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The Society
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, searching for 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 restless young nurse eager to distance herself from her simple Outer Banks upbringing. 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, and Taylor’s search for answers pulls her into The Knox itself—as their new employee.
The further Taylor goes into The Knox’s orbit of unimaginable wealth and sordid history, the more the mystery of Vivian deepens. As Taylor will soon discover, more so than wealth or status; secrets are The Knox’s currency.
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, searching for 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 restless young nurse eager to distance herself from her simple Outer Banks upbringing. 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, and Taylor’s search for answers pulls her into The Knox itself—as their new employee.
The further Taylor goes into The Knox’s orbit of unimaginable wealth and sordid history, the more the mystery of Vivian deepens. As Taylor will soon discover, more so than wealth or status; secrets are The Knox’s currency.
475 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2026
121 people are currently reading
10307 people want to read
About the author
Karen Winn
2 books251 followersKaren is the author of two novels: The Society 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 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
November 21, 2025
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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.
The Book Review Crew Blog
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.
February 10, 2026
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 intrigue of 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
Content warning: fire, forced confinement, drug use, alcoholism, violence, terminal illness, mention of: pregnancy
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
Content warning: fire, forced confinement, drug use, alcoholism, violence, terminal illness, mention of: pregnancy
October 27, 2025
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.
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.
October 14, 2025
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!
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!
December 4, 2025
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.
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.
January 26, 2026
I’ll say that this book did confuse me ..- “a lot! Constant having to register as I found myself lost in the prose. However, there were sections that I really enjoyed. Some of that could have been the geography it was set in and so love secret society themes.
I think this is one that I should have read the physical book rather than the audio. The narrators were great so that was t the issue!
I think this is one that I should have read the physical book rather than the audio. The narrators were great so that was t the issue!
November 18, 2025
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
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
October 18, 2025
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.
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.
January 27, 2026
4 ⭐️📖 Taylor is an ER nurse in her mid twenties that has recently moved to Boston. She takes an interest in one of her patients, Vivian, an antiques dealer that exudes power and wealth, but mysteriously has no visitors. Book is told in multiple perspectives with a through line of the ongoings of a secret society. Couldn’t put this one down!!
January 8, 2026
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.
January 19, 2026
Synopsis: Mysterious and exclusive social club, The Knox, is infamous in Boston - no one except the members know what really goes on behind its closed doors. When young nurse, Taylor Adams, treats a coma patient who had suffered an unexplained fall during a party at The Knox, she becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth.
Thoughts: I love a book about secret societies! The Boston setting featuring historic buildings and a gothic atmosphere gripped me right away. The pacing and short chapters kept my attention, though at over 450 pages it is definitely a long read. There is A LOT going on in this book, with a lot of characters and interconnected plot lines to keep track of. I went back and forth on the rating a bit, but I ultimately really enjoyed the suspense and general vibes, so landing on a solid four stars!
Read this if you like:
🚪 secret societies
🚪 gothic atmosphere
🚪 Boston
🚪 multi POV
🚪 suspense
Thoughts: I love a book about secret societies! The Boston setting featuring historic buildings and a gothic atmosphere gripped me right away. The pacing and short chapters kept my attention, though at over 450 pages it is definitely a long read. There is A LOT going on in this book, with a lot of characters and interconnected plot lines to keep track of. I went back and forth on the rating a bit, but I ultimately really enjoyed the suspense and general vibes, so landing on a solid four stars!
Read this if you like:
🚪 secret societies
🚪 gothic atmosphere
🚪 Boston
🚪 multi POV
🚪 suspense
October 30, 2025
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.
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.
November 1, 2025
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.
November 18, 2025
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
January 22, 2026
First off, the cover of The Society is stunning! But we can't judge a book by its cover and unfortunately this book did not live up to its stunning cover for me. This book enticed me with its premise - a secret society in Boston that has been around for centuries. I enjoyed the author's first book, Our Little World and was hoping to enjoy this book as well.
Vivian is from old money in Boston. When her family fortune is lost, she turns to the Knox, a secret society in Boston hoping to become a member. When Vivian shows up at a patient at the hospital where ER nurse, Taylor Adams works is employed. Taylor becomes obsessed with the cultured and glamorous Vivian. When Vivian disappears, Taylor embarks on a mission to find out what happened to her...
I enjoyed the atmosphere in this book. I also loved the setting. I also enjoyed the POV's and how they contributed to the story. I also enjoyed the thought of a secret society and its wealth, power, and secrets. But I found this book to be way too long. It is long, 480 pages long, and I felt every single one of those pages. I don't mind reading long books if I am enjoying them, but sadly I struggled with this book. I never connected to any of the characters which often makes enjoying a book difficult. I kept picking up other books before forcing myself to power read a lot of this book in one day. I thought of putting this book down for good twice while reading it but then found parts that I did enjoy so I stuck with it. There are some twists and drama which kept me coming back.
Other readers have enjoyed this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
2.75
Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Vivian is from old money in Boston. When her family fortune is lost, she turns to the Knox, a secret society in Boston hoping to become a member. When Vivian shows up at a patient at the hospital where ER nurse, Taylor Adams works is employed. Taylor becomes obsessed with the cultured and glamorous Vivian. When Vivian disappears, Taylor embarks on a mission to find out what happened to her...
I enjoyed the atmosphere in this book. I also loved the setting. I also enjoyed the POV's and how they contributed to the story. I also enjoyed the thought of a secret society and its wealth, power, and secrets. But I found this book to be way too long. It is long, 480 pages long, and I felt every single one of those pages. I don't mind reading long books if I am enjoying them, but sadly I struggled with this book. I never connected to any of the characters which often makes enjoying a book difficult. I kept picking up other books before forcing myself to power read a lot of this book in one day. I thought of putting this book down for good twice while reading it but then found parts that I did enjoy so I stuck with it. There are some twists and drama which kept me coming back.
Other readers have enjoyed this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
2.75
Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
November 10, 2025
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!
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!
February 13, 2026
I see why the house was added as a character with a voice, but it almost put me off from the start.
If it's a secret society, why is the house mocking a passerby for not being aware of the existence of the Knox? That's as should be. I almost thought the author was confusing a secret society for a club, but Winn knows Boston clubs. This seemed a major plot fault, trying to have it both ways.
131 Nice touch, the Gardner's Rembrandt is in the Knox
137 antiques vs flowers Items of personal importance. Vivian is gorgeous but by her 40s has never been wood with flowers before?
Athenaeum on p. what? As a private library and one of many institutions funded by opium peddlers and slave traders
215 Taylor can't do basements but lives in one? Also, where is this one bedroom in the South End that a young person starting out can afford?
225 "The bad Aunt Emma"? slang for heroin
253 Biggest hint that a woman was skinned in the basement of the Knox
227 Mixed metaphor: unearthing feelings locked up in a box--shouldn't they be "buried" rather than boxed
Did opium traders use opium? I would imagine the wealthy successful ones didn't. Also, the trade took the opium from India to China and then luxury goods to the US. The opium didn't come here. Laudanum and other "medicines." Sure. I need to look into that more.
There's a tension between what is called a tradition of opium use at the Knox along with Robert Thurgood's criticism of his mother's use of laudanum
404 TDGarden33 is Tara, the pregnant former Knox waitress with blue hair
405 plot revealed
430 Hic liber alligatus est in cute matris meae
Major anticlimax: there is a secret society but they weren't acting nefariously against Vivian. Somehow a rogue staff member spirited her out of MGH, found medical help, took over her personal and professional contacts for month--all without being detected? Nothing nefarious going on here but the society is not destroyed. They rebuild a historic home, on Beacon Hill, in under a year! Maybe the author is setting up the next in a series.
If it's a secret society, why is the house mocking a passerby for not being aware of the existence of the Knox? That's as should be. I almost thought the author was confusing a secret society for a club, but Winn knows Boston clubs. This seemed a major plot fault, trying to have it both ways.
131 Nice touch, the Gardner's Rembrandt is in the Knox
137 antiques vs flowers Items of personal importance. Vivian is gorgeous but by her 40s has never been wood with flowers before?
Athenaeum on p. what? As a private library and one of many institutions funded by opium peddlers and slave traders
215 Taylor can't do basements but lives in one? Also, where is this one bedroom in the South End that a young person starting out can afford?
225 "The bad Aunt Emma"? slang for heroin
253 Biggest hint that a woman was skinned in the basement of the Knox
227 Mixed metaphor: unearthing feelings locked up in a box--shouldn't they be "buried" rather than boxed
Did opium traders use opium? I would imagine the wealthy successful ones didn't. Also, the trade took the opium from India to China and then luxury goods to the US. The opium didn't come here. Laudanum and other "medicines." Sure. I need to look into that more.
There's a tension between what is called a tradition of opium use at the Knox along with Robert Thurgood's criticism of his mother's use of laudanum
404 TDGarden33 is Tara, the pregnant former Knox waitress with blue hair
405 plot revealed
430 Hic liber alligatus est in cute matris meae
Major anticlimax: there is a secret society but they weren't acting nefariously against Vivian. Somehow a rogue staff member spirited her out of MGH, found medical help, took over her personal and professional contacts for month--all without being detected? Nothing nefarious going on here but the society is not destroyed. They rebuild a historic home, on Beacon Hill, in under a year! Maybe the author is setting up the next in a series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2025
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.
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.
December 8, 2025
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.
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.
February 20, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for gifting me a digital ARC of the sophomore book by Karen Winn. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3 stars!
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.
I was a huge fan of Winn's debut, Our Little World, and couldn't wait to read her new book. While her debut was a 5 star read for me, for some reason, this book didn't hold my interest. Told from both Vivian and Taylor's POV as well as from the Knox itself, over different timelines, I thought it was too long and not quite as suspenseful as I was hoping. It seemed a bit far fetched to me that Taylor would become so obsessed with Vivian from seeing her in the hospital. I typically enjoy secret societies and the mysteries held within, but while the writing was good, this one didn't quite make the cut. But I'll happily read whatever Winn writes next!
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.
I was a huge fan of Winn's debut, Our Little World, and couldn't wait to read her new book. While her debut was a 5 star read for me, for some reason, this book didn't hold my interest. Told from both Vivian and Taylor's POV as well as from the Knox itself, over different timelines, I thought it was too long and not quite as suspenseful as I was hoping. It seemed a bit far fetched to me that Taylor would become so obsessed with Vivian from seeing her in the hospital. I typically enjoy secret societies and the mysteries held within, but while the writing was good, this one didn't quite make the cut. But I'll happily read whatever Winn writes next!
December 10, 2025
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.
“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.
February 15, 2026
Thank you @prhaudio for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
SUMMARY: When Vivian Lawrence, a woman from an old-money family, seeks entry into the Knox to reclaim her lost fortune, she mysteriously ends up in a coma at the hospital. Her nurse, Taylor Adams, is intrigued by Vivian and when Vivian disappears, Taylor begins looking into what happened. She ends up working at the Knox, the home of an elite secret society in Boston. Soon Taylor discovers the Knox has some very dark secrets.
MY THOUGHTS: This atmospheric novel centers around an enigmatic secret society and in many ways is similar to dark academia! Like much dark academia this secret society (the Knox) evolves in a rich world where knowledge and sinister secrets collide. The hidden rooms, secret gatherings, ancient books, and even the competition in this one is intriguing! The story is set in the prestigious Beacon Hill section of Boston. The details of the lavish settings including furnishings, clothing and jewels add to the richness of the story.
The Knox is a character in itself, with several chapters told from the perspective of the house where many of its wealthy members live and where they meet regularly. Vivian and Taylor are both complex characters who struggle with moral dilemmas. As their stories unfold in alternate chapters and timelines, they each meet up with morally gray characters and the tension builds.
I listened to this one and the production is flawless, with perfect narration including character accents and dark moods that drew me deeper into the story.
Finally, this book explores themes of ambition, secrecy, and moral ambiguity, making it a must-read for fans of dark academia and immersive storytelling.
SUMMARY: When Vivian Lawrence, a woman from an old-money family, seeks entry into the Knox to reclaim her lost fortune, she mysteriously ends up in a coma at the hospital. Her nurse, Taylor Adams, is intrigued by Vivian and when Vivian disappears, Taylor begins looking into what happened. She ends up working at the Knox, the home of an elite secret society in Boston. Soon Taylor discovers the Knox has some very dark secrets.
MY THOUGHTS: This atmospheric novel centers around an enigmatic secret society and in many ways is similar to dark academia! Like much dark academia this secret society (the Knox) evolves in a rich world where knowledge and sinister secrets collide. The hidden rooms, secret gatherings, ancient books, and even the competition in this one is intriguing! The story is set in the prestigious Beacon Hill section of Boston. The details of the lavish settings including furnishings, clothing and jewels add to the richness of the story.
The Knox is a character in itself, with several chapters told from the perspective of the house where many of its wealthy members live and where they meet regularly. Vivian and Taylor are both complex characters who struggle with moral dilemmas. As their stories unfold in alternate chapters and timelines, they each meet up with morally gray characters and the tension builds.
I listened to this one and the production is flawless, with perfect narration including character accents and dark moods that drew me deeper into the story.
Finally, this book explores themes of ambition, secrecy, and moral ambiguity, making it a must-read for fans of dark academia and immersive storytelling.
November 23, 2025
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.
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.
December 18, 2025
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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.
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.
January 22, 2026
From its first pages, The Society pulls you into a Boston that feels both exciting and dangerous—a city where history isn’t just remembered, it’s weaponized. What begins as a mystery about wealth and legacy quickly deepens into something far more unsettling: a story about who gets access, who pays the price, and what it costs to belong.
Vivian and Taylor are compelling mirrors of one another, each navigating ambition, vulnerability, and desire from opposite ends of the social spectrum. Their stories braid together with mounting tension, and the novel’s greatest strength is how personal the stakes feel, even as the world of the Knox grows increasingly vast and ominous. The secret society itself is richly imagined—seductive, terrifying, and disturbingly believable.
I loved Winn’s debut, Our Little World, and while The Society is a very different novel in scope and atmosphere, it delivers the same things that made me fall in love with her writing the first time: characters I deeply cared about, a fast-moving, unputdownable plot, and a story that constantly propelled me forward. It’s a true page-turner, but also the kind of book that lingers—I found myself thinking about it often long after I finished the final page.
The Society is smart, immersive suspense at its best, and a novel that stays with you.
Vivian and Taylor are compelling mirrors of one another, each navigating ambition, vulnerability, and desire from opposite ends of the social spectrum. Their stories braid together with mounting tension, and the novel’s greatest strength is how personal the stakes feel, even as the world of the Knox grows increasingly vast and ominous. The secret society itself is richly imagined—seductive, terrifying, and disturbingly believable.
I loved Winn’s debut, Our Little World, and while The Society is a very different novel in scope and atmosphere, it delivers the same things that made me fall in love with her writing the first time: characters I deeply cared about, a fast-moving, unputdownable plot, and a story that constantly propelled me forward. It’s a true page-turner, but also the kind of book that lingers—I found myself thinking about it often long after I finished the final page.
The Society is smart, immersive suspense at its best, and a novel that stays with you.
February 1, 2026
he Society centers around the building that houses a secret society in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood. The building is named The Knox and few people know of the inner working. The Knox is owned by an elite, wealthy family. Taylor is a nurse in the ER at Boston Mass Hospital when an interesting patient is brought in. Taylor's interest was piqued by the patient, Vivian Lawrence, as she clearly came from wealth. When Vivian is mysteriously discharged and disappears from the hospital, Taylor tries to find her, using the reasoning that Vivian was her patient. We also learn more about Vivian as a secondary story. Vivian discovers that almost all of her family's money has been squandered and she tries to deal with how her life might be going forward. She owns and runs an antique store but without any funding, her store may need to be closes. Vivian becomes involved with members of The Knox as she tries to determine if her ancestors are affiliated with the descendants of The Knox. The Knox itself even does a bit of narration in the book. The Society ends up taking you through the secrets, the events, and the mazes of The Knox as its members try retain its secrets from the public. The Society kept me guessing what was going to happen next and I throughly enjoyed the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the opportunity to read the ARC of The Society.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the opportunity to read the ARC of The Society.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
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