The Women in White

by Sarah Pekkanen

The next thriller from #1 bestselling author Sarah Pekkanen combines a decades-old mystery with spine-tingling paranormal elements in this twisty novel of the seen and unseen.

Extrasensory perception.
The Gift.
A Sixth Sense.
Or something else….

In 1964, four remarkable young women at a prestigious university became the subjects of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist. On the cusp of a historic breakthrough, the women mysteriously vanished and the program was erased from history.

Decades later, Riley Bell, newly divorced and desperate for a fresh start, accepts a caretaker job for an elderly widow named Betty. Riley steps into a home that is frozen in another era - no microwave, television, or cell phones, and Betty has never heard of the internet.

Why has Betty lived in such profound isolation for so many years, and why does she need Riley now? As the story unfolds across two timelines - Betty’s 1960s era of 5 o’clock martinis and high-stakes experiments, and Riley’s quest to uncover the truth about the missing women - old secrets rise to the surface. And the only way to survive is to confront the mystery that has lingered for sixty years.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Suspense

Audible Audio

First published August 4, 2026

About the author

I'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 and THE LOCKED WARD, which is hailed by Lee Child as "psychological suspense at its very best."

My upcoming novel is THE WOMEN IN WHITE.

I'm also the author or coauthor of these bestselling thrillers: GONE TONIGHT, THE GOLDEN COUPLE, THE WIFE BETWEEN US, AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, and YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

I've 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.)

Reviews

[MarilynW · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen
Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld

Riley Bell has made mistakes by not noticing red flags, by being naive, and by thinking she could trust her husband. It doesn't take long for her husband to blow up her life liked he'd already blown his own up even before he met Riley. Still, Riley has a strong tendency to not trust her gut, to make excuses for people who do shady things, to not take control of her life and situations when that option is open to her, if only she'd grow a backbone.

Elderly Betty, wheelchair and house bound for way too long, KNOWS that Riley is the one to be her caretaker. Riley is living in her car, having lost everything thanks to her husband, and the job Betty offers her will allow her to have her own bedroom in Betty's home. Betty doesn't even seem to need much help, her house is designed for her wheelchair and she can do everything herself. But, oddly, Betty's home seems to be stuck in the 1960s and Betty seems to have no idea of innovations since that time.

Riley and Betty hit it off and it's not often that I like two characters the way I like these, too. Neither one of them is perfect, Betty was naive in her younger days, less so now although she is held back by not knowing so much that has happened outside her home over the decades. Riley is always second guessing herself and giving some people too much credit for their questionable actions but Betty is going to mentor her about life whether Riley realizes it or not.

There is another big timeline, 1964, and we will meet four young women who will be caught in the grasp of a scientist who inflicts his parapsychology experiments on all four women. Not only are these young women caught in the snare of this scientist but they are also caught in the prison of thinking they have to adhere to the life of the perfect housewife or girlfriend of that time. As always, when I read about this time, there is a lot of drinking and smoking in all situations which is horrifying considering what the women are going through at various times but I'd probably take up smoking and drinking if I had to live their stifling lives. We'll quickly learn the connection between the two timelines and things will get wild and crazy for Riley and Betty.

I've read nonfiction that details various experiments on humans who were totally unaware of what was being done to them or who volunteered for experiments, assuming the scientists would never hurt them. At the beginning of some chapters we get real life quotes that are chilling and those quotes raise the tension when reading about the four young women. I enjoyed this story for both the horror of being a young woman trying to live the 60's ideal housewife life and for the experiments on the young women and others like them. Saskia Maarleveld does a great job with the narration. Be sure to check out the reviews of DeAnn, Jayme, and Mary Beth because we had a great time discussing this disturbing story.

Pub August 4, 2026

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press, SMP Early Readers and NetGalley for this ARC

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 3 out of 5]

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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[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

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⭐⭐⭐1/2
The Women in White
Sarah Pekkanen
Publication Date: August 4th, 2026
St. Martin's Press
304 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers | Women's Fiction

This is my third solo book by this author, and I have learned that she just isn't for me. I loved the books she co-wrote with Greer Hendricks, but these paranormal standalones haven't worked well for me. I will say, though, that out of the bunch, this one was my favourite. It is inspired by real parapsychology experiments from the 1960s and features a dual timeline set in both the present day and 1964. In the current timeline, we follow Riley, who works as a carer for an older woman named Betty. They often talk about Betty's university days and her group of friends from back then, known as "The Women in White." These women took part in trials all those years ago, and things did not go well.

As is usually the case with dual-timeline stories, I enjoyed the past storyline a lot more and wish the author had focused entirely on it—I probably would have given it four stars if she had. The present timeline with Riley wasn't nearly as engaging or spooky, whereas the friendship dynamic among the women in 1964 was fantastic.

That said, I appreciated the short, fast-paced chapters that kept me saying, "just one more," which is always a plus. While the story didn't completely wow me, it was very atmospheric, tense, and full of drama, striking a great balance between suspense and emotional depth. The characters were relatable and well-rounded, each carrying authentic emotional baggage—from the women in the earlier timeline to Riley navigating life as a newly divorced single woman.

The pacing is a slow burn, but it works well for the story. The first half moves a bit slower as it sets everything up, but the last 30% really ramps up to make up for it. I also liked that the author kept the supernatural elements grounded in reality rather than going over the top, which was worth an extra half-star in my book. Overall, it was a mostly enjoyable, suspenseful, and engaging read with realistic characters and plenty of tension.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen
Narrated by the marvelous Saskia Maarleveld
Audiobook length 7 hours 57 minutes at 1x,
5 hours 18 minutes at 1.5 x

Genres: HISTORICAL FICTION, Domestic Suspense-
NOT A THRILLER!

From the Author’s Note:
Although this is work of Fiction, The quotes that appear in front of Betty’s chapters are all real and verifiable. Many of the cited journals and articles were kept in the Duke parapsychology laboratory which existed as a distinguished part of the university from 1930 until 1965. inside the laboratory, researchers conducted tests designed to measure the psychic abilities of College students and other volunteers.

In 1964, four young women-Betty, Kathleen, Helen and Ivy- became “volunteers” of parapsychology experiments by a “visionary” scientist. But, it isn’t an experiment that you have likely heard of because once this man was finished with the women, they ALL mysteriously vanished and the program was erased from history.

Decades later, Riley Bell, newly divorced from a husband with a gambling addiction, applies for a live-in caretaker job for an elderly widow named Betty. When Riley steps into Betty’s home she finds that it looks exactly as it did when it was built-though slightly faded, perhaps. There is no microwave, television, or cell phones, and Betty has never heard of the internet.

Despite the fact that time seems to have stalled for Betty-she seems pretty self sufficient-so why is she hiring a caretaker now?

As the story unfolds across two timelines - Riley, Present Day and Betty’s 1960s era of 5 o’clock martinis, 6 o’clock dinners and the experiments that she endured, you will see what a traditional wife of the 60’s looked like. These four women felt it was their “duty” to graciously participate, even though they didn’t want to. The NOSTALGIA is spot-on and frequent, completely immersing you in that decade.

Soon Riley learns her real purpose-to uncover the truth about what happened to Betty’s old friends-a mystery that has lingered for sixty years.

This IMPRESSIVE story was meticulously researched, and we can’t pretend that things like this didn’t happen, no matter how shocking or ugly the history is.

I was immediately engaged as I began reading/and listening to Betty’s story, but a SLOWER pace in the middle, kept me from awarding the full 5 stars. (Immersion read)

A buddy read with Marilyn, DeAnn and Mary Beth-please watch for their reviews for additional thoughts!

NOW AVAILABLE

Thank You to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and the SMP early readers program for the gifted ARCs provided by NetGalley and NetGalley Shelf. As always, these are my candid thoughts.

[Liana Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.25 ⭐️ They were known as women in white. Betty Sadler was called girl four. But she wasn't a number, she was the most extraordinary woman and she mattered.

What an amazing blend of historical fiction and psych thriller/suspense! In a span of 302 pages, get ready to be wholesomely consumed by the central mystery and consequences of scientific/human experimentation. By no means this is a scientific novel and I can assure you that it is not heavy with medical jargon. At its heart, it's a story that shines light on unethical human experimentation and exploitation of women and their autonomy and rights. Americas' history is marked by medical advances that came at an expanse of vulnerable populations; we are not innocent. Let me tell you that through-out history, unethical medical experimentation and research has been performed without knowledge of consent for decades. Just look up the smallpox and how its vaccine came about, the Tuskegee syphilis study, radiation experiments during the Cold War, The Nuremberg Trials (Nuremberg Code), bubonic plague in Japanese villages, I can go on and on..It's one of my most favorite topics to talk about. The Women in White is no different.

Four gifted women became the subject of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist in 1964. The research focused on parapsychology, the extrasensory perception and some other mental abilities. Then all of the sudden they vanished and the historic program was erased from history. Years later, a woman hired as a caretaker, Riley Bell, steps into a household that seems to be frozen in another era, avoiding all technology and keeping many secrets. Betty Sadler was one of the experimented women from 1964 trials. In a span of 60 years, no one has uncovered the truth until the caretaker begins digging around and asking questions no-one has dared to ask before. The novel is quite fast paced and explores many themes: memory, power, friendship, psychic phenomena and most importantly the challenges faced by women of 1960s era.

I appreciated a very accurate portrayal of women, the societal expectations and norms, reproductive freedom and challenges of motherhood and the psyche of women--what they thought and how they acted in different scenarios. Its was all very interesting to read and listen to and kept me very engaged. I think 1960's is a monumental decade for women as there has been a greater/more transformative shift in terms of the demand for equal rights and education as well as rise in the feminist movement. After all, its thanks to these women we now have the contraceptive pills that won us the control of reproductive decisions.

As for the experimentations themselves, four women each possessed a different gift: precognition, telepathy, psychokinesis and clairvoyance. The amount of emotional depth this story carried made the characters even more compelling. They were all unforgettable women in their own right. Each woman had somewhat of a quiet devastation to her that helped you sympathize yet feel her resilience. I thought it was an amazing portrayal of a woman's resilient nature.

Betty, Ivy, Kathleen, Helen

My whole heart ached for them. The novel exceeded my expectation and needs to be on your TBR for this August!



Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press and the author, Sarah Pekkanen for an early copy!
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for an early ALC!

Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld
Duration: 7 hours 57 minutes
Speed: 1.5x

Publication: August 4, 2026

[Holly B · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Teres [on hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me begin by saying that I'm a big fan of Sarah Pekkanen, the internationally bestselling author of numerous psychological and domestic thrillers.

The Women in White is a tightly wound suspense about an 81-year-old woman, known as “Girl Four” in the 1964 Marquis University parapsychology experiments, and who's lived in hiding ever since.

Great premise. The pages turn themselves. The laboratory scenes border on quiet horror. Pekkanen's period details from the era are spot on.

And then... she phoned in the ending.

Readers who enjoy their thrillers ending on a knife edge should know this one ends on something closer to a long exhale.

Womp womp.

[Nikki Lee (Nikkileethrillseeker) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dear friends, I present to you my new favorite Sarah Pekkanen novel! Guys, this story is truly amazing and the level of research she did for this was superb! Bravo, Sarah 👏👏👏

This is a historical fiction mystery based on experiments performed on people in the past.

1964, four women are brought together and become subjects of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist. The women have disappeared other than one, Betty.

Present time, Riley Bell accepts a caretaker position for Betty. But Betty has something else in mind for her. Can she find her long lost friends?

There is so much to unfold within this story, so, I think that’s all you need to know. Go in blind as much as you can. I started this book and finished it in under 24 hours. It’s that good! I buddy read it with @bibliopeeks and I’m so glad I did!

Characters to root for, a rich and engrossing story, and it deserves nothing less than 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Pre-order your copy, you will not be disappointed!

Pub Date - 8/4/26

Grateful to St Martins Press, NetGalley and Sarah Pekkanen for the gifted copies

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Women in White is my favorite Sarah Pekkanen to date. Completely mesmerizing from the dual timelines, multiple pov, and Parapsychology. Para-what? A fascinating and well researched topic that made for a very fast paced read!

Betty and a few of her friends underwent some experimental research studies in 1964 that would raise your eyebrows. Betty is now in her eighties and seeking a live in caregiver. Riley is down on her luck in every way possible and applies for the job. She lands the position and at first glance she thinks Betty might have mental issues as her residence doesn’t have one modern convenience. Betty happens to be sharp as a tack and she needs Riley to dig in her past for answers that have been long buried or forgotten.

Riley is inquisitive about Betty and her 3 friends involved in psychological experimentation at Duke University. Headed by Dr. Trimble, he was sure to leave his mark by exposing the supernatural gifts of these girls. What happened to them? As Riley is deep into Betty’s past, she asks herself unsettling questions about the Parapsychology study.

Throughout history there have been many experimental studies on humans. These practices are inhumane without consent from participants. If you are even a little curious about parapsychology, you need to read The Women in White. This is also the story of the power of female friendships.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for early access.

[megs_bookrack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen, one of my go-to Thriller authors, is a story told in two-timelines.

Our present day perspective follows, Riley, who after a recent separation from her husband, gets a live-in caretaker position with an elderly woman named Betty.

Since they are living together and both open to companionship, Betty and Riley start to share things about their lives with one another. Riley finds Betty to be a very interesting woman. Her home is a time capsule, with no modern appliances, no cell phone or even a television.



As Betty starts to fill Riley in on her past, she expresses wanting to locate some of her old university friends. Riley offers to help, but she never could have guessed the truth behind what Betty was involved in all those years ago.

The past perspective follows Betty and the other women she's told Riley about. We follow them as they become participants in a parapsychology study undertaken at a prestigious university. The project, run by a powerful and overbearing scientist, changes these women's lives forever.

On the cusp of a revolutionary breakthrough, the women disappeared and the program was erased from history.



Riley believes Betty, even if the records are unclear. She's locked into this mystery. She's invested; as was I. Riley starts digging in and discovers that the repercussions of that program have lasted through to today.

But what happened to Betty's friends? Is there any way to find the truth?



I really enjoyed this one. The subject matter was a good fit for my personal tastes, and I loved having both the past and present timelines. The way it was all pieced together by Pekkanen was perfectly plotted, IMO.

I also felt it easy to connect with the set of characters created here. I had sympathy for them, all they had been through, but was also intrigued and entertained by it.



Riley and Betty especially. I enjoyed watching the way their relationship developed. They became so close over the course of the story and I really felt that.

They found each other when they both needed someone, and I think Pekkanen did such a great job showing that, and making you feel that as the Reader.



The past perspective, in the 60s, the research into parapsychology, that reminded me of Firestarter, or other things like that. There was an air of MKUltra about it as well.

It all felt so sinister, and the women involved, by comparison were all innocent and unsuspecting. It made that timeline so gripping, just the way Pekkanen slowly revealed all that had happened within that program.

I also liked the excitement at the end, the conclusion to the mystery. Overall, I just think this is a really enjoyable read that I would recommend to people who enjoy dual timeline Thrillers with a lot of character work.



Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I always look forward to Pekkanen's new works. I love her writing and her story concepts. I'll can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

[Dutchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riley is down on her luck and needs a job fast. Luckily, she is hired by Betty to be her caretaker. Betty is widowed and based on her house decor and lack of modern technology, she appears stuck in the 60s. Feeling nostalgic, she asks Riley to help her connect with her old friends. What Riley discovers is more than just old friendships but one that included parapsychology experiments.


While this held my attention with a storyline, I felt that there could’ve been more depth given showing the relationship between the four women. You could ascertain the closeness, but you couldn’t necessarily feel it. The short, quick chapters, while good for keeping the reader engaged, left me wanting a bit more. The sudden shift between each point of view didn’t give me enough feeling for each of the women. I actually had a hard time keeping them straight besides Betty and Riley. The story itself was really good, and I enjoyed the historical quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I thought they fit in really well. As for the ending, it was okay, but I was hoping for something a bit different.

Overall, this was definitely intriguing with a lot of interesting tidbits. 3.5 rounding up to 4 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysterious, thought provoking, unsettling, and riveting, Sarah Pekkanen dives into the paranormal to tell the tale of The Women in White! This book takes place in two timelines and is full of secrets, power, special gifts, mystery, and a guest for the truth! In the past timeline (1964), four women become the subject of a study at Duke University by a scientist interested in parapsychology. The women had 'special' gifts such as ESP etc. Suddenly the women disappear and the study is over. In the other timeline, Riley as a caregiver for Betty who was one of the women in the parapsychology experiment.

Riley needs a fresh start and is happy to be hired by Betty but can't help but notice that Betty lives in isolation without many modern things such as the internet, TV, and a cell phone. Riley soon learns that the help Betty needs revolves around the past and the women Betty once knew and her desire to know what happened to them after the experiment ended.

I was instantly immersed in The Women in White and felt for the four women taking part in the parapsychology experiment. The way they were treated was appalling and shocking. The horrible things done in the name of science is mind blowing. I thought the author did a great job in creating the women in the past and having readers feel for them and their plight. I also felt for Betty in both timelines and Riley with the hardships in her life.

I thought the author did a great job with time and place. I felt all kinds of emotions reading this book while enjoying the mystery. I had both the book and the audiobook and enjoyed both. I thought the narrator of the audiobook did a fantastic job of bringing the characters and this book to life. I enjoyed the tension, suspense, twists, and mystery in this book. I also enjoyed the writing, the plot, and the quotes in this book.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, dual timeline historical fiction mystery which is told from the points of view of five unique female protagonists, four of whom are the subjects of an experiment, and one of whom is a subject's caretaker. I was immersed in the fashion, food, decor, automobiles and cultural views of the 1960s, and especially liked the references to the furniture from Sears. I felt outrage at the treatment of the women in white, and sensed their trust and fears as the novel progressed through twists and turns to a satisfying conclusion. The quotes at the beginning of the chapters pertaining to psychic phenomena were a nice touch, and the appendix was enlightening and informative. I am grateful to St. Martin's Press, Sarah Pekkanen, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this compelling novel. This is my honest opinion.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐
Dark and intense. Fascinating. Riveting.
This is a suspenseful thriller that is filled with red herrings.

This is not a horror story, but readers are shown the horrors of tests and psychological experiments that were carried out in the 1960s on unsuspecting young college-age women. Executed in a dual timeline format the narrative still flowed seamlessly as we are introduced to all the characters.

In 1964, a university psychology professor, who was studying parapsychology, runs tests on four women to gauge their psychic abilities. Ivy excels in precognition, Helen in clairvoyance, and Kathleen in telepathy, while Betty is gifted in every category. The testing at times is harsh and cruel but the women are made to feel that they have no choice but to continue. How will it all end?

Sixty years later as an elderly widow, Betty enlists the aid of a young woman to be her caretaker. Riley works with Betty to try to find her long lost friends and test subjects. At the same time, they unearth some very dark secrets that have been hidden for a very long time. Secrets that some people would rather stay hidden. Who is the secret keeper and why?

This is a tense captivating piece of historical fiction that fully grabbed my attention and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I highly recommend this book to readers who love a book that contains mystery and suspense and a unique story.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this exciting new book in exchange for an honest review.

[JanB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riley is hired by Betty, an elderly reclusive paraplegic, to be her companion. Despite her age and limitations, Betty is sharp as a tack and far more capable than one would think.

So why did she hire Riley? It seems Betty, along with three of her friends, were the subjects of experiments in ESP, extra sensory perception, at Duke University Parapsychology Lab in the early 1960’s. Betty and her friends each had different psychic gifts.

(I’ll save you a Google search. Yes, the department did exist, although not as nefarious as depicted in this book. It closed due to it being considered pseudoscience and Duke’s desire to protect its academic reputation)

The novel excels as depicting the early 1960’s culture, particularly women’s roles. Baby, we’ve come a long way and the good ‘ole days were not that good!

The experiments conducted on these women were sadistic and conducted by a mad scientist. The results were tragic.

Betty and her husband fled and lived quiet lives, removed from society for decades. He has now died, and Betty wants Riley to find her long-lost friends from college who underwent the experiments with her. From here, the story toggles between past and present.

I especially enjoyed the quotes from a variety of legitimate sources on the phenomena of psychic abilities. The book ends with many cited sources of not only experiments into parapsychology but of documented cases.

I find the subject fascinating, and although much later than the time period in this book, I remember the cultural fascination with ESP. My elementary school friends and I would “test” each other with cards. And who could forget Johnny Carson’s “Carnac the Magnificent” skits? Hilarious.

Despite my interest, and a fascinating premise, I found the story lagged a bit in the middle, and the ending was a bit too neat.

For enjoyment only I’d give it 3. But Marialyce and I did have an interesting discussion, so I’m bumping up for the subject matter and the historical significance

* I received a digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 rounded to a 4

Okay, this book was FABULOUS—and unexpected in all the right ways! 👀

I’m a sucker for anything involving the paranormal, psychic abilities, and things that make you wonder, “Wait…could this actually be possible?” And The Women in White definitely delivered on that front!

What really surprised me, though, was the research woven throughout the story. The book includes quotes and information from real publications and research surrounding psychic abilities, and honestly? Fascinating… but also a little horrifying. 😳 There were definitely moments where I found myself thinking, “Okay, maybe I didn’t need to know that…” 😂

It’s fiction, but those real-world elements added such an intriguing—and slightly creepy—layer to the story.

If you love paranormal mysteries, psychic phenomena, or books that leave you questioning what’s possible, trust me—you’re going to want to pick this one up! 👻📖✨

Thank you to Net Galley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is a very sad tale, more of a drama with a touch of mystery.

Riley Bell interviews for a position caring for an elderly woman named Betty. Although she is in a wheelchair, Betty does not seem to need as much help as Riley had assumed she would. Betty does ask Riley to do something for her--find the three friends she has not seen in over sixty years. In another timeline, in 1964 four women are shown to have special abilities and are enlisted as part of a college research group on extrasensory perception and other similar phenomenon.

My heart broke for the young women in the 60s and what Riley uncovers about the past. These women, and others like them who become test subjects in more and more inhumane ways, all without their consent, in the name of "science." This book was inspired by true events, and it reminded me of Henrietta Lacks and other medical experiments and studies.

The mystery in this book is what downgraded the story for me. I thought it was a bit cheesy and not as poignant and touching as the character arcs of the various women. In a way, this book reminded me of The Mad Wife, because it makes it glaringly obvious how little agency women had in the 1950s and 1960s.

Although I'm on the fence about ESP and other parapsychology topics, this book still resonated with me and gave me a lot to think about. I listened to the audiobook and Saskia Maarleveld does a stellar job at giving each character a distinct and recognizable personality and made the book come to life through her narration.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Susan Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Riley is recently divorced and living in her car, quite down on her luck when she gets a lead on a live-in caretaker position for an elderly woman. Betty is paraplegic but very capable of caring for herself, and she is sharp as a tack. She curiously lives in a house that has not evolved past the 1960s, and Betty seems to be completely in the dark about any developments in technology or anything otherwise since that time. As Riley wonders what her place is there, the women bond, and the traumatic events that took place in the 1960s unfold.

I thought the story was very well researched and had some fascinating anecdotes. The four women that the 1960s storyline centered around were well fleshed out. They had substance and individuality, despite the timeline when women weren't allowed much individuality at all. In a not shocking event that will surprise no one, 98% of the men were complete chauvinistic asshats.

I have read a thriller from this author before as part of her former writing duo, and I think Sarah Pekkanen may have found her lane in historical fiction. It was done quite well. That said, I would not call this a thriller by any stretch. It is an historical fiction story with mysterious elements. Nothing more. If that is your bag, I think this may be for you. Historical fiction and mystery aren't necessarily my favorite genres. I was prepared for a dual timeline, but the 1960s setting seemed to dominate the story (or maybe it just felt that way to me), and the current timeline seemed vaguely unimportant until the end. I didn't feel that Riley, who was seemingly the main female character, was fleshed out much at all compared to the historical women. I didn't find the twist to be surprising in the least, and the villain monologue was over the top. I had a hard time getting over that.

I think if you aren't a super seasoned mystery/thriller reader and historical fiction is more your thing, this would be a great foray into the genre, and it might be appreciated much more. For me, expecting something more thrilling, the story didn't quite hit the mark I was hoping for. 3.5⭐

Many thanks to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review 🙏. The Women in White is available 8/4/2026.

[Whitney Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Women in White introduces us to Riley, who is in a rough spot, recently divorced and homeless thanks to her ex-husbands gambling addiction. Riley takes a live in position as a caretaker to Betty, who is a recently widowed elderly lady. Betty has been living a secluded & protected life for years and now since her husband has passed, she is wanting to find her 3 friends she did psychological testing with at a local university with husbands' boss, Dr. Trimble, decades back. Riley agrees to help Betty find her friends and from there, the story starts unfolding with some good twist and turns thrown in. Riley and Bettty really form a great friendship and work together well. This book is told in 2 different timelines between past and present and it worked very well for this storyline. You can tell the author did a lot of research before writing this book. It did have some creepy vibes and was overall, a great suspenseful book!

Thank you St. Martin's Press, and Net Galley, for a copy in return for my honest review.

[Nancy Sigl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know what happened to this book around the 60% mark, but it absolutely fell apart. The premise was solid, and then the story just… unraveled.

Scenes became unclear and disjointed, forcing rereads not out of intrigue but confusion. Some scenes are weighed down with pointless detail, while others—where clarity actually matters—are barely sketched in. It feels unfinished, like whole connective pieces never made it into the final draft.

There are the inconsistencies and implausibilities that completely break immersion: Riley’s phone magically works in Betty’s house after being firmly established that it doesn’t, the girls are housed in a basement dormitory yet somehow respond to the doctor “calling from the kitchen,” in 1964 Betty gets a recorded voice “the number you have reached is no longer in service.”, and then there’s the moment when Riley suggested she might hide behind a door to knockout a person (I won’t spoil it with a name) with a chair. Really? A person AND a chair tucked discreetly behind a door? At that point, I stopped questioning the plot and started questioning the editing. I was constantly getting annoyed with the ridiculousness and then the explanations of the ridiculousness.

I nearly DNF’d this at 75%, again at 84%, and again near 90%, but stubbornly finished. The ending felt rushed, sloppy, and honestly a little insulting after all that buildup. What could have been a strong novel instead fizzles out in a mess of confusion and implausibility.

📖⭐️⭐️👎🏻

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full “Disclosure” this was an amazing read!! The storytelling was top notch with well developed characters and beautifully written. Now I love anything dealing with parapsychology and gifted people, so the subject matter was right up my alley! Miss Betty will forever be my hero and was the MVP of this story. This was just a superb journey about 4 extraordinary women and the experiments that they were put through. If you have an ounce of conspiracy theory running through you, this is a must read.

I truly enjoyed this one and I definitely recommend. Looking for something unique and special? Then stop right here and snuggle up. This is the best type of storytelling that will hold your interest and pull you in, and for that I say……Bravo, thank you very much!!

[Jonetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

the setup…
Riley Bell steps into the home of Betty Sadler to interview for the position as her caretaker and it’s like a step back in time to the 1960s. There’s no WiFi, television or other modern technology. It appears that Betty has lived in isolation, frozen in time for 60 years until the recent death of her husband, Douglas. Riley eventually learns that in 1964, Betty was part of a parapsychology study at Virginia’s Marquis University, led by Dr. Silas Trimble. She was Girl Number 4 and Betty wants to reconnect with the other three young women in the program who became her best friends…Ivy, Kathleen and Helen. As Riley begins investigating, old secrets start to unravel, along with an element of danger.

the heart of the story…
It’s a dual timeline and Betty’s story goes back to 1964 when she becomes part of the program. In that era, research studies were proliferating but with none of the standard oversights required today. It was equal parts fascinating and horrifying. And, what happened to Ivy, Kathleen and Helen? And why was Betty stuck in time for 60 years?

the narration…
Saskia Maarleveld is on my top ten list of favorite narrators and her performance here illustrates why. I loved her storytelling style and she made each character standout distinctively.

the bottom line…
This was one of my most anticipated books and it still surpassed my expectations. I believe we’re all gifted with a sixth sense but there are those who are given more. It’s not exploited here but carefully presented in a way that’s plausible, most probably because of the author’s excellent research. It’s an outstanding blend of paranormal and reality elements that make for a creepy yet riveting story that feels firmly planted in truth.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a longtime Sarah Pekkanen fan and love her collabs with Greer Hendricks. This may be my favourite novel she has written on her own. It is a compelling concept about four women living in 1964 who become part of a scientific study. The doctor leading the study is ambitious, and the women increasingly feel their freedom shrinking, leading to devastating consequences. All four women (Betty, Ivy, Kathleen, and Helen) share the narrative, and I felt the author made each of these characters' voices distinct.

Many years later, Riley Bell becomes Betty's caregiver and is asked by Betty to track down what happened to her friends. It becomes a compelling and tension-filled story. The study was so chilling, and I was so moved and terrified by what these women were experiencing.


Publication Date 04/08/26
Goodreads Review 22/08/26


Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Richard Derus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Real Rating: 2.5* of five

The Publisher Says: The next thriller from #1 bestselling author Sarah Pekkanen combines a decades-old mystery with spine-tingling paranormal elements in this twisty novel of the seen and unseen.

Extrasensory perception.
The Gift.
A Sixth Sense.
Or something else…

In 1964, four remarkable young women at a prestigious university became the subjects of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist. On the cusp of a historic breakthrough, the women mysteriously vanished and the program was erased from history.

Decades later, Riley Bell, newly divorced and desperate for a fresh start, accepts a caretaker job for an elderly widow named Betty. Riley steps into a home that is frozen in another era—no microwave, television, or cell phones, and Betty has never heard of the internet.

Why has Betty lived in such profound isolation for so many years, and why does she need Riley now? As the story unfolds across two timelines—Betty’s 1960s era of 5 o’clock martinis and high-stakes experiments, and Riley’s quest to uncover the truth about the missing women—old secrets rise to the surface. And the only way to survive is to confront the mystery that has lingered for sixty years.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: It's not you, book, it's me...I am allergic to storylines about parapsychology now. I had no idea this would happen; I've enjoyed stories in this vein fairly recently. I'm really disappointed.

So my rating is only for me, I need to remind myself not to ask for ESP/parapsychology tales anymore ::sad trombone::

St. Martin's Press will gladly accept $14.99 from you to get the ebook onto your Kindle. I say do it, though without fervor.

[Kristina Pauls (ARC Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

PUBLISH DATE: Aug 4, 2026
The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Audiobook & eBook

WHAT DID I JUST READ?! I absolutely loved this book.

What’s funny is that I originally requested the ebook and kept struggling to pick it up. Then I started the audiobook and was hooked almost immediately. The narration was exceptional. The narrator brought the characters to life, kept me engaged, and made it easy to stay invested in both the past and present timelines. This is one of those audiobooks where the narration truly enhanced the experience.

Going in, I somehow missed the paranormal genre label. If I’m being honest, that probably would have made me hesitate because paranormal fiction is not something I typically gravitate toward. What I found instead was a fascinating historical mystery centered around friendship, family, research, intuition, and the lasting impact of choices made decades earlier.

While the story explores parapsychology, ESP, intuition, and “gut feelings”, it never felt dark, evil, spirit-focused, or heavily supernatural to me. The focus was much more on research, scientific experimentation, relationships, and the people involved. In many ways, it felt closer to a historical mystery than the paranormal novels I usually imagine when I see that genre label.

One of my favorite parts was learning that, while the story itself is fiction, many of the studies, articles, and historical references woven throughout the novel were inspired by real parapsychology research. The author’s note sent me down a fascinating rabbit hole researching actual laboratories, studies, and even other controversial research projects from that era. I loved that the book made me curious enough to keep learning after I put it down.

I also found myself thinking about some of the same ethical questions I enjoy in dystopian fiction. Not because this is a dystopian novel, but because it explores the consequences of experimentation, the pursuit of knowledge, and the impact institutions can have on individual lives and relationships.

Most importantly, I cared deeply about these characters. Betty, Riley, Ivy, Helen, Kathleen, and the connections between them completely pulled me into the story. The mystery kept me guessing, my theories were wrong, and I loved every minute of it.

The ending wrapped things up well, but I still wasn’t ready for it to be over. Not because anything was missing, but because I wanted more time with these characters and this world.

This was an easy 5-star read and 5-star listen for me.

Content Warnings: Postpartum depression, pregnancy, marital difficulties, grief, emotional neglect, research ethics/manipulation, mental health themes, and discussions of ESP, intuition, parapsychology, and reincarnation. Minimal to no language. No sexual content.

PUBLISH DATE: Aug 4, 2026
BOOK TITLE: The Women in White
AUTHOR: Sarah Pekkanen
PUBLISHER: St Martin's Press (ebook) MacMillan Audio (audiobook)
FORMAT: ebook & audiobook
PAGES: 304

I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Debbie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ I really enjoyed this story of secrets, history, and friendship. Told in dual timelines, and multiple points of view, it’s fast paced and intense.

Riley is newly divorced and responds to be a caregiver for Betty, an elderly wheelchair bound widow. In chapters set in 1964 we learn of Betty and her psychical gifted friends Kathleen, Ivy, and Helen and the experiments conducted on them by the diabolical Dr Trimble.
Riley and Betty are caught in a search for a missing young student and long buried secrets.are revealed.

I liked both timelines but the 1964 setting was captivating. To think these sort of experiments were conducted on women and the poor and minorities is mind boggling!

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review

[tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I 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 this to me early.

This book was every bit amazing. I found the plotline to be so interesting. I loved the characters, each of their stories, and how they all tied together. Parts were predictable (to me) but that didn't change my liking of this one at all. !00% recommend if you enjoy thrillers. Hooked from start to finish. Binged this one in a day. 4.25 stars!

Pub Date: Aug 04, 2026

As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤✨

[Fernanda (ivyfer_isreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Pekkanen books are always a stand out for me, her writing is fantastic and her subjects are unique. I know when starting a new one that I will be in for a wild ride with some interesting characters and storylines and The Women in White was no different.

I loved the dual timelines to tell this story. Back in the 1960s we have 4 young women who seem to have psychic abilities. A professor at the university gets them in for what seems to be voluntary testing but they do not seem to be able to say no to him. What starts out innocently enough turns dark and frightening. In the present day we meet one of the women, now 81 and newly widowed , Betty. She has hired down and out Riley to move in and help care for her. She asks Riley to help track down her fellow volunteers which leads to all sorts of questions and dramas.

I really felt for these women who were treated so badly and taken advantage of. They felt they had no rights and reading this made me so angry, but glad that times have changed. The author must have done an immense amount of research going into writing this book about such a complex subject.

The audio book was narrated by the fabulous Saskia Maarleveld who is always a selling point when I am picking an audio book. She is always amazing.

Thank you so much to St Martin’s Press for my early copy of this book to read. Publishes on August 4th.