The Gift.
A Sixth Sense.
Or something else….
In 1964, four remarkable young women at a prestigious university became the subjects of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist. On the cusp of a historic breakthrough, the women mysteriously vanished and the program was erased from history.
Decades later, Riley Bell, newly divorced and desperate for a fresh start, accepts a caretaker job for an elderly widow named Betty. Riley steps into a home that is frozen in another era - no microwave, television, or cell phones, and Betty has never heard of the internet.
(Why has Betty lived in such profound isolation for so many years, and why does she need Riley now? As the story unfolds across two timelines - Betty’s 1960s era of 5 o’clock martinis and high-stakes experiments, and Riley’s quest to uncover the truth about the missing women - old secrets rise to the surface. And the only way to survive is to confront the mystery that has lingered for sixty years.
Experiments or hidden powers? Four women are mysteriously connected by a series of questionable tests conducted more than six decades ago at a parapsychology lab at Duke University. Led by Dr. Trimble, the experiments seemed to be on the verge of a groundbreaking discovery - something that could change history - when they suddenly came to an end. The four women have disappeared, and the university went to extraordinary lengths to erase the entire program from its records.
In the present day, Riley Bell takes a caretaker position with elderly Betty Sadler. Riley is immediately struck by the fact that Betty seems to be living in the past: no cell phone, no internet, and little interest in the modern world. For Betty, it is almost as if time stopped decades ago.
The two women form an unexpected connection. After Betty is widowed, she discovers papers belonging to her husband that bring the past rushing back. Riley becomes entangled in Betty’s search for answers as they try to piece together what really happened in the 1960s. This might give Betty closure if she can find out what became of her three friends.
Part paranormal mystery and part psychological thriller, The Women in White is an intriguing story of friendship, secrets, memory, and the possibility of powers we may not fully understand. Betty’s desperate need for answers and Riley’s determination to help her create a compelling partnership. As they get closer to uncovering the truth, Betty’s memories of that painful period begin to surface, revealing just how deeply the past has remained with her.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching Betty and Riley’s relationship evolve as they gradually unravel the mystery together. Their journey certainly sparks speculation, even about what is real. Moreover, the question of what has been forgotten and what secrets may have been deliberately buried all begin to unravel, introducing danger into the story.
Pekkanen skillfully blends psychological suspense with paranormal elements to craft a captivating and thought-provoking narrative. Saska Maarleveld’s brilliant narration captivated me, making both Betty and Riley incredibly relatable and engaging.
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