Marion

by Leah Rowan

A twist on Hitchcock’s iconic classic Psycho —where the leading lady doesn't die, but instead turns the knife on Norm, kicking off a crime spree that turns the silver screen victim into a heroine for our times.

NORMAN WAS HER FIRST.

Marion is in deep. She's stolen money from the Manhattan ad agency where she works in a desperate bid to help her sister escape an abusive marriage, but the bus breaks down before she can make it to Saratoga Springs. It's late at night, and the only place with vacancies is an old set of cabins on the outskirts of town. She pays for a room in cash, and ends up chatting with Norm, the young innkeeper who's handsome, charming and a touch hung-up on his elderly mother. Back in her room, she steps into the shower, scrubbing off the late-summer heat, when the curtain is pulled back...

Norm Billings is there with a knife. He raises his arm to strike, but before he does, Marion knees him in the balls, grabs the knife, and stabs the life out of him. Now, she's covered in blood, and she's a woman on the run—not just a thief, but a killer, too. Where will she go? How will she save both herself and her sister? And what mysteries will she uncover as she does?

In Psycho, Hitchcock shocked audiences when he killed off his protagonist. But what if the leading lady had fought back? Marion offers an alternate history of the most famous dead blonde to ever grace the silver screen. Only this time, the knife is in her hands—and she's no victim.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Retellings, Mystery, Crime, Mystery Thriller

336 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 2, 2026

About the author

Leah Rowan is an author living in Brooklyn and the Catskills. Marion is her forthcoming thriller.

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolutely irresistible premise: What if Marion Crane never became the “dead blonde” of cinema history? What if she stepped out of that shower with her own story—and her own knife?

Leah Rowan takes one of the most iconic horror moments of all time and boldly rewrites its DNA. Instead of becoming Norman Bates’ victim, Marion becomes the woman who stops him—and that single moment reroutes her life into a dark, gritty, strangely empowering odyssey.

From the very first chapter, the book grabbed me by the collar. The opening sequence is clever, cinematic, and immediately sets the tone for a story that blends pulp energy with a sharp emotional spine. But what impressed me most wasn’t just the reimagined violence—it was the heart behind Marion’s choices. She isn’t running because of greed or panic; she’s acting out of ferocious loyalty to her sister, Lauren, who’s trapped in a suffocating, psychologically bruising marriage.

Their bond is the pulse of this novel, grounding the twists with genuine emotional stakes. I loved the way Rowan captures the unspoken language between sisters—the guilt, the longing, the tiny protective lies, the fierce devotion. In many ways, the book becomes a meditation on what women endure behind closed doors, and who gets believed when they finally say “enough.”

As Marion steps into her new role—something between lost soul, vigilante, and accidental antiheroine—I couldn’t help imagining the alternate universe you described: a world where Marion becomes a blade-sharp avenger who refuses to let predators keep winning. The novel absolutely flirts with that fantasy, especially in its best moments, when Marion’s terror snaps into furious clarity.

While the first half is incredibly tight, the middle stretch does lose a little momentum. A few conversations felt like they were reaching for emotional weight they didn’t quite land, and the pacing wobbled as the plot expanded beyond its original focus. But as a debut? It’s fresh, daring, and immensely promising. Rowan clearly has a vision, and she isn’t afraid to play with legacy, archetype, or genre expectations.

Overall, Marion is a sharp, gutsy, imaginative re-telling that refuses to let familiar stories stay trapped in the past. It delivers thrills, tension, and a surprisingly intimate exploration of sisterhood, survival, and reclaiming narrative power.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this electrifying debut thriller—with its brilliantly twisted take on an iconic classic—in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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[Court Zierk · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Amidst a year of more disappointment than satisfaction stands a gem. What a great way to end 2025.

I requested this ARC because it sounded intriguing, but I also turned to the first page wary of the traps this story might fall into. Would this be nothing more than a generic retread of a classic tale? Would it be a derivative attention grab? It definitely had that potential, but Rowan skillfully evades both of those traps to deliver one of my favorite books of the year.

I was riveted by the story, turning each page with fervent curiosity. The twists and turns are unpredictable. Marion is incredibly relatable and sympathetic, despite the monstrousness that she eventually emits. If you think you know where this story is going, think again.

This pays homage to a classic, and does nothing to diminish its allure. This book is simply fun. I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it…

[MagretFume · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so good!  It's a very suspenseful and satisfying feminist rampage. 

It successfully builds on this primal sensation of fear every woman experienced at least once in her life because of a man.  The writing is great, the back and forth created a rapid pace and the tension remained until the very end. 

I loved the characters and their dynamics, and I felt they were believable in their reactions and emotions. 

I had a fantastic time and I can only recommend this book to every women who ever feared a man.

Thank you so much St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

[Nancy McFarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked after seeing the dagger graphic on the title page and then came the prologue. The two timelines were an ingenious way to tell the brilliant reimagining of Psycho and to perhaps cause you to make assumptions like I did. The ending was one I never saw coming and I loved every word of it. You definitely don't want to miss this one!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love unhinged women

[Michelle Parent · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the storyline from Marion’s POV; however, my first impression of Hannah’s POV nearly made me DNF this book. I’m glad I gave it a fair chance, but overall it just didn’t hit for me. Two stars feels generous.

My main issue is that I read to escape the real world, and the political and racial themes felt heavy handed. While those elements absolutely have a place in certain stories, here they added nothing to the plot and only distracted from it, which was frustrating. Had those themes been left out entirely this easily could have been a four-star read for me.

Than you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC copy and my honest review.

Expected Publishing date: June 2, 2026.

[Promise Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is an alternate beginning to the movie Physcho. Marion has the chance to kill her killer and live her life.
Marion is just trying to help her sister out of her abusive relationship, which leads to stealing money to try to help.
She ends up at Norms hotel, when her getaway bus breaks down. Here she is almost killed in the iconic shower scene from Physcho, but she gets away. Loved the book! Not a fan of Marions choices, actions. We've got this reverse Physcho thing going on. Marion isnt killed by Norman, she turns into the killer, with her mother in her head urging her to kill.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all know the story, we all know the iconic scene but what if it went differently? What if Norman Bates wasn’t fast enough and Marion fought back and won? This was the twist on Psycho I never knew I needed.

This book was absolutely unhinged. This kept me on the edge of my seat with twist after twist. These characters had me hooked, I was rooting for everyone (except you, Norm). This is the feminist revenge thriller we all need!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I spent the first 50% deciding whether I actually wanted to read this. I pushed through and I’m so happy that I did. I never gave thought to Psycho happening any other way than it did. I like that this book flipped it on its head. I also kind of liked how you never find out who the FMC actually was. She was just “Marion.” Honestly, I think we’ve all got a bit of “Marion” in us.

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc!

[always reading ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars
I loved this! What an excellent debut novel with a fantastic premise too good to pass up! The first line of the description had me sold instantly. What if Norm wasn't the only psycho in that bathroom? It's very well written, and I really enjoyed her writing style. I was hooked from the first chapter. Marion is full of wit, dark humor, suspense, and originality. There was never a dull moment! The pacing was superb. And the feminine rage was on point. I did expect more of a horror element considering Marion is a retelling of Psycho, but it's more of a thriller. However, I still enjoyed it immensely. It was such a fun read. I would love if we got to see more of Marion in the future

[Corinne Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one hell of a reimagining of the iconic film, “Psycho.” From start to finish, this debut novel had me on pins & needles. But the story was so much more than Marion surviving Norm’s brutal stabbing. It was about all the frightening moments that women go through on a daily basis at the hands of men, sexual harassment in the workplace & out on the town, domestic abuse at home, all of it! And how these women are never taken seriously and the men get away with it and just keep doing it. It was about the inner “Marion” that is inside all women that may or may not come out in a moment of true terror and actually taking a stand…and maybe getting away with it. Totally brilliant story. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Jessica Gleason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun is such a strange word to use when reviewing horror, but this was fun.

I was immediately drawn in to Marion's narrative. I am a Psycho fan. I don't know whether or not that played a role in my enjoyment or not, but I wanted to make sure to mention it. I appreciated the alternative take and the female perspective here, female rage reimagining works for me. I enjoy a morally grey character.

The crime solving was interesting but not as fun for me. Still, I think it might make this book appeal to a wider audience, horror and mystery/crime folks alike.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most iconic death in cinematic history is the shower scene in Psycho.
But what if it was Norman Bates who died in that shower instead of Marion? This book explored that exact scenario as well as giving Marion a concrete backstory and character depth.

I love horror while also understand the misogyny written into the deaths of women in slashers. Leah Rowan turns that trope on its head by giving us a female anti-hero who isn't above crime and punishment while still maintaining a very real and complex human experience. While it was a bit heavy-handed at times, I appreciate the themes and messaging in this story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kamala Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exhilarating and propulsive, Marion is a wild, inventive, astute, and deeply enjoyable thriller that I can’t recommend highly enough. It had me turning pages with my heart in my throat (my favorite way to read).

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Marion” by Leah Rowan takes that legendary moment from Psycho and reshapes it into a fierce, propulsive thriller that flips the script on victimhood and refuses to let women be silenced or slaughtered without a fight.

Marion isn’t just running from the law when we meet her; she’s running toward something. After discovering her sister Lauren is trapped in an abusive marriage, Marion becomes desperate to get to her and desperate enough to walk away with a bag of un-deposited cash entrusted to her at work. She tells herself it’s temporary, maybe even necessary, but the weight of that money becomes the beating heart of her choices. When a bus breakdown strands her in New Paltz, New York, she checks into the secluded Billings Motel under an alias, hoping to stay off the radar long enough to reach her sister.

Anyone familiar with Hitchcock thinks they know the next beat, but Marion has grown up in a world that teaches women to survive. When Norm Billings, the motel’s charming yet unsettling owner, enters the bathroom with a knife, she doesn’t freeze. She fights. What follows is a wild, escalating weekend of cover-ups, close calls, and moral compromises as Marion tries to protect her sister and claw her way out of the mess she never meant to create.

Rowan structures the story with alternating perspectives: Marion’s frantic present and Hannah Pierce’s investigation two weeks later into the disappearance of another young woman. Hannah’s search adds tension and mystery without stealing focus, and the question of how her missing girl connects to Marion keeps pages turning with breakneck urgency. Both storylines build into a relentless puzzle of dead bodies, stolen identities, hidden motives, and emotional landmines.

What elevates this story beyond its clever premise is its emotional core. Marion’s bond with her sister anchors the chaos; Rowan captures the complexity of familial love with tenderness and rage. Just as powerful is the book’s feminist edge: the thrill of watching a woman refuse to become prey, the catharsis of seeing fear transmuted into action. Some may recognize that visceral moment when survival instinct finally outweighs politeness, and Rowan leans into that universal feeling without ever losing sight of Marion’s humanity.

The pacing is electric, though the frenetic plot occasionally asks you to suspend disbelief. Some choices feel reckless or ill-advised, yet they remain true to a woman pushed past her limits, operating on adrenaline and loyalty. As the body count rises and lies stack higher, Marion becomes an antiheroine who is both exasperating and irresistible. She is someone you may roll your eyes at while still cheering her on.

By the end, Rowan delivers a finale that lands with shock, satisfaction, and just enough ambiguity to linger. Marion reimagines a well-worn narrative and gives voice to a woman formerly defined by her death. Here, she becomes something else entirely: a survivor, an avenger, a legend rewritten.

Overall, this is a fast-paced, feminist, genre-bending thrill ride that transforms an iconic victim into a woman who refuses to die quietly or at all. Fans of retellings, twisty thrillers, and unapologetically fierce heroines won’t want to miss this dark, clever debut.

[Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the vein of books like Wicked, which attempt to tell the other side of a familiar story, Marion plays with the frame of Psycho. In this updated version, a young woman finds herself in a small town after the bus she was on breaks down. Running on adrenalin and fear she now needs to find a place to stay until the buses start running again in the morning. Her sister Lauren had finally let on that she was being abused by her husband and now hasn't been returning any calls or texts which was alarming enough, but then her boss David, handed her a client retainer in cash and told her to take it to the bank to deposit before leaving for her weekend. Unfortunately, the bank refused the deposit, and she was now carrying a life altering amount of cash with her, too afraid to leave it unattended and understandably thinking about how it could be used to help her sister get free of her circumstances.

Because of the bus load of people looking for rooms, she ends up a bit off the beaten path, at an old, dated, motel run by the attractive Norm Billings. His place isn't listed online and barely shows up on Google Maps and is currently empty as they are preparing to do a full renovation of the cabins and public spaces but he's happy to offer her a room for the night if she doesn't mind the lack of amenities. Realizing that being found with the money might not look good, she wisely decides to stay off the radar, putting her phone in airplane mode, and signing the register as "Marion Cage" rather than giving her real name, paying in cash to avoid using her credit cards. "Marion" hasn't truly decided to keep the money but knows that her boss can still make trouble for her if she doesn't hand over the money right away, and she NEEDS to go find Lauren and make sure she is safe. She'll deal with work and the money after that happens.

So far, we think we know what will happen but when that shower curtain is pulled back and a knife glints in the light, things take a modern twist because this Marion has been raised in an era of Stranger-Danger and self-defense classes and walking with keys between her knuckles, she doesn't freeze, she acts.

The actions she takes save her life but kick off the most deranged weekend anyone has ever spent in sleepy New Paltz, New York.

The book also gives us Hannah's story as she investigates the disappearance of a young blonde woman named Emily Stockton. As Hannah begins to search small towns north of the city, she finds herself in New Paltz and we begin to wonder if Marion and Emily are connected.

Dead mothers that aren't dead, interchangeable blonds, lost phones, bad guys, little voices inside your head, and multiple bodies and multiple cars telling many stories, Marion: A Novel, is a crazy take on an old story and will somehow have you cheering for the ending you get.

I received a Netgalley widget of this book from publisher St Martin's Press, in exchange for my review.

[Ed Rabinowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Kat White at St. Martin’s Press for this advance reader’s copy, in exchange for an honest review. “Marion” is scheduled for release on June 2, 2026.
It’s hard to think of Alfred Hitchcock and not recall the iconic shower scene in the film “Psycho.” In the film, Marion Crane is violently and repeatedly stabbed by Norman Bates.
But what if Marion turned the tables and surprised her attacker?
That’s the road down which author Leah Rowan proceeds. When a bus breaks down, stranding a young woman in a small town in upstate New York on her way to her sister’s house in Saratoga Springs, a satchel filled with $100,000 that she stole/borrowed from her advertising company tucked under her arm, she checks into the Billings Motel. Norm Billings, the owner, seems nice enough, but clearly obsessed with caring for his ill mother.
Showering later that night, Marion hears someone entering her room. It’s Norm, and he’s brandishing a knife. But Marion incapacitates him with a kick to the privates, grabs the knife, and turns him into Swiss cheese.
Now Marion is a killer. But wasn’t it self-defense? And is she really a thief? Wasn’t she considering using some of the money to help her sister, Lauren, get out from under the abuse of her husband, Ron?
Thus begins a wild ride where Marion finds exactly what her alter ego is capable of, and the lengths she will go to out of loyalty to her sister. And to escape law enforcement.
While the storyline is a bit of a stretch in a couple of spots, the narrative hits hard from the opening chapters and moves at a frenetic pace. Especially when Hannah Pierce, a young paralegal and investigator, comes into the picture. The chapters offer alternating perspectives of Marion’s exploits compared with Hannah’s investigation two weeks later.
There are scenes that will make you roll your eyes and shake your head, wondering, why would anyone do something so stupid? But the more Marion’s life seems to unravel, the more you may find yourself rooting for this unlikely vigilante. And the ending is likely to leave you slack-jawed.
“Marion,” complete with numerous twists and turns, is hard to put down. Accept the premise and jump on for a wild ride.
Four stars for what I understand is Rowan’s debut novel.
And you can read all my reviews at my Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com) book blog. New reviews posted every Monday.

[Maria Marmanides · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for the ARC!!! I’m using multiple exclamation marks very intentionally, because that’s exactly how enthusiastic I feel after finishing this book. From the first chapter, I was completely hooked. I had certainty that I was in very good hands--and I was proven correct.

It’s worth noting that Psycho was the first horror movie I ever saw as a child (thanks, Mom & Dad!), so its plot points are fairly well etched into my brain. And yet, I never once felt encumbered by that knowledge while reading this. Rowan never feels constrained by the source material, and the story never feels trapped by it. Yes, there are clever Easter eggs (wouldn’t even harm a fly), but the narrative itself feels entirely fresh, confident, and independent in its own right.

I especially loved the first-person POV chapters. The voice is sharp, compelling, and propulsive in that “just one more page” way that turned into finishing this in largely one sitting. It’s instantly readable and honestly… deeply relatable, which is saying something given where the main character’s choices ultimately take us.

Anti-hero gets tossed around so freely it barely means anything anymore, but here it felt earned. I was equally horrified, compelled, and, sometimes, no specific spoilers, but against my better judgment, thinking, "same, queen."

This book is doing so much beneath the surface: incisive (no pun intended) social commentary, simmering feminist rage, examinations of patriarchy, urban versus rural divides, power dynamics, family obligation, and what someone might do for the people they love.

I genuinely cannot stop thinking about this book. I want to read more stories like this, I want to read everything Rowan writes next, and I cannot wait to press this into the hands of everyone I know.

[Robin Elrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy!

Within just a couple of pages, Marion completely hooked me. Leah Rowan has such a fresh, confident voice, and the writing itself is striking. It is clean, purposeful, and emotionally sharp. This is one of those books where you can immediately tell the author knows exactly what story she wants to tell and trusts the reader to keep up.

One of the strongest elements is the exploration of mother and daughter relationships. The contrast between Marion’s mother, who empowers her, pushes her to fight, and trusts her strength, and Hannah’s mother, who tries to protect by holding her back, is fascinating. Both women are driven by love and the same ultimate goal, yet their approaches could not be more different. That theme expands beyond just these two relationships, weaving in other mother and child dynamics in thoughtful, nuanced ways that add real depth without feeling repetitive or heavy handed.

I also loved the structural choice to give Marion first person chapters while Hannah’s are in third person. Both women are central to the story and equally important, yet the differing points of view subtly shape how we understand their experiences and choices. The book’s engagement with the idea of “blind justice” really lingered with me. It challenges the reader to examine our instinctive moral hierarchies, particularly why we are often more comfortable with civilians taking justice into their own hands against terrible people than we are with crimes against innocents, even though the law is meant to serve all victims equally.

The ending really worked for me as well. It felt earned, thoughtful, and emotionally satisfying without tying everything up too neatly. Marion is a powerful, thought provoking novel, and I am very excited to see what Leah Rowan does next.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Marion
Author: Leah Rowan (Debut Author)
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: June 2, 2026
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Pages: 336

A twist on Hitchcock’s iconic classic Psycho

What if Marion Crane never became the “dead blonde” of cinema history? What if she stepped out of that shower with her own story—and her own knife? Instead of becoming Norman Bates’ victim, Marion becomes the woman who stops him—

In this version Marion has stolen money from the Manhattan ad agency where she works as she is desperate to help her sister escape an abusive marriage. However, the bus she is traveling to Saratoga Springs breaks down. It's late at night, and the only place with vacancy is the “Bates Motel” oops the “Billings Motel”. As she is paying for the room she talks to Norman Billings the young innkeeper who is handsome. She checks in and decides to take a shower,…suddenly the curtain is pulled back...Norm attacks her but she fights back and then goes on the run with more men dying at her hands along the way.

Story definitely had me curious.
The bottom line is - be careful what woman you cross.
This story shows that there is probably a Marion in you as well as your girlfriends. You will find out when you have to do whatever it is that has to be done!
Story wasn’t what I was expecting – but it was entertaining!
I do applaud Author Leah Rowan on her debut thriller!

I was disappointed that this early proof didn’t included the ‘Author’s Note’ as I was curious as to her motivation for writing this story.

Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press for granting me a widget of this eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 2, 2026.

[KJo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone meet Marion she's kind of an oblivious sweetheart but hell hath no fury like a woman that was almost murdered in her hotel shower

Psycho but the roles are reversed.

Marion is the story of a girl who fights back and in doing so spirals into a raw unapologetic descent of female rage. She refuses to take any more damage from the people who have wronged her. Tasked with watching over the person she loves most. Marion is relentless in her mission. No obstacles. No detours. And especially no man will stand in her way. But as her story unfolds so does her grip on reality and things quickly get messy.

This medium paced take on Psycho stays true to its obsession with Mother while carving out a bold identity of its own. The novel opens with an intensely immersive get inside your head moment that immediately pulls you into Marion's fractured mindset. Told through two timelines. One unfolding in real time and the other following a detective style investigation. Steadily building until both threads collide in a jaw dropping finale.

The twists are unforgettable and the tension never lets up as Marion's mental state continues to fracture. By the end it feels less like reading a book and more like witnessing a psychological true crime unravel. Raw, unsettling and impossible to look away from. It's the kind of story that lingers long after the final page like an episode of Snapped you can't stop thinking about. And one I'd easily suggest to readers who enjoy dark psychological thrillers with female driven intensity

huge shout out to Netgalley and St.Martins Press for the advanced readers copy

[Monica Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars- This novel is for all the women out there who have ever been scared or intimidated by a man. In this fantastic twist on Psycho, the female is no longer the victim.

Marion is on the run with stolen money. She didn't mean to steal the money, she is just trying to help her sister. She ends up stuck in New Paltz, NY instead of getting to Saratoga Springs when the bus she was taking breaks down. Marion ends up in a run down resort where she ends up renting a cabin from Norman Bates. He is a handsome man who not only provides her with a room but also dinner. He is nothing but charming and helpful as he also takes care of his sick mother. Everything is going well until she finds him trying to kill her in her shower. Marion is not about to let that happen as her survival instinct that has been drilled into her by her mom kicks in. Now Marion must find a way to not only help her sister but get herself out of this mess.

I devoured this thriller in a day as I had to keep reading to find out what happened to Marion. The story is told from Marion's point of view but also from Hannah, a private investigator searching for a young blond woman. Hannah offers some other insight and had me wondering the entire time how her story was connected to Marions. I absolutely loved the twist that Marion was able to defend herself and not just be another blonde victim. It was such a fresh turn of events to have the woman be the one in control. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves thrillers and strong female characters.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Raven F · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received from: NetGalley— Thank you for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: We all know the story. Norman Bates, a knife, poor Marion Crane. But what if Marion flipped the script?

Overall Thoughts: Forgive my profanity, but holy shit. This commentary on misogyny and rape culture is so brutal in its delivery, and that’s exactly how it should be. Rowan holds no punches in this novel, telling things exactly as they are and presenting the reader with a self-proclaimed unreliable narrator. It’s a genius move and I genuinely could not put this one down. Points lost only because the ending felt lackluster for such an otherwise explosive story. Hannah’s sudden role and interest in Lauren’s sister felt like a reach, and almost unrealistic. Immersion breaking, if you will.

Writing: Switching between perspectives here served the story extremely well. As someone who loves trying to sus out plot twist, these were well-hidden. Our main character is twisty and almost sadistic, unbeknownst to herself, which makes her inner monologue so much fun. Switching to our investigator, Hannah, is a trip, because we also switch into the third person here. We know less about her internal motivations and actions that we do our protagonist’s, but their stories are still dangerously entwined.

Characters: Getting to know “Marion” was so much fun. She struggled so much with the inner workings of her mind and her strong, almost dangerous sense of justice. Hannah, on the other hand, was much more cautious, more thoughtful in her approaches. Both women served their purpose, with similar goals. Protect women. Believe women.

[thePAGEMASTA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marion immediately hooked me—starting with a cover that demands attention and continuing with a sharp, fast-paced reimagining of Psycho that flips the script in all the right ways. This is a gleefully intense psychological thriller that takes the original’s decoy victim and gives her teeth, agency, and a dangerous amount of rage.

Leah Rowan places Marion front and center, crafting a protagonist who is relentless, fractured, and deeply compelling. Told through dual timelines—one unfolding in real time, the other through a detective-style investigation—the novel steadily tightens its grip as Marion’s sense of reality begins to blur. The callbacks to Psycho are clever and respectful, especially its fixation on Mother, while still carving out a bold identity of its own. The opening drops you straight into Marion’s unstable mindset, and by the time the two timelines collide, the result is messy, unsettling, and undeniably effective.

That said, this being an ARC, the book would benefit from heavier editing. Some sentences feel jumbled, and the pacing drags slightly in spots. Still, the twists worked for me, the tension rarely lets up, and the final act lands with a jaw-dropping, true-crime-like intensity that lingers long after the last page. Raw, unapologetic, and fueled by female rage, Marion isn’t perfect—but it is gripping, memorable, and a solid, entertaining reimagining that I’m glad I read. Helluva debut Leah Rowan. Highly recommended for fans of dark psychological thrillers with women who fight back.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

“Marion” is a woman on the run. She’s made off with a satchel filled with money . . . and she’s determined to use it to help her abused sister, Lauren. But she ends up stuck in New Paltz where she rents a room in a secluded motel.

She is stunned when her shower is interrupted by the innkeeper’s intrusion; she pulls the curtain aside and discovers he’s holding a knife in his hand.

And then Norm is dead.

=========

This reimagining of ”Psycho,” in which the woman does not become the victim, has its share of suspense and tension despite the fact that the reader is most likely familiar with the "Psycho" story. Here, “Marion” makes choices based on family, on her need to help her sister escape an abusive husband. There’s plenty of feeling guilty and worrying about what’s been done and what will come next, but “Marion” refuses to become the victim. Readers will find it easy to sympathize with her, to relate to the choices she makes.

There’s a thread of tension throughout the telling of the tale but the story is at its finest when it is exploring the relationship between sisters. Plot twists keep readers guessing and, despite paying homage to a classic tale, creates its own special place in the genre.

Readers who enjoy family tales twisted with horror will find much to appreciate here.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Marion #NetGalley

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marion by Leah Rowan is a spin off story of Psycho, following Marion's story leading up to and following the iconic shower scene at the hotel run by Norman.

I was very excited when I heard the premise of this release, but unfortunately it wasn't as big of a hit for me as I wanted it to be. I loved the beginning as we followed Marion in her regular job as she navigated a strange request from her boss and supporting a sister who revealed some horrifying information about her not-so-perfect marriage.

But overall, I thought the storyline was predictable, partially because of my familiarity with the source material, but also in the sections where it veers from the original. I felt like I predicted many of the twists of the book, and though entertaining, I didn't feel like I needed to keep turning the pages to find out what would happen next.

Further, I couldn't really connect with Marion in the book, and I thought a lot of the decisions she made to be illogical (perhaps that is the point.) Without getting into spoilers, I thought many of Marion's decisions were based solely on emotion rather than any sort of logical thinking, which, in my opinion, made the story feel less like a feminist revenge spin off of Psycho and more like a stereotype of women not being able to control their emotions. I also felt like Hannah's perspective was unnecessary. Though it did give insight into some additional aspects of the story, I felt like for the most part, she was investigating and finding out things that we as the reader already knew, which made her sections repetitive.

That being said, it was still an entertaining read. If you're looking for a quick, fast=paced feminist rage story, definitely give this one a go!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reimaginings are always risky, especially when you’re touching something as iconic as Psycho. It can either feel fresh and intentional, or like you’re just replaying greatest hits.

Before the shower scene, I was actually having a good time. I really liked Marion and enjoyed getting more time with her before she even reaches the motel. Watching her sink further into the mess of it all worked for me, and I appreciated how the author reworked familiar beats without it feeling like a straight copy. That part? Solid.

Then the shower scene happens. And after that… whew. The book takes a hard left into stretched-out, overcomplicated, and honestly ridiculous territory. Any suspense or tension just evaporates. No thrills. No mystery. No horror. Just a lot of story spinning its wheels.

And we need to talk about the second POV. Hannah. Why are you here. Every time her chapters popped up, I groaned. They’re basically exposition dumps, and most of the time she’s discovering things the reader already knows from Marion’s chapters. It completely kills the momentum.

By around the 70 percent mark, I was just ready for it to be over. If this book had stayed focused on Marion, it would’ve been so much stronger. Her chapters were the only reason this didn’t drop into low-star territory for me.

Cool concept. Messy execution. Marion deserved a tighter, sharper story.

*Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC*

[Mary Taber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marion is a chilling story based on Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Only in this version, Marion (or whatever her name is) is the murderer and Norm is the victim. The story opens with Marion’s sister coming to visit her from upstate New York with bruises on her body. Marion surmises that her sister’s husband Rob is abusing her and sets out to save her. She steals money from her job and goes upstate to rescue her sister from the clutches of her abusive husband. The bus Marion is traveling on, breaks down in New Paltz and Marion stays at a hotel where Norm is the proprietor. The hotel is creepy and Norm is not as he appears. From there, the action evolves and several murders take place.
The pacing of this story was rapid, and the author provided detailed descriptions of the hotel, the environment, and the characters. I especially liked her description of Norm after he died.
This was definitely a “woman’s story,” in that the male characters were presented as either buffoons or evil people. In general, however, I found myself not liking any of the characters very much.
This was an unputdownable book, and I would highly recommend it to others, especially those who love a thriller!
Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advance copy of this wonderful book.

[Brittney Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

MARION by Leah Rowan
eARC • out 6/2
Rating: l loved it!

4.5 stars ⭐️ rounded to 5 for Goodreads.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, but the blonde in the shower fights back… and wins. She also doesn’t stop there. Filled with feminine rage, revenge, and a fierce loyalty to her sister where she will stop at nothing to protect her.

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this one as slashers aren’t my typical go to. This was so well done and I couldn’t put it down though!

We follow two timelines and two characters. Marion and her ascent in to the slashing anti hero and Hannah, a private investigator trying to solve a missing persons case. There were twists and turns throughout that I did not see coming. Just when I thought I know where this was headed, I was proven to be wrong time after time.

I also appreciate how this book spotlights how scary it can be to be a woman. Especially today. How often women are preyed upon and how it’s not always by strangers, but men in our every day lives. Instead of falling victim though, we get to see how Marion fights back and changes the narrative.

This book comes out June 2nd and takes place during July and August making it the perfect book to add to your summer tbr!

Thank you @leahrowanbooks and @stmartinspress for an eARC of this book!

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the concept of this book so much, but the execution wasn't quite there. I started out loving it and I was sure this was going to be a 5-star read. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way. Once Hannah was introduced it started to lose me. Almost half the book is her POV and I'm not even sure why she was there. Every time it switched to her POV I groaned and reluctantly kept reading. I think this book would have been so much better if it had stuck to Marion's POV. The only thing Hannah seemed to add was a bunch of political rhetoric that kept pulling me out of the story. The racism and police brutality she was ranting about were completely out of place too. It came across as the author trying too hard to include social commentary. Marion's chapters were fun, even if her story was often over the top and unbelievable. She didn't always make good decisions and she's a little unhinged, but you can't help but root for her. I really liked the bond she had with her sister too. In my opinion, Marion would be a much better book if Hannah was removed altogether and the politics were toned down. As it stands, I gave this one 3.5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.