Walking Through Needles

A riveting, dark debut psychological thriller perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, S.J. Watson, and Megan Abbott

From an early age, Sam Mayfair knew she was different. Like any young girl, she developed infatuations and lust-but her desires were always tinged with darkness. Then, when Sam was sixteen, her life was shattered by an abuser close to her. And she made one shocking decision whose ramifications would reverberate throughout her life.

Now, fifteen years later, Sam learns that her abuser has been murdered. The death of the man who plagued her dreams for years should have put an end to the torture she's endured. But when her stepbrother, Eric, becomes the prime suspect, Sam is flung back into the hell of her rural Oklahoma childhood. As Sam tries to help exonerate Eric, she must hide terrifying truths of their past from investigators. Yet as details of the murder unravel, Sam quickly learns that some people, including herself, will do anything to keep their secrets buried deep. Walking Through Needles is a riveting and unflinching look at violence, sexuality, and desire from a compelling and unforgettable new voice in Heather Levy.

About the author

Heather Levy is a born and bred Oklahoman and graduate of Oklahoma City University's Red Earth MFA program for creative writing. Her work has appeared in numerous journals, including NAILED Magazine, Crab Fat Magazine, Prick of the Spindle, and Dragon Poet Review. She authored the nonfiction series on human sexuality, including "Welcome to the Dungeon: BDSM in the Bible Belt," for Literati Press. WALKING THROUGH NEEDLES is her debut novel. She lives in Oklahoma. Follow her at @HeatherLLevy.

Summary

A riveting, dark debut psychological thriller perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, S.J. Watson, and Megan Abbott

From an early age, Sam Mayfair knew she was different. Like any young girl, she developed infatuations and lust—but her desires were always tinged with darkness. Then, when Sam was sixteen, her life was shattered by an abuser close to her. And she made one shocking decision whose ramifications would reverberate throughout her life.

Now, fifteen years later, Sam learns that her abuser has been murdered. The death of the man who plagued her dreams for years should have put an end to the torture she's endured. But when her stepbrother, Eric, becomes the prime suspect, Sam is flung back into the hell of her rural Oklahoma childhood. As Sam tries to help exonerate Eric, she must hide terrifying truths of their past from investigators. Yet as details of the murder unravel, Sam quickly learns that some people, including herself, will do anything to keep their secrets buried deep. Walking Through Needles is a riveting and unflinching look at violence, sexuality, and desire from a compelling and unforgettable new voice in Heather Levy.

Additional text

Incredible praise for WALKING THROUGH NEEDLES

"A spellbinding novel at the nexus of power, desire and abuse that portends a bright future." —Sarah Weinman, New York Times

"WALKING THROUGH NEEDLES is a challenging but worthwhile read, a standout for its frank but sensitive exploration of trauma and desire." —Paula Woods, Los Angeles Times

"A gripping, disturbing read, and, perhaps for some, triggering, but I couldn’t turn away." —Carole Barrowman, Star-Tribune

“An unflinchingly brutal and beautiful journey through the darkest rivers of desire.” ―S.A. Cosby, bestselling author of Blacktop Wasteland

“An unflinching and unforgettable look at the darkest side of desire from a fearless new voice in crime fiction. This book will get under your skin and stay there forever.” ―Layne Fargo, author of Temper and They Never Learn

"A stunning, devastating debut. As the story's taut mystery unfolds with beautiful prose across past and present, a deeper, far more monstrous truth awaits readers: nothing's as capable of cruelty quite like the human heart." ―P. J. Vernon, author of Bath Haus and When You Find Me

“A midnight exercise in noir fiction that is carefully executed and fascinating in a reptilian way...a dark success.” —Booklist

Product details

• Authors: Heather Levy
• Publisher: Polis Books
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 29.06.2021
• EAN: 9781951709389
• ISBN: 978-1-951709-38-9
• No. of pages: 320
• Dimensions: 224 mm x 148 mm x 31 mm
• Weight: 506 g
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature; FICTION / Psychological, FICTION / Thrillers / Suspense, FICTION / Thrillers / Domestic