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Pretty Dead Things
Everyone says Briar’s mother killed four husbands… and her own daughter. Now Briar’s home, and she’s about to find out if the rumors are true.
When Briar comes home to her family’s sprawling estate for her sister's funeral, she’s not planning on staying long—just get through the service and leave before her mother can sink her claws in again. Instead, she finds a note in her sister’s handwriting:
She’s not who you think.
You’re next.
Briar has spent years rebuilding her life—therapy, a purpose-driven career, and distance from her famous mother: a narcissistic control freak who cares more about appearances than her own daughters. But the second Briar steps back into her childhood home, the past comes rushing back.
Because her sister didn’t drown by accident. Briar knows that now.
And if she’s right, the person responsible is still close enough to kiss her cheek at the funeral.
Now Briar is determined to uncover the truth. Even if it kills her.
Pretty Dead Things is a dark and twisty, atmospheric psychological thriller perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Riley Sager, and Freida McFadden. When a woman returns to her family’s decaying estate in the Everglades after her sister’s mysterious death, she’s drawn into a web of lies spun by her Old Hollywood mother, a woman who might be both victim and monster.
It’s The Haunting of Hill House meets The Heiress: a gothic thriller simmering in Florida heat, buried secrets, and family madness.
330 pages, Paperback
Published October 23, 2025
About the author
Liv Lowry
2 books64 followersLiv Lowry lives in Germany with her husband and her son.
When she’s not plotting her next thriller, she can usually be found reading true crime, exploring old castles, or sipping tea while dreaming up new ways to keep readers up at night.
When she’s not plotting her next thriller, she can usually be found reading true crime, exploring old castles, or sipping tea while dreaming up new ways to keep readers up at night.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
March 30, 2026
What a unique and gripping story! I absolutely loved the twists and turns. Definitely a must read if you’re looking for something fast paced. This one really draws you in!
May 26, 2026
I did not know what to expect going into this one, but wow! So much crazy!
I listened to this one on audio and Stephanie Bentley did a phenomenal job with all of the characters, but especially bringing Vivienne and her old southern tone and everything to life.
Briar has returned home for her sister's funeral and finds herself staying at the family's estate where she starts to uncover some crazy secrets. There was so much going on with this family and Vivienne, the mother, is absolutely insane. It's amazing the front she has put on for so many years.
We hit about 70-75% and I thought, aren't we done? Sure weren't! I definitely did NOT expect that ending and the multiple twists that were thrown at us! If you're a fan of psychological thrillers, I definitely recommend you check this one out! Huge thank you to High Gravity Productions and the author for the early copy to listen to!
I listened to this one on audio and Stephanie Bentley did a phenomenal job with all of the characters, but especially bringing Vivienne and her old southern tone and everything to life.
Briar has returned home for her sister's funeral and finds herself staying at the family's estate where she starts to uncover some crazy secrets. There was so much going on with this family and Vivienne, the mother, is absolutely insane. It's amazing the front she has put on for so many years.
We hit about 70-75% and I thought, aren't we done? Sure weren't! I definitely did NOT expect that ending and the multiple twists that were thrown at us! If you're a fan of psychological thrillers, I definitely recommend you check this one out! Huge thank you to High Gravity Productions and the author for the early copy to listen to!
May 20, 2026
Pretty Dead Things by Liv Lowry was a great thriller. I enjoyed how messed up the family drama was. The setting being The Everglades was beyond cool. The southern gothic vibes were so scary it was really great for the storyline. This book is extremely dark and twisted. But I feel like that is what makes a thriller even better. Especially with the rumors and twists throughout in the storyline.
April 11, 2026
3.75 rounded up!! Insanely twist!
April 3, 2026
Pretty Dead Things by Liv Lowry starts with a woman returning home for her sister’s funeral and quickly being pulled into a web of secrets when she discovers unsettling signs that her sister’s death may not have been what it seemed.
From the first page, I was completely pulled in by the suspense - the sense of not knowing who to trust was masterfully done. The pacing never let up, and the constant twists and turns kept me guessing right up until the end.
The characters are deliciously unlikeable and morally murky, which only deepened the tension; you’re never sure who’s being honest and who’s manipulating the truth. The unique setting also made this story especially memorable - it adds an extra layer of atmosphere and tension that lingers long after you’ve finished the final page.
I also appreciated how the book raises intriguing familial and social issues - from toxic family dynamics and generational trauma to the burden of public image and the way secrets can warp relationships. These themes gave the psychological thrills a bit more gravity beneath the surface.
If you like dark thrillers that keep you off-balance and guessing, this is definitely one to add to your list. Thank you to Liv Lowry for my copy - I’m very grateful!
From the first page, I was completely pulled in by the suspense - the sense of not knowing who to trust was masterfully done. The pacing never let up, and the constant twists and turns kept me guessing right up until the end.
The characters are deliciously unlikeable and morally murky, which only deepened the tension; you’re never sure who’s being honest and who’s manipulating the truth. The unique setting also made this story especially memorable - it adds an extra layer of atmosphere and tension that lingers long after you’ve finished the final page.
I also appreciated how the book raises intriguing familial and social issues - from toxic family dynamics and generational trauma to the burden of public image and the way secrets can warp relationships. These themes gave the psychological thrills a bit more gravity beneath the surface.
If you like dark thrillers that keep you off-balance and guessing, this is definitely one to add to your list. Thank you to Liv Lowry for my copy - I’m very grateful!
April 10, 2026
Wow I’ve never hated a book so much
January 7, 2026
DNF- Found it very hard to get into, didnt get me hooked at all.
January 28, 2026
This was a really strong read for me, and honestly one I wish I’d picked up sooner. It’s tense, heavy, and constantly has you questioning everything - the kind of thriller that gets under your skin.
This book is dark and atmospheric, built around secrets, grief, and a mystery that slowly tightens its grip. The story unfolds in layers, pulling you deeper into its world as the truth starts to feel more and more elusive.
The atmosphere in this book is one of its biggest strengths. From the setting to the tone, everything feels unsettling and heavy in the best way. The Bellville estate felt eerie, claustrophobic, and almost like a character in its own right. I genuinely felt like I was inside the book while reading it. It had me that immersed in the pages.
I think a great credit goes to Liv Lowry as an author for her attention to detail in describing the scenes and characters. Many other thrillers i’ve read generally skim over the surface but this book went deep. It was vivid, but not overwhelming. As a debut this was great!
The pacing? Perfect. It builds naturally rather than relying on constant shocks. And when the twists do come… they are true curveballs. I didn’t anticipate them at all, and they genuinely left me reeling. The reveals felt earned and impactful.
I also really enjoyed the use of transcripts throughout the book. They added another layer to the storytelling and pulled me in even more as a reader. Those extra details made everything feel more real and immersive.
Character-wise, this book had me feeling things. I absolutely despised Vivienne, which I think speaks to how well she was written. And by the end of the book, my jaw was on the floor in regards to some of the others.
Overall, this was a gripping & immersive thriller with great twists and a sense of unease. This is one I’d highly recommend if you enjoy thrillers that focus on mood, tension, and detail.
May 18, 2026
WOW!!!
This book was so good.
It was very well written.
I didn’t expect this to turn out the way it did.
Usually I have an idea when reading a thriller book but honestly that ending had me shocked!
The twists and turns throughout this book oh my goodness!
I highly recommend!
This book was so good.
It was very well written.
I didn’t expect this to turn out the way it did.
Usually I have an idea when reading a thriller book but honestly that ending had me shocked!
The twists and turns throughout this book oh my goodness!
I highly recommend!
May 19, 2026
RTC…so good✨
March 7, 2026
Um so that was dark, twisted and deeply disturbing - let this be my sign to stop going into books blind.
May 16, 2026
Goodness this was unhinged, dark, twisted and disturbing. This book is not for everyone and by the end of it you will be asking yourself what the hell did I just read. 🤯
February 24, 2026
This book wrecked me in the quietest, most beautiful way.
This book is not just a romance. It’s grief. It’s trauma. It’s loving someone in the middle of their broken pieces and choosing to stay anyway. And you guys already know, I live for stories that feel raw and almost too heavy to carry. This one? It carries you instead. This story didn't shy away from the darkness. She leans into it. The pain, the messy emotions, the kind of love that isn’t pretty or polished but real. The kind that bleeds. The kind that feels impossible and inevitable at the same time. What I loved most was how deeply it felt. The characters aren’t perfect. They’re flawed, haunted, trying to survive their pasts while figuring out if they deserve something good. And that’s what fucking got me. That question — am I worthy of love even after everything?
You can feel the ache in every chapter. The longing. The desperation to hold on to something beautiful in the middle of chaos. And when the tenderness shows up? It hits ten times harder because you know what they’ve endured to get there.
This story is fucking HEAVY.
It was haunting.
It was heartbreaking.
It’s beautifully written.
And
It will crawl under your skin.
♾️ ⭐️
This book is not just a romance. It’s grief. It’s trauma. It’s loving someone in the middle of their broken pieces and choosing to stay anyway. And you guys already know, I live for stories that feel raw and almost too heavy to carry. This one? It carries you instead. This story didn't shy away from the darkness. She leans into it. The pain, the messy emotions, the kind of love that isn’t pretty or polished but real. The kind that bleeds. The kind that feels impossible and inevitable at the same time. What I loved most was how deeply it felt. The characters aren’t perfect. They’re flawed, haunted, trying to survive their pasts while figuring out if they deserve something good. And that’s what fucking got me. That question — am I worthy of love even after everything?
You can feel the ache in every chapter. The longing. The desperation to hold on to something beautiful in the middle of chaos. And when the tenderness shows up? It hits ten times harder because you know what they’ve endured to get there.
This story is fucking HEAVY.
It was haunting.
It was heartbreaking.
It’s beautifully written.
And
It will crawl under your skin.
♾️ ⭐️
February 18, 2026
Started strong up until the middle when it got a bit annoying. None of the characters were likable or interesting. There were way too many deaths and it read more like a cheesy wannabe horror novel than a thriller. The ending was just annoying. I got irritated around 70%. I wouldn’t recommend
March 29, 2026
boring. so glad it’s over - i was hate reading it after around 45% because i just can’t DNF books 😭
April 4, 2026
Pretty boring to be honest, the entire relationship with Vivianne and Briar is super annoying, definitely watch ou if you have any PTSD with narcissistic people, I thought the plot was weak too.
April 4, 2026
Almost dnf none of the characters were likable
May 1, 2026
Briar returns to The Belville Estate after her sister’s death, planning to get through the funeral and leave. But that plan doesn’t last long, especially once she finds a message her sister left behind that changes everything.
The character work in this is so strong. This is a wealthy, well-known family, with the estate passed down through generations. The sisters all feel distinct, and the dynamic between them really reflects how complicated that upbringing has been. It’s a family built on appearances, and secrets don’t stay buried for long.
Vivienne, the mother, sits at the centre of it all, micromanaging and shaping everything around her, and she’s pure evil in human form. A narcissistic manipulator clinging to her Old Hollywood stardom, still curating everything like she’s in the spotlight. She’s image-obsessed, unhinged and controlling, and you can see the impact her psychotic behaviour has on her daughters (literally, when you read this you’ll know EXACTLY what I mean🤯). That generational trauma runs deep. The control, the pressure to maintain appearances, the emotional manipulation… it shapes how the sisters exist and relate to each other.
Parts of that mother-daughter dynamic hit a little too close to home. It’s confronting in how it shows what should be a nurturing relationship can become when it’s built on control instead.
I love when a story uses mixed media elements and still keeps me fully engaged, and this was done really well. It added to the story rather than pulling me out of it.
I didn’t see the twists coming at all, and they were delivered so well. Such a fab debut. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what Liv Lowry writes next!
The character work in this is so strong. This is a wealthy, well-known family, with the estate passed down through generations. The sisters all feel distinct, and the dynamic between them really reflects how complicated that upbringing has been. It’s a family built on appearances, and secrets don’t stay buried for long.
Vivienne, the mother, sits at the centre of it all, micromanaging and shaping everything around her, and she’s pure evil in human form. A narcissistic manipulator clinging to her Old Hollywood stardom, still curating everything like she’s in the spotlight. She’s image-obsessed, unhinged and controlling, and you can see the impact her psychotic behaviour has on her daughters (literally, when you read this you’ll know EXACTLY what I mean🤯). That generational trauma runs deep. The control, the pressure to maintain appearances, the emotional manipulation… it shapes how the sisters exist and relate to each other.
Parts of that mother-daughter dynamic hit a little too close to home. It’s confronting in how it shows what should be a nurturing relationship can become when it’s built on control instead.
I love when a story uses mixed media elements and still keeps me fully engaged, and this was done really well. It added to the story rather than pulling me out of it.
I didn’t see the twists coming at all, and they were delivered so well. Such a fab debut. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what Liv Lowry writes next!
May 14, 2026
Pretty Dead Things is one of the best books I have ever read and I am not sure I have fully recovered from it yet.
Liv Lowry uses suppressed, traumatic memory as her mystery mechanism and it works in a way that manufactured secrets never do. The characters are not always keeping things from us, sometimes they genuinely do not remember. And reading into what they cannot access, trying to fill in the blanks, never knowing whether the revelation will be catastrophic or something far more mundane, creates a sustained sense of delicious uncertainty that never once lets up.
The characters are extraordinary. Briar is tough and real and deeply affecting. Vivienne, the mother, is one of the most colorful and enraging and strangely magnetic characters I have encountered in fiction in a long time. The way her narcissistic abuse is portrayed, always complicated, always both loving and devastating at once, felt deeply realistic.
The sister relationships, shaped by the same damaging upbringing experienced differently by each of them, are some of the most affecting dynamics in the book.
The plot has so many layers and twists that I cannot say much without giving everything away. What I can say is that I gasped out loud more times than I can count, that the twists kept twisting long past the point where I thought I understood what was happening, and that I finished it in a state of genuine shock.
I walked around my house afterwards just staring. I need therapy for this book and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.
Liv Lowry uses suppressed, traumatic memory as her mystery mechanism and it works in a way that manufactured secrets never do. The characters are not always keeping things from us, sometimes they genuinely do not remember. And reading into what they cannot access, trying to fill in the blanks, never knowing whether the revelation will be catastrophic or something far more mundane, creates a sustained sense of delicious uncertainty that never once lets up.
The characters are extraordinary. Briar is tough and real and deeply affecting. Vivienne, the mother, is one of the most colorful and enraging and strangely magnetic characters I have encountered in fiction in a long time. The way her narcissistic abuse is portrayed, always complicated, always both loving and devastating at once, felt deeply realistic.
The sister relationships, shaped by the same damaging upbringing experienced differently by each of them, are some of the most affecting dynamics in the book.
The plot has so many layers and twists that I cannot say much without giving everything away. What I can say is that I gasped out loud more times than I can count, that the twists kept twisting long past the point where I thought I understood what was happening, and that I finished it in a state of genuine shock.
I walked around my house afterwards just staring. I need therapy for this book and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.
May 10, 2026
First, I want to thank Liv Lowry and booksandbloompr for the gifted kindle edition of Pretty Dead Things to read and provide my honest, spoiler free review.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Thoughts:
Psychological thrillers are my top favorite type of thrillers. If an author can create eerie vibes and plot twists that take me by surprise then I will definitely be invested.
Liv Lowry did an amazing job at creating such a tense atmosphere surrounding family. In this story, we follow Briar, a girl who made a better life for herself, only for the past to come rushing back when she is back home following the death of her sister Odette. Not only is she mourning the loss of her sister, but she also is surrounded by the very narcissistic woman she has ever met……..her mother, Vivienne.
You could already feel the tension from the very first chapter. The very first line of the first chapter, honestly. The type of psychological impact that Vivienne has on her daughters is absolutely crazy and you can see the shift in the daughters whenever the mother is involved. A controlling, narcissistic mother; cryptic notes, and rumors circulating online makes it difficult for Odette to be at rest.
The creepy elements were great and the plot twists throughout the story had me curious to figure out what actually happened. I think a lot of thriller readers will enjoy this book a lot and I’m glad I was able to read it for myself.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Thoughts:
Psychological thrillers are my top favorite type of thrillers. If an author can create eerie vibes and plot twists that take me by surprise then I will definitely be invested.
Liv Lowry did an amazing job at creating such a tense atmosphere surrounding family. In this story, we follow Briar, a girl who made a better life for herself, only for the past to come rushing back when she is back home following the death of her sister Odette. Not only is she mourning the loss of her sister, but she also is surrounded by the very narcissistic woman she has ever met……..her mother, Vivienne.
You could already feel the tension from the very first chapter. The very first line of the first chapter, honestly. The type of psychological impact that Vivienne has on her daughters is absolutely crazy and you can see the shift in the daughters whenever the mother is involved. A controlling, narcissistic mother; cryptic notes, and rumors circulating online makes it difficult for Odette to be at rest.
The creepy elements were great and the plot twists throughout the story had me curious to figure out what actually happened. I think a lot of thriller readers will enjoy this book a lot and I’m glad I was able to read it for myself.
May 4, 2026
Ok Liv, I see you. 👀
Absolutely demented—in the best way—and a total banger. This is one of those books that lingers for days after you finish it, while also leaving you weirdly hyped from just how unhinged everything gets. It’s messed up… but in the right way (if that is even a thing??)
And the antihero? Truly next-level: infuriating, narcissistic, full-on “mommy dearest” energy—I could not look away.
Here’s the thing: when you hit the 80% mark and the twist already feels like it makes perfect, chaotic sense—and there’s still more story to go—you know you’re in for a ride. And yep, it absolutely delivers.
Twisty with a capital AND bolded T. Ruthless, shocking, toxic, and just straight bananas.
Such a wild time. HIGHLY recommend.
Absolutely demented—in the best way—and a total banger. This is one of those books that lingers for days after you finish it, while also leaving you weirdly hyped from just how unhinged everything gets. It’s messed up… but in the right way (if that is even a thing??)
And the antihero? Truly next-level: infuriating, narcissistic, full-on “mommy dearest” energy—I could not look away.
Here’s the thing: when you hit the 80% mark and the twist already feels like it makes perfect, chaotic sense—and there’s still more story to go—you know you’re in for a ride. And yep, it absolutely delivers.
Twisty with a capital AND bolded T. Ruthless, shocking, toxic, and just straight bananas.
Such a wild time. HIGHLY recommend.
March 5, 2026
Liv Lowry absolutely nailed that eerie, slow-burn tension that just creeps under your skin and refuses to leave. It’s dark, it’s twisty, it’s emotional in ways I did NOT see coming and the vibes? Immaculate. Think unsettling but make it addictive.
The characters feel so real and layered, like you almost trust them…but you definitely shouldn’t. And the atmosphere? Chef’s kiss. I could practically feel the chill in the air while reading.
The characters feel so real and layered, like you almost trust them…but you definitely shouldn’t. And the atmosphere? Chef’s kiss. I could practically feel the chill in the air while reading.
December 7, 2025
Spooky, crazy.
Well written twisty, crazy thriller! Some shades of Mommy Dearest. So many unexpected, shocking surprises to keep you glued to the pages. Not necessarily my cup of tea, but it certainly kept me wanting to know how it all was going to end.
Well written twisty, crazy thriller! Some shades of Mommy Dearest. So many unexpected, shocking surprises to keep you glued to the pages. Not necessarily my cup of tea, but it certainly kept me wanting to know how it all was going to end.
March 24, 2026
WOW. This book had me hooked. Just when I thought I was shocked it went and shocked me more. Over and over. 10/10 recommend this book if you love a good surprise and twists. This book will make you say wtf!
May 21, 2026
This book had me intrigued from the beginning. This is a psychological thriller with horror, be forewarned. It is crazy! Nothing is what it seems and the twists just kept coming. This book needs more hype!
February 20, 2026
Oh I loved this! Kinda crazy and a bit spooky
April 11, 2026
3.5 Stars
Just finished....current thoughts? This book is MESSED UP!!!!
Just finished....current thoughts? This book is MESSED UP!!!!
November 10, 2025
didnt like the ending ao ideally 3.5 but overall a good read 4 stars
February 10, 2026
5 🌟
Southern Dark gothic psycological thriller....
Suspense
Family Secrets
Buried trauma
Now..... Um... I do not even know what to say or think about this one.
This one had me on the edge of my seat.
Brair and her sisters where adopted by this famous Hollywood actress named Vivienne.
When the oldest Odette pops up after being murdered, that is when all their secrets come to light but then they have to do everything that they can to hide what they have done.
Talking about airing out your dirty laundry....
Odette and Briars husbands end up dead. Vivienne has had 4 husbands to come up missing all to be believed to have been murdered.
And then all the secrets come to light. Portia isn't as perfect as she seems.
Elise has held on to so much for so long. Held so many secrets.
And Julie is 7 and so innocent and all of that is gone in the flash.
Southern Dark gothic psycological thriller....
Suspense
Family Secrets
Buried trauma
Now..... Um... I do not even know what to say or think about this one.
This one had me on the edge of my seat.
Brair and her sisters where adopted by this famous Hollywood actress named Vivienne.
When the oldest Odette pops up after being murdered, that is when all their secrets come to light but then they have to do everything that they can to hide what they have done.
Talking about airing out your dirty laundry....
Odette and Briars husbands end up dead. Vivienne has had 4 husbands to come up missing all to be believed to have been murdered.
And then all the secrets come to light. Portia isn't as perfect as she seems.
Elise has held on to so much for so long. Held so many secrets.
And Julie is 7 and so innocent and all of that is gone in the flash.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2026
This was my first book by her. Definitely did not disappoint. I didn't see the twists coming. She kept me guessing & very interested. I will be reading more of her books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews