In this riveting psychological thriller, a woman must decide whether she can believe a dementia patient who claims to have a dark secret—from the New York Times bestselling author, Joy Fielding.
Ballantine Books / August 5, 2025
In this riveting psychological thriller, a woman must decide whether she can believe a dementia patient who claims to have a dark secret.
Reeling from her husband’s death and best friend’s dementia diagnosis, seventy-six-year-old Linda Davidson is feeling lost and alone. Her beloved daughter Kleo and son-in-law Mick move into her house to keep her company, but the constant bickering quickly turns their presence into just another thing on Linda’s long list of worries.
Eager to escape the tension at home, Linda goes to visit her friend at Legacy Place, a Memory Care facility for the elderly, where she meets Jenny Cooper, a ninety-two-year-old dementia patient who makes a shocking confession: she kills people.
Linda dismisses the so-called “secret” as the confusion of an ailing mind, but Jenny seems strangely lucid over the course of their visits as she tells Linda about her many victims—mostly men who hurt her. Then, a fellow patient at Legacy Place dies. Everyone else sees the natural death of an old, sick man, but Linda can’t help but wonder: is there any chance Jenny’s telling the truth?
"The latest psychological thriller from the bestselling author of All the Wrong Places centers on an unlikely friendship between a potentially murderous memory care patient and a bored 76-year-old widow. Uncertain of how to move forward in her life after losing her beloved husband to cancer and her best friend Carol, almost as completely, to dementia, Linda Davidson is desperate for a reprieve from her later-in-life loneliness. Enter Jenny Cooper, a 92-year-old fellow resident at Carol’s assisted living facility who lets Linda in on a little secret: She kills people. At first, it’s easy to assume she’s, ahem, misremembering, but as Jenny’s stories become more detailed, Linda’s dull life transforms into an epic murder mystery. This novel is a delight, tugging at your heartstrings as it explores the grief, insecurities, and beauty that come with aging." ~ Mandie Montes
Oprah Daily
"Punchy, surprising, and sweet in equal measure, this tale of twisted sisterhood is a home run." ~ Publisher's Weekly
"Enough suspense to keep readers turning the pages so quickly that they risk paper cuts ... another fine novel from this talented storyteller." ~ Booklist
Thanks to the wonderful publisher Ballantine books and Netgalley for this eARC.
I greatly enjoyed this story; as soon as I saw an offering from Joy Fielding (an author I have followed for decades) I immediately requested it.
This novel is one of those great slow burn reads with excellent character development that does what only the best books can do - pulls you out of your daily ennui / doldrums and provides you with a brand new world to become immersed in.
I greatly enjoyed the characters in this book, the aging widow, Linda Davidson, who is gracious enough to allow one of her two loving daughters, Kleo, to live with her, as well as her lout of a husband, Mick.
Linda meets Jenny Cooper when she is visiting her best friend in an assisted living apartment.
Jenny Cooper is a stellar character a seemingly ordinary (albeit cantankerous) elderly woman with a few extraordinary secrets to share. This story reminds us that within each elderly individual we meet a whole new world exists, if only we take time to listen.
My adoration for Jenny Cooper grew as steadily as Linda Davidson's.
I don't believe in adding spoilers to my reviews, but trust me, read this book; it is a testament to relationships - not just among the family members which are ours by birth, but also our friends who are family members by choice.
This book addresses themes of trust, friendship and love, in all its circumstances (including misplaced spousal delusion and misplaced adoration).
Fielding, a seasoned storyteller, once again proves her prowess in creating characters of great depth and plots with gripping storylines.
Fielding's writing style is engaging and accessible, with a knack for building suspense. Her descriptive prose brings the settings to life, and her dialogue feels authentic and natural.
The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of action interspersed with quieter, introspective scenes.
Whether you're a longtime admirer of Fielding's work or a newcomer to her novels, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.
5 stars from this deeply pleased fan, it pulled me out of myself at a time when I greatly needed the escape. Then, it sent me back to the bookstore, to catch up on any previous delights that I have missed from the talented Joy Fielding, the author of captivating novels.
Jen Kromrie“A spellbinding psychological thriller This is a super-fast paced book. Fielding's skillful storytelling weaves a unique twist and turn story that kept me engaged till the very end. The characters are complex and well-developed, adding depth to the intricate plot.”
“This is Joy Fielding at her finest—smart, suspenseful, and deeply human. There’s a haunting kindness to the narrative—balanced with quiet tension—that makes this an engaging read without the need for gore or over-the-top shock. It’s perfect for fans of thoughtful psychological thrillers that linger after the final page. A captivating choice for book lovers seeking suspense served with heart and depth.”
“Another great thriller/suspense novel by one of my favorite authors. The plot kept me going back and forth and I wasn’t sure what to believe. Jenny was one of the best characters I’ve read in a long time. She had me laughing and even shedding a few tears. Joy Fielding, you surprise me every single time I read one of your books, and this one was one of the best. Great job!!!”
“I absolutely loved Jenny Cooper Has a Secret! The mystery kept me hooked, but what really made it stand out was the deep friendship between Linda and Jenny. Their relationship felt genuine and heartfelt, adding emotional weight to the suspense. Plus, the humor sprinkled throughout made it so much fun to read and balanced the darker moments perfectly. The mix of psychological tension, tender moments, and humor made this book hard to put down. If you want a thriller that’s smart, heartfelt, and genuinely entertaining, with characters you don’t often get to read about, this one’s a must-read!”
