Behind Her Eyes: A Suspenseful Psychological Thriller

When every blurb on the front and rear cover of a novel mentions the 'final twist' and how it 'will leave you reeling' I have to make a decision as a reader. It sort of reminds me of every M. Night Shyamalan film after "The 6th Sense". That film had such a legendary twist that you find yourself looking for the twists in each successive film. This strategy takes away from fully allowing yourself to be immersed in the work and simply let the surprise, if any, happen as it was intended to. That is the challenge with the terrific new psychological thriller from Sarah Pinborough, BEHIND HER EYES. I made a mental note to drive through the novel and enjoy it as it was written, although I must admit to trying to piece together a few end game scenarios from what was unfolding before me. Before I jump into the set-up for this brilliant novel I must firmly aver that I am not a band-wagon jumper when it comes to Sarah Pinborough. Back when Leisure Books used to have a Horror Genre I was a club member who received two new or re-printed Horror paperbacks each month. This was how I was introduced to Ms. Pinborough as a slew of her horror novels were included as selections with the club. I really enjoyed her horror work and continued to seek out her other novels that included fantasy novels as well as a terrific exercise into grief entitled THE LANGUAGE OF DYING. BEHIND HER EYES unfolds like a classic love triangle thriller. Single mom Louise meets a stranger at a bar and the evening ends with a sultry kiss. Imagine how surprised she is to find that her boss at her new job is the very same man from the bar. She finds out that he is David Martin and he is married --- albeit, not happily. Things get complicated when she bumps into, quite literally, a woman on the street one morning who she strikes up a conversation with. This young woman is attractive and comes across as very lonely. She confesses that there are some distance issues with her husband --- a Psychologist named Dr. David Martin. Louise is in quite a predicament as she had a brief 'thing' with David yet really likes his wife, Adele, and also is in need of a female companion to befriend. Of course, Louise does not let on to Adele that she had a thing with her husband --- and that relationship begins to flower well beyond a mere kiss. She is really torn because she truly likes Adele. Things get really sticky when Adele declares that she feels her husband is seeing someone else. Rather than ending both relationships, she continues to move forward with each. It turns out that Adele and Louise have a lot more in common than just being attracted to the same man. They share similar anxieties that include suffering from severe night terrors. Adele is able to teach Louise a trick that allows a person to take command of their dream state and literally have out-of-body experiences that helps to prevent the dreaded night terrors. As expected, things begin to spiral out of control, especially when Louise reads the case file David kept in his office on Adele. She has many problems outside of mere nightmares and is heavily medicated. Adele paints a picture of David being super controlling and keeping her in check by knowing where she is at all times and staying on top of her daily pill intake. To go any further threatens to risk letting out critical information so I will leave things at that. The style of BEHIND HER EYES follows the scheme made uber-popular by Gillian Flynn in her novel GONE GIRL, where each chapter is told from a different characters perspective and forces the reader to make the connections. If one, or more, of the narrators turns out to be unreliable it makes things that much more interesting. The twist, when it comes, is a doozy and one I did not see coming. The best twist I have experienced since the terrific novel by Clair Mackintosh last year entitled I LET YOU GO. Sarah Pinborough deserves to be a household name internationally and I trust that BEHIND HER EYES raises her to that illustrious status. Reviewed by Ray Palen

4 Crazy Frakking Stars. Oh My Gosh. What did I just read? I haven't the faintest idea! Crazy with a side of Tabasco thrown in? Something like that. And now for my review? I don't even know what to say. First, this book is bat-sh&t cray cray. Second, you must believe the hype people, it's real. So what’s the story? Louise, a single mother, is out one night having a drink – there she meets a man (David), whom she is immediately drawn to. The night is mostly innocent, though there is an instant connection. You know how it is. The next day Louise goes into the medical office where she works as a secretary and discovers that David is her new boss. And he’s married. Talk about uncomfortable. Later, while out and about, Louise meets his wife, Adele, and finds that Adele is absolutely amazing. Over time the two somehow become besties, all the while Louise carries on an affair with David and Louise just can’t choose between the two. AS IF. Thereafter, things become a little strange (RIGHT?!) and Louise gets drawn deeper and deeper into David and Adele’s crazy as heck marriage. As you might be able to tell, this is one crazy, compelling and totally compulsive read. I admit that towards the end, I snuck in time to read this whenever I could (at times when I should have been well, say - doing more productive things). Sarah Pinborough’s writing is suspenseful, gripping and full of life. Her writing can’t be confined, nor can it be perfectly presented in a pretty little package. It’s crazy, wild and totally out there. The characters are all consuming, I got so wrapped up in them - especially the character of Adele, that I felt like I couldn’t escape. And perhaps that was the point. At the end, my eyes flew open, I re-read the last few pages several times and thought I might have gone nuts, but alas, I’m only a little crazy (I think). It might have been one of the craziest, strangest endings I have ever read. But I think you all know that by now. You’ve read enough reviews. It is a WT-Frak ending. Nothing you have read will prepare you for it. And if you think for a second that you are going to figure this out, I just have one thing to say: You’re never going to get it - so just quit while you're ahead! Then again.. my GR “sister” Norma apparently figured it out (based on her splendid review), so maybe, just maybe you will actually be able to figure it out after all. Regardless, it is one insane ride and is well worth it. Recommended for anyone looking to be entertained. Published on Goodreads and Amazon on 8.18.17.

I don't really know how I feel about this book. There are aspects I enjoyed but the story lost me along the way. From the beginning I was not fond of any of the characters. None particularly likable and none with any kind of virtue. They were all dysfunctional in their own way. The story was well written and easy to read. It was multiple points of view which I enjoy. There was two timelines but easily keep up with what is now and what is then. It took a kinda sci Fi turn and what was just a normal "is she crazy" "is he dangerous"'and "how is this going to end" went into this lucid dreaming storyline that went so far off the deep end that when it ends I was so far from fiction reality that I didn't enjoy it. Sure the very end was a surprise I didn't see coming but I couldn't swallow my mind around the story. That's me though, if you like really out there scenario and aren't into realistic storylines then you will probably enjoy it because the book is good. That's why my title is wasn't for me. It's a well written book and you might take a chance and not feel the disappointment I started feeling towards about 2/3 way through. I don't recommend this book but I don't not recommend this book. I say try it if you are curious. They are or have made a Netflix series from it, I could see it being entertaining maybe but I'm not watching

Very good book. Weird twists and turns and you definitely don’t see the ending coming. Definitely enjoyed it!

Sarah Pinborough's Behind Her Eyes was exactly what I wanted: a pulpy, twisty read more interested in delivering thrills and keeping you off balance than in worrying about exploring deep thematic resonance. That may sound like a slam, but it certainly isn't intended as one; after diving through His Dark Materials and dealing with holiday stresses, there was something great about having a book about nothing more than playing games with the reader. The plot starts simply enough, following two women as they go through their lives. One is a doctor's wife, struggling with some mental health issues and dealing with a tense, fraught marriage; the other is the secretary where the doctor has recently been hired, who has started up a flirtation with the doctor while unaware of his marriage status. Flicking back and forth between the two perspectives, Pinborough lets us think that this is merely going to be a story about two women and the tensions between them, only to drop the rug out from under us with a casual aside that reveals that there's a much more devious game going on, and one of our narrators isn't as innocent as she seems. What follows from there is a gleefully twisty read, one that rapidly chews through being a Gone Girl-esque mindgame before evolving into something even wilder (an evolution that will no doubt either make or break the book for some people, depending on how open they are to books that gearshift into a whole other novel at some point). And it all leads up to a series of wild twists that managed to fool me, and I think I'm a pretty seasoned thriller reader; every time I thought I was getting ahead of the book, it managed to trick me again. I had a blast with it, and while I have a couple of minor misgivings related to the very end of the book, all in all, it's a blast of a read - a wonderful little piece of pulpy psychological manipulation.

I LOVED this book! It kept me captivated from the first page. The twist was chefs kiss!

Page turner. Unexpected twist at the end. It will keep you guessing, but the guess is never right. I suppose that’s the fun.

Worth the read

You know when you first heard M. Night Shayamalan's The Sixth Sense had a twist ending? It wasn't really something you wanted to hear was it? Your viewing experience would be tainted, it would never be as the Director intended. Well, sadly for me, as well as finding out that the movie had a twist, I was even told, somewhat spitefully, what the twist was! I've never forgiven that person! I would never experience the big reveal, as intended about Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis). I feel exactly the same about books, I wasn't too keen on being told that Behind Her Eyes had a twist. But strong word of mouth, and the fact I have enjoyed some of the authors earlier work, I picked up the latest novel from Sarah Pinborough, knowing nothing but #WTFthatending. It was me against the author, was the story going to hold up to the hype of the ending? Would she be able to outfox me? The story's told from two perspectives, the first is Adele, the beautiful wife of David, a psychiatrist, who have moved to London for a fresh start. The second is Louise, a single mother who meets and kisses a man in a bar. She later discovers, to her horror, that the man will be her boss in the new job she is about to start. Adele and Louise literally bump into each other one day and develop a friendship. They are so good for each other, this is the friend that Louise so desperately wanted since her marriage broke up. The problem is, Louise has continued her relationship with David, who it turns out is Adeles husband. In being friends with Adele she is now aware of problems in her marriage to David, problems that suggest David is not the man Louise thinks he is. Saying much more will spoil the delights Sarah Pinborough has laid out for you. The writing is punchy, with short chapters that help towards the 'just one more' form of reading. I felt like I was on a hook, being reeled in towards the books infamous twist, I was totally under Pinboroughs control, the books pacing was spot on. I'm delighted to say that knowing there was a twist didn't detract from the story at all. In fact I was so engrossed in the story that the twist was almost forgotten due to what was developing on the page. As for the twist, I would be very surprised if anyone guessed the ending, I thought I was very close at one point, but then Pinborough whipped the rug from under me, but I didn't feel cheated, it was a proper ending, a fantastic conclusion to a wonderfully dark story of obsession. I was smiling like a lunatic as I closed the book, the ending did match up to the hype for me, Sarah Pinborough really should be applauded for that. Subtle clues litter the book, but it's only once finished, you can think back and reflect on how cunning Pinborough has been in creating this twisted story. One of the best books I have read in a while. I eagerly anticipate the next novel from Sarah Pinborough.

Last year, a friend of mine recommended a great Netflix series with a twist I wouldn't see coming: 'Mon Amie Adèle.' I watched it, loved it, and was blown away by the totally unexpected twist. I also recommended it to other people. Then, I discovered it was based on a book and hated myself for a while because everyone knows that books are always better than movies. Having seen the show before reading the book will forever be on the list of the worst mistakes I ever made, but hey, I can't turn back time. Fortunately, the on-screen adaptation is very good. It's not better than the book itself—nothing can compare to Sarah Pinborough's insightful, sharp, and witty writing style—and the only way to truly experience it is to READ [preferably everything she's ever written]. However, the adaptation remains accurate and faithful to the original story, which eases a bit my pain! ;) If you are among the very few people on this planet who haven't either read the book or watched the show, and if you love well-crafted mysteries with unexpected twists, don't look any further: 'Behind Her Eyes' is the book you have been looking for! I can guarantee you won't be able to guess what's going on until the final revelation. The last chapter will leave you shaken and speechless.

Premetto che ho visto prima la serie e che per una volta sono rimasta stupita dal finale, tanto da voler leggere il libro da cui era tratta. L’ho letto in lingua originale perché la traduzione italiana non è presentabile, nemmeno google translate. Venendo al libro, l’ho trovato carino, intricato e chi non vede dove sta andando da prima della metà non lo ha letto con attenzione. Non si può rimanere delusi per il finale, che a me inquieta e non poco, perché è lì’ dall’inizio del libro. Insomma per me una lettura piacevole, forse le parti di Louise sono un po’ ripetitive, ma è un male sopportabile. Consigliato il libro e la serie.

There are mixed reviews about this book, people seem to love it or hate it. People seem to be upset about the "supernatural" aspects or the language and some of the sexual content. However Sarah Pinborough's ‘Behind Her Eyes’ was exactly what I wanted: a twisty, thrilling read that kept me guessing but didn’t make me work too hard. Louise, a single mother finally lets go & one evening goes out and enjoys a kiss with a stranger. However, come Monday she discovers that the stranger at the bar is actually her new boss - the new psychiatrist at the clinic where she works -David. ‘Thirty-four-year-old woman walks into a bar and is sweet-talked by the man of her dreams who turns out to be her new boss. Oh God, I want to die from the awfulness of it all. What a mess.’ David and Louise decide that while awkward they can overlook the kiss and continue on with work. Louise accidentally and literally runs into David's wife, Adele. She starts a friendship with Adele and quickly becomes enamored with her however it is clear that Louise is also infatuated with David. In fact, she’s so enticed by the two of them she ignores signs of strangeness between the couple. ‘This beautiful, elegant young woman, rushing home in a panic to take a call from her husband? ‘You have to be at home when he calls you? How often is that?’ ‘It’s not how it sounds,’ she says, her eyes pleading with me. ‘Just a couple of times a day. And I have the mobile, so now I don’t have to be at home.’ Is it panic she’s feeling or fear? It’s like a slap in the face. What do I really know about David anyway? One drunken evening, and from that I built a whole character for him. A fantasy.’ Slowly, Louise picks up some signs that David and Adele's marriage isn't typical... ‘After a moment of staring at the space where he no longer is, listening to my patchwork heart breaking, I go back to the kitchen and turn the oven off. I won’t keep it for tomorrow. It would taste sour on the memory of today. Dinner’s ruined. We’re ruined. I sometimes wonder if he wants to kill me and be done with it all. Get rid of the albatross around his neck. Perhaps some part of me wants to kill him too.’ This prompts Louise to dig into their past even after David threatens her to leave them alone and to stay away. Louise has no idea what or who she is up against... This book is a roller coaster and has all the twists and turns you hope you get from books in this genre. It kept me turning pages late into the night. This story wasn't just a single love triangle because there were some fascinating layers. The end surprised me which I liked... Looking back I realise that the author didn’t hide the clues through-out - it’s totally out there - so stay alert!

This is one of the best thrillers I‘ve ever read so far. The plot twist is amazing which I can never guess exactly what is going to happen until the end. Thanks to Netflix brought me to this book (Yes, I‘ve watched the series first, and decided to read the book to compare, and they are both splendid). Sarah Pinborough‘s writing skill is excellent. I just order her two other books last week. I‘m excited. The quality of this pre-print version (printed in Poland) is also very good.