Sarah Pinborough's 'Behind Her Eyes' series has this weirdly perfect structure that makes you crave more after the first book. The main novel, 'Behind Her Eyes,' is a standalone psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist that went viral on BookTok. But what’s wild is how it spawned a sequel-ish companion novel called 'Dead to Her,' which isn’t a direct continuation but exists in the same twisted universe.
I binged both back-to-back last summer, and while 'Dead to Her' has entirely new characters, it scratches that same itch of messed-up relationships and supernatural undertones. Honestly, I wish there were more—Pinborough’s writing is like literary crack. If you loved the first book’s ending (no spoilers!), dive into 'Dead to Her' for another dose of WTFery.
The 'Behind Her Eyes' book series was penned by Sarah Pinborough, a British author who's become one of my favorite thriller writers after discovering her work. I stumbled upon the first book while browsing a bookstore's 'mystery' section, completely drawn in by that eerie cover design. Pinborough has this knack for weaving psychological twists that hit you like a freight train—especially in the finale of 'Behind Her Eyes,' which I still think about at random moments. Her background in horror and fantasy subtly bleeds into the series, making the supernatural elements feel unsettlingly plausible.
What I love most is how she subverts expectations. Just when you think you've figured out the 'unreliable narrator' trope, she flips the script entirely. The Netflix adaptation captured some of that magic, but the books? They linger. If you enjoy her style, her earlier works like 'Crossing Lines' or the 'Dog-Faced Gods' trilogy showcase her range—from gritty crime to dystopian futures.
Sarah Pinborough's 'Behind Her Eyes' left me utterly obsessed with its twisted ending—I still debate it with friends! While there's no official announcement about a sequel, the novel’s explosive finale practically begs for one. The way Louise’s story unraveled with that supernatural twist (no spoilers!) feels like it could expand into a whole universe. I’ve scoured interviews, and Pinborough seems coy but hasn’t ruled it out. Until then, I’m filling the void with her other books like 'Cross Her Heart,' which has a similarly addictive psychological vibe.
Honestly, part of me hopes a sequel stays ambiguous—that ending was perfection. But if one drops? I’ll be first in line, ready to have my mind blown again. Maybe we’ll finally learn more about Adele’s backstory or see David’s perspective. The Netflix adaptation’s popularity might just tip the scales!