Pretty Things

A Novel

By: Janelle Brown

Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Lauren Fortgang, Hillary Huber

Length: 16 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times Best Seller

Who’s really following you on social media? The scam of a lifetime brings together two wildly different women in this page-turning thriller about greed, legacy, and betrayal from the New York Times bestselling author of Watch Me Disappear.

An ID Book Club Selection • “It’s Dynasty meets Patricia Highsmith.” (The Washington Post)

Nina once bought into the idea that her fancy liberal arts degree would lead to a fulfilling career. When that dream crashed, she turned to stealing from rich kids in LA alongside her wily Irish boyfriend, Lachlan. Nina learned from the best: Her mother was the original con artist, hustling to give her daughter a decent childhood despite their wayward life. But when her mom gets sick, Nina puts everything on the line to help her, even if it means running her most audacious, dangerous scam yet.

Vanessa is a privileged young heiress who wanted to make her mark in the world. Instead she becomes an Instagram influencer - traveling the globe, receiving free clothes and products, and posing for pictures in exotic locales. But behind the covetable façade is a life marked by tragedy. After a broken engagement, Vanessa retreats to her family’s sprawling mountain estate, Stonehaven: a mansion of dark secrets not just from Vanessa’s past, but from that of a lost and troubled girl named Nina.

Nina’s, Vanessa’s, and Lachlan’s paths collide here, on the cold shores of Lake Tahoe, where their intertwined lives give way to a winter of aspiration and desire, duplicity and revenge.

This dazzling, twisty, mesmerizing novel showcases acclaimed author Janelle Brown at her best, as two brilliant, damaged women try to survive the greatest game of deceit and destruction they will ever play.

©2020 Janelle Brown (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Brown offers a glittering, high-stakes drama, stacking childhood nostalgia against the power to reinvent oneself in the age of social media.... Packed with plot twists." (Booklist, starred review)

"Fiendishly clever." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Pretty Things is awesome. Simple as that. I loved every page. Janelle Brown is your new must-read author." (Harlan Coben, New York Times best-selling author of Run Away)

Intriguing

Janelle Brown delivers an expertly crafted, intriguing story that is nowhere predictable. There are three or four con men/women here, and it is happily difficult for the reader to peg which one is conning the others. One person is from an old established family with old, plentiful money and a name so famous that it garners immediate attention. They have mansions, a yacht, an art collection worthy of museums, priceless jewelry and a daughter obsessed with her instagram following. She travels the world dressed in haute couture, posing for cameras and posting those pictures on line. A perfect "mark"? There is a mother/daughter duo from the wrong side of the tracks who need money badly. Perfect cons? And, of course, a handsome, cultured man. This one has a bag full of forged passports, driver's licenses and an Irish accent. A con or a mark? The plot unfolds in and around an old-moneyed mansion on the shoreline of Lake Tahoe. If we were in a theater, we would be on the edge of our seats. If we are listening to Pretty Things, we are not able to turn off our smart phones. Keep your charger nearby.

Just ok, not a Thriller

This was a strange read. It was slow paced and should not be classified as a thriller. The story was ok but I would have passed on it for something more exciting since I like a good thriller/mystery story.

Excellent!!

'Pretty Things' is the first book I've read by this author. I was blown away! The story is so engaging that I didn't want to stop listening. The theme resonated with me: who can you trust (when you're a con yourself?) It's not necessarily the person with whom you share DNA. The plot is intricate and so well-written. The ending was beyond satisfying - it was perfect! The narration was sparkling. Julia Whelan is always amazing, and Lauren Fortgang was spot-on as Vanessa. This book easily slips in to my top 5 favorites.

Loved this

I never write reviews. But I feel like I owe this book an attempt of leaving a written review. Aside from some unnecessary rambling, this was a fantastic book. Don’t tell anyone but I took the day off from work today so I could lay in bed and finish this book. I just didn’t want to put it down.

Don’t pass this up

This story is written with such a nice flow. Easy to follow & hard to put down.

Narrators were excellent.

Great'

Loved it. Captivating! Couldn't put it down. Giggly recommend listening if you like thriller type books.

Totally Enjoyable

Interesting story line with full characters that you would like to meet and say hello. Enjoyed this throughout and wasn’t tempted to jump to the end.

good story

enough twists and turns to keep you on your toes. narration was very good at keeping my attention

Good ending

it certainly kept my interest to keep listening. I can't say it's a great book but I liked very much.

Be ready for a wild ride

Excellent fun read that I highly recommend! Janelle is the best writer of our times!