Press for FURIOUS VIOLET

Reviews & Praise

“As a psychological portrait and an occasion for literary sleuthing, ‘Furious Violet’ is outrageously entertaining.” Joumana Khatib, New York Times

Furious Violet is “a sharp satire of academia, an exploration of the role of the mother as artist and individual, and a hard look at the toll taken by the practice of true-crime writing. But, at the same time, it’s crazily entertaining, with an irresistible momentum that turns ominously suspenseful as the annoying stalker morphs into a diabolically intent hunter.” Lisa Henricksson, Airmail

“A scathing indictment of fan culture, the true-crime industry and society’s treatment of women.” People magazine

“Walker triumphs with this sophisticated thriller…With much more on its mind than the average psychological thriller, this spellbinding descent into madness teems with insight about the complexities of motherhood. It’s a knockout.” Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This claustrophobic, pulse-pounding tale of paranoia rivets from start to cathartic finish.” Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“With this brilliantly bonkers, fast-paced social critique of, well, everything from feminist literary theory to true crime, with jabs at diet culture and academia sprinkled in, Walker…once again proves that she’s among a select few authors who have brought Margaret Atwood’s complex edge into the 21st century.” Library Journal, starred review

“… beautifully written, packed with humor and superbly plotted—the sort of spine-tingler you might not want to read late at night, especially if alone…Furious Violet overflows with unexpected twists, turns and delights, and readers may well clamor to hear more from this newfangled gumshoe.” Alice Cary, BookPage, starred review

“Walker delivers a gripping detective story featuring the unforgettable Violet, a darkly funny, opinionated, and introspective heroine who knows her way around the world of true crime and can call on a quirky crew of uniquely skilled friends to help—but only time will tell if will it be enough to save her life.” Booklist, starred review

“This is a tightly written novel that's both propulsive and considered, the kind of book that prompts reflection as much as it does frantic page-turning.” Bookreporter

"A detective story about detective stories—and motherhood, non-motherhood, and literary legacy—Furious Violet is an impeccably plotted, Hitchcock-by-way-of-Plath novel that barrels toward its thrilling conclusion with equal parts suspense and intellect." Teddy Wayne, author of The Winner and The Au Pair

“Furious Violet is for every woman of a certain age who is called difficult for demanding more from the world than men are willing to give. It is for every girl rereading The Bell Jar because it told her a secret about herself. It is for all of us stopping up our ears with true crime podcasts to silence the twenty-four hour news cycle. Sarai Walker's third novel is as engaging and darkly funny as her first two. From the visceral opening pages, to the surprising and thrilling conclusion, this novel will earn a place on the top of your reading pile, and then into a dear friend's hands because great stories are meant to be shared.” Courtney Miller Santo, author of Three Story House

“Just try not to read Furious Violet at a furious speed. Once Violet “West” Shelley, our true-crime-writer-turned-detective, is on the case of her mystery stalker, you won’t be able to hit the brakes. With a wry takedown of academic fanaticism, a complex investigation of motherhood, and one twist after another, Sarai Walker has written a fierce, feminist novel that can only be consumed furiously.” Eric Schlich, author of Eli Harpo’s Adventure to the Afterlife

“Furious Violet is a sharp, psychological mystery that builds tension from the beginning and sustains it throughout. At its center is Violet West, a journalist living in the shadow of her late mother, the celebrated poet Juliet Bellwood, whose legacy continues to shape and complicate her life. As the pressure surrounding that legacy intensifies, Violet is drawn into a deeply personal and increasingly disturbing situation that forces her to confront lingering questions about her mother’s life and death. It is a tense, absorbing read that lingers well after the final page.” Julia Cowley, retired FBI agent and profiler, and host of The Consult podcast

Interviews & Articles

LitHub (my essay): The Tragedy of Loving Sylvia Plath

Largehearted Boy: Sarai Walker’s Playlist for Furious Violet

New York Times: 6 New Books We Love This Week

BookPage interview: Sarai Walker Flips the True Crime Script

Parnassus Books interview: The Gen X Heroine You’ve Been Waiting For

theSkimm interview: Sarai Walker on Stalkers, True Crime, and Her Creepiest Book Yet

Burnt Toast interview: Sunday Author Chat

Book Riot: 7 of the Best New Book Releases

Parade Magazine: 8 Books That Will Disrupt Your Sleep This Week

Southern Living: 8 New Books Everyone Will Be Talking About This July

Seattle Book Review: Highly Anticipated Summer Releases You Don’t Want to Miss