“Behind Her Eyes” by Sarah Pinborough is a read that starts as a gripping psychological thriller but somehow progresses to the realm of fantasy and culminates in the most twisted ending, flipping the entire story on its head and leaving readers reeling. I’ll try my best not to include any spoilers.
The story follows Louise, a recently divorced single mother who gets entangled in a web of secrets and lies when she becomes involved with her psychiatrist boss, David, while also befriending his enigmatic wife, Adele.
Behind Her Eyes is a page-turner. Pinborough’s narrative style is undoubtedly straightforward yet compelling. The narrative is told from multiple perspectives, allowing for a deeper exploration of their motivations and secrets. The heavily-flawed characters are well-developed, with each having their own motivations and secrets that gradually unravel as the story progresses. Louise is relatable as a struggling single mother, coupled with her complicated relationship with David for the very same reason for her divorce, while David and Adele’s marriage is shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
After all the build-up of tension, this book’s highlight is the totally unexpected ending and the hints of fantastical elements. As I closed the book, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder and disbelief. How could someone float out of their body and swap consciousness with another person? It seems impossible, and yet, Pinborough’s masterful storytelling makes it feel entirely plausible. Gives me Lil Dicky’s Freaky Friday vibes in a way.
In the end, “Behind Her Eyes” leaves me with more questions than answers, but isn’t that the mark of a truly great psychological thriller? It is a must-read for lovers of psychological thrillers. I’ll give it a three out of five stars.
