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Black-Eyed Susans

2016 | Fiction & Poetry

**THE TOP 5 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** 'My book of the year so far. Breathtakingly, heart-stoppingly brilliant...A beautifully written, gripping, intelligent, unpredictable crime novel that obsessed me from start to finish' Awarded Crime Novel of the Year by Sophie Hannah, internationally bestselling author of The Narrow Bed A chilling new thriller that gets into the heart and mind of the killer, and the victim ...Seventeen-year-old Tessa, dubbed a 'Black-Eyed Susan' by the media, became famous for being the only victim to survive the vicious attack of a serial killer. Her testimony helped to put a dangerous criminal behind bars - or so she thought. Now, decades later the black-eyed susans planted outside Tessa's bedroom window seem to be a message from a killer who should be safely in prison. Haunted by fragmented memories of the night she was attacked and terrified for her own teenage daughter's safety, can Tessa uncover the truth about the killer before it's too late?

Praise for Black-Eyed Susans 'It's a terrific plot, matched by the quality of the writing and superbly paced tension' The Times Book of the Month 'Black Eyed Susans is a compelling read, especially for Serial fans' Cosmopolitan 'Creepy and compelling, Black-Eyed Susans is a shadowy and crooked journey to a very dark place indeed, a twisty fairytale that deceives you just when you think you've cracked it and a thriller to make you remember why you love thrillers. Don't miss it' Observer, Thriller of the Month 'One of the classiest thrillers you'll read this year' Charlotte Heathcote of Daily Express and Sunday Express 'Mesmerising ...In a crowded field, Heaberlin is something special, and clearly an author to whom close attention must be paid' Barry Forshaw, Crime Time 'About as good an example of Grip Lit as you could read' Sunday Independent 'Sophisticated, disturbing and with plenty of red herrings' Woman and Home 'We can't remember the last time a thriller burrowed under our skin like this.

Sparkling characters, authentic emotion, and an unpredictable plot makes this a terrific read from start to end' iBooks, Books of the Month 'The assured telling of this chiller combines to create a very modern Gothic horror that will keep you up way past your bedtime' Sunday Mirror 'A sophisticated take on the serial killer novel' Good Housekeeping 'Black Eyed Susans is haunting, intense and original - it'll keep you guessing till the last page' Closer 'A masterful thriller that shouldn't be missed. 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' Washington Post 'A fascinating, twisted book' Koethi Zan, author of Richard and Judy-selected THE NEVER LIST 'This is a deftly organised, impeccably paced psychological suspense thriller that nods to Daphne du Maurier and, like all Heaberlin's fiction, boasts purr-inducing prose ' Sunday Times, Culture Magazine 'Tense, pacy and compelling, Black-Eyed Susans is a taut psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Julia Haeberlin masterfully ramps up the suspense gradually, building to an explosive denouement that you won't see coming. Quite simply, the best thriller you'll read this year - perhaps decade. Miss it at your peril. Keep Calm and Read a Book Reviews



Published by Penguin Books Ltd

Edition Unknown
ISBN 9781405921275
Language English
Edition Hardcover
ISBN 9780804177993
Language English
Edition Unknown
ISBN 9780804178013
Language English

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Black-Eyed Susans Reviews & Ratings (8)
9-10
50.0% (4)
7-8
37.5% (3)
5-6
12.5% (1)
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Black-Eyed Susans reviews from people you don't follow
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LindziMayann (2 KP) rated

Jun 23, 2019  
Black-Eyed Susans
Black-Eyed Susans
Julia Heaberlin | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.6 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
Really enjoyed this! Kept me wanting more and guessing at the ending. Love it when a book makes me excited to read on.
(2)   
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Aasiyah Sidat (34 KP) rated

Jul 5, 2018  
Black-Eyed Susans
Black-Eyed Susans
Julia Heaberlin | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
9
8.6 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
Four in a Grave
This. Book.

I have no words.

But I will try my absolute best, to sum up my feelings.

This book is about Tessa who is the only living survivor of a serial killer who buried her alive along with three other girls. Their grave was then covered with 'black-eyed Susans' which are a yellow flowered weed (hence the title of the book)

Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2016/09/four-in-grave.html
  
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Domonique (0 KP) rated

May 12, 2018  
Black-Eyed Susans
Black-Eyed Susans
Julia Heaberlin | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.6 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
I enjoyed listening to this as an audio book and I liked how the transitions between the past and present were seamless and easy to follow. I can't believe Lydia knew who the killer was the whole time and not only didn't tell the person who was her best friend, but also didn't tell the authorities and get an innocent man out of jail,that was so selfish! But otherwise, I liked the way it was narrated and it was an enjoyable read.
  
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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated

Feb 13, 2018  
Black-Eyed Susans
Black-Eyed Susans
Julia Heaberlin | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.6 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
When she was sixteeen, young Tessa "Tessie" Cartwright was found, hanging on to life, in a field of Black-Eyed Susans. The other girls "dumped" with Tessa did not survive (in fact, some were just bones), and Tessa is doomed to live her life as the surviving "Black-Eyed Susan" in the press. Justifiably, the event haunts her life and her nightmares. Further, she is tormented by the fact that her testimony about what happened helped put the suspect, Terrell, on death row.

Now, a grown woman and mother, Tessa is working with the Terrell's legal team to exonerate him. This includes a forensic scientist (the forensics in the book are detailed and excellent). Her main reason? It seems wherever she lives, a patch of Black-Eyed-Susans follows, forcing her to live in fear, and to wonder if the sentenced killer truly is guilty. But if he isn't, are Tessa and her daughter safe? Why can't she remember what happened nearly 20 years ago? Tessa fears she is going insane, but also can't live with herself if she doesn't try to find out what happened so long ago.

This was a wonderful book; the subject matter is frightening, but the book itself was a captivating page-turner. The mystery is extremely well-plotted and riveting. Even when I was pretty sure I had things figured out, I was rapidly turning pages, still guessing and eagerly awaiting to find out what had happened to Tessa (and the other "Susans," as she calls them) back then. The book flips between present-day Tessa's point of view and to "Tessie," as a younger Tessa was known, talking about events leading up to and right after Terrell's trial. It's a suspenseful plot device that works well here; I was up late turning pages, desperate to know what happened.

Tessa is a well-formed character, even with her angst and anxieties resulting from her horrific past. Her supporting cast - her daughter, Terrell's lead lawyer, the forensic scientist, a quirky neighbor, her best friend from her youth - are all well-done, too. At times, the book is confusing due to Tessa's unreliable narration; she is suffering from memory loss and anxiety, after all, but it only adds to the book's suspense and intrigue. Perhaps the only thing I can find to complain about is that the ending is a bit too pat: it pops up suddenly to resolve things, but there's still a door left open, and it does nothing to diminish how enjoyable the book and the story is. Overall, an excellent thriller and a worthy read.