Dead to Her

This soapy domestic suspense novel from Pinborough (Cross Her Heart) roils with passion, rancor, and greed wrapped in Southern politesse. As the second wife of Savannah, Ga., attorney Jason Maddox, 34-year-old Marcie is the youngest, most attractive woman in the couple’s wealthy social circle—until Jason’s widowed boss, William Radford, returns from London with a gorgeous bride, 22-year-old Keisha, a former cocktail waitress. Marcie loathes the way her husband ogles Keisha, but agrees to befriend the young woman—ostensibly to manipulate Keisha into encouraging William’s retirement, thus rendering Jason senior partner, but also to monitor her competition. The relationship between Marcie and Keisha takes an unexpected turn as their respective stories unfold via an alternating third-person narrative. Tension increases in tandem with Marcie’s suspicion and paranoia; meanwhile, Keisha’s sanity shreds as William’s domineering nature emerges. Pinbrough’s intricately woven mystery will please fans of B.A. Paris and Paula Hawkins. Agent: Grainne Fox, Fletcher & Co. (Feb.)