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The Women in White
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In the new thriller from #1 New York Times Bestseller Sarah Pekkanen, a young divorcee accepts a caretaker job for an elderly widow and is drawn into a decades-old mystery of four college girls who vanished after volunteering for parapsychology experiments.
When Riley Bell lands a caretaker job for Betty Sadler, she imagines quiet afternoons of tea and card games - and a chance to heal from her shattering divorce. Instead, she steps into a house that feels suspended in time, with every lampshade, cocktail coupe and record album exactly as it was in 1964. No television. No microwave. And Betty has never even heard of a cell phone.
For Betty, there’s only one thing left she wants in To locate her three best friends who seemingly disappeared after they all volunteered for mysterious experiments in their college’s psychology department. No clues, no contact, just an unanswered mystery that has shadowed Betty for six decades.
Inspired by the real-life research once conducted at Duke University’s Parapsychology Laboratory, The Women In White is told in dual timelines- Betty’s sparkling world of pep rallies and 5 o’clock martinis, and Riley’s present-day search through hidden files into dark corners.
Because whatever was swirling around these four exceptional young women is rising from its long-dormant state. Someone is resurrecting the old experiments, like a copy-cat serial killer. And Riley's efforts to get answers about the lost girls from the 1960s is putting her on a collision course with the person determined to finish the job.
When Riley Bell lands a caretaker job for Betty Sadler, she imagines quiet afternoons of tea and card games - and a chance to heal from her shattering divorce. Instead, she steps into a house that feels suspended in time, with every lampshade, cocktail coupe and record album exactly as it was in 1964. No television. No microwave. And Betty has never even heard of a cell phone.
For Betty, there’s only one thing left she wants in To locate her three best friends who seemingly disappeared after they all volunteered for mysterious experiments in their college’s psychology department. No clues, no contact, just an unanswered mystery that has shadowed Betty for six decades.
Inspired by the real-life research once conducted at Duke University’s Parapsychology Laboratory, The Women In White is told in dual timelines- Betty’s sparkling world of pep rallies and 5 o’clock martinis, and Riley’s present-day search through hidden files into dark corners.
Because whatever was swirling around these four exceptional young women is rising from its long-dormant state. Someone is resurrecting the old experiments, like a copy-cat serial killer. And Riley's efforts to get answers about the lost girls from the 1960s is putting her on a collision course with the person determined to finish the job.
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 4, 2026
121 people are currently reading
15407 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Pekkanen
29 books7,378 followersI'm a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 15 solo and coauthored books, including HOUSE OF GLASS, which is a Goodreads Choice award nominee and Amazon best book of the year.
My upcoming thriller, THE LOCKED WARD, is being hailed by Lee Child as "psychological suspense at its very best."
I'm also the coauthor of four bestselling thrillers: THE GOLDEN COUPLE, THE WIFE BETWEEN US, AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, and YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
I've also written eight novels that are contemporary fiction, not thrillers: THE EVER AFTER, THE PERFECT NEIGHBORS, THINGS YOU WON'T SAY, CATCHING AIR, THE BEST OF US, THE OPPOSITE OF ME, SKIPPING A BEAT, and THESE GIRLS. My linked free short estories, published by Simon&Schuster exclusively for ereaders, are titled "All is Bright," and "Love, Accidentally."
When I'm not writing or spending time with my three kids, I'm a passionate advocate for rescue animals. I serve as Ambassador of RRSA India, a shelter and sanctuary for abused and injured street dogs and other animals in Anand, India. And I'm the founder of the nonprofit charity IndiaStreetPaws.com.
I also serve on the board of the International Thriller Writers. Readers and writers - come join us at Thrillerfest in NYC every spring!
Please find me on Insta and Facebook for more!
My website is www.sarahpekkanen.com
(Here on Goodreads, my policy is to only review books I really like. If I don't enjoy the book, I won't write about it - it's just my personal policy.)
My upcoming thriller, THE LOCKED WARD, is being hailed by Lee Child as "psychological suspense at its very best."
I'm also the coauthor of four bestselling thrillers: THE GOLDEN COUPLE, THE WIFE BETWEEN US, AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, and YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
I've also written eight novels that are contemporary fiction, not thrillers: THE EVER AFTER, THE PERFECT NEIGHBORS, THINGS YOU WON'T SAY, CATCHING AIR, THE BEST OF US, THE OPPOSITE OF ME, SKIPPING A BEAT, and THESE GIRLS. My linked free short estories, published by Simon&Schuster exclusively for ereaders, are titled "All is Bright," and "Love, Accidentally."
When I'm not writing or spending time with my three kids, I'm a passionate advocate for rescue animals. I serve as Ambassador of RRSA India, a shelter and sanctuary for abused and injured street dogs and other animals in Anand, India. And I'm the founder of the nonprofit charity IndiaStreetPaws.com.
I also serve on the board of the International Thriller Writers. Readers and writers - come join us at Thrillerfest in NYC every spring!
Please find me on Insta and Facebook for more!
My website is www.sarahpekkanen.com
(Here on Goodreads, my policy is to only review books I really like. If I don't enjoy the book, I won't write about it - it's just my personal policy.)
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I cannot lie, I am absolutely addicted to Sarah Pekkanen thrillers. I loved her collaborations with Greer Hendricks, devoured The Wife Between Us, and followed her solo writing journey with excitement. Gone Tonight is still my favorite of her works and remains unforgettable for me. But when a sentence begins with “but,” you know something less positive is coming, and unfortunately, here it is. I did not enjoy this book as much as I expected, and it may be the least compelling of her novels that I have read so far.
Please do not get me wrong. My expectations were very high, and perhaps I was not in the perfect reading mood at the time. The Manchurian Candidate–style psychological testing concept mixed with parapsychology is, on paper, a fascinating and provocative idea. However, the execution felt somewhat light. I genuinely expected something more shocking and more surprising, especially moments that would make me gasp out loud the way Betty’s gift initially did. I was hoping for twists that would shake me to the core, but the outcome ultimately felt riddled with plot holes. The final revelations, in particular, felt slightly haphazard and left me questioning too many elements rather than feeling satisfied.
That said, there were aspects I truly enjoyed. I loved Betty’s point of view, and the storyline centered on gifted sisterhood between four women in their mid sixties worked beautifully for me. The emotional bond between these women and the eerie history they shared was far more engaging than the present day storyline. The connections and intersections between older Betty and Riley did not capture my interest as strongly as the past timeline. I found those sections somewhat dull, which caused me to lose momentum. As a result, I read this book much more slowly than usual. Normally, you know my reading pace is fast, and I would have finished this in a few hours in one sitting. Instead, it took me two to three days, which says a lot about my overall engagement. That said, this is only my opinion, and I am seeing a great deal of praise for this book. The structure, with its short chapters, imminent cliffhangers, and dual timelines and perspectives, still gives it strong potential for readers who enjoy that style.
Let me briefly recap the plot, even though you should absolutely read the blurb yourself. As always, I will add my own commentary along the way. Riley Bell is desperate for a job. She is living out of her car, has lost nearly everything, and her future dreams have collapsed after marrying a gambler who now owes dangerous people money. These men are threatening him and targeting Riley as well, on top of relentless debt collectors. When she lands a live in caretaker position for Betty Sadler, a reclusive woman in her mid eighties, it feels like a miracle. The job not only offers income but also a roof over her head. Against heavy competition from far more experienced candidates, Betty chooses Riley and wants her to start immediately.
What Riley does not realize is that despite being confined to a wheelchair, Betty is far more capable than she appears, and her mind is razor sharp. She has not left her house in nearly six decades and seems to crave companionship more than actual care after losing her husband. What she truly needs, however, is Riley’s investigative instinct. Riley soon discovers that Betty was once a test subject in a Duke University Parapsychology Lab study known as the Ganzfeld experiment. The tests were conducted by Dr. Trimble, a man obsessed with leaving his mark on history by exploiting the extraordinary abilities of four young women. Alongside Betty, there was Kathleen, gifted in telepathy, Ivy, who excelled at precognition, and Helen, who possessed clairvoyance. Whatever happened behind the closed doors of that lab bonded the women more closely than sisters, at least in Betty’s eyes.
As Riley digs deeper, initially for the sake of her job, she begins to realize that the past may be far more dangerous than she imagined. Once she starts uncovering secrets, she cannot stop. Is Betty hiding something sinister from her. Is she a victim or a perpetrator. Is someone attempting to resurrect the program and create new victims. These questions drive the mystery forward, even when the execution does not fully deliver on its promise.
Overall, this is still an intriguing read, especially if you enjoy mysteries involving government conspiracies, secret parapsychology experiments, twisty storytelling, and themes of female empowerment. While it did not completely work for me, I am still giving it a solid three stars and remain eager to see what Sarah Pekkanen delivers next.
A very huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing one of the most anticipated thrillers of 2026 with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Please do not get me wrong. My expectations were very high, and perhaps I was not in the perfect reading mood at the time. The Manchurian Candidate–style psychological testing concept mixed with parapsychology is, on paper, a fascinating and provocative idea. However, the execution felt somewhat light. I genuinely expected something more shocking and more surprising, especially moments that would make me gasp out loud the way Betty’s gift initially did. I was hoping for twists that would shake me to the core, but the outcome ultimately felt riddled with plot holes. The final revelations, in particular, felt slightly haphazard and left me questioning too many elements rather than feeling satisfied.
That said, there were aspects I truly enjoyed. I loved Betty’s point of view, and the storyline centered on gifted sisterhood between four women in their mid sixties worked beautifully for me. The emotional bond between these women and the eerie history they shared was far more engaging than the present day storyline. The connections and intersections between older Betty and Riley did not capture my interest as strongly as the past timeline. I found those sections somewhat dull, which caused me to lose momentum. As a result, I read this book much more slowly than usual. Normally, you know my reading pace is fast, and I would have finished this in a few hours in one sitting. Instead, it took me two to three days, which says a lot about my overall engagement. That said, this is only my opinion, and I am seeing a great deal of praise for this book. The structure, with its short chapters, imminent cliffhangers, and dual timelines and perspectives, still gives it strong potential for readers who enjoy that style.
Let me briefly recap the plot, even though you should absolutely read the blurb yourself. As always, I will add my own commentary along the way. Riley Bell is desperate for a job. She is living out of her car, has lost nearly everything, and her future dreams have collapsed after marrying a gambler who now owes dangerous people money. These men are threatening him and targeting Riley as well, on top of relentless debt collectors. When she lands a live in caretaker position for Betty Sadler, a reclusive woman in her mid eighties, it feels like a miracle. The job not only offers income but also a roof over her head. Against heavy competition from far more experienced candidates, Betty chooses Riley and wants her to start immediately.
What Riley does not realize is that despite being confined to a wheelchair, Betty is far more capable than she appears, and her mind is razor sharp. She has not left her house in nearly six decades and seems to crave companionship more than actual care after losing her husband. What she truly needs, however, is Riley’s investigative instinct. Riley soon discovers that Betty was once a test subject in a Duke University Parapsychology Lab study known as the Ganzfeld experiment. The tests were conducted by Dr. Trimble, a man obsessed with leaving his mark on history by exploiting the extraordinary abilities of four young women. Alongside Betty, there was Kathleen, gifted in telepathy, Ivy, who excelled at precognition, and Helen, who possessed clairvoyance. Whatever happened behind the closed doors of that lab bonded the women more closely than sisters, at least in Betty’s eyes.
As Riley digs deeper, initially for the sake of her job, she begins to realize that the past may be far more dangerous than she imagined. Once she starts uncovering secrets, she cannot stop. Is Betty hiding something sinister from her. Is she a victim or a perpetrator. Is someone attempting to resurrect the program and create new victims. These questions drive the mystery forward, even when the execution does not fully deliver on its promise.
Overall, this is still an intriguing read, especially if you enjoy mysteries involving government conspiracies, secret parapsychology experiments, twisty storytelling, and themes of female empowerment. While it did not completely work for me, I am still giving it a solid three stars and remain eager to see what Sarah Pekkanen delivers next.
A very huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing one of the most anticipated thrillers of 2026 with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I don't usually gravitate towards thrillers, or historical fiction, and while this is both it also delves deep into psychology and the human brain, which is something I'm fascinated by.
It is told in multiple povs and two timelines, one is the present following a woman who's been hired as a caretaker for this old lady, and the other is the old woman's past, told in her pov but also her friends'. It is very compelling and I couldn't put the book down. It was mesmerizing while also being terrifying and cruel.
Both timelines were equally engaging, and that's something I don't see very often with this structure. I desperately wanted to know what happened to Betty and her friends but the mystery of current times was also keeping me on my toes.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, it had everything a mystery needs, including a guessable villain(which a did figure out pretty early on, but that's just how it usually goes lol). I would recommend it if you are interested in thrillers or just psychological experiments and what they do to people, it'll for sure make you think.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC.
It is told in multiple povs and two timelines, one is the present following a woman who's been hired as a caretaker for this old lady, and the other is the old woman's past, told in her pov but also her friends'. It is very compelling and I couldn't put the book down. It was mesmerizing while also being terrifying and cruel.
Both timelines were equally engaging, and that's something I don't see very often with this structure. I desperately wanted to know what happened to Betty and her friends but the mystery of current times was also keeping me on my toes.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, it had everything a mystery needs, including a guessable villain(which a did figure out pretty early on, but that's just how it usually goes lol). I would recommend it if you are interested in thrillers or just psychological experiments and what they do to people, it'll for sure make you think.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC.
Want to read
January 14, 2026I absolutely love Sarah Pekkanen's books, so you can only imagine how happy I was to get this ARC. Thank you so much, St. Martin's Press, for sending me this early.
Pub Date: Aug 04, 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤✨
Pub Date: Aug 04, 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤✨
January 11, 2026
As soon as I saw the email from St Martin’s Press that said I had been invited to read this title, I downloaded it and couldn’t wait to start reading. (Thank you, St Martin’s, for thinking of me!)
I love Sarah Pekkanen’s thrillers, so I didn’t even read the blurb; I went into the story completely blind.
At first, it didn’t seem like a thriller, but the tension kept ramping up and there were so many twists and turns to the plot that I couldn’t wait to see where the story would go. I literally could not turn the pages fast enough. I never intended to read the book in a single day, but I just had to know what would happen.
The present timeline had its own creepiness, but the past timeline was seriously creepy. I liked the four “women in white” as they are called in the story and the friendship that develops between them. I enjoyed the main character in the present as well. Usually when a story in told in dual timeline, I prefer one timeline over the other, but I enjoyed both here.
This was exciting and creepy and basically everything I want in a thriller. Just be warned - it is sad and depressing in spots. If you don’t mind that, this one is definitely worth the read. Highly recommend!
I love Sarah Pekkanen’s thrillers, so I didn’t even read the blurb; I went into the story completely blind.
At first, it didn’t seem like a thriller, but the tension kept ramping up and there were so many twists and turns to the plot that I couldn’t wait to see where the story would go. I literally could not turn the pages fast enough. I never intended to read the book in a single day, but I just had to know what would happen.
The present timeline had its own creepiness, but the past timeline was seriously creepy. I liked the four “women in white” as they are called in the story and the friendship that develops between them. I enjoyed the main character in the present as well. Usually when a story in told in dual timeline, I prefer one timeline over the other, but I enjoyed both here.
This was exciting and creepy and basically everything I want in a thriller. Just be warned - it is sad and depressing in spots. If you don’t mind that, this one is definitely worth the read. Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sarah Pekkenan meets historical fiction and it was pure magic.
The Women in White is fascinating and completely engrossing. It's dual timeline and multi POV was addictive and so propulsive. Every chapter end had me yearning for more, and I loved getting bounced back and forth between then and now.
The character development was superb, I will miss Betty immensely. She is so three dimensional, I cannot believe she isn't real.
There is a bit of a mystery/thriller aspect to this story, which I felt was a bit underdeveloped. If readers are after the thriller aspect, they may be disappointed, but I completely leaned into the historical fiction side, let it envelop me, and I enjoyed every moment.
To be honest, I've always been a skeptic of psychics, but Sarah may have just made a believer out of me with this heavily researched book.
The Women in White is fascinating and completely engrossing. It's dual timeline and multi POV was addictive and so propulsive. Every chapter end had me yearning for more, and I loved getting bounced back and forth between then and now.
The character development was superb, I will miss Betty immensely. She is so three dimensional, I cannot believe she isn't real.
There is a bit of a mystery/thriller aspect to this story, which I felt was a bit underdeveloped. If readers are after the thriller aspect, they may be disappointed, but I completely leaned into the historical fiction side, let it envelop me, and I enjoyed every moment.
To be honest, I've always been a skeptic of psychics, but Sarah may have just made a believer out of me with this heavily researched book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After reading this book, I can't help but wonder if NetGalley or someone is running an experiment to see how many people respond, read, and finish this excellent book in the 24 hour limit? Is it really a 24 hour limit? How many of us dropped everything and read it within the 24 hours and deeply enjoyed it? With my own background long ago in Psychology, I found this book extremely disturbing and riveting at the same time. Good job Sarah and thank you for a satisfying ending. I appreciate the research notes as well. Now the question is, do you believe in ESP? I do and encourage others to not ignore these nudges.
January 15, 2026
First, thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for inviting me to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I was honored and delighted to receive the email invitation as Sarah Pekkanen is an amazing thriller writer! And she maintains that reputation with this latest novel. I really enjoyed the two timelines of this story. The first, present day as the main character becomes caretaker to a lovely but reclusive elderly women. The second timeline is the mid 1960s world of the newly married coed/housewife which was depicted as if it were a movie with vivid descriptions of settings and colors, sounds, smells and tastes. The mystery thread connecting these two is innovative for the thriller genre. I have not seen this premise before which is so refreshing as when you read a lot, some books can feel the same. The other part I liked about it was the strong female friendships in both timelines. I always like a book in which the main characters grow from beginning to end and you have that here too. Minor quibble (although I am still rating it 5 stars) is that I had just figured out the twist at the reveal. But this story is so compelling and interesting, that I am letting that go as it did not spoil my enjoyment of this read. (I read this book in one day but it was invigorating and not exhausting.) Bottom line, another win for this author and when this book is released in August, I urge you to pick it up for a great thriller beach read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a story of four women with pyschic/ESP abilities and how a crazed doctor essentially used them to the point of torture for his research, findings and success.
This book has multiple points of view told in dual timelines. In the present, we follow Riley who has moved in with Betty to be her caretaker. In the past, we learn about Betty, Kathleen, Ivy and Helen. They have all been selected to work with Dr. Trimble at Marquis College in his psychology research.
It seems Betty is still living in the past. Her home is outdated, she has no television or internet. She didn't know about cell phones. Betty asks Riley to help her find her friends. Riley agrees but discovers so much more.
I loved this story. I know it is meant to be suspenseful/thrilling but it is also about friendship and being there for one another.
It is also crazy that there are so many references in the book to actual studies conducted by Duke.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book has multiple points of view told in dual timelines. In the present, we follow Riley who has moved in with Betty to be her caretaker. In the past, we learn about Betty, Kathleen, Ivy and Helen. They have all been selected to work with Dr. Trimble at Marquis College in his psychology research.
It seems Betty is still living in the past. Her home is outdated, she has no television or internet. She didn't know about cell phones. Betty asks Riley to help her find her friends. Riley agrees but discovers so much more.
I loved this story. I know it is meant to be suspenseful/thrilling but it is also about friendship and being there for one another.
It is also crazy that there are so many references in the book to actual studies conducted by Duke.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2026
I loved both The Locked Ward and House of Glass, so I was excited when I got the email that The Women in White had become available on NetGalley! This story has such a unique and interesting concept for a thriller novel. The chapters alternate between two timelines, present day and 1964. We follow Betty, a young woman being “tested” for her ESP abilities, in the past and Riley, who becomes a caretaker for Betty, in the present. The way the two timelines converge kept me turning the pages until I had the book finished in one day! If you enjoy a character driven plot with dual timelines that also has a historical aspect, then this one is for you. Sarah Pekkanen has written another outstanding novel! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing the advance copy for my honest review.
January 16, 2026
We’ve all had those moments - maybe it’s women’s intuition or a sense of Déjà vu. We make excuses for it or ignore it but what if someone became obsessed with it and couldn’t rest until they tested you and every potential ability you might have?
Only Sara Pekkanen can write a book that can be disturbingly creepy and heart felt at the same time. The setting of medical experimentation in the 60s, the story of four best friends with a gift, and the present day mystery all tie together in this must read bow. I truly loved these characters and can’t wait for more people to hear their story!
I loved everything about the book. The fact that it’s based on true events absolutely blew my mind. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Only Sara Pekkanen can write a book that can be disturbingly creepy and heart felt at the same time. The setting of medical experimentation in the 60s, the story of four best friends with a gift, and the present day mystery all tie together in this must read bow. I truly loved these characters and can’t wait for more people to hear their story!
I loved everything about the book. The fact that it’s based on true events absolutely blew my mind. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
January 10, 2026
This was such an interesting story. Four young women in the 60’s who each have some form of esp. They are tested beyond their ability by what can only be described as a sadistic scientist. What he puts these women through is beyond comprehension. It was heartbreaking to watch them endure these “tests”. Ultimately, I thought it was a sad story more than a mystery, but I was glued to the pages to find out what happened.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, Partner @stmartinspress and @netgalley for my gifted copy. Pub date 8/4/26.
Totally not what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed it. The short chapters and alternating timelines with multiple POVs had me turning the pages so fast. If you loved Lessons in Chemistry, with a bit of mystery, you will love this one!
Inspired by a real-life research conducted at Duke University's parapsychology laboratory. In 1962, four women were selected to participate in a clinical trial. The four women became best friends...until they weren't.
Current time: Riley Bell lands a caretaker job for Betty Sadler, a woman who is stuck in the year 1962. Betty asks Riley to help her find her three friends who participated in the clinical trial with her back in 1962. What Riley finds is astonishing.
Totally not what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed it. The short chapters and alternating timelines with multiple POVs had me turning the pages so fast. If you loved Lessons in Chemistry, with a bit of mystery, you will love this one!
Inspired by a real-life research conducted at Duke University's parapsychology laboratory. In 1962, four women were selected to participate in a clinical trial. The four women became best friends...until they weren't.
Current time: Riley Bell lands a caretaker job for Betty Sadler, a woman who is stuck in the year 1962. Betty asks Riley to help her find her three friends who participated in the clinical trial with her back in 1962. What Riley finds is astonishing.
January 13, 2026
Wow! My first 24 hour read in a while! First favorite of the year! I recommend reading the authors note before the story, it is pretty good. The author does a great job putting real quotes from news sources. This story follows a woman who becomes a caretaker for an elderly lady named Betty. The story goes back and forth between now and the 1960’s and I had a hard time picking my favorite time line. It goes into detail into some psychological experiments Betty endured with her friends in the 60’s and now she’s searching for answers. The real medical information was a great touch to the story and I looked forward to a new one every chapter. Overall, amazing read and I highly recommend!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank to to Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
This was a wonderful book. A young divorcée named Riley accepts a job as an live in Aid after her husband's lifestyle leaves her losing her house and in debt that she is being chased to pay off. Betty recently has lost her husband and her home is suspended in time, ; back to when Betty and 3 other women were recruited by her husbands employer for their ESP abilities and end up being a part of a study which starts out as extra money for them and ends up being much more than that. Betty has not left the house in decades and neighbors tell Riley that they are antisocial and never leave the house. This is a dual timeline/multiple POV story. When Betty asks Riley to help her find her friends from the Study RIley goes out to seek answers and learns the study might be continuing in present day time. Riley is determined to get the answers she for Betty.
This book kept me very engaged and the story is based on real life research that was once conducted at Duke's Parapsychology laboratory. Past meets present in this dual timeline thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end. I found myself to be both intrigued as well as moved by this story. I have been a huge fan of Pekannen's over the years and I was happy to have an ARC of this book. Once again the author hits it out of the park with this story. I highly recommend it.
This was a wonderful book. A young divorcée named Riley accepts a job as an live in Aid after her husband's lifestyle leaves her losing her house and in debt that she is being chased to pay off. Betty recently has lost her husband and her home is suspended in time, ; back to when Betty and 3 other women were recruited by her husbands employer for their ESP abilities and end up being a part of a study which starts out as extra money for them and ends up being much more than that. Betty has not left the house in decades and neighbors tell Riley that they are antisocial and never leave the house. This is a dual timeline/multiple POV story. When Betty asks Riley to help her find her friends from the Study RIley goes out to seek answers and learns the study might be continuing in present day time. Riley is determined to get the answers she for Betty.
This book kept me very engaged and the story is based on real life research that was once conducted at Duke's Parapsychology laboratory. Past meets present in this dual timeline thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end. I found myself to be both intrigued as well as moved by this story. I have been a huge fan of Pekannen's over the years and I was happy to have an ARC of this book. Once again the author hits it out of the park with this story. I highly recommend it.
January 20, 2026
As soon as I saw that Pekkanen’s upcoming novel was available on NetGalley, I requested it immediately. I’m a longtime fan of this author and have thoroughly enjoyed all of her solo novels, as well as her co-authored books with Greer Hendricks.
This story started off incredibly strong—I was hooked right away by the intriguing premise. Betty was such a compelling character to follow, and the multiple timeline POVs were fascinating and well executed. The parapsychology angle completely drew me in, and the writing felt powerful and immersive throughout.
That said, the twist didn’t fully land for me. Given how strong the buildup was, I was expecting something bigger, and the ending felt slightly rushed in comparison to the rest of the novel.
Overall, this was a fun, unique, and engaging read, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to experience it early. Thank you so much NetGalley & the publishers for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This story started off incredibly strong—I was hooked right away by the intriguing premise. Betty was such a compelling character to follow, and the multiple timeline POVs were fascinating and well executed. The parapsychology angle completely drew me in, and the writing felt powerful and immersive throughout.
That said, the twist didn’t fully land for me. Given how strong the buildup was, I was expecting something bigger, and the ending felt slightly rushed in comparison to the rest of the novel.
Overall, this was a fun, unique, and engaging read, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to experience it early. Thank you so much NetGalley & the publishers for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
January 11, 2026Excited to Get a Copy of The Women in White
by Sarah Pekkanen. Publishing in August 2026.
Has a dual time-line, and some is based on actual research done at Duke University, so believe this is set in North Carolina where I now live.
Hope it’s a good one.
by Sarah Pekkanen. Publishing in August 2026.Has a dual time-line, and some is based on actual research done at Duke University, so believe this is set in North Carolina where I now live.
Hope it’s a good one.
January 14, 2026
4.5 rounded up. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this upcoming thriller! I really liked this one....as I do most from this author. The psychological aspects of the book were quite interesting and I really enjoyed all the points of view in the book. There were few things I would have liked fleshed out a tiny bit more but overall it kept me trying the pages quickly! I wish I knew that there was an appendix at the end that gave more detail into all the blurbs at the beginning of the chapters. It added to some of the information that I felt was missing when I read the book. It would have been helpful if here was a note to see the appendix or something as reading the ebook I had no idea it existed till the end and it was too late.
January 19, 2026
I don’t really have a lot to say about this one.
The plot, (surrounding college students with extrasensory powers, being experimented on by an overzealous professor) I found refreshingly original for this genre. The characters were adequately fleshed out and I really enjoyed the way Pekkanen wrapped things up in the finale.
All in all, a solid, readable genre novel that gives some interesting insights and history behind an elusive subject.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The plot, (surrounding college students with extrasensory powers, being experimented on by an overzealous professor) I found refreshingly original for this genre. The characters were adequately fleshed out and I really enjoyed the way Pekkanen wrapped things up in the finale.
All in all, a solid, readable genre novel that gives some interesting insights and history behind an elusive subject.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I managed to read an ARC of this book and am so glad I did. I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book, but I read it in one day and could not put it down. The story touched on experiments I didn't know existed while also tying it all into a thriller.
I enjoyed the dual timeline, while also enjoying the shorter chapters. This was my first book by Sarah Pekkanen and I'm excited to read more of her books.
I enjoyed the dual timeline, while also enjoying the shorter chapters. This was my first book by Sarah Pekkanen and I'm excited to read more of her books.
January 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for my first “read now’ book. I really enjoyed this book. I have read several of Sarah Pekkanen’s books, but this one may be my favorite. I loved the unique storyline of psychological experiments as well as the strong bond portrayed between the women. The historical quotes at the beginning of each chapter were very interesting and made me want to read more about this subject. This is a must read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“The Women in White” is a historical fiction (kinda) by Sarah Pekkanen. This book is a dual timeline one, where Betty is characters in both of them. The present timeline follows Riley, a caretaker, helping Betty, a housebound senior, find her college friends. The past timeline, based mainly in 1964, follows Betty and her friends Ivy, Katherine, and Helen. All four women volunteered to be part of their college’s psychology department and after the experiments ended, they drifted apart. I’m going to leave the plot summary there, but I’d forgotten that for a while the US was really into studying the powers of ESP - how did it work, were there limits, what were the gifts, could they be manipulated by the government (CIA) and all that. Throughout the book, Ms. Pekkanen uses quotes from newspapers, essays, and interviews to show the reader that the doctor in charge of the study wasn’t alone in his mania to study ESP. For me, the best part of the book was the 1964 timeline - the bond of the women from different backgrounds, how they grew dependent upon each other, and how things changed thanks to the manipulations of the doctor in charge. I found myself becoming angry as the book progressed due to the utter “people aren’t people, they’re lab rats for me to experiment upon” attitude of the person in charge of the study. Is there a lot of depth to the characters - not really, but it’s okay for this book as what happens to the women and their bond is what really carries the book. The only reason I didn’t like the modern storyline is that it felt like Riley’s past was dwelt on so much at the beginning that I kept waiting for it to reconnect in the modern storyline - and the amount that it did was so minor, it felt like too much explanation that didn’t manifest. It could just be me - because I did like some of the modern characters Riley interacted with, though the final climatic moment felt a bit over the top (but I was reading this late at night). Overall, I would strongly recommend this book - it was well done, kept me engaged, and it makes one think about morals and what people will do when manic about something, but also how fragile the human psyche really is at times. Do I believe in ESP? This book didn’t change my opinion, I must admit - but it was a fascinating read. 4.5 stars overall, rounded up to 5 because there are few books I read in one day.
“The Women in White” is a historical fiction (kinda) by Sarah Pekkanen. This book is a dual timeline one, where Betty is characters in both of them. The present timeline follows Riley, a caretaker, helping Betty, a housebound senior, find her college friends. The past timeline, based mainly in 1964, follows Betty and her friends Ivy, Katherine, and Helen. All four women volunteered to be part of their college’s psychology department and after the experiments ended, they drifted apart. I’m going to leave the plot summary there, but I’d forgotten that for a while the US was really into studying the powers of ESP - how did it work, were there limits, what were the gifts, could they be manipulated by the government (CIA) and all that. Throughout the book, Ms. Pekkanen uses quotes from newspapers, essays, and interviews to show the reader that the doctor in charge of the study wasn’t alone in his mania to study ESP. For me, the best part of the book was the 1964 timeline - the bond of the women from different backgrounds, how they grew dependent upon each other, and how things changed thanks to the manipulations of the doctor in charge. I found myself becoming angry as the book progressed due to the utter “people aren’t people, they’re lab rats for me to experiment upon” attitude of the person in charge of the study. Is there a lot of depth to the characters - not really, but it’s okay for this book as what happens to the women and their bond is what really carries the book. The only reason I didn’t like the modern storyline is that it felt like Riley’s past was dwelt on so much at the beginning that I kept waiting for it to reconnect in the modern storyline - and the amount that it did was so minor, it felt like too much explanation that didn’t manifest. It could just be me - because I did like some of the modern characters Riley interacted with, though the final climatic moment felt a bit over the top (but I was reading this late at night). Overall, I would strongly recommend this book - it was well done, kept me engaged, and it makes one think about morals and what people will do when manic about something, but also how fragile the human psyche really is at times. Do I believe in ESP? This book didn’t change my opinion, I must admit - but it was a fascinating read. 4.5 stars overall, rounded up to 5 because there are few books I read in one day.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐ 4 ⭐
What made this book so chilling to me is the fact that people really have been used as medical lab rats both unbeknownst to them—and against their will. And that it’s probably still going on, particularly in congregant populations (prisons, nursing homes, military bases) and on the homeless.
And the parts of this book about the stuff from the 1960s was great, unlike the kinda unbelievable modern-day main storyline. Which is why I’m willing to round up to 4 stars.
Oh, and FTR, the other reason I really enjoyed/appreciated this book is because I’ve always had a little bit of second sight about me. The weirdest single thing ever (that I feel like I can share with the world at large) is the time I woke up early one morning and turned over to my husband and said, “I dreamed that Robert Goulet died.”
Him: “The Planters Peanuts guy?”
Me: “Yeah, him.”
Him: “Weird.”
Me: “Yeah.”
Later that day I was at work and found out that Goulet, a Canadian-American singer/entertainer who in fact appeared in advertisements for Emerald Nuts (not Planters) had died that morning.
Nope, not kin to him that I know of. And not a big fan. All I can figure is that somehow he was lodged in my brain from the innumerable times I listened to the classic cast soundtrack of the original 1960 Broadway production Camelot (he was Lancelot).
Anywhoodles…..this is the second book by Sarah Perkannen I’ve read, and so far I’m a fan.
DESCRIPTION
Extrasensory perception.
The Gift.
A Sixth Sense.
Or something else….
In 1964, four remarkable young women at a prestigious university became the subjects of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist. On the cusp of a historic breakthrough, the women mysteriously vanished and the program was erased from history. Decades later, Riley Bell, newly divorced and desperate for a fresh start, accepts a caretaker job for an elderly widow named Betty. Riley steps into a home that is frozen in another era - no microwave, television, or cell phones, and Betty has never heard of the internet. Why has Betty lived in such profound isolation for so many years, and why does she need Riley now? As the story unfolds across two timelines - Betty’s 1960s era of 5 o’clock martinis and high-stakes experiments, and Riley’s quest to uncover the truth about the missing women - old secrets rise to the surface. And the only way to survive is to confront the mystery that has lingered for sixty years.
What made this book so chilling to me is the fact that people really have been used as medical lab rats both unbeknownst to them—and against their will. And that it’s probably still going on, particularly in congregant populations (prisons, nursing homes, military bases) and on the homeless.
And the parts of this book about the stuff from the 1960s was great, unlike the kinda unbelievable modern-day main storyline. Which is why I’m willing to round up to 4 stars.
Oh, and FTR, the other reason I really enjoyed/appreciated this book is because I’ve always had a little bit of second sight about me. The weirdest single thing ever (that I feel like I can share with the world at large) is the time I woke up early one morning and turned over to my husband and said, “I dreamed that Robert Goulet died.”
Him: “The Planters Peanuts guy?”
Me: “Yeah, him.”
Him: “Weird.”
Me: “Yeah.”
Later that day I was at work and found out that Goulet, a Canadian-American singer/entertainer who in fact appeared in advertisements for Emerald Nuts (not Planters) had died that morning.
Nope, not kin to him that I know of. And not a big fan. All I can figure is that somehow he was lodged in my brain from the innumerable times I listened to the classic cast soundtrack of the original 1960 Broadway production Camelot (he was Lancelot).
Anywhoodles…..this is the second book by Sarah Perkannen I’ve read, and so far I’m a fan.
DESCRIPTION
Extrasensory perception.
The Gift.
A Sixth Sense.
Or something else….
In 1964, four remarkable young women at a prestigious university became the subjects of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist. On the cusp of a historic breakthrough, the women mysteriously vanished and the program was erased from history. Decades later, Riley Bell, newly divorced and desperate for a fresh start, accepts a caretaker job for an elderly widow named Betty. Riley steps into a home that is frozen in another era - no microwave, television, or cell phones, and Betty has never heard of the internet. Why has Betty lived in such profound isolation for so many years, and why does she need Riley now? As the story unfolds across two timelines - Betty’s 1960s era of 5 o’clock martinis and high-stakes experiments, and Riley’s quest to uncover the truth about the missing women - old secrets rise to the surface. And the only way to survive is to confront the mystery that has lingered for sixty years.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Review
The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: August 4, 2026
Women in White is a gripping, character-driven thriller that blends psychological suspense, historical intrigue, and emotional depth with remarkable ease.
Riley Bell is at rock bottom — homeless, buried in debt, and fleeing the fallout of a dangerous marriage — when she lands what feels like a miracle: a live-in caretaker job for Betty Sadler, a reclusive woman in her eighties. Betty’s home is frozen in time, untouched by modern technology, and she has lived in near-total isolation for decades. What begins as a lifeline for Riley quickly becomes something far more unsettling when she learns that Betty was once a subject in a Duke University parapsychology experiment in the 1960s.
The novel unfolds across dual timelines, alternating between Riley’s present-day investigation and Betty’s past as one of four young women with extraordinary psychic abilities — telepathy, precognition, and clairvoyance — exploited by a brilliant but obsessive scientist. As Riley digs deeper, names vanish from records, secrets surface, and it becomes chillingly clear that the past may not be as buried as it seems.
The pacing is relentless, and the convergence of timelines kept me turning pages until I finished the book. Unusually for a dual-timeline novel, both storylines are equally compelling. The 1960s chapters are especially haunting, detailing the psychological and physical toll of the experiments, made even more disturbing by the inclusion of real historical quotes and medical context.
Despite its dark subject matter, this story has a surprising amount of heart. At its core, it’s about friendship, survival, and the enduring bonds formed under unimaginable circumstances. The female characters are richly drawn and memorable, and while the thriller elements arrive later in the book, the payoff is worth the wait — the twist genuinely caught me off guard.
Women in White is a fast-paced, unsettling, and emotionally resonant thriller with a unique premise and strong execution. If you enjoy dual timelines, psychological suspense, and stories rooted in real historical curiosities, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
One of my favorite reads so far this year!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.
The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: August 4, 2026
Women in White is a gripping, character-driven thriller that blends psychological suspense, historical intrigue, and emotional depth with remarkable ease.
Riley Bell is at rock bottom — homeless, buried in debt, and fleeing the fallout of a dangerous marriage — when she lands what feels like a miracle: a live-in caretaker job for Betty Sadler, a reclusive woman in her eighties. Betty’s home is frozen in time, untouched by modern technology, and she has lived in near-total isolation for decades. What begins as a lifeline for Riley quickly becomes something far more unsettling when she learns that Betty was once a subject in a Duke University parapsychology experiment in the 1960s.
The novel unfolds across dual timelines, alternating between Riley’s present-day investigation and Betty’s past as one of four young women with extraordinary psychic abilities — telepathy, precognition, and clairvoyance — exploited by a brilliant but obsessive scientist. As Riley digs deeper, names vanish from records, secrets surface, and it becomes chillingly clear that the past may not be as buried as it seems.
The pacing is relentless, and the convergence of timelines kept me turning pages until I finished the book. Unusually for a dual-timeline novel, both storylines are equally compelling. The 1960s chapters are especially haunting, detailing the psychological and physical toll of the experiments, made even more disturbing by the inclusion of real historical quotes and medical context.
Despite its dark subject matter, this story has a surprising amount of heart. At its core, it’s about friendship, survival, and the enduring bonds formed under unimaginable circumstances. The female characters are richly drawn and memorable, and while the thriller elements arrive later in the book, the payoff is worth the wait — the twist genuinely caught me off guard.
Women in White is a fast-paced, unsettling, and emotionally resonant thriller with a unique premise and strong execution. If you enjoy dual timelines, psychological suspense, and stories rooted in real historical curiosities, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
One of my favorite reads so far this year!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Riley Bell is newly divorced from her gambling addict husband and has lost all her possessions except her car and what she could fit into it. She applies for a live-in caretaking job for a woman named Betty, who seems straight out of another era. She’s surprised when she’s offered the job but jumps at the opportunity, even though it soon becomes clear that Betty doesn’t need nearly as much assistance as advertised. Riley becomes more like a companion and confident, learning about Betty’s collegiate life in 1964. But it’s not pure nostalgia, it’s more like reliving trauma.
In an alternating narrative and timeframe, we learn about Betty in 1964, who was chosen to participate in parapsychology experiments with three other women. Her participation was not voluntary; she was just expected to agree. This was the time of women obeying their husbands and any man in authority, and there are hilarious inclusions from magazine articles of the time and their instructions on how to be a good wife. Sadly, Betty follows these religiously, as do the other women – they aspire to nothing more than having a family. You’d think that because these ladies are in college, they’d aspire to more.
The experiments slowly suck any excitement and vitality out of the women, the worst being Ivy, who is very pregnant but expected to participate fully. It’s frustrating at times, you want to shout at these women to stand up for themselves – to the man in charge, and to their husbands, who are almost as bad. Kathleen is the one woman whose relationship borders on almost-equality with her husband, so there’s that.
Riley helps Betty with lingering questions and unresolved issues from that time, especially as it appears the past is repeating itself in horrific ways. But for some reason, the story never reveals just how the experiments were stopped. Did the college not know the true extent of the experiments, and someone talked? Who? Why did the school suddenly decide to stop supporting the professor’s work? It’s never explained, and that’s one of the main questions I was waiting for an answer to. I just don’t understand why it was glossed over. It was otherwise an amazing book that makes me glad I live when I do.
My thanks to NetGalley and S. Martin’s Press for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
In an alternating narrative and timeframe, we learn about Betty in 1964, who was chosen to participate in parapsychology experiments with three other women. Her participation was not voluntary; she was just expected to agree. This was the time of women obeying their husbands and any man in authority, and there are hilarious inclusions from magazine articles of the time and their instructions on how to be a good wife. Sadly, Betty follows these religiously, as do the other women – they aspire to nothing more than having a family. You’d think that because these ladies are in college, they’d aspire to more.
The experiments slowly suck any excitement and vitality out of the women, the worst being Ivy, who is very pregnant but expected to participate fully. It’s frustrating at times, you want to shout at these women to stand up for themselves – to the man in charge, and to their husbands, who are almost as bad. Kathleen is the one woman whose relationship borders on almost-equality with her husband, so there’s that.
Riley helps Betty with lingering questions and unresolved issues from that time, especially as it appears the past is repeating itself in horrific ways. But for some reason, the story never reveals just how the experiments were stopped. Did the college not know the true extent of the experiments, and someone talked? Who? Why did the school suddenly decide to stop supporting the professor’s work? It’s never explained, and that’s one of the main questions I was waiting for an answer to. I just don’t understand why it was glossed over. It was otherwise an amazing book that makes me glad I live when I do.
My thanks to NetGalley and S. Martin’s Press for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is my first book of the year, and I’m very happy with how I kicked off my reading! “Women in White” by Sarah Pekkanen had me glued to my e-reader, and I finished it in just two sittings. I was completely enthralled by Betty’s story as it unfolded through Riley’s present-day investigation and through the perspectives of Betty herself and her friends in 1964. From the description, we know that Betty—the elderly woman who hires Riley as her caretaker—was part of mysterious experiments in the 1960s. However, the true nature of those experiments was far more disturbing than I expected, and I felt genuinely horrified for the young women who were subjected to them.
As dark as this book gets at times, it also has a lot of heart. I loved that it wasn’t just a story about horrifying crimes, but also one centered on love and friendship. The bond these girls formed in 1964 was truly special, and beyond the mystery, I really enjoyed learning about their lives and the experiences that shaped them. While the book features a strong cast of female characters, it did feel like there wasn’t a single truly decent man across the decades the story spans. I understand that some of this is rooted in the “it was a different time” mindset—but still. On that note, the divorce backstory for the main character, Riley, was the only element that left me feeling a bit lukewarm. While it prevented Riley from feeling flat or personality-less, there were several moments where I wanted to shake her and tell her that more important things than her ex-husband should be occupying her thoughts right now. That said, it ultimately served as a solid arc for Riley’s internal struggle throughout the novel.
Overall, I’d say Women in White was a great, fast-paced thriller and a strong way to start the year. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the dual timeline—usually one timeline ends up being more compelling than the other, but here I was equally invested in both and loved seeing how they came together. This book left me with warm feelings about friendship and self-discovery, while also deeply unsettled by the knowledge that it was inspired by real-life research conducted in the past.
5/5—highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
As dark as this book gets at times, it also has a lot of heart. I loved that it wasn’t just a story about horrifying crimes, but also one centered on love and friendship. The bond these girls formed in 1964 was truly special, and beyond the mystery, I really enjoyed learning about their lives and the experiences that shaped them. While the book features a strong cast of female characters, it did feel like there wasn’t a single truly decent man across the decades the story spans. I understand that some of this is rooted in the “it was a different time” mindset—but still. On that note, the divorce backstory for the main character, Riley, was the only element that left me feeling a bit lukewarm. While it prevented Riley from feeling flat or personality-less, there were several moments where I wanted to shake her and tell her that more important things than her ex-husband should be occupying her thoughts right now. That said, it ultimately served as a solid arc for Riley’s internal struggle throughout the novel.
Overall, I’d say Women in White was a great, fast-paced thriller and a strong way to start the year. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the dual timeline—usually one timeline ends up being more compelling than the other, but here I was equally invested in both and loved seeing how they came together. This book left me with warm feelings about friendship and self-discovery, while also deeply unsettled by the knowledge that it was inspired by real-life research conducted in the past.
5/5—highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“The Women In White by Sarah Pekkanen” introduces us to the study of Parapsychology, which is the study of mental phenomena such as telepathy, clairvoyance, etc. It is based upon real-life research that was once conducted at Duke University (as well as many other places) and highlights the often-times unethical behavior of scientists in the 1960’s.
Both our main characters, Riley and Betty, are at pivotal times in their lives; Riley having just gone through a painful divorce and Betty having just lost her husband. When their paths cross, they embark on a suspenseful journey into Betty’s past and her devastating experience with Parapsychology trials. We see how unethical actions during these trials deeply affected Betty’s relationships and life path, as well as how the studies continue to cause havoc in current times. At the beginning of many of the chapters, the author includes true facts and historical events, which I believe continuously brings the reader back to remembering these unethical treatments were a reality.
Sarah Pekkanen does a wonderful job in creating a character base, not only of Riley and Betty, but of the people in Betty’s past. Each of Betty’s friends, and fellow women who were experimented upon, play a pivotal role in the suspense created within the story.
One of my favorite pieces of the book was how the author takes us back to the 1960’s with images that make you feel the essence of the era from a woman’s perspective. It is an effectively subtle mockery of the sometimes outlandish ways women were treated and viewed during that era.
I feel as though Riley’s character and situation falls a little flat in the end, but don’t feel as though it affects the quality of the main story or the book in general.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. I believe it would be a great book for book clubs as it includes a little suspense as well as historical fiction. It flows well and keeps the reader wanting more.
Both our main characters, Riley and Betty, are at pivotal times in their lives; Riley having just gone through a painful divorce and Betty having just lost her husband. When their paths cross, they embark on a suspenseful journey into Betty’s past and her devastating experience with Parapsychology trials. We see how unethical actions during these trials deeply affected Betty’s relationships and life path, as well as how the studies continue to cause havoc in current times. At the beginning of many of the chapters, the author includes true facts and historical events, which I believe continuously brings the reader back to remembering these unethical treatments were a reality.
Sarah Pekkanen does a wonderful job in creating a character base, not only of Riley and Betty, but of the people in Betty’s past. Each of Betty’s friends, and fellow women who were experimented upon, play a pivotal role in the suspense created within the story.
One of my favorite pieces of the book was how the author takes us back to the 1960’s with images that make you feel the essence of the era from a woman’s perspective. It is an effectively subtle mockery of the sometimes outlandish ways women were treated and viewed during that era.
I feel as though Riley’s character and situation falls a little flat in the end, but don’t feel as though it affects the quality of the main story or the book in general.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. I believe it would be a great book for book clubs as it includes a little suspense as well as historical fiction. It flows well and keeps the reader wanting more.
January 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I was SO excited for the opportunity to review The Women in White! Sarah Pekkanen is one of my all time favorites and this book didn’t disappoint.
After her life gets upended, Riley becomes a live-in caretaker for Betty. Betty does not seem to need much in the way of physical care, but overcome with loneliness after her husband died, she sends Riley to find her three college best friends who disappeared decades ago. The four women had participated in psychology experiments in the 1960’s which seem liked to their demise.
The dual-timeline, multiple POV structure in this book was very engaging. Not only that, but the short chapters kept the plot coming at rapid fire. It is rare that a story told in multiple timelines is equally interesting in the past and present, but I found myself racing back and forth to find out what happens to everyone.
I really appreciated the amount of research that Pekkanen put into this book. Many of the chapters begin with quotes from real primary sources about psychical resources, including egregious acts that really occurred. They were well thought out and often gave some foreshadowing.
I will say that this is a story you will have to suspend your disbelief for. The women participate in psychical experiments (telepathy, predicting events, etc.) and are purported to have psychic gifts. I found this to be quite interesting but I do understand it won’t be for everyone.
There were a couple of small details that I hope get ironed out before publication. For example, sometimes there is no phone service around Betty’s house, and other times Riley receives calls and texts. These are ultimately small things, and with 7 months until publication, there is plenty of time to fix them.
Overall, I could not put this book down! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for the opportunity.
I was SO excited for the opportunity to review The Women in White! Sarah Pekkanen is one of my all time favorites and this book didn’t disappoint.
After her life gets upended, Riley becomes a live-in caretaker for Betty. Betty does not seem to need much in the way of physical care, but overcome with loneliness after her husband died, she sends Riley to find her three college best friends who disappeared decades ago. The four women had participated in psychology experiments in the 1960’s which seem liked to their demise.
The dual-timeline, multiple POV structure in this book was very engaging. Not only that, but the short chapters kept the plot coming at rapid fire. It is rare that a story told in multiple timelines is equally interesting in the past and present, but I found myself racing back and forth to find out what happens to everyone.
I really appreciated the amount of research that Pekkanen put into this book. Many of the chapters begin with quotes from real primary sources about psychical resources, including egregious acts that really occurred. They were well thought out and often gave some foreshadowing.
I will say that this is a story you will have to suspend your disbelief for. The women participate in psychical experiments (telepathy, predicting events, etc.) and are purported to have psychic gifts. I found this to be quite interesting but I do understand it won’t be for everyone.
There were a couple of small details that I hope get ironed out before publication. For example, sometimes there is no phone service around Betty’s house, and other times Riley receives calls and texts. These are ultimately small things, and with 7 months until publication, there is plenty of time to fix them.
Overall, I could not put this book down! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for the opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In the early 1960s, extrasensory perception (ESP) became a popular topic in psychology. Universities paid students to test them for this ability. The University of Marquis, a fictional school, studies all aspects of ESP. The head of the Psychology department tests four women volunteers. Three of the women are skilled in one aspect of ESP, and one woman is equally strong in all aspects. These women have experienced unusual occurrences in their past, dismissed by their parents as nonsense. Testing becomes more rigorous with the women staying at the college overnight. The program director manipulates these women into submission.
Present day, a homeless health aide, Riley, interviews for a live-in position with an elderly lady. She is immediately hired and settles into her new location. Riley's patient, Betty, is confined to a wheelchair but capable of managing her home. Riley and Betty get to know each other. Betty's home lacks a television and the internet. Betty sends Riley to discover the location of three friends she lost track of in the 1960's. Riley believes it will be a simple task. The three women prove to be difficult to locate. Stirring up the past ignites interest in ESP. Riley will discover Betty's deepest secrets as she searches for lost friends.
Sarah Pekkanen's newest book is another amazing story about women. The bonds of friendship and sisterhood are tested by an uncontrolled academic seeking notoriety. I read this compelling story in one day since I needed to know the outcome! Uncovering the breadth of the story becomes an obsession. Thriller fans will dive into this addictive new book, turning pages rapidly. I am grateful to St. Martin's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book. Read it!
Present day, a homeless health aide, Riley, interviews for a live-in position with an elderly lady. She is immediately hired and settles into her new location. Riley's patient, Betty, is confined to a wheelchair but capable of managing her home. Riley and Betty get to know each other. Betty's home lacks a television and the internet. Betty sends Riley to discover the location of three friends she lost track of in the 1960's. Riley believes it will be a simple task. The three women prove to be difficult to locate. Stirring up the past ignites interest in ESP. Riley will discover Betty's deepest secrets as she searches for lost friends.
Sarah Pekkanen's newest book is another amazing story about women. The bonds of friendship and sisterhood are tested by an uncontrolled academic seeking notoriety. I read this compelling story in one day since I needed to know the outcome! Uncovering the breadth of the story becomes an obsession. Thriller fans will dive into this addictive new book, turning pages rapidly. I am grateful to St. Martin's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book. Read it!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
👀 🚨 ARC BOOK REVIEW 🚨 👀
PUB DATE- Aug 4th 2026
My Rating : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 5 Extrasensory Stars !!
Wow 😮 now that was a refreshing and unique read that will definitely sit with me for awhile !!
Listen up Pekkanen fans I’m warning you now , this is NOTHING like she’s written in the past so please put all your expectations aside because it won’t land the way you’d typically expect .
This is far more interesting, informative, with a historical twist that had me so compelled!
Imagine being part of an experiment in the 60’s and being hidden secretly and tormented for hours upon hours and days turn into weeks which turn into months , …only to have that history erased as if these 4 remarkable women never existed 😱
The story The Women in White is told through multiple POV’s and dual timelines that was done so well .
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a novel that embraced so many different elements, such as historical fiction thriller blended with mystery, loveable characters, suspense, secrets, informative and smart FMC’s .
This was such a gripping read and I was so invested in Betty’s past . Where as a young women herself and three other women were part of the Ganzfeld experiment because of their special gift …a sixth sense or is it something deeper ?
Pekkanen took an extraordinary storyline and put to paper a one of kind page turner , and to say I was obsessed is an understatement!!
That’s all I’m going to give you !! So read this if you like :
🧬 Historical Fiction
🧬 Dual Timeline
🧬 Multiple POV
🧬 Women that will pull at your heartstrings
🧬 Mystery
🧬 Surprise 😳 Twist !!
🧬 Suspenseful
🧬 Secrets
🧬 Educational!!
Thank you @netgalley , @stmartinspress & @sarahpekkanen for this Alluring ARC !!🖤
PUB DATE- Aug 4th 2026
My Rating : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 5 Extrasensory Stars !!
Wow 😮 now that was a refreshing and unique read that will definitely sit with me for awhile !!
Listen up Pekkanen fans I’m warning you now , this is NOTHING like she’s written in the past so please put all your expectations aside because it won’t land the way you’d typically expect .
This is far more interesting, informative, with a historical twist that had me so compelled!
Imagine being part of an experiment in the 60’s and being hidden secretly and tormented for hours upon hours and days turn into weeks which turn into months , …only to have that history erased as if these 4 remarkable women never existed 😱
The story The Women in White is told through multiple POV’s and dual timelines that was done so well .
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a novel that embraced so many different elements, such as historical fiction thriller blended with mystery, loveable characters, suspense, secrets, informative and smart FMC’s .
This was such a gripping read and I was so invested in Betty’s past . Where as a young women herself and three other women were part of the Ganzfeld experiment because of their special gift …a sixth sense or is it something deeper ?
Pekkanen took an extraordinary storyline and put to paper a one of kind page turner , and to say I was obsessed is an understatement!!
That’s all I’m going to give you !! So read this if you like :
🧬 Historical Fiction
🧬 Dual Timeline
🧬 Multiple POV
🧬 Women that will pull at your heartstrings
🧬 Mystery
🧬 Surprise 😳 Twist !!
🧬 Suspenseful
🧬 Secrets
🧬 Educational!!
Thank you @netgalley , @stmartinspress & @sarahpekkanen for this Alluring ARC !!🖤
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was a very interesting read about the parapsychology experiments being performed at several universities. Although this book is fictional, the author gleaned information from ongoing actual experiments to put together a story. The doctor conducting the research, Silas Trimble, was the director of the Trimble Institute, an offshoot of Marquis University in Virginia. There were four young women involved in his experiment, three of whom were married. Betty, Kathleen, and Ivy were married and Helen was single. These women were selected for the study because of their excellent clairvoyant abilities.
The book bounced from the 1960s when the research took place, to the present day. The story was also told from several points of view as well. The story opens with Riley, a young, divorced woman who answers an advertisement for a job taking care of an elderly widow and is hired on the spot. The elderly widow is one of the young women who participated in the research done in the 1960s. The young women had harrowing tales to tell about the way they were mistreated during the experiments especially the Gansfeld Test. They participated for two weeks, all day every day, and some overnights. Irreparable damage was done to these women because of their participation.
The author paced the book well, and her descriptions of the treatment that the women received was graphic. Her character development was outstanding, and I found myself liking the characters for their vulnerability and kindness to each other. I would highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with early access to this book.
The book bounced from the 1960s when the research took place, to the present day. The story was also told from several points of view as well. The story opens with Riley, a young, divorced woman who answers an advertisement for a job taking care of an elderly widow and is hired on the spot. The elderly widow is one of the young women who participated in the research done in the 1960s. The young women had harrowing tales to tell about the way they were mistreated during the experiments especially the Gansfeld Test. They participated for two weeks, all day every day, and some overnights. Irreparable damage was done to these women because of their participation.
The author paced the book well, and her descriptions of the treatment that the women received was graphic. Her character development was outstanding, and I found myself liking the characters for their vulnerability and kindness to each other. I would highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with early access to this book.
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