Sarina Bowen, known for her compelling romance novels like The Five Year Lie, ventures into thriller territory with her latest release, Dying to Meet You. The result is a gripping page-turner that perfectly blends domestic suspense with a touch of romance. As someone who has devoured Bowen’s previous works, I approached this genre-shift with both excitement and trepidation. Would she maintain her gift for character development while mastering the intricate pacing a thriller demands?
The answer is a resounding yes, with some caveats. Bowen delivers a story that feels both fresh and familiar to her loyal readers, while offering enough twists and turns to satisfy thriller enthusiasts.
Plot: Architectural Intrigue Meets Personal Peril
Dying to Meet You introduces us to Rowan Gallagher, a talented architect and single mother working on restoring the historic Wincott Mansion for Portland, Maine’s most powerful family. Recently dumped via text message by her boyfriend Tim, Rowan finds herself in the unhealthy habit of tracking his movements through a location-sharing app. When she spots his car parked at their favorite spot near the mansion, she decides to confront him, only to discover his murdered body.
From this compelling opening, Bowen constructs a multi-layered mystery that grows increasingly complex. As Rowan becomes the primary suspect, she must untangle a web of secrets about both Tim and the influential Wincott family. Her investigation leads her to discover that Tim was investigating the mansion’s dark past as a home for unwed mothers—and that he had a personal connection to the place that might have gotten him killed.
The plot develops at a steady pace, with tension building gradually as Rowan uncovers connections between Tim’s murder, her ex-boyfriend Harrison (her daughter’s father), and the Wincott family. However, some thriller aficionados might find certain plot elements a bit too convenient, and the midpoint lacks some of the high-tension moments that define the genre’s best offerings.
Characters: Complex, Flawed, and Wholly Believable
Where Bowen truly excels is in her character development. Rowan is refreshingly realistic—a competent professional who makes questionable personal decisions. Her post-breakup stalking behavior feels uncomfortably relatable, making her a protagonist readers will sympathize with even while cringing at her choices.
The supporting cast is equally well-drawn:
- Natalie, Rowan’s sixteen-year-old daughter, captures teenage complexity without falling into clichés. Her relationship with her mother feels authentic, with the right balance of love and friction.
- Harrison Jones, Natalie’s father and Rowan’s ex, returns to her life with complications and chemistry that add emotional depth to the story.
- Beatrice, Rowan’s colleague, presents as a supportive friend but harbors secrets that unfold masterfully throughout the narrative.
- Hank Wincott, the charming but entitled heir to the Wincott fortune, embodies privilege with nuance.
The character interactions, particularly between Rowan and Harrison, showcase Bowen’s romance writing background. Their rekindled connection feels organic rather than forced, adding emotional stakes to the already life-threatening situation.
Setting: A Mansion With Secrets
The Wincott Mansion serves as more than just a backdrop—it’s practically a character itself. Bowen’s architectural details (likely well-researched given the protagonist’s profession) create a vivid sense of place:
“I cross the atrium with hurried steps. It’s my dirty little secret that I don’t like to be alone in the mansion. The shadows are heavy and the space seems to echo.”
The mansion’s history as the Magdalene Home for Wayward Girls adds a gothic element to the modern thriller, creating an atmosphere of lingering trauma and buried secrets. Portland, Maine, comes alive through Bowen’s descriptions of the waterfront, the historic West End, and the contrast between tourist spots and local haunts.
Themes: Trust, Power, and Second Chances
Dying to Meet You explores several thought-provoking themes:
- Trust and betrayal – Rowan repeatedly faces the question of who she can trust, from ex-lovers to colleagues to law enforcement.
- Power dynamics – The Wincott family’s influence over Portland creates an undercurrent of class tension that affects every aspect of the investigation.
- Motherhood and sacrifice – Both Rowan’s relationship with Natalie and the historical treatment of unwed mothers at the Magdalene Home explore different facets of maternal experience.
- Second chances – Harrison’s return forces both Rowan and Natalie to confront what forgiveness might look like after abandonment.
These themes elevate the novel beyond a simple whodunit, giving readers emotional stakes to invest in alongside the mystery.
Writing Style: Spare, Tense, and Occasionally Lyrical
Bowen’s writing style works well for the thriller genre. Her prose is clean and efficient, moving the story forward with minimal distractions. Dialogue feels natural and serves to reveal character as much as advance the plot. The multiple POV structure—primarily following Rowan but occasionally shifting to other characters—keeps the narrative fresh while building suspense.
There are moments when Bowen’s romance background shines through in lovely character observations:
“It’s not very hard to picture. My mother was so angry when Harrison got arrested. She raged, and said it only confirmed what she already knew about him.”
This emotional insight creates a richer reading experience than many plot-driven thrillers offer.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works Well
- Character development: Rowan, Harrison, and Natalie form a complex family unit that evolves believably throughout the story.
- Atmosphere: The mansion’s gothic elements create genuine unease.
- Dual mystery: Both Tim’s murder and the mansion’s history provide compelling narrative threads.
- Romance elements: The rekindling relationship between Rowan and Harrison adds emotional depth.
Where It Falls Short
- Pacing issues: The middle section drags slightly before picking up for the climax.
- Some predictable twists: A few revelations can be spotted early by seasoned thriller readers.
- Convenient timing: Some plot points rely on coincidental timing that strains credibility.
- Limited suspect pool: The limited cast makes identifying the villain easier than it perhaps should be.
Comparable Titles
Fans of the following books will likely enjoy Dying to Meet You:
- Lisa Jewell’s None Of This Is True: Similar themes of family secrets and historic wrongdoings.
- Megan Miranda’s Such A Quiet Place: Comparable small-town setting with powerful family dynamics.
- Harlan Coben’s Nobody’s Fool: Exploration of technology-enabled stalking and past relationships.
- Mary Kubica’s She’s Not Sorry: Multiple perspectives gradually revealing a complex truth.
Final Verdict: A Satisfying Genre-Blend That Delivers
While “Dying to Meet You” has some minor flaws typical of authors branching into new genres, Bowen’s strengths as a storyteller shine through. The book provides enough thrills to satisfy mystery readers while offering the emotional depth and character development her romance fans expect.
The novel’s greatest achievement is making us care deeply about Rowan and her family while keeping us guessing about who to trust. The exploration of the Magdalene Home’s history adds societal relevance that elevates the personal stakes of the mystery.
Bowen has demonstrated that she can successfully navigate the thriller landscape, and I’m eager to see if she’ll continue in this direction with future works. Whether you’re a longtime Bowen reader or new to her work, Dying to Meet You offers a compelling mystery with heart—proving that sometimes the most dangerous secrets are the ones closest to home.
The Author’s Journey: From Romance to Mystery
For readers familiar with Sarina Bowen’s previous works like The Five Year Lie and her numerous contemporary romance novels, this foray into thriller territory represents an exciting evolution. Bowen brings her trademark emotional intelligence to the mystery genre, creating characters with rich inner lives even as they navigate life-threatening situations.
The romantic elements in Dying to Meet You might appeal to readers who typically avoid thrillers, while the suspense and danger will satisfy those who crave more edge than a traditional romance provides. This cross-genre appeal makes the book an excellent gateway for readers looking to expand their literary horizons.
If Dying to Meet You is any indication, Bowen has a promising future in the mystery/thriller space—particularly if she continues to leverage her skill for creating complex, flawed characters we can’t help but root for, even when they’re making questionable decisions while tracking down killers and uncovering decades-old secrets.