Snake Oil

A Razor-Sharp Literary Thriller About Three Women Vying for Power, Where the Cost of Ambition Might be Deadly

By: Kelsey Rae Dimberg

Narrated by: Kristen Sieh, Renata Friedman, Andi Arndt

BEAUTY IS PAIN . . . Exploring themes of ambition, authenticity and empowerment, this taut, politically charged feminist thriller delivers a scathing take-down of the wellness industry, perfect for fans of The Drop Out and Yellowface.

'A propulsive read with a healthy dose of cynicism' - The Times

It’s a woman’s world, isn’t it?

Rhoda West has the world at her feet.

As the luminously charismatic CEO of Radical, a fast-growing start-up, Rhoda has built a wellness company whose core mission is the betterment of women’s lives. Showcasing her cult products and her perfect life through her social media, Rhoda is the ultimate ‘Radigal’, encouraging her followers to be #bebetter, whilst driving her business to attain the billion-dollar unicorn status that she craves.

But just as Radical announces the latest fundraising round that will take it over the top, an anonymous twitter account begins revealing the company’s secrets and starts questioning its beliefs and approach, and Rhoda herself.

Is Rhoda really the nurturing leader that she presents to the world, or a fraud on a mission to exploit the women she claims to want to help? As tensions rise and enemies present themselves, the only questions are how far will Rhoda go to fulfil her legacy and how far will her enemies go to destroy it. . .

Praise for Girl in the Rearview Mirror:

‘An exciting, intoxicating debut – it will hold you until its startling final pages’ Megan Abbott

‘Gripping and cinematic, this debut is pure modern noir’ Flynn Berry

‘Utterly compelling. A gripping story that expertly weaves domestic and political intrigue’ Rosamund Lupton

‘A riveting tale of an appealing young woman caught in the thrall of a powerful political family’s prestige and privilege’ Hallie Ephron

‘A charged, tense, highly emotional story that will stay with you’ Caz Frear

Critic reviews

With hairpin twists and immense psychological acuity, Kelsey Rae Dimberg’s Girl in the Rearview Mirror is as seductive as the glamorous, privileged family at its center – and as cunning. An exciting, intoxicating debut, it will hold you until its startling final pages (Megan Abbott, bestselling author of Dare Me and Give Me Your Hand)

Utterly compelling, this story reveals its secrets slowly and mysteriously under the sweltering sun of Arizona. A gripping story that expertly weaves domestic and political intrigue (Rosamund Lupton, bestselling author of Three Hours)

Gripping and cinematic, this debut is pure modern noir. A timely story of secrets and power that tips the conventions of the genre on their head

(Flynn Berry, Edgar-Award winning author of Under the Harrow)

A propulsive read with a healthy dose of cynicism

I felt the ghost of Mary Jo Kopechne hovering among the pages of Girl in the Rearview Mirror, a riveting tale of an appealing young woman caught in the thrall of a powerful political family’s prestige and privilege (Hallie Ephron, New York Times bestselling author of Careful What You Wish For)

I tore through Girl in the Rearview Mirror; it really is a truly accomplished debut. Kelsey Rae Dimberg has that rare ability to blend breakneck pace with razor-sharp characterisation and shimmering, immersive prose. A charged, tense, highly emotional story that will stay with you (Caz Frear, author of Shed No Tears)