Jenny Cooper Has a Secret
- Judith D Collins
- Aug 5
- 5 min read
By: Joy Fielding
Narrator: Carol Monda
Random House Audio
ISBN: 9780593873175
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group Ballantine
Publication Date: 08/05/2025
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
In this riveting psychological thriller, a woman must decide whether she can believe a dementia patient who claims to have a dark secret—from the New York Times bestselling author of All the Wrong Places
Reeling from her husband’s death and best friend’s dementia diagnosis, seventy-six-year-old Linda Davidson is feeling lost and alone. Her beloved daughter Kleo and son-in-law Mick move into her house to keep her company, but the constant bickering quickly turns their presence into just another thing on Linda’s long list of worries.
Eager to escape the tension at home, Linda goes to visit her friend at Legacy Place, a Memory Care facility for the elderly, where she meets Jenny Cooper, a ninety-two-year-old dementia patient who makes a shocking confession: she kills people.
Linda dismisses the so-called “secret” as the confusion of an ailing mind, but Jenny seems strangely lucid over the course of their visits as she tells Linda about her many victims—mostly men who hurt her. Then, a fellow patient at Legacy Place dies. Everyone else sees the natural death of an old, sick man, but Linda can’t help but wonder: is there any chance Jenny’s telling the truth?
My Review
Joy Fielding, a master of psychological suspense and my all-time favorite author, returns following The Housekeeper with another delightful, witty, and entertaining sharp thriller with a killer sense of humor, JENNY COOPER HAS A SECRET.
In this enthralling psychological thriller, we delve into the complexities of trust and memory as a woman navigates the unsettling claims of a dementia patient who insists she harbors a chilling dark secret: she has committed murder, primarily of men.
Is there any truth to her shocking confession?
This book is impossible to put down! When you pick up a Joy Fielding novel, you know you're in for a rare treat filled with twisty turns, wickedly delicious dark humor, and characters you will root for. You will laugh out loud, and don’t we all need more laughter and smiles these days?
About..
Meet Linda Davidson, a spirited septuagenarian visiting her lifelong friend, Carol Krieger, who resides in the upscale oceanfront memory care facility, Legacy Place, in the sun-drenched locale of Jupiter, Florida. Their friendship has blossomed since the fourth grade, a bond that has weathered countless storms.
Linda, still grappling with the loss of her husband Bob two years prior, finds her heart heavy as she faces the impending loss of Carol to the ravages of time.
Compounding her sorrow, her daughter, Kleo, and her husband have temporarily moved in with her while Kleo pursues her PhD. Meanwhile, her son-in-law, Mick, is attempting to launch a new business after quitting his job; however, he spends more lavishly than he invests in effort, creating a cacophony of tensions in the household. Carol also has another younger daughter, Vanessa, and is married with three children in Connecticut (well off).
As a result, Linda seeks refuge at Legacy Place, where she relishes her time spent with Carol and a newfound friend, the enigmatic Jenny.
Enter octogenarian Jenny Cooper, another intriguing resident of Legacy Place whose mind is clouded by dementia yet brimming with strange wisdom and humor. In a moment of candor, Jenny approaches Linda, declaring she has a secret she wishes to share. She boldly states her belief that she has killed people.
Linda finds herself charmed by Jenny's outspokenness, captivated by her lively spirit, and intrigued by the depths of her story.
But the burning question lingers: Is Jenny genuinely confessing to murder, or is she simply adrift in the turbulent sea of her mind?
My thoughts...
I adored JENNY COOPER HAS A SECRET! Joy possesses a delightful knack for blending humor and suspense, and Jenny’s outrageous personality is an absolute delight. I find immense joy in these narratives featuring spirited, older women, especially since I, too, am in the same age demographic and share the beautiful surroundings of Jupiter, Florida.
Geriatric thrillers resonate deeply with me, as they are brimming with rich life experiences, tantalizing secrets, and stories begging to be uncovered.
Jenny is a brilliantly crafted, zany character who is utterly lovable. Her hilarious one-liners leave you in stitches while you grapple with whether her confessions are real or simply the imaginings of a frail mind.
I also found Linda's character refreshing, and together they form a captivating duo. Beneath their humorous banter and twisting plot is a poignant exploration of friendship, the realities of aging, the bittersweet nature of memories, and the foundations of trust and reflection.
As a longtime fan of Joy Fielding, every novel is a thrilling adventure waiting to be experienced. I particularly relish her whip-smart wit, snappy dialogue, clever twists, and the tantalizing mysteries that culminate in wickedly satisfying conclusions.
This novel is a heartfelt exploration, a thriller brimming with emotional depth. It leapt off the pages and compelled me to read it in a single sitting—I simply couldn’t put it down. Whether you’re a devoted fan like me or embarking on your first journey into Fielding's world, you must meet the unforgettable Jenny Cooper!
The ideal recommendation for anyone seeking a narrative that is as different as it is engaging, masterfully twisty, clever, and delightfully entertaining.
Recs...
JENNY COOPER HAS A SECRET is perfect for fans of the author and her previous works, as well as readers who enjoyed Samantha Downing's (Aug 2025) "Too Old for This," Elle Cosimano's "Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave," Paul Cleave's "Trust No One," and Rebecca A. Keller's "You Should Have Known." Additionally, this book will appeal to those who enjoy the writing of Sally Hepworth, Elizabeth Berg, Kaira Rouda, Victoria Helen Stone, and Ellen Meister.
Thanks to Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for providing an advanced review copy for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 5, 2025
Praise
“[Joy] Fielding’s excellent latest nestles a murder mystery inside a witty novel of friendship and loss. . . . Punchy, surprising, and sweet in equal measure, this tale of twisted sisterhood is a home run.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Enough suspense to keep readers turning the pages so quickly that they risk paper cuts ... another fine novel from this talented storyteller."
~ Booklist
About the Author
Joy Fielding is the New York Times bestselling author of The Housekeeper, Cul-de-sac, All the Wrong Places, The Bad Daughter, She's Not There, Someone Is Watching, Charley's Web, Heartstopper, Mad River Road, See Jane Run, and other acclaimed novels. She divides her time between Toronto and Palm Beach, Florida.
