The Beloveds - Softcover

"It becomes clear that [Betty] is an unreliable narrator, seeing the world through a distorted lens that turns everyone, however nice, into an enemy, with increasingly dire consequence. Some of her actions seem gratuitous, but the reader will press on to see what she gets up to." * Booklist * "[A] disturbing, darkly funny portrait of barely contained madness ... Lindley keeps the tension humming all the way to a deliciously satisfying finale. The droll voice of the outrageous, tenacious Betty will entrance readers who may find themselves rooting for her as she feverishly schemes to take down anyone in her way." * Publishers Weekly * "Enthralling... a darkly compelling tale of sibling rivalry." -- Catherine Burns, author of THE VISITORS "From the very first page I was gripped by the antics of this superb anti-heroine. I kept thinking: She can't! She won't! But she does. And then some!" -- Robyn Harding, international bestselling author of THE PARTY "THE BELOVEDS is a fascinating journey through a psyche so obsessive and wounded that nothing, even murder, seems out of bounds, and an exploration of the toxic power of envy to corrode the bonds of sisterhood. A psychological thriller in the truest, best sense." -- Heather Young, author of THE LOST GIRLS "Beautifully written and unnervingly believable... a stunning character study of a most disturbed and malicious mind." -- Liz Nugent, author of UNRAVELING OLIVER

An exploration of domestic derangement, as sinister as Daphne Du Maurier's classic Rebecca, that plumbs the depths of sibling rivalry with wit and menace. Oh, to be a Beloved-one of those lucky people for whom nothing ever goes wrong. Everything falls into their laps without effort: happiness, beauty, good fortune, allure. Betty Stash is not a Beloved-but her little sister, the delightful Gloria, is. She's the one with the golden curls and sunny disposition and captivating smile, the one whose best friend used to be Betty's, the one whose husband should have been Betty's. And then, to everyone's surprise, Gloria inherits the family manse-a vast, gorgeous pile of ancient stone, imposing timbers, and lush gardens-that was never meant to be hers. Losing what Betty considers her rightful inheritance is the final indignity. As she single-mindedly pursues her plan to see the estate returned to her in all its glory, her determined and increasingly unhinged behavior-aided by poisonous mushrooms, talking walls, and a phantom dog-escalates to the point of no return. The Beloveds will have you wondering if there's a length to which an envious sister won't go.