June 2023

Megan Abbott is a very sunny person. I want to share this as she writes books that often have such dark personalities in them.

BEWARE THE WOMAN sees Jacy and her husband, Jed, on a trip to his father’s house in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which sounds quite idyllic. Jed is not like the other men she has dated. Kind and caring, he’s a neon artist, and her description of his work has me longing to explore it more. Jed’s father is a retired doctor, and he clearly is not enamored with his art. At first, Jacy has been told that Jed’s mother passed away when Jed was young. But she learns another story as the trip goes on. Oh, and to this cast of characters, add Mrs. Brandt, the house manager who lives at the cottage year round.

For Jacy, this trip is a lot as she is pregnant and feels very vulnerable. The setting at first glance is lovely, but the remote location feels anything but safe as Jacy begins to feel both trapped and uncomfortable. She wants to leave but is told it’s not wise to go. And she starts to question who her husband really is. He feels different when he is with his father. And what’s going on with Dr. Ash, who’s both solicitous and overly protective towards her.

Megan loves strong women, and she has created one in Jacy, who runs a brilliant inner monologue throughout the book. At the end, you still may have questions about her future. But, whew, you also will feel like Jacy is headed just the right way!