Black-Eyed Susans: A Novel of Suspense - Softcover

"My book of the year so far . . . breathtakingly, heart-stoppingly brilliant."--Sophie Hannah, New York Times bestselling author of The Monogram Murders

"A masterful thriller that shouldn't be missed . . . brilliantly conceived, beautifully executed . . . Both as a portrait of modern, urban Texas, and in terms of suspense, characterizations and storytelling, Black-Eyed Susans is outstanding. . . . The answers are as astonishing as they are finally believable. [Julia] Heaberlin's work calls to mind that of Gillian Flynn. Both writers published impressive early novels that were largely overlooked, and then one that couldn't be: Flynn's Gone Girl and now Heaberlin's Black-Eyed Susans. Don't miss it."--The Washington Post

"[A] gem of a novel . . . richly textured, beautifully written . . . Tension builds, and the plot twists feel earned as well as genuinely surprising."--The Boston Globe

"A tense, slow-burning, beautifully written novel of survival and hope. Highly recommended."--William Landay, New York Times bestselling author of Defending Jacob

"Deliciously twisty and eerie, Heaberlin's third psychological suspense novel is intricately layered and instantly compelling."--Library Journal (starred review)

"A breakout book . . . Heaberlin maintains her tight grip on narrative control, expertly maintaining the delightful, nail-biting suspense. . . . It's her emerging talent as a masterful storyteller that sets this book apart."--Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Heaberlin does a neat job, in Black-Eyed Susans, of making us care. . . . [She's] a pro who strengthens her theme of judicial prejudice by referring to the O.J. Simpson trial and by drawing our attention to the morbid regularity of executions in Texas prisons."--The New York Times Book Review

"A terrific plot, matched by the quality of the writing and superbly paced tension."--The Times (U.K.)

"Utterly riveting and relentlessly creepy, Black-Eyed Susans will keep you up into the late hours turning pages and checking your locks."--Deb Caletti, National Book Award Finalist and author of He's Gone

"Perfect for readers looking for something to pick up after The Girl on the Train."--LibraryReads (Top Ten Pick)

"Gripping . . . The suspense builds as Tessie uncovers devastating secrets from the past en route to the shocking ending."--Publishers Weekly

"If readers looking for the next Gone Girl do pick it up, I guarantee they won't put it down. Because the story . . . is a classic page-turner."--D Magazine

"A truly compelling tale of the fragility of memory and elusive redemption."--Kirkus Reviews

"An absorbing character study and a good choice for readers who want to really sink into a psychological thriller."--Booklist

"The spectacularly dark and twisty story of what happened to one young Texas girl, and the ghosts who refuse to let her rest. I didn't want it to end--but I couldn't put it down."--Carla Buckley, author of The Deepest Secret

"A twisted tale of how evil makes its mark, Black-Eyed Susans winds a net around the reader, shifting time, perspective, and events until the only sure thing is the pulsing question at the heart of this novel: What happens when a ruthless predator leaves one of his victims alive?"--Jenny Milchman, author of Cover of Snow

"A suspenseful page turner of the best kind! . . . Black-Eyed Susans is written in such a tantalizing way that you will be hard pressed to stop reading until you also have the answers. There is a bit of everything here--mystery, terror, suspense and romance. The ending is shocking, jaw-dropping, and one you never see coming. In short, Black-Eyed Susans is a book to be relished!"--Fresh Fiction

"This twisted tale is disturbing in the best way, rife with suspense and rich in eerie detail. I would recommend Black-Eyed Susans to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers--it's a deeply creepy page-turner that you won't want to put down."--Laura McHugh, author of The Weight of Blood

"A spellbinding tale, at once both completely believable and utterly suspenseful--and once you reach the novel's perfect ending, you will want to read it again."--David R. Dow, author of Things I've Learned From Dying

Julia Heaberlin is the author of Black-Eyed Susans, Lie Still, and Playing Dead. She is an award-winning journalist who has worked at the Fort-Worth Star Telegram, The Detroit News, and The Dallas Morning News. She grew up in Texas and lives with her family near Dallas/Fort Worth, where she is at work on her next novel of psychological suspense.