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The Society
Karen Winn
Publication Date: January 20th, 2026
Dutton
480 Pages
Amazon | Goodreads | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Women’s Fiction
The author’s debut novel, Our Little World, was a five-star read for me, so I had high expectations for her sophomore release. The Society was a bit of a disappointment, but that’s only because I had such high expectations! This one is about Vivian Lawrence; when her family’s money disappears, she decides to try to get entrance into the Knox, a secret society with ties to an old legend.
She crosses paths with Taylor Adams, a nurse who is fascinated with Vivian, after Vivian lands in the ER following a suspicious fall. When Vivian disappears, Taylor takes a job at the Knox to search for answers, which takes her into a world of wealth and danger where she discovers secrets abound.
If you’ve read any of my reviews, you know I love a book with plenty of atmosphere, and this one has it in spades. Winn vividly writes about Beacon Hill and the Knox’s secrets. She is also very good at shifting between both characters’ points of view and keeps the pace going nicely. I enjoyed reading about Taylor’s investigation into Vivian’s disappearance.
However, the story lacks any character depth. The premise is an excellent one, but the main mystery gets bogged down by the many subplots, and I especially didn’t enjoy all the romantic entanglements, which didn’t feel natural. Dual points of view are my favourite, but sometimes I had to remind myself who I was reading about.
Overall, the book adequately delivers a twisty escape for those who enjoy the drama of the rich and famous. I found the plot a tad predictable, but it is a solid, atmospheric read, though not one that offers anything new. It is listed as Women’s Fiction on NetGalley, and even though it’s not a thriller, it is a Mystery and Suspenseful one. Colour me confused!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
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