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Eden: A Novel

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"Intriguing lead characters strengthen this engaging Southern murder mystery." –Kirkus Reviews

On a hot, muggy afternoon in Eden, a tiny, rural town deep in southeast Louisiana, two boys make a grim they unearth the decades-old remains of a child, strands of hair and clothing still attached to the bones.

Meanwhile on the other side of the country, in California, forty-one-year-old Evelyn Yates, a single mother is struggling to maintain psychological equilibrium despite problems with alcohol, a difficult teenage daughter, and her own traumatic past. Evelyn is devastated by a phone call from the Eden coroner informing her that officials suspect the remains are those of her sister who disappeared over thirty years earlier.

Evelyn, who has mentally reduced her childhood to a series of blotchy and painful memories, fled Eden years ago and has no desire to return. Her fragile internal world is suddenly threatened with collapse by this discovery and the pressure to return home to help identify the remains.

The discovery of the body sets in motion a series of events leading inevitably to the uncovering of secrets dating back nearly a century; terrible events that may involve the entire town of Eden. As Evelyn pursues answers, she finds her sanity, her life, and the life her daughter threatened. She must face her memories and delve deep into her family's history to find answers.

Eden explores the devastating nature of secrets and the power of love to overcome.

423 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2023

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W. A. Schwartz

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5 stars
259 (43%)
4 stars
194 (32%)
3 stars
94 (15%)
2 stars
38 (6%)
1 star
14 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
295 reviews2 followers
January 8, 2024
Interesting Self Discovery, and mystery

This book read very easily, and kept my interest. The story idea was great. Only three stars due to some facts unexplained., and I think poor editing. There was a bit of gratuitous gore. All in all, fair story. Would recommend to anyone thAt likes a family mystery tale. Losing a sister must be terrible, and not knowing the truth about it, even worse.
Profile Image for Linsey Toney.
702 reviews42 followers
November 28, 2025
Eden is what I would say is a psychological thriller. This is a slower paced book that I did enjoy. I think that the author did a good job with the twist ending. I think if you don't mind a slower paced book then I would recommend giving it a shot. Please read the triggers warning.
Profile Image for Lisa.
115 reviews3 followers
January 21, 2024
needs a good editor and trigger warnings

I don’t think I’ve ever spent so much time looking back in a novel because I was confused by the timeline and the details. Throw in poor punctuation, missing words in sentences, and a laundry list of triggers and I want back the time spent reading this poorly written story.

SPOILERS BELOW








Trigger warnings for SA, child trafficking, self harm, and mental illness. Overall, a terribly disconcerting read and not in a good or thoughtful way provoking way.
Profile Image for BAMF_Book_Nerd.
135 reviews17 followers
July 27, 2024
This was an absolute fantastic psychological thriller read.
Profile Image for The Sassy Bookworm.
4,134 reviews2,896 followers
August 19, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Eden by W.A. Schwartz is a gripping novel set in a small, rural town called Eden in southeast Louisiana. The story begins with two boys uncovering the remains of a child buried for decades, still connected to strands of hair and clothing. Simultaneously, in California, forty-one-year-old Evelyn Yates, a single mother, is battling her own demons, including alcoholism, a difficult teenage daughter, and a haunting past. When Evelyn receives a phone call from the Eden coroner suggesting that the remains might belong to her long-lost sister who disappeared over thirty years ago, her fragile world is shattered. Having fled Eden years ago, Evelyn has no desire to return, but she is forced to confront her painful memories and return home to help identify the remains. As Evelyn embarks on this journey for answers, she unravels a web of secrets dating back nearly a century, potentially involving the entire town of Eden. The book masterfully explores the destructive power of secrets and the redemptive force of love.

So, there are two things I want to address right away. First, the book cover is not doing it any favors. It’s terrible, #sorrynotsorry. Second, why doesn't this book have more reviews? Maybe people are passing it by because of the cover? However, that should not deter readers from picking up this gem of a novel. Eden is exquisitely written, immersing readers in the hot and humid atmosphere of the Louisiana setting. While the pace may be slow at times, it works well in building suspense and tension throughout the story. The multiple points of view and timelines are skillfully executed, providing a rich and engaging reading experience. The characters are well-developed and intriguing, adding depth to the narrative. Although the ending could have been more satisfying, overall, Eden is an exceptional read that comes highly recommended.

**ARC Via NetGalley**
238 reviews4 followers
January 14, 2026
Eden by W. A. Schwartz is a quiet, unsettling Southern mystery that unfolds less like a conventional whodunit and more like an excavation of memory, grief, and buried truth. The discovery of a child’s remains in a small Louisiana town becomes the emotional and narrative trigger for a story that reaches far beyond a single crime.

What gives Eden its power is Evelyn Yates. Her return to a place she has worked hard to forget feels psychologically real and emotionally heavy. The mystery is external, but the real tension lives inside her in the way trauma distorts memory, in the way avoidance becomes a survival strategy, and in how fragile that strategy can be when the past refuses to stay buried.

The town of Eden itself is beautifully and ominously rendered. It feels closed, humid, slow, and watchful the kind of place where secrets can survive for generations because everyone is connected, and no one wants to be the one to break the silence. The story’s gradual widening from a personal tragedy to a community’s long-kept shame is handled with patience and restraint.

Eden is a novel for readers who like their suspense layered with emotional depth, psychological insight, and a strong sense of place. It’s a story about what happens when truth finally surfaces, and how love, however imperfect, can be the thing that allows us to face it.
5 reviews
May 19, 2025
Twists, turns, and evil that runs deeper than the deepest Louisiana swamp!

I was instantly pulled into the story of Evelyn, the flawed, drug and alcohol addicted woman who is suddenly yanked back to her small town home, Eden, Louisiana. Evelyn is informed that her sister Carolyn’s body has been found next to her childhood home. Evelyn spirals out of control and begs her ex-husband to watch their teenage daughter while she heads back to Eden to face her deepest darkest fears and lay her sister tourist.

While Evelyn is in Louisiana, back in San Francisco, her daughter Libby is facing the consequences of peer pressure, having an older crush, attending dangerous parties, and the implications of an absent drug addict father who dates women a few years older than her, and an alcoholic and drug addicted mother.

While Evelyn faces memories of her sister and the death of her mother, she finds that things are not as they seem and Eden, Louisiana is a very dangerous place, with very dark secrets that will not be given up without a fight.. With the help of the handsome and dedicated detective, Nick, she may uncover all of the secrets, trust and find safety, but Can she trust him? Can she trust anyone in Eden.
Profile Image for Akiam08.
11 reviews
September 15, 2025
This book drew me in right from its chilling opening: two boys stumbling upon the decades-old remains of a child in a small Louisiana town. From there, the story takes us to California, where Evelyn Yates, a single mother fighting her own demons, gets the call that the body might be her sister who vanished thirty years ago.

What I loved most about this novel was how it weaved together personal trauma with a wider, almost gothic sense of a town haunted by its own history. Evelyn is such a compelling character: flawed, fragile, and yet stronger than she realizes. Her struggle with alcohol and her complicated relationship with her daughter made her feel painfully real, and her reluctance to return to Eden resonated with that universal pull between past and present.

The pacing is steady but immersive, with every revelation peeling back another layer of secrets buried not just in Evelyn’s family but in the town itself. The atmosphere is heavy and humid, like the Louisiana air, and the sense of dread builds page by page. By the time the deeper history of Eden begins to unravel, I couldn’t put it down.
Profile Image for Ashley Stastny.
2 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2025
At first, Eden took a little time to find its footing with me. The opening chapters felt like a slow burn, but by the time I hit chapter three—boom—I was all in. The story hits its stride and doesn't look back.

What really pulled me in were the characters. They weren’t just placeholders moving the plot along—they felt real, flawed, layered. You could almost hear their thoughts and feel their pulse as the tension built. It has a dynamic story. It moves with purpose, weaving twists and stakes into a landscape that feels both grounded and just mysterious enough to keep you turning pages.

The one area I didn't like about the book was the ending. It seemed to end in a rather abrupt way that was unsatisfactory to a degree and left you wanting.

Is it a re-read forever kind of book? Maybe not. But as a one-time read, it’s fantastic. A great ride from a slow start to a fully immersive experience. If you're looking for a book that rewards your patience with action, heart, and a compelling narrative, Eden is a trip worth taking.
Profile Image for Kendall.
440 reviews6 followers
June 21, 2024
I had a hard time reading this book though I really tried. Picked it up and put it down a few times thinking maybe it was just my mood. Nope, it started off pretty good then just fell flat. So much to keep up with. I found it very confusing and skimmed the last half. Not enough character development or maybe too much? I just don't know. I will never bash a book. Just because I didn't enjoy it doesn't mean that numerous others won't love it. This one just wasn't for me but it could be for you. ☹️

Thank you to the author and Voracious Readers Only for this copy to read and honestly review.
Profile Image for Jeanette.
165 reviews3 followers
April 30, 2025
It takes a minute to warm up. You’ll read five chapters in roll your eyes and think this selfish woman needs to get ahold of herself. Stay with it. It actually unfolds into an intense story of love, loss, self protection and finally forgiveness. It’s almost lyrical. You can picture it all in your head while reading. It hurts and it’s frustrating and shocking all at the same time. I’m happy I stayed through. The characters are well created and the way everyone is woven into the story is well done.
Yes, there are some editing issues but not a single one took away from the characters or the story itself.
Profile Image for Moodyreadr.
161 reviews
September 1, 2025
What a RIDE! This thriller included everything for a recipe of insomnia! Once I got to chapter 7, there was no putting this down; the chapters are short so it didn’t take long to be sucked in. This story gives a great example of how trauma can rewire our brains creating a narrative we can live with. There’s small town corruption, multiple POV from mentally complex characters, edge of your seat suspense! Trust NO ONE in this story 🤯!

Check your triggers: sexual assault, child sexual assault, child abuse, domestic abuse, substance abuse, self-harm, descriptive gore

Thank you to the author for this complementary copy of Eden via Voracious Readers Only!
3 reviews
October 10, 2025
If you love psychological thrillers, then I highly recommend this book.
I love this book, so many twists and turns. I can't put it down. I am nearly finished but, felt compelled to let other avid readers know about Eden: A Novel.
There are quite a few characters, but once you understand that it is simply a Grandmother, Mother, Daughter and Aunt, it is easy to follow how their stories all entwine together.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
49 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2025
Eden by W.A. Schwartz is a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller that keeps the tension high from start to finish. The plot moves with urgency, the stakes feel real, and there’s a constant sense of danger that makes it hard to put down. The twists are satisfying, and the characters are drawn with enough depth to make the suspense feel personal as well as high-stakes.

It’s not a dark romance or morally grey character study, so it didn’t hit my favorite emotional beats, but the suspense, intrigue, and sharp pacing made it an engaging read.

Overall, it’s a solid, thrilling story that fans of tension-filled thrillers will enjoy.
3,487 reviews48 followers
November 18, 2023
I enjoyed the narration of Joan Dukore

Evelyn Yates life is not easy. A single mother, of a difficult teenage daughter and struggling with alcoholism. She left Eden many years ago, hoping to keep its memories out of her thoughts. But the discovery of a Childs' body in Eden can change all of that. It is believed that the remains are of Evelyn's' sister who disappeared over thirty years ago. Evelyn finds herself on journey where she unravels a web of secrets dating back nearly a century. The whole town could be involve. This book has secrets and shows what love can do.
Profile Image for Laura Gimbel.
363 reviews9 followers
December 12, 2023
A single mother, Evelyn Yates trying to raise a teenage daughter Lucy. Evelyn received a call from a detective requesting her to call him back.
Evelyn was raised in the south living with her dad who is an alcoholic. He’s not mean, just wasting away. She was told so many lies about her life growing up.
Now things are happening, her sister’s bones are found buried on the property of her dad’s. She was told her sister Carolyn died in an institution.
A lot of strange things unearthed coming to light, Evelyn realizes everything about her childhood was a lie. Why can’t she remember?
A great story to read. Loved it.
Profile Image for Beth.
18 reviews1 follower
August 25, 2024
I really, really struggled to read this. I'm not sure why, or if it was due to all the different perspectives/timeline each chapter was from, but it could be really difficult to keep up.

I found it to be a very slow burner. The ending also felt quite rushed to me, and left a lot of things unanswered.

There were also a fair few grammatical errors I noticed on the Kindle version.

The storyline was interesting, though there were some unexpected triggers in there that I didn't anticipate, such as self harm.

I received a free copy of this via Voracious Readers Only.
86 reviews3 followers
February 7, 2025
Eden pulled me in right from the start and didn’t let go. The world-building was eerie and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the story. I loved how the characters felt so real—flawed, complex, and easy to connect with. There was a perfect balance of tension, mystery, and emotion, and just when I thought I had things figured out, the story took a turn I didn’t see coming. The writing had this almost cinematic quality that made everything so vivid. By the end, I was completely hooked, and now I need more from W.A. Schwartz ASAP.
3 reviews
February 12, 2025
This was a bit of a difficult read for me. The bad language was distracting, and there were almost too many characters to keep up with. There were also many ultra-descriptive paragraphs that I skimmed over.

The story did keep me interested, and yes there were some twists throughout and toward the end that I enjoyed. I should mention there are quite a few trigger warnings - murder, suicide, alcoholism, sexual assault, trafficking.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
Profile Image for Linda.
184 reviews
September 24, 2025
I thought I was going to struggle with this book at first as there were quite a few characters and it went from past to present quite a bit, but the characters were so well written and explained you quickly got into the story and followed it from past to present.
There were a few things in the story I never quite understood - like Evelyn's father, never quite knew if he was involved in any of it or not but that is probably just me.
The story itself is a page turner and well worth a read.
Thank you to Voracious Readers for a complimentary copy.
Profile Image for Terry Segan.
Author 6 books29 followers
January 25, 2024
Right off the bat the main character is set up with three strikes against her and going down. As her past comes back to haunt her, she muddles through and begins to grow as she pieces together the tragic events of her childhood. Told through a variety of characters, the reader slowly puts together all the puzzle pieces leading to the conclusion of this mystery. Settle in and get ready to absorb life in a small town filled with tragedy, corruption, and hope.
Profile Image for Cynthia A.
716 reviews
May 9, 2025
So much evil in Eden

Carolyn disappears when she is fourteen. Mother commits suicide. Evelyn is facing her own devils by drinking and drugs. Evelyn keeps losing events and her daughter Libby is tired of the lies.
Carolyn’s body is found buried in the woods on the old family property. Evelyn returns to Eden to provide dna to ascertain this is her sister. Someone doesn’t want her digging into this murder. Who is it?
Profile Image for Danielle Farkas.
73 reviews2 followers
June 13, 2024
Too ambitious and overdone

Tried to do too much without doing any of those things well. Way too many perspective shifts that did not matter as well as the shoehorned romance. Also the kindle version is very poorly edited- one characters’ name was spelled two different ways on the same page!
4 reviews
January 18, 2024
A real Rollercoaster ride! Don't miss it!

A real psychological thriller! It explores the main character's mind like no other book I've read. Don't even try to guess the ending! You won't get it right!
10 reviews
April 17, 2024
Grabs your imagination from the first page!

Spellbinding! The way the authorslowly teased open the story, a story so tragic and horrible, was like nothing I have ever read. A fantastic read I highly recommend.
36 reviews
May 20, 2025
I enjoyed this one! I felt the unveiling of events, memories and characters was well done and kept my interest. I was intrigued by the characters and my opinions of them changed multiple times throughout the book. Would recommend it!
2 reviews3 followers
June 12, 2025
The twist and turns of this book made me excited to see the end

No dislikes. The presentation of the characters was fascinating. She pulled you into the storyline. The relationship between mother and daughter was so real.
674 reviews2 followers
September 10, 2025
Interesting but

You a while to "get into" this book, characters suppressed memories hiding the truth about the past. The alcohol and drugs didn't help. So many damaged people we should all stay away from this part of the USA.
60 reviews
October 17, 2025
I loved this book. I could not put it down, I was reading till 5 in the morning. There are so many twists and turns and the characters are so believable. Iam sure you will never guess the ending. A great psychological, murder mystery that keeps you thinking until the end.
1 review
January 21, 2024
Too descriptive.

Too Descriptive. The book had so much descriptive words in it that I skipped lots of it. Good story line.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews