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The Women in White: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 4 Aug 26From Sarah Pekkanen, the New York Times bestselling author of House of Glass and co-author of The Wife Between Us—a stunning new novel of buried secrets, mind-bending history, and one woman’s search for the truth . . .
Decades ago, four women at prestigious Marquis University were the focus of parapsychology experiments led by a pioneering researcher. Just as they seemed on the verge of a real breakthrough, the four women vanished and the program was abruptly shut down.
In the present day, Riley Bell is desperate for a new life when she lands a caretaker job for Betty Sadler—an elderly, wheelchair bound woman whose house seems suspended in time. No television. No microwave. And Betty has never even heard of a cell phone.
Newly widowed, Betty discovers notes in her late husband’s papers that spark her quest to answer one final unanswered mystery that has shadowed her for six what happened to her three best friends who disappeared on the same day?
Told in dual timelines, as Betty’s world of 5 o’clock martinis and increasingly rigorous experiments converges with Riley’s present-day search for the other three women, the danger and intensity grow white hot.
Because whatever was swirling around these four exceptional young women is rising again.
Decades ago, four women at prestigious Marquis University were the focus of parapsychology experiments led by a pioneering researcher. Just as they seemed on the verge of a real breakthrough, the four women vanished and the program was abruptly shut down.
In the present day, Riley Bell is desperate for a new life when she lands a caretaker job for Betty Sadler—an elderly, wheelchair bound woman whose house seems suspended in time. No television. No microwave. And Betty has never even heard of a cell phone.
Newly widowed, Betty discovers notes in her late husband’s papers that spark her quest to answer one final unanswered mystery that has shadowed her for six what happened to her three best friends who disappeared on the same day?
Told in dual timelines, as Betty’s world of 5 o’clock martinis and increasingly rigorous experiments converges with Riley’s present-day search for the other three women, the danger and intensity grow white hot.
Because whatever was swirling around these four exceptional young women is rising again.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 4, 2026
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About the author
Sarah Pekkanen
29 books7,456 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
Riley is just divorced and desperate for a job. Betty Sadler, eighty-one years old and wheelchair bound needs a caretaker. She has a good feeling about Riley, and asks her "How soon can you start?"
She moves in and finds that Betty is living in the past century, and its not only the decor that is frozen in time. She only has a landline, no internet, no microwave and even has a beehive hairstyle.
The story is inspired by real Parapsychology Laboratory research done at Duke University. Betty and her 4 friends were involved in some questionable experiments. Riley and Betty soon embark on trying to uncover the mystery of what happened to her and her friends. Dr. Trimble absolutely horrified me.
It was a unique premise that gave creepy vibes. The author keeps it pretty light though (which is okay with me). The pacing is a bit uneven, but I still enjoyed it overall.
Thanks to NG for my ARC. OUT on August 2026
She moves in and finds that Betty is living in the past century, and its not only the decor that is frozen in time. She only has a landline, no internet, no microwave and even has a beehive hairstyle.
The story is inspired by real Parapsychology Laboratory research done at Duke University. Betty and her 4 friends were involved in some questionable experiments. Riley and Betty soon embark on trying to uncover the mystery of what happened to her and her friends. Dr. Trimble absolutely horrified me.
It was a unique premise that gave creepy vibes. The author keeps it pretty light though (which is okay with me). The pacing is a bit uneven, but I still enjoyed it overall.
Thanks to NG for my ARC. OUT on August 2026
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. 🖤✨
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
This was a fun one to read! If you are fascinated by top-secret, MKUltra-like mind experiments, you'll love it!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
January 23, 2026
I really enjoyed this book, it was a good pace and filled with suspense and mystery. I really liked the storyline and the setting. The time period was a perfect addition to the story because it just added more to the fact that the women were not believed. It was well written and loved reading about the 4 women characters. The ending was a little cheesy but I'm glad it ended off on a good note with Betty. Would recommend this to my friends. Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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 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!
February 11, 2026
This one really deserves the half star that I can't give it, so maybe I should round up to 4 stars. I loved the back and forth with the pov - switching from present day with Riley's perspective as she takes on the job of caring for elderly Betty and Betty's point of view in the 1960s as a newly married young woman who has just signed up to volunteer as a research subject. The para-psychological aspect was fascinating, and the added quotes from actual scientific papers really added to the story. The tension and mystery surrounding what happened between the two story lines and the thrill of the end really worked here. I love Pekkanen's other work, so I had high expectations for this, but I feel at times the writing didn't have the depth or maturity that the subject matter called for... There is momentum in the story, but not that nuance that really creates the right mood and atmosphere... Overall, I enjoyed it!
Many thanks for Netgalley and St Martins Press (always!) for the opportunity to read this newest work from one of the queens of suspense.
Many thanks for Netgalley and St Martins Press (always!) for the opportunity to read this newest work from one of the queens of suspense.
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 31, 2026
4.5 stars review to come
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!
January 24, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This story flashes back and forth between present day and the 1960s. In present day Riley, a young woman is hired to take care of a Betty- a wheel chair bound octogenarian. RIley is desperate for the job and is surprised to get it so easily.
There is a minor mystery here ( felt a bit rushed) but the heart of the story takes place in the 60s. As a newlywed, Betty has attracted the attention of Dr Trimble who is studying psychic abilities at a nearby University. It would seem that Betty has always had an uncanny ability to just “ know” things. She along with three other women are selected to participate in the experiments. The experiments get more and more intense and restrictive ( they are not allows the leave the basement laboratory for days at time, are sleep deprived, must all dress in identical white dresses). The women being compliant “ good girls “ began to suffer. I had a hard time reading some of the scenes where they were being mentally abused. I wanted to throttle them for not standing up for themselves and saying “enough”, but realize that was the cultural norm for that period. Țheir husbands oddly ok with whatever this sadistic man did to their wives- even when they were pregnant.
Having read and loved other books by Sarah Pekkanen- this one didn’t tie up the plot holes or deliver the shocking twists as well as I expected. I rated 3 stars because it was an enjoyable and interesting read even if it didn’t live up to it’s potential.
This story flashes back and forth between present day and the 1960s. In present day Riley, a young woman is hired to take care of a Betty- a wheel chair bound octogenarian. RIley is desperate for the job and is surprised to get it so easily.
There is a minor mystery here ( felt a bit rushed) but the heart of the story takes place in the 60s. As a newlywed, Betty has attracted the attention of Dr Trimble who is studying psychic abilities at a nearby University. It would seem that Betty has always had an uncanny ability to just “ know” things. She along with three other women are selected to participate in the experiments. The experiments get more and more intense and restrictive ( they are not allows the leave the basement laboratory for days at time, are sleep deprived, must all dress in identical white dresses). The women being compliant “ good girls “ began to suffer. I had a hard time reading some of the scenes where they were being mentally abused. I wanted to throttle them for not standing up for themselves and saying “enough”, but realize that was the cultural norm for that period. Țheir husbands oddly ok with whatever this sadistic man did to their wives- even when they were pregnant.
Having read and loved other books by Sarah Pekkanen- this one didn’t tie up the plot holes or deliver the shocking twists as well as I expected. I rated 3 stars because it was an enjoyable and interesting read even if it didn’t live up to it’s potential.
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sarah Pekkanen’s The Women in White is a fast-paced mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish.
The core of this story is the heartbreaking plight of the women in the 1960s timeline. Pekkanen vividly portrays their vulnerability; they thought they were joining a revolutionary scientific movement, only to be under the control of Dr. Trimble. I felt so much empathy for how trapped they were, feeling unable to say "no" as the experiments turned dark.
A creepy and propulsive read about the abuse of power and the strength of the women who survive it. Highly recommended for fans of dual-timeline psychological thrillers!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the digital copy.
The core of this story is the heartbreaking plight of the women in the 1960s timeline. Pekkanen vividly portrays their vulnerability; they thought they were joining a revolutionary scientific movement, only to be under the control of Dr. Trimble. I felt so much empathy for how trapped they were, feeling unable to say "no" as the experiments turned dark.
A creepy and propulsive read about the abuse of power and the strength of the women who survive it. Highly recommended for fans of dual-timeline psychological thrillers!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the digital copy.
February 8, 2026
I absolutely love, Sara Pekkanens books, and this one was just as captivating as the others. I was completely enthralled by the storyline and swooped up in the past and present point of views which followed a woman named Betty Sadler and her friends who were involved in testing that involved ESP experiences!
This book starts off following Riley who is trying to heal herself from a divorce and takes a caretaker position, thinking that she is going to be caring for an elderly woman when the story takes a complete turn, and she ends up, researching this woman’s history and helping her solve an amazing mystery. I was enamored by the story and the characters and I absolutely loved this book.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this Arc!
This book starts off following Riley who is trying to heal herself from a divorce and takes a caretaker position, thinking that she is going to be caring for an elderly woman when the story takes a complete turn, and she ends up, researching this woman’s history and helping her solve an amazing mystery. I was enamored by the story and the characters and I absolutely loved this book.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this 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.
February 8, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
The Women in White
This was a solid thriller and easily one of my favorite books I’ve read by Sarah Pekkanen. I’ve read several of her novels, but this one really stood out because it felt different from the usual psychological thriller formula.
The story follows Riley, a recently divorced woman who takes a caretaker job for an elderly widow, Betty. What starts as a quiet, almost old-fashioned arrangement quickly turns unsettling when Riley realizes Betty is stuck in the past—literally. Her home feels frozen in the 1960s, and everything connects back to a long-buried mystery involving Betty and three other college women who vanished after participating in secret psychology experiments decades earlier.
What I really liked about this book is how it blends fiction with elements inspired by real-life, unethical psychological and parapsychology experiments that were conducted without proper consent. That aspect gave the story a chilling, almost Manchurian Candidate vibe, which made it feel more disturbing and thought-provoking than your average psychological thriller. The dual timelines worked beautifully, slowly revealing what happened in the past while raising the stakes in the present.
Overall, this was an engaging, atmospheric, and genuinely different thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a darker edge and a touch of real-world inspiration, this one is definitely worth reading.
The Women in White
This was a solid thriller and easily one of my favorite books I’ve read by Sarah Pekkanen. I’ve read several of her novels, but this one really stood out because it felt different from the usual psychological thriller formula.
The story follows Riley, a recently divorced woman who takes a caretaker job for an elderly widow, Betty. What starts as a quiet, almost old-fashioned arrangement quickly turns unsettling when Riley realizes Betty is stuck in the past—literally. Her home feels frozen in the 1960s, and everything connects back to a long-buried mystery involving Betty and three other college women who vanished after participating in secret psychology experiments decades earlier.
What I really liked about this book is how it blends fiction with elements inspired by real-life, unethical psychological and parapsychology experiments that were conducted without proper consent. That aspect gave the story a chilling, almost Manchurian Candidate vibe, which made it feel more disturbing and thought-provoking than your average psychological thriller. The dual timelines worked beautifully, slowly revealing what happened in the past while raising the stakes in the present.
Overall, this was an engaging, atmospheric, and genuinely different thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a darker edge and a touch of real-world inspiration, this one is definitely worth reading.
January 22, 2026
The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen is a suspenseful, dual-timeline thriller that follows Riley, a recently divorced woman who takes a caretaker job for an elderly widow named Betty. Betty lives in a home frozen in time and is haunted by the disappearance of three college friends who vanished in the 1960s after participating in controversial parapsychology experiments.
As Riley begins digging into Betty’s past, the story alternates between the present day and the 1960s, revealing the experiences of four college women drawn into secretive university research centered on ESP and psychic phenomena. What starts as curiosity slowly unravels into a decades-old mystery tied to institutional power, buried truths, and the dangerous consequences of secrecy.
While the premise is fascinating and the historical elements are especially intriguing, the pacing felt slow in parts and the tension didn’t always hold my attention. Although the topic itself is compelling, this ended up being my least favorite of Pekkanen’s books so far. Still, readers who enjoy slower-burn thrillers with strong social commentary may find it more rewarding.
As Riley begins digging into Betty’s past, the story alternates between the present day and the 1960s, revealing the experiences of four college women drawn into secretive university research centered on ESP and psychic phenomena. What starts as curiosity slowly unravels into a decades-old mystery tied to institutional power, buried truths, and the dangerous consequences of secrecy.
While the premise is fascinating and the historical elements are especially intriguing, the pacing felt slow in parts and the tension didn’t always hold my attention. Although the topic itself is compelling, this ended up being my least favorite of Pekkanen’s books so far. Still, readers who enjoy slower-burn thrillers with strong social commentary may find it more rewarding.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was not as hooked on this book and it took me a bit of time to finish it because of that. The conspiracy aspect of the novel didn't land for me. It reminded me a lot of the movie "Men Who Stare at Goats": lots of long pauses with no action and very little payoff in the end.
That being said, I loved Betty and her relationship with her friends from college. These four women formed a sisterhood and protected each other in a very heavily male-dominated era with far fewer opportunities available to women than we have now. The final step in the experience was absolutely heartbreaking because of this fact.
I felt for these ladies, I absolutely did. They had no outlets, no security, very few opportunities, and the weight of the world against them. They were revictimized over and over and had to keep a bright smile on their face while it happened; and still cook dinner!
fans of Pekkanen will not be disappointed with her characters, even if this is not their favorite of her works. the amount of research is apparent and I loved the quote at the beginning of each chapter to show us that while this story is fiction, experiments like this did happen- and not always to the willing or aware.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Sarah Pekkanen, and St. Martin's Press for my ARC of this book.
That being said, I loved Betty and her relationship with her friends from college. These four women formed a sisterhood and protected each other in a very heavily male-dominated era with far fewer opportunities available to women than we have now. The final step in the experience was absolutely heartbreaking because of this fact.
I felt for these ladies, I absolutely did. They had no outlets, no security, very few opportunities, and the weight of the world against them. They were revictimized over and over and had to keep a bright smile on their face while it happened; and still cook dinner!
fans of Pekkanen will not be disappointed with her characters, even if this is not their favorite of her works. the amount of research is apparent and I loved the quote at the beginning of each chapter to show us that while this story is fiction, experiments like this did happen- and not always to the willing or aware.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Sarah Pekkanen, and St. Martin's Press for my ARC of this book.
January 31, 2026
Wow, this book had me hooked! I love a good thriller, but mixed with the historical fiction elements from the 1960’s made me not want to put the book down.
We follow dual timelines. Present day, Riley who gets hired to be a caretaker for an elderly lady by the name of Betty. The second timeline is from the 1960’s where we get the pov of Betty and her three friends Ivy, Kathleen and Helen. We find out that these girls met at Marquis University where they were subjects of a parapsychology experiment and various studies that ultimately destroyed their relationships.
I did not expect to have my jaw drop after nearly every chapter. I would highly recommend adding this to your TBR when it comes out on August 4 2026.
Thank you NetGalley and St.Martins Press for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
We follow dual timelines. Present day, Riley who gets hired to be a caretaker for an elderly lady by the name of Betty. The second timeline is from the 1960’s where we get the pov of Betty and her three friends Ivy, Kathleen and Helen. We find out that these girls met at Marquis University where they were subjects of a parapsychology experiment and various studies that ultimately destroyed their relationships.
I did not expect to have my jaw drop after nearly every chapter. I would highly recommend adding this to your TBR when it comes out on August 4 2026.
Thank you NetGalley and St.Martins Press for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
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!!
January 22, 2026
As a reader of both thrillers and historical fiction, I knew I had to read this book! To no one's surprise, I couldn't put it down.
In this compelling story, we get to experience a dual timeline in multiple POV's. In present day, we hear from Riley and Betty while exploring Betty's past. In the 1960's we again hear from Betty as well as her friends Kathleen, Ivy, and Helen during their time at Marquis University as the subjects of the parapsychology experiments and studies administered by Dr. Trimble
The Women In White was a deeply captivating, engaging and unexpected story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I would absolutely recommend reading this book.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
In this compelling story, we get to experience a dual timeline in multiple POV's. In present day, we hear from Riley and Betty while exploring Betty's past. In the 1960's we again hear from Betty as well as her friends Kathleen, Ivy, and Helen during their time at Marquis University as the subjects of the parapsychology experiments and studies administered by Dr. Trimble
The Women In White was a deeply captivating, engaging and unexpected story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I would absolutely recommend reading this book.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, a huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.
Wow—talk about a PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER. I was completely captivated from the very first page. This story hooks you immediately and never lets go. I absolutely loved the real-time quotes woven throughout the book—they added such an immersive, unsettling layer to the reading experience.
The shifting perspectives, multiple characters, and different timelines kept everything intriguing and unpredictable. Each character felt deeply personal, as if you truly knew them, which made the shock, betrayal, and emotional impact hit even harder. The constant questioning of what’s real—and what isn’t—kept my mind spinning.
The torment, manipulation, and psychological abuse of the four women was haunting and powerful, making this a story that lingers long after the final page.
A chilling, intense, and brilliantly executed thriller.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five incredibly well-deserved stars.
Wow—talk about a PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER. I was completely captivated from the very first page. This story hooks you immediately and never lets go. I absolutely loved the real-time quotes woven throughout the book—they added such an immersive, unsettling layer to the reading experience.
The shifting perspectives, multiple characters, and different timelines kept everything intriguing and unpredictable. Each character felt deeply personal, as if you truly knew them, which made the shock, betrayal, and emotional impact hit even harder. The constant questioning of what’s real—and what isn’t—kept my mind spinning.
The torment, manipulation, and psychological abuse of the four women was haunting and powerful, making this a story that lingers long after the final page.
A chilling, intense, and brilliantly executed thriller.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five incredibly well-deserved stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Great characters and intriguing story.
January 18, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc of this. Pekkanen has long been a must read author for me and The Women in White did not disappoint.
Riley is seeking a live in caretaker position to get herself back on her feet after some personal losses. Betty has recently lost her husband and is offering just what Riley needs. Riley has no idea what an adventure she is about to get into touching on a thrilling parallel with events that happened in 1964 and seem to be happening again in present day.
I enjoyed the dual timelines and the author did a great job of making me feel connected to the characters. The theme of parapsychology was so eerie and even more so knowing it was inspired by real life experiments. A very enjoyable, fast paced weekend read.
Riley is seeking a live in caretaker position to get herself back on her feet after some personal losses. Betty has recently lost her husband and is offering just what Riley needs. Riley has no idea what an adventure she is about to get into touching on a thrilling parallel with events that happened in 1964 and seem to be happening again in present day.
I enjoyed the dual timelines and the author did a great job of making me feel connected to the characters. The theme of parapsychology was so eerie and even more so knowing it was inspired by real life experiments. A very enjoyable, fast paced weekend read.
January 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC for an unbiased review:
The Women in White pulled me in right away with its eerie premise and dual timelines. The 1960s storyline was especially compelling, and I liked how the mystery slowly unfolded rather than being rushed. The atmosphere is unsettling in a quiet, lingering way, and the emotional layers added depth to the suspense.
While there were a few slower spots and some moments that felt predictable, overall this was a strong, engaging read. A solid choice for fans of character-driven psychological mysteries.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC for an unbiased review:
The Women in White pulled me in right away with its eerie premise and dual timelines. The 1960s storyline was especially compelling, and I liked how the mystery slowly unfolded rather than being rushed. The atmosphere is unsettling in a quiet, lingering way, and the emotional layers added depth to the suspense.
While there were a few slower spots and some moments that felt predictable, overall this was a strong, engaging read. A solid choice for fans of character-driven psychological mysteries.
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