I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough Published by Flatiron Books on January 31 2017
Genres: Adult, Psychological thriller
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A dark and twisty, different kind of love story, where things are not at all as they first appear.
Like everyone else on the planet, I heard all the marketing noise about the big twist at the end of Behind Her Eyes, via the #wtfthatending hashtag. I guess as far as marketing schemes go, it’s a good one. You want people to read the book and what better way than to lure them in with the promise of a crazy ending? So, did it work for me? Yes, definitely! I can honestly say I was not expecting THAT ending, although there are plenty of clues along the way, so it’s certainly possible readers will make the leap and figure things out before the end. But did I like the ending? Hmm, that’s another question. I mostly thought it was weird. I guess I should have expected a book from Sarah Pinborough to be genre-bending, and as much as I usually embrace books that don’t fit neatly into one slot, I found the “bending” part of this story (sorry I’m being so vague, but I really don’t want to give anything away) to be actually very jarring, almost as if the story and the ending belonged to two separate books. But you can see from my four-star rating that I really enjoyed myself, and I think you will too.
The story itself has a deliciously twisted premise, one we’ve seen many times before, but nonetheless works (which is why writers keep using it, I guess!). Louise is a bitter, divorced single mother, struggling to make ends meet, taking care of her six-year-old son, and trying to have a social life as well. One night in a bar, she is instantly attracted to a man who buys her a drink. They end up in a boozy kiss, but he guiltily breaks it off, telling Louise that he’s married. Louise decides to forget about him, after all, why would she want to get mixed up with a married man? Unfortunately, the next day at work, she discovers that her new boss is none other than the man in the bar.
Days later, Louise literally runs into David’s wife Adele, who she recognizes from a photo on his desk, and the two women slowly form a friendship. Adele appears lonely and gives Louise the impression that David is a controlling husband. Louise is drawn to Adele and wants to continue their friendship, but she and David have also started up an affair. Louise finds herself caught in the middle of a slowly disintegrating marriage, and trying to extricate herself has become nearly impossible. She can’t tell David she’s become friends with his wife, and she can’t tell Louise she’s sleeping with her husband. David’s and Adele’s stories contradict each other, and Louise doesn’t know what to believe.
First and foremost, this is a story about unreliable narrators, and yes, I mean all three main characters are hiding secrets. Just when you think you have someone pegged, something happens and you realize you were completely wrong. Behind Her Eyes is a whirlwind of secrets, shocking reveals and emotions. Pinborough tells her story through the first person narratives of both Louise and Adele in alternating chapters, giving the reader perspectives on both characters’ motivations. She does a great job of making them both seem sympathetic, as we bounce back and forth between the two women. I had my suspicions early on about who to trust and who NOT to trust, but even the most astute readers will probably be fooled! With this story, I think it’s best to just ride it out rather than try to analyze what the author is trying to do.
We find out fairly early on that Adele has spent some time in a mental health facility, which immediately casts suspicion on her. Pinborough gives us a peek into Adele’s past at Westlands through an old journal that she’s hidden from David, as well as flashback chapters entitled “Then.” Adele gives the journal to Louise, where we discover a fourth player in this twisted scenario, a man named Rob who was Adele’s only friend at Westlands.
For me, the most compelling part was the “love triangle” with Louise, Adele and David. Louise’s almost manic voice, describing her fascination with David, despite (or maybe because of) the fact that he’s married, makes her come across as slightly crazed. She obviously regrets the affair and feels terrible because she honestly likes Adele, but she can’t seem to bring herself to stop. And the more secrets about the two she begins to uncover, the deeper in she finds herself. My main beef with Louise is the way her young son fits into the story. She’s got a rather lackadaisical method of parenting which grated on me—being a parent myself. Adam is conveniently invited by his father and his new step-mother to spend a month in France, freeing up Louise to go wild with David, without having to worry about scarring her son for life with her errant behavior. In my opinion, the only reason he was even included in the story was to make Louise seem more sympathetic. I actually think the story could have managed just fine without him.
I do wonder what my reaction to the book would have been had I not heard anything about a twist at the end. In the world of social media, it’s hard to keep things like twists in books completely secret, especially when the publisher is making it a point to broadcast the fact that there’s twist. If you’re looking for a Gone Girl-like reading experience, you won’t quite find it with Behind Her Eyes. But don’t get me wrong: this book was a blast to read, and it will definitely keep you guessing. I’m always going to say “yes” to reading a Pinborough novel, and I’ll look forward to her next book with glee.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
As almost always, your review makes me want to read this, although I don’t usually go for this genre. It’s good, however, when a fiercely marketed book delivers. I’ve had the experience of once being let down by a book that didn’t. Still makes me sad. Years ago now.
I see you’re reading Miranda And Caliban, how are you liking it? I’m also reading that now (well, listening through my app, rather). It’s alright, although lacking in some senses.
I’m still going through the trauma of “my blog was offline for 24 hours for the first time and the mean old monster ate my post”, so I haven’t posted anything in ages. How do you deal with the mortality of your blog anyway? 😐
AvalinahsBooks recently posted…Our Short History by Lauren Grodstein
I’m not sure what you mean by “mortality of my blog” but if you mean when it goes down, well I don’t deal very well at all! I’m enjoying Miranda and Caliban too, it’s a slower paced book than the last few books I’ve read but we’ll see how it turns out:-)
This sounds like it would be a great movie in the right hands. I am interested any anything the cover compares to Hitchcock too. I have The Language of Dying on my kindle but have never red Pinborough.
Nathan (@reviewbarn) recently posted…Sci-Fi Review: ‘Binti’ by Nnedi Okorafor
The Language of Dying is completely different than this but really worth reading.
I haven’t heard anything about the ending but now you’ve made me want to read it!
Oh good! It’s best not to know anything:-)
If you pick up a copy of the book, it’s all over the cover and the back (stuff about the ending). Hope you have fun with it!
The most fascinating part of your excellent review was the description of the two points of view and the information about them both being unreliable narrators: I love a story that keeps me guessing – and changing opinion as it evolves – and that in the end springs a surprise on me. It might not be a pleasant surprise (I think I read that between the lines…) but still it would mean that nothing is a given in this novel. And two books have already made me a Pinborough fan, so… 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Short Story Review: SPECTRUM, by Aidan J. Reid
I think Pinborough fans will love this!
Normally this isn’t the sort of story I’d gravitate towards, but I *love* reading from the POV of an unreliable narrator — three sounds awesome! Somehow I missed the #wtfthatending marketing blitz (maybe I don’t use twitter enough??) but it sounds like a very successful and clever scheme. The only thing I don’t like the sound of is Louise’s parenting, which as you said sounds extremely suspect. Why give her a kid at all if he’s just a prop? Great review, Tammy!
Danya @ Fine Print recently posted…Review: Glamour in Glass by Mary Robinette Kowal
Thanks Danya! It’s not my normal genre either, but a fun change of pace:-)
Okay, you got me, it’s going on my wishlist…lol. 🙂 Great review!
Thanks Stormi, hope you enjoy it!
This is going to be my next audiobook after I finish Six Wakes, so I just skimmed your review. Not the first time I’ve seen someone mention the ending, so curious 🙂
Lisa @TenaciousReader recently posted…Friday Firsts – Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty
I’ll bet the audio is really good! Especially since there are two main narrators.
In a way – I wonder if it wouldn’t have been better without everyone knowing there was a twisted ending. It just means that when I read this I will be trying to second guess it!
That being said, I pretty much love (not in a stalker way) SP – so I will read this soon.
Plus, unreliable narrators – I do like that.
Lynn 😀
You will definitely enjoy this, twist or no twist!
I think the ending will be the most polarizing aspect of this book, and not just because of the hype job the marketing department has done. I actually thought the ending matched up well with all the foreshadowing, and as twist endings go, it wasn’t as far out there as it could have been. My main discomfort with it sort of echoes Lynn’s comment – wouldn’t it be even better, more surprising if everyone didn’t go in already expecting a twist ending? It also makes readers second guess themselves, which is absolutely what I experienced 😀
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…Book Review: The Rising by Heather Graham and Jon Land
Yep, I kept trying to figure out the twist, so I think not knowing about it would have made it more shocking for sure.
I don’t read thrillers very often, so I don’t know much about the genre, but I was glad with this book that I knew going in to it there would be a slightly fantastical element. I think if I hadn’t know that, it would have really annoyed me when those little supernatural elements snuck in, especially that revelation at the end.
Overall though, like you, I did enjoy it 🙂
Ailsa @ The Book Bundle recently posted…Book review: Revenger by Alastair Reynolds
Yeah, I think I would have liked to know about the fantastical element too. But still, what a fun read!
They really marketed the hell out of the “twist ending”. I’m intrigued although I’ve heard raves and quite the opposite. I’m like you though.. always excited for a Pinborough.
Bonnie @ For the Love of Words recently posted…Recommended Reading 101: Fantasy Romance
I’m really glad I read it, and I want to go back and read some of her older books now.
Gah, added this to my review pile after seeing some great reviews. I am so utterly curious – the biggest problem for me will be not to spoil myself by reading the ending first! Wonderfully-written review.
Ha ha! Good luck with that! Thanks Hannah:-)
I must say I was floored by the ending. I agree with you on the parenting issue. I thought the same thing. I did enjoy the book, though. It was a fun read.
I love Pinborough’s work, so this is definitely on my radar.
I’ll look up the author’s other stuff at Amazon! This sounds really good!
Thrillers are definitely a favourite genre of mine and I’m intrigued by your review; this is definitely going on my TBR list (alongside about 80+ others and counting)! Quite curious to find out what this unexpected twist is, but the description really draws me in. Of course, many marketed books often can be a let-down from the attention that the masses give to it, but I really hope it won’t disappoint. Admittedly, I hadn’t heard of the book prior to your review so I’m eager to read it! 🙂
I’ve seen a lot of the hype. It’s good to know that it’s actually a good read it.
“Deliciously twisted” sounds right up my alley! Super review, and I’ll certainly be checking this book out soon 🙂