In Elizabeth Rose Quinn’s debut novel “Follow Me,” we’re treated to a deliciously dark satire that does for Instagram mom culture what “Gone Girl” did for marriage—exposes its most twisted underbelly while keeping us frantically turning pages. Part psychological thriller, part scathing social commentary, the novel introduces us to twin sisters whose lives have diverged dramatically, with one embracing motherhood and suburban life while the other continues their wild-child ways.
When Chiara Shaw disappears during a mommy influencer retreat, her estranged twin sister Adrienne must infiltrate the next summit to discover what happened. What follows is a bloody, satirical takedown of momfluencer culture that oscillates between genuinely frightening suspense and biting humor.
Plot: Murderous Momfluencers and Rogue Sisters
Quinn’s premise is instantly compelling: Adrienne Shaw’s twin sister Chiara mysteriously vanishes after attending the “CoMOMunity Style Summit” run by mega-influencer Thea McCorckle. A year later, with the police investigation stalled, Adrienne—a substance-abusing chaos agent who couldn’t be further from the polished mommy influencer type—decides to go undercover at the next summit to investigate herself.
The plot unfolds with methodical precision, building tension as Adrienne navigates the bizarre world of hashtags, sponsored content, and ruthlessly competitive mothers. Quinn seamlessly weaves flashbacks of the sisters’ complicated relationship throughout, providing emotional depth to what could have been a one-dimensional revenge tale.
The narrative’s final act erupts into an almost comically violent confrontation that reads like “The Hunger Games” meets “The Real Housewives,” complete with archers, pumpkin-carving weapons, and a corn maze inferno. While some readers might find the bloodbath excessive, it perfectly aligns with the novel’s commitment to pushing its satire to extremes.
Characters: Complicated Women with Sharp Edges
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its portrayal of Adrienne—a deeply flawed, self-destructive woman whose love for her sister outweighs her many personal demons. Quinn skillfully depicts Adrienne’s journey from antagonistic outsider to someone who genuinely acknowledges her role in her sister’s pain. Her character development feels earned rather than forced.
The supporting cast features a memorable group of antagonists in Thea’s “Mom Squad”:
- Thea: The queen bee influencer whose perfectly curated life masks sociopathic tendencies
- Opal: The corporate shark turned coupon queen with questionable business ethics
- McKenna: The crafting wizard with two sets of twins and a failing marriage
- Tamarind: The fitness obsessed mother of five with a surgically enhanced body
- Ashleigh: The traditional homesteader with hidden wealth and religious fanaticism
Even minor characters like Bernice, the Utah mother trying to join the influencer ranks, are rendered with thoughtful dimension rather than reduced to stereotypes.
Themes: The Dark Side of Digital Motherhood
At its core, “Follow Me” by Elizabeth Rose Quinn explores several interconnected themes:
- The commodification of motherhood: Quinn unflinchingly portrays how women’s most intimate experiences are packaged, monetized, and sold back to them as aspirational content.
- Authenticity versus performance: The novel continually questions what’s real versus fabricated, highlighting how social media blurs these boundaries until they become meaningless.
- Female rage: Perhaps most powerfully, Quinn explores the suppressed anger of mothers who feel isolated, undervalued, and trapped by societal expectations—and what happens when that rage finally explodes.
- Sisterhood and loyalty: Beyond its thriller elements, the novel examines the complicated bonds between sisters and how easily misunderstandings can fracture even the closest relationships.
Writing Style: Sharp, Acerbic, and Unapologetic
Quinn’s prose is razor-sharp, peppered with caustic observations that will make readers both laugh and wince. Her background in screenwriting is evident in the novel’s visual quality and snappy dialogue. The pacing initially feels deliberate as Quinn establishes her world, but accelerates dramatically in the final third as the body count rises.
Particularly effective is Quinn’s ability to shift between comedy and horror, often within the same paragraph. Consider this passage where Thea casually discusses murder while arranging charcuterie:
“Thea deftly picked up a marble slab from the #RainbowMeals char-CUTE-erie demo and slammed it into the side of Bernice’s head. Bernice’s skull cracked with a sick thud, like a watermelon being dropped from a great height onto a concrete patio.”
The juxtaposition of influencer-speak (“#RainbowMeals char-CUTE-erie”) with brutal violence creates a dissonance that perfectly captures the novel’s tone.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works:
- The novel’s unflinching examination of influencer culture feels timely and authentic
- Adrienne’s character evolution from self-destructive mess to determined avenger
- The balance of humor and horror creates a unique reading experience
- The sisters’ complicated relationship provides emotional grounding
- The final confrontation delivers satisfying catharsis
What Doesn’t:
- The extreme violence in the last third may alienate some readers
- Character motivations occasionally feel underdeveloped, particularly Thea’s
- Some secondary plot threads are introduced but not fully resolved
- The convenient discovery of evidence feels contrived
- A few moments stretch credibility even within the novel’s heightened reality
Impact and Relevance
“Follow Me” by Elizabeth Rose Quinn arrives at a cultural moment when influencer culture faces increasing scrutiny. Quinn taps into genuine anxieties about authenticity, the commodification of personal life, and the pressure on mothers to perform perfection while maintaining a veneer of relatability.
The novel will likely resonate most with readers familiar with Instagram culture and its peculiar vernacular of hashtags, sponsored content, and carefully manufactured vulnerability. However, the universal themes of sisterhood and the gap between appearance and reality ensure broader appeal.
Final Verdict: A Flawed but Compelling Debut
Elizabeth Rose Quinn’s debut novel offers a thrilling, satirical take on momfluencer culture that, despite some narrative shortcomings, delivers both entertainment and insight. While the extreme violence and occasional plot contrivances prevent it from being a perfect thriller, “Follow Me” establishes Elizabeth Rose Quinn as a writer with a distinctive voice and keen observational skills.
The novel’s biting social commentary elevates it beyond typical revenge thrillers, offering both surface-level pleasures and deeper critiques of contemporary motherhood. For readers who enjoy their psychological suspense with a heavy dose of dark humor and cultural commentary, “Follow Me” proves a worthy, if occasionally uneven, addition to their reading list.
Recommended for fans of:
- Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl“
- Caroline Kepnes’ “You” series
- Jessica Knoll’s “Bright Young Women“
- Oyinkan Braithwaite’s “My Sister, the Serial Killer”
- Darby Kane’s “Pretty Little Wife”
Quinn’s debut successfully marries the psychological thriller genre with sharp social satire, creating a reading experience that’s equal parts entertaining and unsettling. While not without flaws, “Follow Me” suggests an author with significant potential and a fearless approach to exploring the darker aspects of contemporary womanhood.
