Marion

This is a gripping thriller that goes beyond suspense and dives into heavy emotional territory. The story explores themes of abuse, complicated family dynamics, and the lasting impact of alcoholism, all woven together in a way that feels raw and unsettling.What stood out most to me was Marion as a character. She is morally gray, which made her both fascinating and unpredictable. I found myself questioning her choices while still understanding the motivations behind them. That complexity added depth and kept me fully engaged.The bond between the sisters was another highlight. Their relationship felt real, messy, and strained, but ultimately powerful. It added an emotional core that balanced the tension of the thriller elements.

3.5 stars. Picture the iconic shower scene in the 1960 film Psycho. Now imagine a modern day version in which the woman doesn’t die, add a healthy dose of female rage, and you get Marion.I thought this was a fun premise for a book. You’ll notice lots of references to Psycho if you’re familiar with the movie, but it’s very much its own story. It’s not really a retelling, more like a variation from an alternate universe. Much of the book follows the main character’s life and decisions that follow after she emerges from the shower alive, and we also get a second perspective from a private investigator. Since Psycho is often considered to be the original slasher film, a genre which later became known for its exploitation of women, it was satisfying to see the main character pushing back on the misogyny in her life.Overall, this was a fun read and impressive for a debut novel. I was entertained throughout, though I definitely had to suspend my disbelief, and I did find it a bit heavy handed at times. I think Marion would be perfect book club selection, as it will generate a lot of discussion, especially around the feminist themes and morally gray elements of the story.I had the chance to both read the text and listen to this audiobook form. The production quality of the audio was excellent and the narration was quite good. I had no trouble following the story while listening.Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for inviting me to read this ARC, and to Macmillan Audio for providing an ALC.

If I were a billionaire, I’d buy a copy of Marion for every single horror fan on earth—and then dare the non-thriller readers to try it.What an absolute ride! From page one, Leah Rowan hooks you with multiple moving parts that keep the adrenaline pumping and the action propelling forward.The story follows Marion, a mild-mannered ad agency employee tasked with depositing a massive cash payment for her boss. But she can’t focus—she’s consumed with anxiety over her sister, whose husband is notoriously violent. When her sister stops answering the phone, Marion makes a split-second decision to head to Saratoga Springs to save her. But fate intervenes: her bus breaks down, leaving her stranded at the Billings Motel—the only place in town with a vacancy. Enter the proprietor, Norm Billings. He’s young, handsome, charming, and the sole caregiver to his cancer-ridden mother. He also happens to have a dangerous fixation on pretty blondes.If this sounds familiar, it’s because the novel is a brilliant, subversive twist on Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. But in this version, the script is flipped. We get a fierce, resilient woman fighting like hell to survive, refusing to be taken down in a shower by a madman.Leah Rowan’s reimagining of this classic is something to cheer about. Her female characters are unapologetically fierce. As Marion calculates how to right the wrongs and protect her sister, you can't help but rally behind her. I wanted her to win so badly, and I wanted the men who exploit women to get exactly what they deserve. But in true thriller fashion, nothing goes completely to plan—especially when a pesky private investigator looking to make a name for herself gets thrown into the mix. Hannah, the investigator, is such a uniquely captivating character; I would absolutely love to see an entire spin-off series dedicated to her and her cases!To top it all off, the epilogue is so beautifully written—it truly feels like the perfect bow on a gift.This book is so good. I dual-wielded the digital copy and the audiobook, and it is officially on my permanent spooky-season re-read list. Leah Rowan, you have a certified super-fan in me. Thank you for giving us such a creepy, fiercely feminist masterpiece!

We all love a reimagined story; a rewritten outcome, especially when it comes to a cult classic. But Marion doesn’t simply retell something familiar.It transforms it.What starts as an incredibly fun, witty, and wildly entertaining read quickly reveals itself to be something deeper, sharper, and surprisingly relatable. Beneath the fast-paced dialogue and engaging storyline is a very real exploration of something almost every woman has experienced.Or inevitably will at some point: being underestimated, dismissed, pushed too far, or expected to quietly endure things that should never have been acceptable to begin with.And that’s what makes Marion such an unforgettable voice.She’s funny, messy, compelling, emotional, and deeply human in a way that lingers long after the final page. Beyond the entertainment value… and there’s plenty of that, there’s something genuinely empowering about her story and the way she refuses to shrink herself to make others comfortable.The characters as a whole were incredibly well done. The wit and banter kept the pacing quick and addictive, making this one of those books that becomes nearly impossible to put down once you start.But one of my favorite parts was the family dynamic.No matter how chaotic things became, there was still this undeniable foundation of loyalty, love, and showing up for one another. That emotional core gave the story so much warmth and depth, balancing the darker and more frustrating moments beautifully.And honestly? As someone who will always support women’s rights… I’m also a firm believer in supporting women’s wrongs when necessary. (Most, often!)So yes.Team Marion.Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity and the ARC!

A twist on Psycho! Yes, please. How could I resist when the leading lady doesn't die in the shower but turns the tables on her attacker! Marion is no wilting flower; she was raised by her mother to fight back, and in Marion she takes the bulls by the horn and likes it!Marion has made some bold and bad choices. She steals from her employer so that she can help her sister out of a bad situation. When her bus breaks down on the way to her sister's home, she gets a room at a remote place on the outskirts of town. Norm, the young innkeeper caring for his mother, is more than happy to help her out. He also tries to off her in the shower, but, as I mentioned, Marion turns the tables on him. Now she is in an even bigger pickle than before.I enjoyed how the author turned the tables and the proverbial blonde victim becomes the hero. This book had dread, tension, danger, twists and characters in two different storylines which finally come together in the end.The beginning of the book piqued my attention, then the middle slowed up a bit, then the author kicked it into overdrive. I enjoyed the two storylines which provided some background on one of the characters while keeping readers engaged. This reader wanted to know when the two storylines would come together and when they did, it was very satisfying. I also enjoyed how the author had two characters having a strong 'bond' with their "Mother." This was a very clever and nice touch.Wonderfully written, well thought out, and thrilling!