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Marion: A Novel
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.
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press
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.
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press
Audible Audio
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Leah Rowan
1 book123 followersLeah Rowan is an author living in Brooklyn and the Catskills. Marion is her forthcoming thriller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,022 reviews
June 1, 2026
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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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.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
June 2, 2026
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.
!
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.
!
December 28, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
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…
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…
June 2, 2026
This was not your predictable role reversal, retelling of a classic. While the references to Psycho were there, this took on a completely unique, modernized approach, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
The novel starts out very familiar to those of us familiar with Psycho. Our FMC has fled her job with a $100,000 deposit she was to make. Unfortunately, for her, her bus breaks down in New Paltz, and all of the hotels are full except for one. After her chance encounter with Norm, she flips the script and refuses to be a victim.
From a different perspective, the reader is introduced to a private investigator looking for a missing woman whose trail also leads her to New Paltz.
Feminist rage tropes seem to be all the rage lately. I don’t think I could ever tire of them if they are as good as this one. I really liked how the author went with a classic story and was able to put her own flair on it to make it unique. It was fun seeing all of the references and making the correlation between the two. I was hesitant to pick this up because I was afraid there wasn’t much that could be done with the original story. But I was very wrong!
I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as horror/slasher, but more so a dark, slower, moving thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The novel starts out very familiar to those of us familiar with Psycho. Our FMC has fled her job with a $100,000 deposit she was to make. Unfortunately, for her, her bus breaks down in New Paltz, and all of the hotels are full except for one. After her chance encounter with Norm, she flips the script and refuses to be a victim.
From a different perspective, the reader is introduced to a private investigator looking for a missing woman whose trail also leads her to New Paltz.
Feminist rage tropes seem to be all the rage lately. I don’t think I could ever tire of them if they are as good as this one. I really liked how the author went with a classic story and was able to put her own flair on it to make it unique. It was fun seeing all of the references and making the correlation between the two. I was hesitant to pick this up because I was afraid there wasn’t much that could be done with the original story. But I was very wrong!
I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as horror/slasher, but more so a dark, slower, moving thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2026
Loved this!! A Psycho retelling that manages to surprise at every step. Fun and intense!!
March 6, 2026
What Lit My Mood
I loved the twist on the iconic classic Psycho. This one flips the script with a feminist edge; the woman doesn’t die in the shower. Instead, she turns the knife on Norm, transforming the victim into the hero.
I’m an absolute sucker for a female-revenge-against-men trope, and when you add a bold reimagining of a classic into the mix, I’m all in.
Where My Mood Flickered
Nothing is ever “Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy,” like Marion’s mother’s voice in her head keeps reminding her. I actually loved those moments, her mom cheering her on from the sidelines—but the believability itself was a little hard to fully buy into.
The pacing is also a bit slow at the start, and I struggled to get hooked in those early chapters. But once the story hit that halfway mark? Total just one more chapter energy from there on out.
Listening versus Reading
I enjoyed both reading and listening to the narration by Natalie Naudus and Tawny Platis. Both voices were engaging, bringing the characters to life with distinct personalities. I preferred listening during the slower sections, so when my mind drifted off due to the pacing, I didn’t miss much
Mood Rating:
Satisfied – The revenge was deliciously satisfying, and by the second half, I was flying through the chapters.
A Witches Words buddy read with Debra and Mary Beth
I received both a digital and audio copy from the publisher through NetGalley
I loved the twist on the iconic classic Psycho. This one flips the script with a feminist edge; the woman doesn’t die in the shower. Instead, she turns the knife on Norm, transforming the victim into the hero.
I’m an absolute sucker for a female-revenge-against-men trope, and when you add a bold reimagining of a classic into the mix, I’m all in.
Where My Mood Flickered
Nothing is ever “Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy,” like Marion’s mother’s voice in her head keeps reminding her. I actually loved those moments, her mom cheering her on from the sidelines—but the believability itself was a little hard to fully buy into.
The pacing is also a bit slow at the start, and I struggled to get hooked in those early chapters. But once the story hit that halfway mark? Total just one more chapter energy from there on out.
Listening versus Reading
I enjoyed both reading and listening to the narration by Natalie Naudus and Tawny Platis. Both voices were engaging, bringing the characters to life with distinct personalities. I preferred listening during the slower sections, so when my mind drifted off due to the pacing, I didn’t miss much
Mood Rating:
Satisfied – The revenge was deliciously satisfying, and by the second half, I was flying through the chapters.
A Witches Words buddy read with Debra and Mary Beth
I received both a digital and audio copy from the publisher through NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY - June 2, 2026
A unique take on the Psycho book/movie but It's not necessary to be familiar with the Psycho story prior to reading or listening to this one. Even though parts of the story are a little far-fetched and involve some complicated logistics, it was an enjoyable read/listen and I was kept intrigued wondering how "Marion" was going to get out of the various situations she found herself in. I don't know how the author kept all the dead bodies straight. Running parallel to Marion's story is the story of Hannah, a brand-new private investigator who's definitely on her way to becoming a success in this line of work. On top of all that is a story of sisterly love and maternal bonds that overcome historical grudges. Releasing in June 2026, this would be a good book to take on vacation with you. Just don't stay at the Billings Motel ... or the Bates Motel for that matter!
I was fortunate to have an electronic copy as well as the audiobook and I can't say that I enjoyed one more than the other but the audiobook seemed to go pretty quickly and was ably narrated by Natalie Naudus and Tawny Platis. Neither of them stood out to me but they both did an acceptable job. I had to listen at 1.25 speed which doesn't happen very often.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio, via Netgalley, for approving my request to listen to the audiobook and to St. Martin's Press, also via Netgalley. for providing a copy of the e-ARC. All opinions expressed are my own. This review will be published on Goodreads and Netgalley on March 26, 2026 and on amazon.ca on or after June 2, 2026.
Publication Date: June 2, 2026
A unique take on the Psycho book/movie but It's not necessary to be familiar with the Psycho story prior to reading or listening to this one. Even though parts of the story are a little far-fetched and involve some complicated logistics, it was an enjoyable read/listen and I was kept intrigued wondering how "Marion" was going to get out of the various situations she found herself in. I don't know how the author kept all the dead bodies straight. Running parallel to Marion's story is the story of Hannah, a brand-new private investigator who's definitely on her way to becoming a success in this line of work. On top of all that is a story of sisterly love and maternal bonds that overcome historical grudges. Releasing in June 2026, this would be a good book to take on vacation with you. Just don't stay at the Billings Motel ... or the Bates Motel for that matter!
I was fortunate to have an electronic copy as well as the audiobook and I can't say that I enjoyed one more than the other but the audiobook seemed to go pretty quickly and was ably narrated by Natalie Naudus and Tawny Platis. Neither of them stood out to me but they both did an acceptable job. I had to listen at 1.25 speed which doesn't happen very often.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio, via Netgalley, for approving my request to listen to the audiobook and to St. Martin's Press, also via Netgalley. for providing a copy of the e-ARC. All opinions expressed are my own. This review will be published on Goodreads and Netgalley on March 26, 2026 and on amazon.ca on or after June 2, 2026.
Publication Date: June 2, 2026
June 7, 2026
4.5 stars - took me a bit to get into, but WOW! This one's awesome and I really enjoyed how clever a Psycho retelling it was - lots of twists & turns. Hope this author does another slasher film retelling
June 10, 2026
In the beginning my interest was sparked immediately but by the end it had all been snuffed out. I hate being an outlier on a book that's being praised by so many readers but this one fell flat for me.
As I'm sure many readers are aware this is a twist on Hitchcock's Psycho where Norman doesn't kill Marion in that infamous shower scene, rather, Marion overpowers Norman setting this book into motion.
And as I said I was ALL IN in the beginning but then things started to bother me.
1.) I did not like Marion and I really, really wanted to but the longer I spent time with her the more I disliked her.
2.) Hannah the young up-and-coming but yet-to-actually-be private investigator didn't ring true to me at all.
3.) I felt the tone of this book, to me, leaned very much into YA territory.
4.) The pacing is all off. Once you hit the mid-point this book slows to a crawl and I had to force myself to pick it up again. (I skimmed the last 25% just to be done with this)
5.) This book is OVER THE TOP. Seriously. I did not buy what Rowan was trying to sell me at all.
6.) The ending was so convoluted and unbelievable that I was seriously irked I'd even wasted my time on this.
To elaborate more on any of the above would involve spoilers so my lips are now officially zipped. 🤐
While I love books about feminine rage and kicking the patriarchy in the balls this one just didn't hit the way I wanted it to. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my complimentary copy.
As I'm sure many readers are aware this is a twist on Hitchcock's Psycho where Norman doesn't kill Marion in that infamous shower scene, rather, Marion overpowers Norman setting this book into motion.
And as I said I was ALL IN in the beginning but then things started to bother me.
1.) I did not like Marion and I really, really wanted to but the longer I spent time with her the more I disliked her.
2.) Hannah the young up-and-coming but yet-to-actually-be private investigator didn't ring true to me at all.
3.) I felt the tone of this book, to me, leaned very much into YA territory.
4.) The pacing is all off. Once you hit the mid-point this book slows to a crawl and I had to force myself to pick it up again. (I skimmed the last 25% just to be done with this)
5.) This book is OVER THE TOP. Seriously. I did not buy what Rowan was trying to sell me at all.
6.) The ending was so convoluted and unbelievable that I was seriously irked I'd even wasted my time on this.
To elaborate more on any of the above would involve spoilers so my lips are now officially zipped. 🤐
While I love books about feminine rage and kicking the patriarchy in the balls this one just didn't hit the way I wanted it to. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my complimentary copy.
June 8, 2026
“Marion” would do anything for her sister, Lauren, who shows up at Marion’s NYC apartment with bruises. After a failed attempt at depositing $100,000 cash into her misogynistic boss’s bank account fails, she returns home to discover her sister has left to return to her abusive husband. Marion immediately catches a bus to get to her sister. When that bus most unfortunately breaks down, Marion is left to stay at the only remaining room left, at the Billings Motel. This sets off a wild chain of events, and I was hooked from page one.
This is a brilliant feminist twist on the classic book/film, Psycho. I’ve read the source material and seen the classic movie, and I think this author really paid homage to the original. There were several nods to the original throughout, and I think it was done well. This is feminine rage and revenge in all its glory, and I was here for it. I thought the pacing was great, and the tension remained from the first page to the last.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a brilliant feminist twist on the classic book/film, Psycho. I’ve read the source material and seen the classic movie, and I think this author really paid homage to the original. There were several nods to the original throughout, and I think it was done well. This is feminine rage and revenge in all its glory, and I was here for it. I thought the pacing was great, and the tension remained from the first page to the last.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
June 3, 2026
I’m assuming most of us are familiar with the story of what happened to Marion when she stole a bunch of money from her employer and checked into the Bates Motel . . .
But how about a little refresh where there’s still a Norman – and, of course, “Mother” – but where the turns table into . . .
Oh this was fun!
And I know you aren’t supposed to quote reader copies, but I’m not always a rule follower so just know this may change (although I certainly hope it does not):
It was late walks home alone, head always turning to look behind you, keys in your hand. It was stepping into an elevator with a person you knew could overpower you. It was raised fists, bruised cheeks. It was too much booze, a boy, always a boy, a boy with promise, promise you’d take if you told anyone. It was that boy on top of you, hands everywhere, taking advantage. It was playground taunts, SLUT scrawled across a locker. It was the the doctor who insisted I didn’t really need any painkillers to get my IUD inserted. It was an innkeeper, sneaking into my room, a knife in his hand, ready to take my life. It was every woman’s dance with violence, a lifelong tango.
Now THIS is how you do female rage.
4.5 Stars
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
But how about a little refresh where there’s still a Norman – and, of course, “Mother” – but where the turns table into . . .
Oh this was fun!
And I know you aren’t supposed to quote reader copies, but I’m not always a rule follower so just know this may change (although I certainly hope it does not):
It was late walks home alone, head always turning to look behind you, keys in your hand. It was stepping into an elevator with a person you knew could overpower you. It was raised fists, bruised cheeks. It was too much booze, a boy, always a boy, a boy with promise, promise you’d take if you told anyone. It was that boy on top of you, hands everywhere, taking advantage. It was playground taunts, SLUT scrawled across a locker. It was the the doctor who insisted I didn’t really need any painkillers to get my IUD inserted. It was an innkeeper, sneaking into my room, a knife in his hand, ready to take my life. It was every woman’s dance with violence, a lifelong tango.
Now THIS is how you do female rage.
4.5 Stars
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
June 11, 2026
I'm at a loss for words on how to write this review. This book was thrilling in the most unrealistically funny way. The MFC is thrown into one ridiculous situation after another, and at times it was genuinely humorous because you could practically visualize her trying to figure out how she was going to get herself out of each sticky situation.
She goes from stealing money to help her sister escape an abusive relationship, to her bus breaking down, to staying at a creepy motel, and then accidentally killing the innkeeper. All before she even gets the chance to reach her sister. It was chaotic, but in a way that kept me completely invested. Despite having so many moving parts, I was intrigued to see how everything would come together, and in the end, I was left satisfied with how it all worked out.
*I want to thank Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Leah Rowan for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
She goes from stealing money to help her sister escape an abusive relationship, to her bus breaking down, to staying at a creepy motel, and then accidentally killing the innkeeper. All before she even gets the chance to reach her sister. It was chaotic, but in a way that kept me completely invested. Despite having so many moving parts, I was intrigued to see how everything would come together, and in the end, I was left satisfied with how it all worked out.
*I want to thank Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Leah Rowan for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 20, 2026
3. 5 stars
Well, this debut novel certainly caught my attention. Whether or not you ever watched Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, it won't be hard to follow along with the reimagining of the tale. Females who kill are all the rage in literature and television today, and "Marion" is no exception to this. The novel is structured around two intertwined storylines: Marion's unraveling and Hannah's investigation into a missing person's case, which she begins before others recognize the urgency of the situation.
Another page-turner for me, but I am not sure about how I feel about the ending. That fell a little flat for me. However, I did enjoy the overall concept and believe it is worth thriller readers attention.
Publication Date 02/06/26
Goodreads Review 09/06/26
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Well, this debut novel certainly caught my attention. Whether or not you ever watched Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, it won't be hard to follow along with the reimagining of the tale. Females who kill are all the rage in literature and television today, and "Marion" is no exception to this. The novel is structured around two intertwined storylines: Marion's unraveling and Hannah's investigation into a missing person's case, which she begins before others recognize the urgency of the situation.
Another page-turner for me, but I am not sure about how I feel about the ending. That fell a little flat for me. However, I did enjoy the overall concept and believe it is worth thriller readers attention.
Publication Date 02/06/26
Goodreads Review 09/06/26
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Want to Read
April 28, 2026A twist in Hitchcock’s iconic classic Psycho
Yeah sign me up!
Excited to read this one!
🖤💛♥️💛🖤
Yeah sign me up!
Excited to read this one!
🖤💛♥️💛🖤
March 14, 2026
✨✨✨I support women’s rage!✨✨✨
You had me at retelling of Psycho where she lives and fights back!! 👏 This is one of those books I feel like was made just for me. I absolutely LOVED it!!!
I knew pretty much as soon as I started Marion that I was going to LOVE it and I was right! I was COMPELLED and engaged from page one. Marion is definitely a new favorite book for me!
I don’t want to give any spoilers so I’ll keep my review short. I love everything about this book and I love what it has to say about how society is towards women, but it’s never preachy which I appreciate. Marion is such a fun feminine rage/classic horror reimagining!! I’m OBSESSED.
This is a must read if the summary sounds good to you then I think you will for sure like it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released June 2, 2026.
Also, you can find me on the Pagebound app—— boobunny86
You had me at retelling of Psycho where she lives and fights back!! 👏 This is one of those books I feel like was made just for me. I absolutely LOVED it!!!
I knew pretty much as soon as I started Marion that I was going to LOVE it and I was right! I was COMPELLED and engaged from page one. Marion is definitely a new favorite book for me!
I don’t want to give any spoilers so I’ll keep my review short. I love everything about this book and I love what it has to say about how society is towards women, but it’s never preachy which I appreciate. Marion is such a fun feminine rage/classic horror reimagining!! I’m OBSESSED.
This is a must read if the summary sounds good to you then I think you will for sure like it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released June 2, 2026.
Also, you can find me on the Pagebound app—— boobunny86
December 15, 2025
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!
June 5, 2026
I have to admit, I have pretty mixed feelings about this book.
Not because I disliked it; I actually think it's a clever idea and a fun twist on a classic story, but because even though a lot happens, I still found parts of it surprisingly slow.
As the blurb says, Marion is desperate to help her sister escape an abusive marriage. When she's suddenly entrusted with a large amount of money that she's supposed to deposit, she makes a split-second decision and takes off with it, hoping to finally help her sister start over.
Unfortunately, fate has other plans.
A broken-down bus leaves her stranded in a small town, where she ends up renting a room at a roadside motel run by a handsome but slightly unsettling young man named Norm.
And yes... that Norm.
What follows is the famous shower scene, BUT with a very different outcome.
When Norm appears with a knife, Marion fights back. Hard. Let's just say she makes absolutely sure he won't be getting up again.
From there, the story becomes much bigger than I expected. We get Marion's storyline, but also pieces involving her boss, her sister's husband, investigators and several other threads that slowly connect together.
One thing I really appreciated was the amount of female anger and frustration woven throughout the story. There's a lot here about power, control, abuse, survival and women refusing to remain victims.
That said, I do think the book occasionally suffered from trying to do a little too much.
The audiobook was ten hours long, and there were definitely moments where I felt the pacing slow down. Not enough to make me want to stop listening, but enough that I occasionally thought a chapter here or there could have been trimmed.
I also struggled with Hannah's character (our PI). She never really clicked for me, and compared to Marion she felt much less interesting.
Still, I enjoyed the premise, thought the retelling concept was interesting, and appreciated seeing Marion become something very different from the victim we know from the original story.
Overall, an interesting and ambitious reimagining that didn't completely win me over, but still kept me listening.
⭐ 3.75 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
Not because I disliked it; I actually think it's a clever idea and a fun twist on a classic story, but because even though a lot happens, I still found parts of it surprisingly slow.
As the blurb says, Marion is desperate to help her sister escape an abusive marriage. When she's suddenly entrusted with a large amount of money that she's supposed to deposit, she makes a split-second decision and takes off with it, hoping to finally help her sister start over.
Unfortunately, fate has other plans.
A broken-down bus leaves her stranded in a small town, where she ends up renting a room at a roadside motel run by a handsome but slightly unsettling young man named Norm.
And yes... that Norm.
What follows is the famous shower scene, BUT with a very different outcome.
When Norm appears with a knife, Marion fights back. Hard. Let's just say she makes absolutely sure he won't be getting up again.
From there, the story becomes much bigger than I expected. We get Marion's storyline, but also pieces involving her boss, her sister's husband, investigators and several other threads that slowly connect together.
One thing I really appreciated was the amount of female anger and frustration woven throughout the story. There's a lot here about power, control, abuse, survival and women refusing to remain victims.
That said, I do think the book occasionally suffered from trying to do a little too much.
The audiobook was ten hours long, and there were definitely moments where I felt the pacing slow down. Not enough to make me want to stop listening, but enough that I occasionally thought a chapter here or there could have been trimmed.
I also struggled with Hannah's character (our PI). She never really clicked for me, and compared to Marion she felt much less interesting.
Still, I enjoyed the premise, thought the retelling concept was interesting, and appreciated seeing Marion become something very different from the victim we know from the original story.
Overall, an interesting and ambitious reimagining that didn't completely win me over, but still kept me listening.
⭐ 3.75 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ve been a fan of PSYCHO since forever—I remember like yesterday watching it for the first time with my mom and being absolutely blown away by that ending!! And over the years, the term psycho has become quite ingrained in society, often being used indiscriminately and arbitrarily, invoking different images for different people. But for me, the term will always invoke images of Norman Bates, the Bates Motel, a domineering mother, and a young victim we’ve come to know simply as Marion, who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This reimagining by Leah Rowan of the classic takes a bold and intriguing alternate approach—telling the story from “Marion’s” (not her real name) perspective and flipping the narrative so that she kills the character we’ve come to know as Norman (Norm Billings in the book) instead of becoming his victim. It’s a compelling concept no doubt, especially for fans of re-imaginings and retellings, and it immediately sets up the potential for a fresh, dark exploration of character and motive.
I enjoyed a lot about this novel and often found it difficult to put down. I like the author’s writing style, and the alternating POVs between our MC Marion and private investigator Hannah were executed very well. I especially enjoyed the beginning chapters when Marion meets Norm and actually seems to form a connection with a person whom she believes is a genuinely nice guy. Then the inevitable shower scene occurs, and she turns the tables on him in the most surprising of ways. I also really enjoyed reading about the mother/daughter, as well as sister/sister relationships—complex, flawed, and grounded in lots of love.
Unfortunately, there were some aspects about the novel that I didn't like so much. Admittedly, I had a hard time being sympathetic with many of the characters and found it difficult to connect with them, which made it harder to stay emotionally invested in the story. And some parts dragged a bit more than I would have liked, with the internal monologues often feeling a bit repetitive rather than revealing. On top of that, the portrayal of male characters felt overly one-dimensional, not really offering a balanced or complex depiction, which distracted from the core psychological tension at times. Combined with uneven pacing, the book never quite builds the impact it seems to be aiming for.
Would I recommend MARION to other readers? Yes, I think so. Overall, this version of an iconic psychological horror tale has an intriguing perspective shift, many edge-of-your-seat moments, and very good writing. And although it ultimately didn’t land as strongly as I had hoped, I’m still glad I found it.
I want to thank NetGalley, Leah Rowan, and St. Martin’s Press for gifting me the ARC of MARION. I was so excited to receive it and I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!
This reimagining by Leah Rowan of the classic takes a bold and intriguing alternate approach—telling the story from “Marion’s” (not her real name) perspective and flipping the narrative so that she kills the character we’ve come to know as Norman (Norm Billings in the book) instead of becoming his victim. It’s a compelling concept no doubt, especially for fans of re-imaginings and retellings, and it immediately sets up the potential for a fresh, dark exploration of character and motive.
I enjoyed a lot about this novel and often found it difficult to put down. I like the author’s writing style, and the alternating POVs between our MC Marion and private investigator Hannah were executed very well. I especially enjoyed the beginning chapters when Marion meets Norm and actually seems to form a connection with a person whom she believes is a genuinely nice guy. Then the inevitable shower scene occurs, and she turns the tables on him in the most surprising of ways. I also really enjoyed reading about the mother/daughter, as well as sister/sister relationships—complex, flawed, and grounded in lots of love.
Unfortunately, there were some aspects about the novel that I didn't like so much. Admittedly, I had a hard time being sympathetic with many of the characters and found it difficult to connect with them, which made it harder to stay emotionally invested in the story. And some parts dragged a bit more than I would have liked, with the internal monologues often feeling a bit repetitive rather than revealing. On top of that, the portrayal of male characters felt overly one-dimensional, not really offering a balanced or complex depiction, which distracted from the core psychological tension at times. Combined with uneven pacing, the book never quite builds the impact it seems to be aiming for.
Would I recommend MARION to other readers? Yes, I think so. Overall, this version of an iconic psychological horror tale has an intriguing perspective shift, many edge-of-your-seat moments, and very good writing. And although it ultimately didn’t land as strongly as I had hoped, I’m still glad I found it.
I want to thank NetGalley, Leah Rowan, and St. Martin’s Press for gifting me the ARC of MARION. I was so excited to receive it and I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!
January 6, 2026
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.
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.
June 9, 2026
Marin by Leah Rowan
Mystery, thriller. Retelling. Alternating POV between Marion and an investigator.
Imagine a run down hotel in the middle of nowhere. A woman traveling alone. The desk clerk is friendly and good looking, saying he runs the hotel for his ailing mother. The room is clean, if a bit old fashioned. She takes a shower to get rid of the travel dust and hears a noise from her room. It’s the desk clerk and he has a knife.
Marion needs to get to her sister. She’s not answering her phone. When the bus breaks down, she’s stuck finding accommodations for the night. The only room available is at the Billings. When she hears movement outside her shower, Marion attacks first. Norm Billings ends up dead. Marin can only think of her sister, in danger and unprotected. She doesn’t have time to delay, so wraps the body in the shower curtain and proceeds with cleanup which isn’t as easy as the television shows make it seem.
What is she forgetting? And who is now knocking on her door?
A twist on Psycho where the female takes the power instead of death.
Amateur at the process of covering up the crime, Marion tries to erase her presence but has to backtrack more than once.
POV changes from Marion and Hannah, who is investigating a missing person case and finds a grisly murder scene.
Twisted and a bit offbeat. Marion is tired and not going to take the hit again. This time she’s fighting back.
Switches between Marion and Hannah are clearly labeled and helpful in following the two closely aligned timelines.
I’m a little conflicted and I don’t want to spoil the twists.
Yes, I enjoyed the fact that she wasn’t a victim of Norman. All the rest of the complexities were compelling and enticing to follow. Unsettling closure. I think.
Good storytelling.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Mystery, thriller. Retelling. Alternating POV between Marion and an investigator.
Imagine a run down hotel in the middle of nowhere. A woman traveling alone. The desk clerk is friendly and good looking, saying he runs the hotel for his ailing mother. The room is clean, if a bit old fashioned. She takes a shower to get rid of the travel dust and hears a noise from her room. It’s the desk clerk and he has a knife.
Marion needs to get to her sister. She’s not answering her phone. When the bus breaks down, she’s stuck finding accommodations for the night. The only room available is at the Billings. When she hears movement outside her shower, Marion attacks first. Norm Billings ends up dead. Marin can only think of her sister, in danger and unprotected. She doesn’t have time to delay, so wraps the body in the shower curtain and proceeds with cleanup which isn’t as easy as the television shows make it seem.
What is she forgetting? And who is now knocking on her door?
A twist on Psycho where the female takes the power instead of death.
Amateur at the process of covering up the crime, Marion tries to erase her presence but has to backtrack more than once.
POV changes from Marion and Hannah, who is investigating a missing person case and finds a grisly murder scene.
Twisted and a bit offbeat. Marion is tired and not going to take the hit again. This time she’s fighting back.
Switches between Marion and Hannah are clearly labeled and helpful in following the two closely aligned timelines.
I’m a little conflicted and I don’t want to spoil the twists.
Yes, I enjoyed the fact that she wasn’t a victim of Norman. All the rest of the complexities were compelling and enticing to follow. Unsettling closure. I think.
Good storytelling.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
June 12, 2026
Holy cow!! What did I just read? Marion is a brilliant thought out debut thriller by Leah Rowan. Think PYSCHO the movie only with lots of twists, giving some gory details at times but I really enjoyed this thriller. The ending was stellar! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release/widget. I can’t wait to see what Leah comes up with next!!!
June 6, 2026
what if hitchcock's most
famous blonde never died
in that motel shower? what
if she set in motion a whole
lot of spectacular twists? ♡
famous blonde never died
in that motel shower? what
if she set in motion a whole
lot of spectacular twists? ♡
March 26, 2026
**SPOILERS**
In the first paragraph, the main character (whose actual name I forget), says she’s not like other girls because she does something “bad”. Already a red flag, but I kept reading because the concept was super interesting to me. Unfortunately, the entire plot revolves around the contradiction that every man is evil by nature, but evil women are only evil because of an evil man. I think there’s a way to do this that wasn’t this.
For example, every man Marion meets seems nice at first but then wants to kill or abuse her. She ends up killing Norman and criticizes him for having mommy issues, but then becomes haunted by her own mother’s voice and kills 2 more men, justifying it by saying that her mom would’ve wanted her to be an independent woman who takes matters into her own hands. And it’s not portrayed as ironic, it’s portrayed as justified.
In an alternate POV, a PI character says Norms mom is not to blame for Norms actions (agree), because Norm was an evil man who made his own choices even though his mom knew there was something wrong and instead of helping him, abandoned him which led to him becoming obsessed with her and killing women to replace her (disagree). I think both of them played a part in that failed relationship and while it’s obviously not the mom’s fault, the PI excused her because of how moms are often blamed for their sons’ bad behavior. Again, there’s a nuanced way to portray this and this was not it.
By the end, Marion has killed her boss/coworker and her sister’s husband/boyfriend. The husband/boyfriend was suspected of killing the sister, so Marion (with Mom in her head) kills him. The sister actually isn’t dead, but thanks Marion because the boyfriend was abusive and she didn’t know how to leave him. They then call their mom to help them hide the body and it’s revealed that she is a drunk because she knew about the boyfriend being an abuser(??). So the boyfriend causes the mom to be absent and a drunk but it’s not Norm’s mom fault that Norm is crazy because she abandoned him when she knew he had issues? Again, there’s a contradiction here that men being evil is nature and women being evil is nurture by men.
All in all, I’d say that I understand what the message is going for and I wouldn’t have a problem with it if it didn’t end up being: men are bad because they’re men and women are only ever bad because of men. I think making the overly-feminine gay man the only guy that does nothing wrong was frustrating since the women are all genuinely bad people who blame their actions on bad men, and not in a smart, ironic way. The epilogue of the book even says something like, all women have a killer inside of them and it might come out if you’re pushed too far by men. Huh??
I would’ve really enjoyed this book if the commentary was well done because I agree with the argument the book is sold on. Seeing how a super well known woman would be affected by a murder had *she* survived is really intriguing and there’s a lot of messaging that can go into that. Unfortunately, the messaging here is a mess and told rather than shown.
Anyway, 1.25 because there’s no Costco in Poughkeepsie.
In the first paragraph, the main character (whose actual name I forget), says she’s not like other girls because she does something “bad”. Already a red flag, but I kept reading because the concept was super interesting to me. Unfortunately, the entire plot revolves around the contradiction that every man is evil by nature, but evil women are only evil because of an evil man. I think there’s a way to do this that wasn’t this.
For example, every man Marion meets seems nice at first but then wants to kill or abuse her. She ends up killing Norman and criticizes him for having mommy issues, but then becomes haunted by her own mother’s voice and kills 2 more men, justifying it by saying that her mom would’ve wanted her to be an independent woman who takes matters into her own hands. And it’s not portrayed as ironic, it’s portrayed as justified.
In an alternate POV, a PI character says Norms mom is not to blame for Norms actions (agree), because Norm was an evil man who made his own choices even though his mom knew there was something wrong and instead of helping him, abandoned him which led to him becoming obsessed with her and killing women to replace her (disagree). I think both of them played a part in that failed relationship and while it’s obviously not the mom’s fault, the PI excused her because of how moms are often blamed for their sons’ bad behavior. Again, there’s a nuanced way to portray this and this was not it.
By the end, Marion has killed her boss/coworker and her sister’s husband/boyfriend. The husband/boyfriend was suspected of killing the sister, so Marion (with Mom in her head) kills him. The sister actually isn’t dead, but thanks Marion because the boyfriend was abusive and she didn’t know how to leave him. They then call their mom to help them hide the body and it’s revealed that she is a drunk because she knew about the boyfriend being an abuser(??). So the boyfriend causes the mom to be absent and a drunk but it’s not Norm’s mom fault that Norm is crazy because she abandoned him when she knew he had issues? Again, there’s a contradiction here that men being evil is nature and women being evil is nurture by men.
All in all, I’d say that I understand what the message is going for and I wouldn’t have a problem with it if it didn’t end up being: men are bad because they’re men and women are only ever bad because of men. I think making the overly-feminine gay man the only guy that does nothing wrong was frustrating since the women are all genuinely bad people who blame their actions on bad men, and not in a smart, ironic way. The epilogue of the book even says something like, all women have a killer inside of them and it might come out if you’re pushed too far by men. Huh??
I would’ve really enjoyed this book if the commentary was well done because I agree with the argument the book is sold on. Seeing how a super well known woman would be affected by a murder had *she* survived is really intriguing and there’s a lot of messaging that can go into that. Unfortunately, the messaging here is a mess and told rather than shown.
Anyway, 1.25 because there’s no Costco in Poughkeepsie.
May 8, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC audiobook edition of Marion by Leah Rowan for an honest review. This is a retelling of Robert Bloch's Psycho if the girl in the shower, "Marion", fought back and in turn, killed Norman- (named Norm in this book). Marion finds herself stranded at Norm's hotel after leaving her job with a stack of stolen money that she is intending to use to help her sister escape an abusive relationship. What you find out is that Marion and Norm have a lot of thing in common, like mommy issues and the urge to kill. There were more than one point of view and timelines- Marion and the investigator that is looking for Marion and trying to find out where she is and trying to piece together what was going on. There's times in the book where I'm like... is she schizophrenic, is this really happening? I wasn't all too sure if she (Marion) was a reliable narrator and it kept me on my toes- and I liked that. The plot twists were crazy and I definitely enjoyed this book!
March 16, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an ALC in exchange for honest feedback.
This was definitely a fun reimagining of Psycho! We finally have an answer to the infamous shower scene question: what if she fought back? And the answer is absolute bloody chaos in the best possible way. Marion flips the script, grabs the knife, and becomes the one leaving a trail of blood and bodies behind.
I absolutely loved the dark humor throughout! It kept the story weirdly entertaining despite the twisted plot and graphic horror. The FMC was messy and morally questionable which made her that much more fun to follow along with.
Overall this was such a fun ride that was fast-paced, chaotic, and bloody - just the way I like it. Looking forward to picking up my shelf trophy.
This was definitely a fun reimagining of Psycho! We finally have an answer to the infamous shower scene question: what if she fought back? And the answer is absolute bloody chaos in the best possible way. Marion flips the script, grabs the knife, and becomes the one leaving a trail of blood and bodies behind.
I absolutely loved the dark humor throughout! It kept the story weirdly entertaining despite the twisted plot and graphic horror. The FMC was messy and morally questionable which made her that much more fun to follow along with.
Overall this was such a fun ride that was fast-paced, chaotic, and bloody - just the way I like it. Looking forward to picking up my shelf trophy.
June 15, 2026
Many of us have seen the classic Psycho and I think much has been written about this film made by Alfred Hitchcock and having Janet Leigh, and Anthony Perkins as the main cast.. Who can forget that shower scene?
What if Marion Crane, the would be embezzler, had turned the table and become the aggressor, the one to see that Norman Bates got his just desserts?
That's the theme behind this book. It is about a woman finding her strength so encouraged by her mother to always fight for themselves. Both Marion and her sister are close and when Marion sees that her sister, Lauren's husband is abusing her, she steals money to help her sister get out of this abusive marriage.
Marion (an assumed name), on her tip to her sister's home, is waylaid when the bus she is on breaks down, and she is forced to spend the night in a very spooky hotel far away from town with no guests and only Norman and his ailing mother present.
Then the "fun" begins as Marion discovers a power within her that seems to surface when needed. Marion is a bit of a modern day heroine, who protects what his hers, (family) and goes on to possibly saving the day with a few "mishaps" on the side.
This was a fine story that keep one laser focused on Marion and her exploits to right the wrong that a few men place on woman. Talk about rage!!!
I am woman hear me roar!
What if Marion Crane, the would be embezzler, had turned the table and become the aggressor, the one to see that Norman Bates got his just desserts?
That's the theme behind this book. It is about a woman finding her strength so encouraged by her mother to always fight for themselves. Both Marion and her sister are close and when Marion sees that her sister, Lauren's husband is abusing her, she steals money to help her sister get out of this abusive marriage.
Marion (an assumed name), on her tip to her sister's home, is waylaid when the bus she is on breaks down, and she is forced to spend the night in a very spooky hotel far away from town with no guests and only Norman and his ailing mother present.
Then the "fun" begins as Marion discovers a power within her that seems to surface when needed. Marion is a bit of a modern day heroine, who protects what his hers, (family) and goes on to possibly saving the day with a few "mishaps" on the side.
This was a fine story that keep one laser focused on Marion and her exploits to right the wrong that a few men place on woman. Talk about rage!!!
I am woman hear me roar!
June 3, 2026
Yikes, not good. Folks taking on Hitchcock or even Robert Bloch need to be up to the challenge. Instead of being taut and tight like it’s inspiration, this meandered all over. I was skimming so many chapters. The first person narration felt like, “I did this”, then “I did that”, over and over and over, plus our main characters are super annoying. Changing the setting and timeframe was also a choice. Upstate New York doesn’t have the same isolating atmosphere as Arizona off of the highway. I made it to the 50% mark and couldn’t spend more time here.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Well. Clearly, I read a different book than everyone else did. Forewarning: my review is going to be unpopular and probably nonsensical at points. You have been warned.
*A thank you goes out to NetGalley for the ARC*
I have a lot of mixed emotions about this book. The first 30% of it was so slow, to the point where I strongly considered DNFing it. I'm actually surprised that I didn't--I am usually not the type to keep going when I am extremely bored with a book. But I kept going. And it did get better. The pace did pick up.
According to the description, this book "is a feminist thriller that reimagines Psycho, where Marion Crane fights back and kills Norman Bates, becoming a fugitive on the run." I don't know if it's because I am desensitized to horror or what, but the majority of the time, I kept wondering where the thriller bit was. Because yes, this had hints of Psycho, but that played a very tiny role in this story. Rather, it's about a nameless female character who is extremely unlikeable (which is fine! I like unlikeable characters! just not this one), a bit spoiled and entitled, who in one breath talks about using her beauty to get what she wants and hating it in the next. We contain multitudes. Long story short, I did not like Marion. I found myself not caring about her tragic backstory, about her current situation, and just not caring about her in general.
This book focuses on feminist rage, subverting and smashing the patriarchy, and taking back control. All things that are important, given the state of the USA, but honestly....it wasn't enough to make this book compelling. I wanted more horror, more anger, more graphic details. I wanted a proper horror that truly was like Psycho, not just in name but also in the writing.
The book is told from dual points of view: Marion and an investigator named Hannah. I liked Hannah. If she had been the main character of the book, I might have enjoyed it more. Marion, despite what she thought about herself, was not that smart and .
I'm sure a lot of people will love this book. Ultimately, it wasn't for me, and isn't worthy of more than a 2 star rating.
*A thank you goes out to NetGalley for the ARC*
I have a lot of mixed emotions about this book. The first 30% of it was so slow, to the point where I strongly considered DNFing it. I'm actually surprised that I didn't--I am usually not the type to keep going when I am extremely bored with a book. But I kept going. And it did get better. The pace did pick up.
According to the description, this book "is a feminist thriller that reimagines Psycho, where Marion Crane fights back and kills Norman Bates, becoming a fugitive on the run." I don't know if it's because I am desensitized to horror or what, but the majority of the time, I kept wondering where the thriller bit was. Because yes, this had hints of Psycho, but that played a very tiny role in this story. Rather, it's about a nameless female character who is extremely unlikeable (which is fine! I like unlikeable characters! just not this one), a bit spoiled and entitled, who in one breath talks about using her beauty to get what she wants and hating it in the next. We contain multitudes. Long story short, I did not like Marion. I found myself not caring about her tragic backstory, about her current situation, and just not caring about her in general.
This book focuses on feminist rage, subverting and smashing the patriarchy, and taking back control. All things that are important, given the state of the USA, but honestly....it wasn't enough to make this book compelling. I wanted more horror, more anger, more graphic details. I wanted a proper horror that truly was like Psycho, not just in name but also in the writing.
The book is told from dual points of view: Marion and an investigator named Hannah. I liked Hannah. If she had been the main character of the book, I might have enjoyed it more. Marion, despite what she thought about herself, was not that smart and .
I'm sure a lot of people will love this book. Ultimately, it wasn't for me, and isn't worthy of more than a 2 star rating.
March 5, 2026
*Audiobook
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨ (3.5/5)
“It’s a wild feeling, the feeling after your first murder.”
“I would do anything for you.”
Thanks to Macmillan Audio / St. Martin’s Press for my gifted copy of this one in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I did this one as an audiobook and felt the audio narration was well done and the narrator was a good choice for this read.
If you’re into fem-vigilantism and slashers, then this may be the perfect book for you!
The last 20% or so of the book was my fav. The pacing sped up and I was on the edge of my seat.
I liked the “justice” and karma contained in these pages but I do wish it was a little faster paced. It lagged a little in the middle, so it lost my attention a bit. I think it would be fun as a movie.
Overall it was fun and I’m glad I checked it out.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨ (3.5/5)
“It’s a wild feeling, the feeling after your first murder.”
“I would do anything for you.”
Thanks to Macmillan Audio / St. Martin’s Press for my gifted copy of this one in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I did this one as an audiobook and felt the audio narration was well done and the narrator was a good choice for this read.
If you’re into fem-vigilantism and slashers, then this may be the perfect book for you!
The last 20% or so of the book was my fav. The pacing sped up and I was on the edge of my seat.
I liked the “justice” and karma contained in these pages but I do wish it was a little faster paced. It lagged a little in the middle, so it lost my attention a bit. I think it would be fun as a movie.
Overall it was fun and I’m glad I checked it out.
June 5, 2026
One of the most iconic moments in film history is the shower scene in Psycho. We all know what happens to Marion Crane, but what if she fought back? What if she survived and Norm didn’t?
In this reimagining, “Marion” is devastated to learn her sister has been abused by her husband. Desperate to help her escape, she steals cash from the ad agency where she works and heads to Saratoga Springs. But when her bus breaks down in a tiny town, she’s forced to take the only available room at a rundown motel. Norm Billings, the owner, seems harmless enough and so at first, Marion is thankful she has a place to stay, but things go horribly wrong from there!
The story alternates between Marion and Hannah, a new investigator searching for a missing woman. I liked Hannah, but I was rooting for Marion from the start!
I loved this re-telling with Marion as the victor instead of the victim! Yes, in real life this is a no-no, but have you ever sided with a woman who was tired of being the victim and took justice in her own hands? A few famous (infamous?) examples come to mind for me! This was a wild ride and I wasn’t sure how it would work out. The little vigilante in me was hoping! There were some twists I didn’t see coming, too!
I listened to the audio version narrated by Natalie Naudus as Hannah and Tawny Platis as Marion which gave a clear voice each to POV. I thoroughly enjoyed both narrators and it enhanced my enjoyment.
Marion was a riveting, clever reimagining! A definite recommend!
I voluntarily listened to an audio copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
In this reimagining, “Marion” is devastated to learn her sister has been abused by her husband. Desperate to help her escape, she steals cash from the ad agency where she works and heads to Saratoga Springs. But when her bus breaks down in a tiny town, she’s forced to take the only available room at a rundown motel. Norm Billings, the owner, seems harmless enough and so at first, Marion is thankful she has a place to stay, but things go horribly wrong from there!
The story alternates between Marion and Hannah, a new investigator searching for a missing woman. I liked Hannah, but I was rooting for Marion from the start!
I loved this re-telling with Marion as the victor instead of the victim! Yes, in real life this is a no-no, but have you ever sided with a woman who was tired of being the victim and took justice in her own hands? A few famous (infamous?) examples come to mind for me! This was a wild ride and I wasn’t sure how it would work out. The little vigilante in me was hoping! There were some twists I didn’t see coming, too!
I listened to the audio version narrated by Natalie Naudus as Hannah and Tawny Platis as Marion which gave a clear voice each to POV. I thoroughly enjoyed both narrators and it enhanced my enjoyment.
Marion was a riveting, clever reimagining! A definite recommend!
I voluntarily listened to an audio copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
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