Decades after Lucinda Barrows comes to Palm Beach she has everything she set out to claim: a seat at every elite table and three stunning daughters raised in the shelter of privilege.
Yet beneath the family’s renown, Lucinda’s life is in turmoil. Out of nowhere her carefully constructed legacy is being threatened. While discretion is offered—the price is steep.
As the sisters uncover what has the means to destroy the Barrows family, they become the mirror for the far-reaching consequences of a devious plan. Suddenly they are forced to choose between their mother and the truth. Who will prevail … and who will fall from grace?
Palm Beach Confidential, the new novel by Susannah Marren, is a compelling tale of family and long held secrets, written by a nationally acclaimed observer of women and their relationships.
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PRAISE FOR SUSANNAH MARREN
“Another stunning novel from Susannah Marren set in Palm Beach. Exploring the intricacies and interplay of family loyalty, romance, and high society, Marren never ceases to amaze. This one will keep you turning pages!”
— Jacqueline Friedland, USA Today bestselling author of He Gets That From Me
Love, loyalty and wills are tested as each of the three Barrows sisters reexamines her origins and reestablishes her identity in a tight-knit, matriarchal family. An insightful look and welcome addition to the literature of mothers, daughters and sisters — richer and more relevant today than ever.”
—Anne Whitney Pierce, author of Down to the River and Rain Line
“With a penetrating eye for tribal nuance, Susannah Marren returns to Palm Beach, where wearing the wrong shade of lipstick can be social suicide. Maribelle’s Shadow explores how a mother and three daughters transplanted from Nowhere play the ambition game with chilling skill. Get ready for a mystery surrounding one husband’s death, and don’t expect Little Women.”
— Sally Koslow, best-selling author of The Real Mrs. Tobias
“A slew of family secrets, sisterly betrayals, and the suspicious drowning churn the Palm Beach waters in this wickedly entertaining novel by Susannah Marren”
– Mary Simses, author of The Wedding Thief
“Sisters, husbands, scandal, business and betrayal. This intriguing novel about deception, marriage, and the high society Palm Beach scene will keep you turning the page until the surprise ending.”
– Sondra Helene, author of best-selling novel, Appearances
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Lucinda, a mother of three adult daughters, presents as perfection but carries a deep secret. Do you believe many women do this to varying degrees? What type of secrets?
2. Lucinda cares deeply about her image and place in Palm Beach society. How does this affect her and those around her?
3. Maribelle and Raleigh, the eldest and youngest sisters, are not speaking when the book opens. Whose side are you on and why?
4. This is the fourth of the Palm Beach novels. What is it about the setting that makes it distinctive and a part of the story?
5. Each sister has a specific place and role in the Barrows family. How would you describe Maribelle, Caroline, and Raleigh?
6. We witness many sides of Lucinda’s personality. How do you feel about her?
7. Bryant and Lucinda have a complicated friendship. How do you interpret it?
8. Aspects of this story deal with survival for women, even in an exclusive place. Were you surprised to read about unhappiness and yearning among women of wealth and privilege? Why and why not?
9. As the novel progresses, we wonder more about Lucinda’s choices. How do her daughters relate to her?
10. Were you surprised by Lucinda’s decision and her truth?