What Boys Learn
- Judith D Collins
- Jan 2
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 2
Narrators: Eva Kaminsky; Michael Crouch
ISBN: 9798897564262
Publisher: RB Media | Recorded Books
SoHo Crime
Publication Date: 01/06/2026
Format: Audio
My Rating: 5 Stars (ALC)
From the author of The Deepest Lake comes a gripping novel of psychological suspense that unravels a mother’s worst fear—that her son may have played a part in the murders of two teenage girls in a wealthy Chicago suburb.
Over one terrible weekend, two teenage girls are found dead in a wealthy Chicago suburb. As the community mourns, Abby Rosso, the girls’ high school counselor, begins to suspect that her son, Benjamin, was secretly involved in their lives—and possibly, their deaths.
Abby doesn’t want to believe Benjamin hurt anyone. But she’s seen the warning signs before. Two decades ago, her brother was imprisoned for a disturbing crime—he was only a little older than Benjamin is now. And Abby has more troubling memories from her own adolescence that confirm what boys and men are capable of. As Abby searches for the truth about what happened to her students, she’s forced to face the question: Has she been making excuses for Benjamin for years?
Swirling with sharp questions about family, memory, and psychopathy, What Boys Learn is a twisty thriller about how boys are raised—and what they are taught they can get away with.
My Review
Acclaimed author Andromeda Romano-Lax (a favorite) makes a striking return with her latest release, WHAT BOYS LEARN, following the success of her five-star novel, THE DEEPEST LAKE (2024), exploring highly-charged themes of toxic masculinity, parental denial, and generational trauma.
This captivating, smartly written psychological literary suspense thriller immerses readers in a tense atmosphere that explores the unraveling psyche of a mother who grapples with the harrowing suspicion that her son may be linked to a shocking murder.
At the heart of the narrative lies a profound exploration of the nature versus nurture debate. Romano-Lax skillfully weaves this core theme throughout the story, examining the unsettling question of whether violent tendencies are innate or cultivated over time. As the plot unfolds, readers are drawn into a gripping exploration of familial bonds, moral dilemmas, motherhood, and the haunting complexities of human behavior.
About...
~The Deaths:
Two teenage girls from a wealthy Chicago suburb, Sidney Mayfield and Izzy Scarlatti, die within the same weekend.
~The Suspect:
Police investigation shifts from suicide to homicide, and 17-year-old Benjamin Rosso becomes a primary suspect after threatening texts and a stolen diary are discovered.
~A Mother's Suspicion:
Benjamin’s mother, Abby Rosso, who is also the victims' school guidance counselor, find a disturbing item in Benjamin's room, making her fear he may be involved.
~The Family Shadow:
Abby's fear is fueled by "generational trauma"—her own brother was imprisoned for a horrific crime at a similar age, leading her to worry about inherited psychopathy.
~The Investigation:
Abby launches her own investigation, aided by an ex-boyfriend, Robert from the police force and her former psychology professor, Curtis Campbell.
~The Twist:
As Abby digs deeper into Curtis Campbell’s background, she realizes the man she trusted to help her son may actually be a greater threat to Benjamin than anyone else.
My thoughts...
WHAT BOYS LEARN is an intricately woven psychological thriller that delves deep into the murky waters of the human psyche. Through its compelling narrative, it unravels the chilling complexities of psychopathy, the haunting shadows of generational trauma, and the painful veil of parental denial. The author expertly constructs a palpable sense of psychological tension, keeping readers on edge as they navigate the dark twists and turns of the story, making it not just a tale of suspense but a profound exploration of human emotions, parenthood, and relationships.
Key Themes
~Toxic Masculinity:
The book explores how boys are raised and the behaviors they are taught they can get away with. The unspoken realities of how boys are shaped by society and what they're allowed to get away with. It proposes uncomfortable questions about the societal messages boys receive about masculinity and how this might contribute to the potential for violence.
~Parental Denial:
Abby struggles with the "nature vs. nurture" debate and whether she has been making excuses for her son's warning signs for years.
~Duality of Narrative:
The story is told through alternating perspectives between Abby and Benjamin, building suspense toward an action-packed final chapter.
Key Psychological Elements
~Nature vs. Nurture
The ongoing debate is whether violent tendencies are inherited or learned. Abby, a school counselor with a psychology degree, has a brother imprisoned for a violent crime (a troubled childhood), leading her to question if her son Benjamin has inherited a predisposition for psychopathy. The narrative constantly challenges both Abby and the reader to determine if Benjamin's troubling behavior is a result of his environment or inherent traits.
~Parental Denial and Unreliable Memory
Abby's perspective highlights the psychological struggle of a mother who desperately doesn't want to believe her child is capable of monstrous acts. The book explores how she may have made excuses for Benjamin's concerning actions for years, touching on themes of complicity and the stories people tell themselves to survive difficult truths.
~Generational Trauma
The legacy of the brother's crime heavily influences Abby's current fears and actions, suggesting how trauma can echo through generations and affect a parent's perception of their own child.
The character of Curtis Campbell, a former psychology professor, introduces a layer of manipulation, as Abby's trust in him is gradually revealed to be misplaced, adding to the psychological twists and turns of the novel's second half.
The author masterfully sustains psychological tension by using an unreliable narrative structure and constantly asking uncomfortable questions, forcing the reader to remain vigilant and uncertain until the very end. The shifting perspectives between Abby and Benjamin contribute to this heightened suspense.
Abby consciously suppressed memories of her own brother’s violent crimes from two decades prior. She realizes she was so focused on not raising another version of her brother that she ignored the specific, unique warning signs Benjamin was exhibiting.
In addition to its central psychological elements, What Boys Learn explores several sociological and interpersonal themes:
~Suburban Facades
~Complicity and Protection
~Adolescence & Social Pressure
~Interpersonal & Emotional Themes
~Unconditional Mother-Love
~Unreliable Memory
~Parental Insecurity
~Moral & Intellectual Intricacy
The title...
The title is multifaceted, reflecting the novel's core exploration of how societal expectations and familial legacies shape male behavior.
The novel emphasizes several critical lessons and messages, challenging the stories we tell ourselves to survive, specifically addressing how parents may inadvertently teach their children that certain behaviors are acceptable by making excuses for them.
~The Danger of Complicity
~Socialization and Permission
~The Burden of Generational Trauma
~Nature vs. Nurture Uncertainty
~The Limits of Professionalism
The critical takeaway message of WHAT BOYS LEARN is an "uncomfortable exploration" of the stories people tell themselves to survive, particularly when those stories mask a terrifying reality.
The audiobook...
I have always been captivated by the author's writing and her audiobooks. When I discovered that the talented duo of narrators, Michael Crouch —one of my favorites—and the mesmerizing Eva Kaminsky were involved, I felt a rush of excitement. Their performances truly bring the story to life, masterfully capturing the intricate emotions and the underlying tension that weave throughout the narrative. It creates a spellbinding and immersive listening experience that is both captivating and compelling, drawing me into the heart of the tale with every moment.
I highly recommend this author's exceptional work and this remarkable audio. The book is an ideal pick for book clubs and further discussions.
Recs...
If you enjoyed the themes of parental suspicion, generational trauma, and dark family secrets in WHAT BOYS LEARN, consider other gripping psychological thrillers like We Need to Talk About Kevin, and Defending Jacob.
Also, readers may enjoy:
~The Deepest Lake by Andromeda Romano-Lax
~The Push by Ashley Audrain
~I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb
~The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
~The Damage by Caitlin Wahrer
~Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
~Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena
Special thanks to RB Media, Recorded Books, and Netgalley for graciously sharing an advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 06, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Praise
“Timely and terrifyingly real, What Boys Learn is not to be missed. Andromeda Romano-Lax has created an emotional, page-turning mystery that's both chilling and thought-provoking; it will keep you reading late into the night.”
—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of She’s Not Sorry
“What Boys Learn is wholly original, addictively suspenseful, and beautifully written. Both an exploration of a mother’s unconditional love for her only son and a blazing critique of toxic masculinity, this thriller is nothing short of spellbinding from beginning to end.”
—Caitlin Mullen, Edgar Award–winning author of Please See Us
“At once tender and terrifying, Andromeda Romano-Lax has created a propulsive portrait of a mother and son locked together in an all too believable nightmare of doubt, generational damage, and inescapable love. Simply yet beautifully written, What Boys Learn is the sum of all parental fears.”
—Peter Nichols, nationally bestselling author of The Rocks
“A mother-sleuth out to protect her son begins to question if she’s ignored signs that he’s the one to fear. A zeitgeisty novel about unreliable memory, complicity, and the difficulty of parenting boys, What Boys Learn is the perfect thriller for our times.”
—Donna Freitas, author of Her One Regret
“Hypnotizing, terrifying, and so damn smart, What Boys Learn cements Andromeda Romano-Lax is an autobuy author for thriller readers. Just when you catch your breath, Romano-Lax pulls the rug again, delivering twist after twist, as a deeply likeable mother is pitted against a devil in disguise. What Boys Learn is an instant classic.”
—Caitlin Wahrer, author of The Damage
“Nothing can prepare readers for the running-against-the-clock action of the last few chapters, which, in retrospect, Romano-Lax has set up beautifully. A stunner.”
—Booklist, Starred Review
“Romano-Lax has spun another thriller not to be missed, with twists aplenty and enough questions about psychopathy and toxic masculinity to keep the chattiest of book clubs discussing long past meeting’s end.”
—Library Journal, Starred Review
“Meticulous characterizations, thoughtful plotting, and unforeseen twists are only part of what make this novel so successful. As it explores the nature of unconditional mother-love and human psychopathy, Romano-Lax’s book also offers a chillingly on-point portrait of masculinity at its most toxic and perverse.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Romano-Lax delivers a tense, twist-riddled exploration of toxic masculinity, parental insecurity, and generational trauma. It’s a thought-provoking suspense tale."
—Publishers Weekly
“The psychological tension is masterfully sustained . . . What Boys Learn doesn’t offer easy answers. It only asks uncomfortable questions about complicity, protection, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.”
—Crimespree Magazine
About the Author
Born in Chicago and now a resident of Vancouver Island, Canada, Andromeda Romano-Lax worked as a freelance journalist and travel writer before turning to fiction. Her first novel, The Spanish Bow, was translated into eleven languages and chosen as a New York Times Editors’ Choice, BookSense pick, and one of Library Journal’s Best Books of the Year. Her next four novels, The Detour, Behave (an Amazon Book of the Month), Plum Rains (winner of the Sunburst Award), and Annie and the Wolves (A Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction Book of the Year) reflect her diverse interest in the arts, history, science, and technology, as well as her love of travel and her time spent living abroad. Starting with The Deepest Lake (a Barnes & Noble Monthly Pick and Amazon Book of the Month) and continuing with her next novel, What Boys Learn (forthcoming 2026), Andromeda has swerved into the world of suspense fiction, although she continues to write historical and speculative fiction as well.
Andromeda has taught fiction in two MFA creative writing programs and currently works with novelists and memoirists as a freelance book coach.
A late-blooming Ironman triathlete, she lives with her family on a small island off a bigger island in British Columbia, where her favorite activities are trail running, cycling, and ocean swimming.
Sign up for her author newsletter: FROM MY ISLAND TO YOURS.
Andromeda also has a separate collaborative Substack called PRESENT TENSE, dedicated to suspense fiction. WEBSITE
