, and opium dealings. And I loved that Winn went beyond gothic tradition of having a building be a near-character to giving the Knox’s building its own POV. Winn used the technique deftly—in the right places and in the right amount—to enrich the reader’s understanding of the Knox’s secrets and make us feel like insiders.

I related to both of the main characters—twenty-something Taylor, who is new to Boston and very much an outsider, and forty-something Vivian, whose insider Boston life is suddenly slipping. But as a middle-aged reader I especially appreciated Vivian and the honesty she brought about aging as a single woman. Some of my favorite characters in the book were minor players, which is a testament to Winn’s expert crafting. Winn’s expert craft is clear from the very first sentence of THE SOCIETY, though. All I had to do was open the page, sit back, and enjoy the ride.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are three distinct voices in this riveting novel by Karen Winn: Vivian Lawrence, reeling after the loss of her family inheritance; Taylor Adams, a young nurse struggling to find her footing in life; and The Knox itself—a private club in Beacon Hill, Massachusetts, with rigid membership rules and secrets embedded deep within its walls. Each of these voices, including the building, is vividly realized and plays a powerful role in the story.

Vivian’s place in the narrative unfolds after a devastating fall leaves her in an induced coma due to a traumatic brain injury. Through a dual timeline, readers are taken into Vivian’s past, where her fierce determination to uncover what truly happened behind the walls of The Knox becomes clear. Even in absence, her presence drives the mystery forward.

Taylor’s story takes place in the present. Having moved from Tennessee to Boston, she lands a solid job as an ER nurse. In her previous position, Taylor sometimes struggled with boundaries when it came to patient care, and those instincts resurface when Vivian is brought into the ER. Although her professional role ends when Vivian leaves the hospital, Taylor can’t stop thinking about her—especially after discovering that a key belonging to Vivian has somehow ended up in her pocket. Fueled by curiosity and concern, Taylor begins to investigate Vivian’s life, slowly uncovering the dark history of The Knox. Whether in the past or the present, both women are inexorably drawn to the club and its long-buried secrets.

What an intriguing and immersive story. At nearly 500 pages, The Society is surprisingly impossible to put down. I was completely invested in what each woman would discover, as well as in the unsettling presence of The Knox itself—how it felt as its secrets were revealed. As a Bostonian, I especially appreciated the incorporation of old Boston history, including the exploration of how the opium trade shaped the city’s early development. Although I don’t typically read paranormal fiction, I was also drawn into the historical treatment of necromancy, which added another fascinating layer to the narrative.

I read for the edification of experience, not just enjoyment. The Society delivers that while keeping the suspense taut throughout. Despite some mixed ratings, this atmospheric, shadowy novel earns a full five stars from me. It’s haunting, layered, and impossible to put down.

Many thanks to Dutton and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Madeline Church · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw TikToks marketing The Society, I was instantly drawn in by the plot and requested it that second. A secret society, the Knox, is the the forefront of the plot, and we follow both Vivian and Taylor. Vivian, who is involved in the secret society, ends up in the hospital, while Taylor is her nurse; Taylor decides to dig deeper into the society after Vivian disappears.

There were a lot of factors I really enjoyed about this novel, but they were accompanied by some things I disliked unfortunately. One of the main reasons I wanted to pick up this book was the Boston setting. When seeing the marketing on social media, the setting felt right. Since Boston can be seen as pretentious and elite, I think that it was the perfect city for the Knox to be in. The author clearly knew the city as well. There were details of Boston including street names, restaurant names, etc. While I loved that actual places were mentioned, it also felt as though they weren't described. Only someone that has been there in person would be able to vividly imagine the atmosphere.

There were three POVs in The Society: Vivian, Taylor, and the Knox building. I didn't feel drawn to either Vivian or Taylor's POV more than the other. They were both decently enjoyable, and the separate paths they took were intriguing. I hated that the building had a POV. It is one of the reasons this novel isn't getting a higher rating. It felt awkward and unnecessary, especially since those chapters were often only a couple paragraphs.

The suspense was absolutely there! I felt it the entirety of the novel. Everything felt uncertain, and I wasn't sure how things were going to end up with all the characters and the secret society! On the other hand, the length was astronomically long for the storyline. I think it could have been a lot shorter. The first half was really slow; Taylor didn't even go to the society until about halfway.

Thank you NetGalley, Dutton, & Karen Winn for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Society is released on January 20, 2026!

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed Our Little World, Winn’s debut novel. So I picked this without really thinking about its premise. The Society is a mystery (?) about a secret society in Boston. Looking at how it’s labeled, it just shows a genre of fiction. It’s sort of an oddball. There’s a bit of mystery, a tad of horror, a bit of woowoo. None of which really coalesced to work for me.
The story is told from three POVs. First, there’s the building where the 200 year old society is based. Sorry, this perspective really was a big miss for me, although I appreciated learning about the city’s connection with the Chinese Opium trade. Then there’s Taylor, an ER nurse who recently moved up from North Carolina. She’s totally mesmerized by high priced fashion. And finally there’s Vivian, a society gal who runs an antiques store and whose lifestyle is falling apart. When Vivian ends up in the ER, a victim of a fall down the stairs, the two women intersect and Taylor becomes obsessed with Vivian. The story also uses a dual timeline approach for Vivian’s story.
I never became engaged with the story. Neither FMC was likeable. There was an inordinate amount of time spent discussing material goods as that seemed to be the only thing both women cared about. I struggled to believe Taylor would have become so obsessed with Vivian just because she looked so well dressed and beautiful lying on an ER bed. She just came across as a bit cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.
The multiple timelines keeps the booking chugging along, but the suspense just wasn’t there. The plot was insipid, totally predictable right down to the ending. I debated giving up on this one. I had to force myself to keep picking it up. Trust me, if this were a library book and not a netgalley obligation, I would have tossed it aside.
I am an outlier on this one, so check out other reviews.
My thanks to Netgalley and Dutton Books for an advance copy of this book.

[k_dorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, Karen Winn. The hold you have over me.

For people who know me, or for those who do not, Our Little World still reigns high on the list of the best books I have ever read. So it is no surprise that I was absolutely elated when both her publisher and Karen Winn herself offered me an early copy of her latest book.

The Society is set in the heart of Boston’s elite. I visited Boston years ago, but Karen transported me back as if I had just been there yesterday.

Told through multiple narrators, shifting between past and present, you are pulled into a story of deceit, mystery, glamour, and dark secrets that demand to be uncovered. You cannot help but keep reading, constantly guessing what will happen next.

Vivian is struggling to stay afloat after opening her second antique shop, paying for her ailing mother’s medical expenses, and covering private school tuition for her goddaughter. The old money her family once had has dried up, and now Vivian is desperate to claw her way out of the financial hole she has dug herself into.

Enter Peter, handsome, charming, and a member of The Knox, an exclusive and famously powerful society in Boston. He woos Vivian, and the more time she spends inside The Knox, the more she wonders if she can uncover the thread that ties her own family to their fortune. Before she can find the truth, Vivian ends up in the hospital, where she meets Taylor, a new-to-Boston nurse who is immediately captivated by Vivian and her glamour.

Taylor is eager to learn more about Vivian, but soon Vivian vanishes, and every clue points back to The Knox. When Taylor is offered a job inside the society itself, she hopes it will lead her to Vivian’s whereabouts. Instead, she finds herself caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, and the members and employees of The Knox do not take kindly to her digging.

I really enjoyed this one. It is heavier than her previous book, and at times it felt a bit long, but I loved that it kept me guessing until the very end.

[Firetruckmama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“The Society” is a mystery by Karen Winn. This book has three main characters - Vivian, Taylor, and “The Knox.” Vivian is an antiques dealer, who ends up in the hospital after a fall; Vivian’s storyline is mostly from before her fall. Taylor is the nurse who takes care of her, but who subsequently leaves and takes a job at The Knox; Taylor’s storyline is mostly after she cared for Vivian. The Knox is an old house in Boston, where it houses a secret society and rumors about the house abound; The Knox provides background information about itself. Did I think it odd that The Knox had it own chapters, no, but I can see why some readers were confused. There are a number of other characters - the people who work/live inside The Knox, Vivian’s friends, and Taylor’s circle of friends. There were also a number of side plots - some of which were neatly wrapped up at the end of the book. This book is amazingly long - nearly 400 pages - and I think that some of this could have been trimmed. There’s a bit mentioned about geomancy but, honestly, I didn’t quite understand it (and after looking online it’s interesting, but a bit complex - something that Professor Trelawney from Harry Potter might have done. Where I think I had issues with this book is that while it is very atmospheric (Ms. Winn does a great job delving into Beacon Hill, the rise of Boston, and Knox’s secrets) at times it seemed that the history pulled me away from the main story. Also, except for reminding her of her mother, Taylor’s obsession with Vivian seemed very surface-level (meaning I didn’t understand the obsession in the lengths that Taylor went). Would I read another book by this author - most likely, as I found this idea an interesting one.

[MicheleReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taylor Adams is a nurse living in Boston having left her home in North Carolina to find herself. When Vivian Lawrence is admitted to the hospital where Taylor works, she becomes intrigued by her new patient. Vivan seems to have everything she lacks - money, style, and social standing. Taylor is determined to learn all she can about Vivian, who has a traumatic brain injury after a suspicious fall. While Vivian remains in an induced coma, it's revealed that she is an antiques dealer in tony Beacon Hill and is facing financial difficulties. Prior to her accident, she had been trying to uncover secrets related to the Knox, an ultra-exclusive, members-only social club. Taylor's curiosity about Vivian also draws her to the Knox, where its dark secrets put both women in danger. 

This is Karen Winn's second novel. Her debut, Our Little World, was a moving coming-of-age story. Her new book, The Society, is vastly different, showing her impressive range. The Knox is a character unto itself. It is a secretive place few people have been allowed to enter, filled with rare artwork, antiques, hidden rooms and secret passageways. Winn cleverly gives it a "voice." I was fully invested in knowing its mysteries as Taylor begins to unravel the truth about the club and what may have happened to Vivian, who has disappeared from the hospital. The world of power and privilege becomes increasingly sinister. At almost 500 pages, I flew through this page-turner.

Many thanks to Dutton for the advance.

4.25 stars.

Review to be posted on MicheleReader.com.

[Kayla Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting. Unputdownable. Addicting. Suspenseful. Brilliant. These are the first five words that come to mind when describing The Society by Karen Winn.

Welcome to The Knox - where secrets run rampant, mysterious staff cannot (and should not) be trusted, and a secret society with dark secrets of their own come together often, their activities highly secret. Located in the historically charming Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, sits The Knox in all its glory. With over 200 years of existing, every Bostonian knows about The Knox - but few really know.

As Taylor moves to Boston to follow in the footsteps of her deceased mother, Taylor finds herself not only drawn to The Knox, but to one of its frequent visitors, Vivian, after an unfortunate encounter. Vivian, desperate to get out of her financial woes and keep her high-end sophisticated lifestyle, is also drawn to The Knox - her reasons extend far beyond its lavish facade and rich members. Her reasons will take her to a level of darkness she never imagined. Welcome to The Knox - where the liquor flows freely, the secrets fill its walls quickly, and if you’re not careful, you’ll become apart of The Knox’s long history of unfortunate events.

Truly loved this book! It’s told from the perspective of Taylor, Vivian, and sometimes from the building of The Knox itself (which I found to be incredibly clever). Every page kept me in suspense and I truly didn’t want this book to end. I hope to see this book turned into a movie or TV series one day! I’d give it more than 5 stars if I could.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly wanted to love this book, just as I had loved Winn’s debut. I knew this would be considerably different, based both on the synopsis and on the author’s comments about it. I recognized the carefully crafted intricacies of this mystery, and I have no doubt that meticulous research served as a foundation for these pages, but I didn’t enjoy the story very much.

This is largely a reflection on who I am as a person, and not the author’s writing.

I especially found it difficult to grasp Taylor’s irresponsible decisions. I think Winn did a fine job with Taylor’s background, and this provided me with some insight into her choices, but almost every foot she put forward made me cringe. It’s hard to get lost in a story when you’re continually bracing yourself for the main character’s next silly misstep.

I also felt that the last several chapters could have been condensed, as I was eager for The Society to end once its main conundrum had been resolved.

As I already noted, however, the puzzle here is a taut, complicated one, and I must credit Winn for the creativity exercised while using a common enough trope. This is the definitive factor in my rating, as it kept me from despising the tale. Winn’s ability to take me on such an emotional journey in Our Little World, and such a convoluted one in The Society makes a grand statement regarding her talent as a storyteller.

I am immensely grateful to Dutton and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

[Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for my ARC. I have mixed reviews on this one.
Pros: 1. The setting. I love a book with a mansion as its main character! It was very atmospheric. It really showcased Boston. 2. The concept. Who isn’t fascinated by a “secret society”? Very creative story. I was intrigued from page one. 3. The alternating viewpoints worked very well (most of the time). The house got its own chapters which I found clever and were my favorite parts. 4. Despite being 450 pages, it was a quick read, and I was eager to keep reading more every day.
5. It was suspenseful.
Cons: 1. The characters. Completely unlikeable! Sorry! 2. Way too many subplots to keep track of! Many of them uninteresting and unresolved. 3. Too many convenient coincidences. (Like the landlord, for example. And the genealogist)
4. Too many plot holes. I still have questions about Rose, Peter, and Tara!!!
5. At times, the two main characters were interchangeable
6. My biggest negative about this book was the constant over-emphasis on clothing and materialistic things. It was way over the top and unnecessary and off-putting.
7. A bit too long (mostly due to #6!)
8. The lackluster ending. I was expecting a shocking twist!
All in all, though, I will be recommending this book to my friends and reading more from this author.

[Dianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Annoying and naive characters, ultra-creepy men, sex, drugs, but no rock and roll, too many tropes to keep straight, and the only reason why I kept reading was to see what eventually happened with Vivian.

What would have made this an excellent book was if the author kept it under 480 pages. If it were not so dragged out with minutiae, it would have been more thrilling. Had she made Taylor a little less obsessed and made Vivian a little less obvious? I mean, come on, to have Taylor break into Vivian's house while she was in the 'hospitol'and to try on all of Vivian's clothes? Is this not psychotic behavior or what?

Having the house 'talk' to use creeped me out; however, this is a thriller, so I guess I should have expected something like a talking house. When I say "talking," I mean the house (the Knox) had its own chapters. Silly, but there you go, I suppose it adds more creep factor for those who like it. Personally, I was more interested in what happened to Vivian after her little accident.

The ending pretends to close out a lot of threads, but I have to say it was anticlimactic. I would have liked to have seen Taylor and Vivian getting together, and someone finding out what happened to Xavier.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Dutton/Penguin Books, the author, and NetGalley.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t resist a book about secret societies. While most of the books I’ve read about secret societies set them on college or school campuses, this one centers on the elusive and exclusive social club in Boston’s Beacon Hill called The Knox.

Immediately, I was curious about the connections between Taylor, a nurse at Mass General, and Vivian, who came to the ER as a patient. Taylor seems obsessed with Vivian, and it leads her to The Knox.

Taylor and Vivian both tell the story; both have pasts that call them to this place and to the secrets it holds, as secrets are a requirement. The building itself has its own voice, though I’m not sure it adds much to the story. My initial curiosity turned to distrust, as an ever-present edge of uncertainty hangs over the story about who to trust. Even at the end of the story, I still didn’t entirely trust people, and I still had questions.

The atmosphere in this book shines, giving it a certain gothic feel, suspense, dark secrets, shifty help, masquerade parties, and the practice of geomancy. It also describes the wealthy area of Boston, naming streets, fine restaurants, and shops that surround The Knox, making you feel as if you could walk right up to its door.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you @duttonbooks for the gifted eBook via @NetGalley.

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Society is set in Boston and the story revolves around an old establishment called The Knox. Many are aware of the dark secrets involving the club, but a veil of secrecy keeps their darkness from being brought to light.

When Taylor, a young nurse treats a woman in the ER, she develops a fascination about her patient and attempts to check on her after she is moved from the ER. Taylor finds that she seems to have disappeared and no one on staff has any answers about her condition or where she went.

As time passes, Taylor quits nursing and ends up with a job at the Knox, waiting tables and doing other various tasks. The pay is good, but she finds there are many odd things about working at The Knox. She also learns that her patient who disappeared may have a connection to The Knox.

The story is a slow burn, but I think readers will guess where things are going fairly quickly. This is a dark, gothic-type tale set in the modern day. One thing that stood out for me was The Knox as a character. I loved how The Knox was so opinionated about the goings on at the club.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to offer my honest review and recommend this to other readers.

[Janet Fiorentino · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was asked to read and review “The Society” by Karen Winn. The Knox is the secret society of upper-wealthy Boston. Here, we meet Taylor who moves to the Boston area to work as a nurse. She works with patient Vivian and becomes obsessed with both her wealthy patient and her accompanying lifestyle, especially as she has reason to believe that the Boston elite might be indirectly responsible for her mother’s death

Winn tells the story from both Vivian and Taylor’s perspectives as well as from the Knox’s building, which is an interesting choice that works.

While I didn’t find the plot to be anything new, I did appreciate the peek into Winn's perspective of this part of Boston. The novel certainly has intrigue and builds suspense, but I wish the author spend more time developing character. I had a hard time identifying with either Vivian or Taylor, mostly because I felt that I didn’t know enough as to what makes them tick.

Overall, I would give this book three and a half out of five stars.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a chance to read and review this novel.

[Aprilcots · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve always been fascinated by secret societies and rituals, so I jumped at the chance to review this novel. The Society features a mysterious old house on Beacon Hill in Boston that has a hushed and lore-filled mystique. The points of view go back and forth between a young nurse who seeks an entrance to the secretive and seemingly perfect world of Boston’s high society, a woman who is already there and understands that it isn’t always as glamorous as it seems and… the house itself. This is where the book lost me. I loved the storied descriptions, the legends, the rituals, the high society with their name brands and art and complicated genealogies. I enjoyed the mystery that unfolds and the loose ends that all masterfully came together at the end. What I did not enjoy are the jarring transitions between the characters and the house, with Reddit posts and Facebook posts, and geomancy tutorials and bylaws interspersed. It got very convoluted and the voice of the house was incredibly distracting and hokey and not in keeping with the tone of the book. The story would have been so much better without the all knowing house trope. Thank you Net Galley for this advance reader copy.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Society is part mystery and part suspenseful set in Boston. The elite secret club called the Knox is at the center of the story. Vivian Lawrence is an antique dealer/store owner that has a family connection to the Knox. She is interested in finding out if she is in line for an inheritance based on this connection. She is looking for ways to keep her business running and her mother in a memory care facility.

The book goes between Vivian's life and Taylor Adams new beginning in Boston. Taylor is looking to find out what happened to her mother and the connection to the Knox. They cross paths when Vivian has an accident and Taylor is her ER nurse.

The Knox is everything you would expect from an old monied, secret society. There is tension, history, and romance. The book put me in mind to the Ivy League societies or even sororities/fraternities.

Overall, The Society is a page-turner about power, class, and hidden truths. This book is for readers who like suspense, old wealth, and secret societies. I would recommend this book to friends.

#NetGalley #TheSociety #KarenWinn

[The Chapter Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a secret society, and The Society delivered such rich, atmospheric vibes! Winn’s writing is so immersive that I genuinely felt like I was wandering the halls of the Knox myself, searching for clues behind every locked door.

The story unfolds through three POVs — Taylor, Vivian, and even the Knox itself, which adds such a unique, haunting layer to the narrative. Vivian is old-money Boston royalty, her family entwined with the elite and mysterious Knox. Taylor, meanwhile, is an ER nurse fresh from North Carolina, just trying to settle into her new life.

Their worlds collide when Vivian suffers a suspicious accident inside the Knox and Taylor becomes her nurse. What follows is a labyrinth of secrets, power plays, and escalating tension. Through a series of wild twists, Taylor finds herself working inside the Knox, and from there the story tightens like a vise until its incredibly satisfying conclusion.

Winn’s writing is sharp, immersive, and filled with that intoxicating blend of mystery and privilege. I was hooked from the first chapter to the last!

Huge thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Sallie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This fictional book is set in early Boston history and in modern time as well. I will admit I learned things about the opium trade that helped build the city but I found the story to be magical, dark and not one that grabbed my interest in other ways. I struggled to finish it and found myself skipping through a lot at the end of the book. The story is told from multiple points of view and is about a secret society of the very wealthy leaders of the early Boston community. The Knox was a very secretive club and though the years rumors have swirled around Boston questioning it. I just did not bond with the characters and would not have finished this one if it had not been offered to me by Netgalley. I think the cover of the book is very inviting and a wonderful one that will catch reader’s attention.

I wish to thank Net Galley and Dutton, Penguin Random House Publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am such of a fan of Karen Winn’s coming of age debut, Our Little World, and was so thrilled to receive a copy of her latest book! This contemporary mystery had a feel of a historical fiction exploring the secret societies of Boston’s elite. The dual perspectives of two women from vastly different backgrounds emerge in an introspective and compelling way to introduce the plot. The building that houses The Knox itself feels like an atmospheric character., adding another level of depth to the story. The novel weaves in the history of Boston and Beacon Hill while introducing the mystical practice of geomancy which was a tad confusing. Atmospheric, suspenseful, with questionable characters and a twisty ending.
Young Taylor is drawn to Boston by the lingering pull of her late mother. Vivian, accustomed to her life of privilege, finds herself unprepared for her current financial struggles. Their paths converge and when Vivian mysteriously disappears, Taylor becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth. In a story steeped in secrets, all roads seem to lead directly to The Knox!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Society centers around two women in Boston. Vivian was raised with money that no longer exists and to keep up her life and care for an ill mother, she tries to find documentation that she is a descendent of the Knox family and the secret Knox Society. Taylor is a a young nurse at Mass Gen's emergency room when Vivian is brought in after a fall and a TBI. when Vivian is checked out with no further info as to where she went, Taylor decides to do some investigating of her own.

The descriptions of the Boston area featured are superb and Winn brings us into the wealth of Boston. But I felt it lacked in character development and that is always the most important aspect of any book I read. I understood what drove Vivian but I really never got Taylor. Her mom died when she was young and she got more information that certainly affected her but she made some weird choices that I didn't get.

I did really enjoy the historical elements of the Knox and the opium trade.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.