Shell Games

This psychological thriller plunges readers into a high-stakes dilemma where immense wealth and mental decline create the perfect conditions for a potential con. When Julie observes her formidable, self-made mother Kate behaving uncharacteristically after marrying a charming new man, she's forced to question everything she thinks she knows. The central, unnerving mystery is whether her mother is being systematically manipulated or is genuinely losing her grip on reality, a question that will keep you turning pages late into the night.

Kistler masterfully exploits the terrifying ambiguity of early dementia, making the reader as uncertain of the truth as the protagonist. The novel stands out for its sophisticated portrayal of a powerful older woman, a character type rarely given such depth in the thriller genre, and the luxurious, high-society setting adds a layer of glittering tension. Anyone who relishes a slow-burn domestic suspense where trust is the ultimate currency will find this Edgar Award-nominated story utterly absorbing and deeply unsettling.