The Soulmate

February 6, 2023
In the year since Gabe and Pippa Gerard, the couple at the center of this twisty psychological thriller from bestseller Hepworth (The Younger Wife), moved to a beautiful cliffside house in Portsea, a sleepy coastal town a couple of hours outside of Melbourne, Australia, they have become aware that the breathtaking view from the cliff behind their house attracts not only lovers of spectacular sunsets but also the suicidal. So far seven people have come to the spot to die, and charismatic and caring Gabe has been able to talk them all out of jumping. When Amanda Cameron, the wife of Gabe’s former boss, shows up near the cliff, Gabe goes out to work his magic. But this time the woman goes over the edge to her death. Was it really a suicide? Short, crisp chapters narrated by Pippa and by Amanda—depicting events both before and after her death—keep the momentum going, and the repressed friction between the Gerards and the Camerons helps build tension. Never mind that who’s responsible for Amanda’s death comes as no surprise. Fans of domestic suspense will be satisfied. Agent: Rob Weisbach, Rob Weisbach Creative Management.

August 16, 2022
Sally Hepworth delivers another brilliant, page-turning domestic thriller with her eighth novel The Soulmate. Set in the idyllic coastal town of Portsea, sheltered from the hustle of city life, the long summer evenings and moody winter nights serve as the perfect backdrop for secrets to fester and lies to grow unchecked. Stunning sunsets and lazy mornings are overshadowed by inner demons and a dark past that threaten to tear apart relative newcomers Gabe and Pippa’s picture-perfect life. They have managed to save seven souls in the year they have been residing in the clifftop house by notorious suicide spot The Drop, making them local heroes. But one night, a woman, the eighth, cannot be saved. Desperate to cope in the ensuing chaos and police presence, Pippa clings to her husband’s version of events, until her memories of the evening begin to tell a different story. The novel is masterfully paced and the author’s use of dual narrators—whether in life or death—to slowly unravel the past and present is brilliant. The characters are flawed, unreliable and surprising, making this suspenseful tale perfect for fans Liane Moriarty, Laura Dave and Hepworth’s previous novels. The Soulmate will have you guessing and gasping as each twist and secret is revealed, until the very end. Kate Frawley is a former bookseller and a librarian in training.

June 10, 2024

When they moved their family to the scenic coastal cliffs near Melbourne, Australia, Pippa and Gabe had no idea that the picturesque locale was actually a well-known site for deaths by suicide. Gabe is skilled at talking people off the ledge, but one night a woman falls to her death despite his efforts. The story Gabe tells the police, however, doesn't match what Pippa saw, and when she realizes that the woman was someone they know, she begins to question everything. Parallel posthumous insights from the dead woman reveal even more doubt and deception. Hepworth (The Younger Wife) crafts a compelling domestic thriller about infidelity and betrayal. Dual narratives, multiple timelines, and cliffhanger chapter endings build a tense and troubling atmosphere. Narrators Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Douglas-Henry enhance the air of anxiety by weaving an engaging web of emotion. Their Australian accents aid in the immersive nature of the narrative and their fast-paced delivery will keep listeners on the edge of their seats. VERDICT Will appeal to listeners seeking scintillating suspense about loyalty, love, and lies. Recommended for fans of Nicola Moriarty, Jillian Medoff, and Joy Fielding.--Lauren Hackert

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