"No one was supposed to know. I've always been so careful. My Darlings, how did we get here?

Evil lurks behind the perfectly manicured lawns, ornate iron gates, and long winding driveways of affluent DC–but not for long.

Stay-at-home mom Eloise Williams is PTO president and a respected local philanthropist who sits on the boards of many distinguished charities. In addition to being a doting wife and mother, she is also a serial killer.

But Eloise isn’t the only lady in society playing a part. As the hidden lives of Eloise's inner circle are exposed, the body count rises. When stalkers becomes prey, Eloise desperately clings to control.

Money and power can only buy influence and safety for so long. Eventually, the curtains lift, exposing the chilling reality hiding in plain sight.

This dark thriller has numerous content warnings: child death, suicide, hazing, bullying, murder, infidelity, brutal slayings, domestic abuse/violence, child abuse, torture." - My Darlings by Marie Still

This book is not for the fainthearted, but if you can stomach it, you'll be captivated from start to finish. The trigger warnings at the start do a good job of listing potentially difficult subjects. But if you’re a fan of YOU, Criminal Minds, and maybe even Desperate Housewives, then give this delicious novel a chance.

I went into this novel knowing almost nothing, only slightly surprised yet curious after reading the list of trigger warnings. Within a page, we had our first gruesome death, many more would follow. As a psychology girlie, I adored the perspective of a female psychopath (it’s really not a spoiler). I am such a sucker for unlikeable female characters, and how much more unlikeable do you get than a serial killer who thrills in torture and control? Yet the true sign of an excellent writer is the fact that I was still somehow rooting for her. Concerning perhaps, but also a thrilling ride.

After finishing the book, I saw news of the adaptation, and I can’t wait! I will be bingeing that the moment it comes out, likely years from now. And I’ll definitely be checking out more of Marie’s work in the future.

Buy My Darlings by Marie Still

If you like this, then you'll love:

- Liars by Sarah Manguso

- Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang

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