Katie Sise has crafted a haunting exploration of female friendship, buried secrets, and the dark undercurrents that flow beneath picture-perfect suburban communities in You Must Be New Here. This psychological thriller weaves together multiple perspectives and timelines to create a tapestry of deception that will leave readers questioning everything they thought they knew about trust, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.
The Art of Deceptive Simplicity
At first glance, Sycamore Glen appears to be the quintessential American suburb—manicured lawns, excellent schools, and families living their best lives. Sise masterfully uses this idyllic setting as a backdrop for something far more sinister. The author’s ability to transform the mundane—school fundraisers, spelling bees, neighborhood coffee dates—into scenes crackling with tension showcases her sophisticated understanding of how evil often hides in plain sight.
The novel follows Sloane Thompson, a divorced mother caring for her daughter Daisy, who suffers from primary pulmonary hypertension. When mysterious new neighbors Ben and Harper Wilson move next door, Sloane finds herself drawn into a friendship that promises to fill the emotional void she’s carried for years. However, when teenage babysitter Margaret Collins disappears after spending an evening at Sloane’s house, the carefully constructed facades begin to crumble.
Character Development That Cuts Deep
Sise’s greatest strength lies in her character development, particularly her portrayal of complex female relationships. Sloane emerges as a deeply relatable protagonist—a woman carrying trauma she’s never fully processed, desperately seeking genuine connection while protecting her vulnerable daughter. Her friendship with Harper feels authentic in its intensity and intimacy, making the eventual revelations all the more devastating.
Harper Wilson proves to be one of the most compelling characters in recent thriller fiction. Initially presented as the charismatic, artistic newcomer who brings excitement to Sloane’s mundane existence, Harper gradually reveals layers of complexity that challenge readers’ perceptions. Sise skillfully balances Harper’s magnetic personality with disturbing hints about her past, creating a character who is simultaneously sympathetic and unsettling.
The supporting cast, particularly Clara Gartner and Margaret Collins, adds crucial depth to the narrative. Clara’s storyline—a woman discovering her husband’s true nature—provides a powerful subplot about betrayal and resilience. Margaret, despite being absent for much of the novel, emerges as a fully realized character through flashbacks that reveal her intelligence, vulnerability, and tragic entanglement in adult secrets.
Structural Brilliance and Narrative Technique
The novel’s structure deserves particular praise. Sise employs a dual-timeline approach, alternating between the present-day investigation and the week leading up to Margaret’s disappearance. This technique builds suspense while gradually revealing crucial information about character motivations and relationships. The author’s decision to include Margaret’s perspective in the flashback chapters adds emotional weight and ensures that the victim remains a person rather than merely a plot device.
The pacing is meticulously controlled, with Sise understanding exactly when to reveal information and when to withhold it. Each chapter ends with subtle hooks that compel readers forward, while the overall narrative arc maintains momentum without sacrificing character development or thematic depth.
Themes That Resonate
You Must Be New Here tackles several weighty themes with nuance and sensitivity:
- The masks we wear in suburban communities: Sise explores how social expectations force people to hide their true selves
- Female friendship and its complexities: The novel examines both the life-affirming power of women supporting each other and the potential for manipulation within these relationships
- The long-lasting effects of trauma: Multiple characters carry unresolved trauma that influences their decisions and relationships
- The failure of institutions to protect women: The book critiques how society often fails survivors of sexual violence
Critical Observations
While You Must Be New Here succeeds on multiple levels, it’s not without minor flaws. The revelation about Ben and Harper’s true relationship, while shocking, feels somewhat disconnected from the central mystery. Additionally, some readers might find certain plot developments—particularly regarding Evan Gartner’s crimes—require significant suspension of disbelief.
The novel’s handling of sexual violence deserves recognition for its sensitivity and realism. Sise avoids sensationalizing trauma while honestly depicting its lasting effects on survivors. However, the sheer volume of abuse perpetrated by Evan Gartner occasionally strains credibility, even as it serves the thematic purpose of illustrating how predators often operate with impunity in positions of power.
Writing Style and Atmosphere
Sise’s prose is clean and accessible without sacrificing depth. She excels at creating atmosphere through subtle details—the way light filters through windows, the sounds of suburban life, the tension in seemingly innocent conversations. Her background in television writing is evident in her ability to craft scenes that feel cinematic while maintaining the introspective quality necessary for psychological suspense.
The author’s treatment of Daisy’s medical condition adds authenticity and emotional depth to the story. Rather than using illness as a mere plot device, Sise explores how chronic conditions affect entire families, creating additional layers of vulnerability and motivation for her characters.
Comparison to Previous Works
Readers familiar with Sise’s previous novels—Open House, The Vacation Rental, and We Were Mothers—will recognize her signature style of exploring dark secrets within seemingly perfect communities. However, You Must Be New Here represents a maturation in her craft, with more complex character relationships and a more sophisticated approach to revealing information.
This novel particularly builds upon themes explored in We Were Mothers, but with greater psychological depth and more intricate plotting. The author’s growth is evident in her ability to juggle multiple perspectives and timelines while maintaining narrative clarity.
Final Verdict
You Must Be New Here succeeds as both an engaging page-turner and a thoughtful examination of contemporary social issues. Sise has created a thriller that respects both its characters and its readers, offering genuine surprises while maintaining emotional authenticity. The novel’s exploration of female friendship, suburban secrets, and the aftermath of violence feels particularly relevant in our current cultural moment.
Despite minor structural issues, this book represents a significant achievement in psychological suspense. It’s a novel that will appeal to fans of character-driven mysteries while satisfying readers seeking genuinely surprising plot developments.
Recommended for Readers Who Enjoyed
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
- The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
- In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
- The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy
- Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
You Must Be New Here confirms Katie Sise’s position as a significant voice in contemporary psychological suspense, delivering a novel that will linger in readers’ minds long after the final page.
