These Women

A Novel

By: Ivy Pochoda

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin, Frankie Corzo

Length: 9 hrs

Publisher's summary

Shortlisted for the Edgar Award for Best Novel

An LA Times Book Prize, Mystery & Thriller Finalist * An International Thriller Writers Finalist, Best Hardcover Novel * A Macavity Best Mystery Novel Finalist

A Recommended Book From

The New York Times Book Review * The Washington Post * Vogue * Entertainment Weekly * Elle * People * Marie Claire * Vulture * The Minneapolis Star-Tribune * LitHub * Crime Reads * PopSugar * AARP * Book Marks * South Florida Sun Sentinel

From the award-winning author of Wonder Valley and Visitation Street comes a serial killer story like you’ve never seen before - a literary thriller of female empowerment and social change

In West Adams, a rapidly changing part of South Los Angeles, they’re referred to as “these women”. These women on the corner.... These women in the club.... These women who won’t stop asking questions.... These women who got what they deserved....

In her masterful new novel, Ivy Pochoda creates a kaleidoscope of loss, power, and hope featuring five very different women whose lives are steeped in danger and anguish. They’re connected by one man and his deadly obsession, though not all of them know that yet. There’s Dorian, still adrift after her daughter’s murder remains unsolved; Julianna, a young dancer nicknamed Jujubee, who lives hard and fast, resisting anyone trying to slow her down; Essie, a brilliant vice cop who sees a crime pattern emerging where no one else does; Marella, a daring performance artist whose work has long pushed boundaries but now puts her in peril; and Anneke, a quiet woman who has turned a willfully blind eye to those around her for far too long. The careful existence they have built for themselves starts to crumble when two murders rock their neighborhood.

Written with beauty and grit, tension and grace, These Women is a glorious display of storytelling, a once-in-a-generation novel.

©2020 Ivy Pochoda (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

These Women gave me new insights on humans

Ivy Pochoda offered me rare / new experiences from ladies living in an environment that we know exists but that is usually hidden because the brute suffering of that environment is too hard to bear.
The language, tone, attitude of the performances are the gifts of this book; eye & mind openers.

Solid Mystery Novel

Well written. More character development than action. Good descriptions. Narrator was excellent- well, both were very good. The one who narrated for more of the book (not Feelia) drops her middle “T”’s as in “curtain”.

Don’t Quit

Poignant. Well done. Character development was subtle in the beginning so had a little bit of a slow start. Dusted with symbolism so it was a bit hard to follow in audible format but hang in there, It becomes more transparent and suddenly pulls you in.
Narrators were fabulous!

A Mystery With Substance

This was an exceptional book, the detail of the characters, the story and the narration. I’m glad I listened to this book so I didn’t miss the narration as I think it was one of the best I have ever heard applied to a book. I’m looking forward to trying more books by this author. Thank you NYT for recommending it!

characters were alive

Narrative kept my interest. Characters and voices were distinct. Writing made the neighborhood come alive. I enjoyed it.

Amazing Performances of an Outstanding Story

This story was meant for audio! What a captivating story (and as a native Angeleno) a perfect description of our (un)fair city. Thank you Ivy Pochoda for making unlikely heroines so strong. Listeners, get ready for old tropes to be crushed in the best possible way.

Very dark but well written

Normally I assign stars based on how much I enjoy a novel... not solely on literary merit. Theirs time my stars are mostly for literary merit. This was very dark and impossible to “enjoy”. But it was so well written. And the narration was perfection. I mean you can’t go wrong with Bahni Turpin as a narrator... she makes everything she reads sound great.

Really Freakin Good

That's all I'll say. Spend your credit cuz it's REALLY worth it this time.

Loved this book!

This was such a great story. I love the way it was told. I listened to it in less than 24 hours. My only complaint is the ending, I didn’t understand the timeline. The performances were wonderful as well. I’m so happy I came across this book!

Story better than characters

This book has the feel of being written by someone who isn't all-in. More noir than heart. So little understanding or explanation of what motivates these characters. Blue collar immigrants and sex workers who talk philosophy like Socrates? This is why These Women goes on the fiction shelves