tHE EXES
BOOKSA psychological thriller about love, obsession, and a body count that keeps rising.
US EDITION (LEFT) & UK EDITION (RIGHT)“Love brings out the villain in all of us…”
Natalie chose James carefully, because he's different from all the men she'd loved before. Calm. Competent. Kind.
And there are three very good reasons she needs to be so careful. Their names are Marc, Luca and George.
Natalie prefers not to think about what they did to her. Let alone what she had to do to them.
Except now, on a night they are meant to be celebrating how happy they are together, Natalie and James are lying in separate bedrooms. She is asking herself how she could have been foolish enough to let yet another man hurt her like this.
Slowly, Natalie realises she’s already holding a knife.
But she's not going to do anything with it. She’s not.
Not again.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
CRITICAL ACCLAIM“tHIS IS THE BOOK OF 2026”
—Katie Couric Media
“A highly promising, emotionally engaging debut”
—The Mail on Sunday
“An intriguing psychological thriller about love’s promises and perils, how trauma can leave invisible scars, and the veil between self-protection and self-destruction.”
—Essence, "The Most Anticipated Books Of 2026"
“The Exes is such a fun, engaging read that once you pick it up, you won’t be able to put down.”
—E! News
“Gripping, surprising, addicting... I'm already thinking about diving back in to see what I missed... What a debut!”
—Jim Rion, translator of Strange Pictures, Waterstones Book of the Year 2025
“The Exes explodes out the gate and never lets up, delivering twist after shocking twist right up until its deeply affecting end. A razor-sharp debut about the secrets we keep even from ourselves.”
—Ana Reyes, New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Pines
“An exquisitely written wild ride of a story full of complex characters, taut suspense and plot twists you won’t see coming.”
—Jessica George, New York Times bestselling author of Maame
“In addition to being full of unexpected twists and turns, The Exes is beautifully written with profound things to say about family and the lengths we'll go to protect the ones we love.”
—Tasha Coryell, bestselling author of Love Letters to a Serial Killer
“The Exes has a clever set-up: a woman with a trail of dead fiances finds her current partner has been keeping secrets. What part did she play in the deaths of her ex-lovers, and how can she make sure history doesn’t repeat itself?
—CrimeReads
“Twisty, daring and utterly addictive, The Exes kept me reading late into the night. A sharp, emotionally charged thriller from a brilliant writer. A knockout debut.”
—D. S. Butler, bestselling author of the Karen Hart series
“An excellent read: entertaining, intriguing and exciting. Bravo!”
—Liz Nugent, #1 Sunday Times and Irish Times bestselling author of Strange Sally Diamond
“This is the book I’ve been hungry for. Sharp and smart, The Exes grips with a well orchestrated story, while exploring deeper themes with a deft hand and underlying humour.”
—Mary Watson, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Cleaner
“I absolutely loved this – an irresistible voice and jaw-dropping twists. So fucking good!”
—Katy Brent, author of How to Kill Men and Get Away With It
“[A] twisted, twisty thriller. . . . Unlike some thriller writers…Darlington manages to include some genuine surprises, weaving themes of mental illness and family trauma with a sense of mystery.”
—Kirkus
“An outstandingly clever novel where the twists are an integral part of the story and not imposed upon it. I was dazzled and enthralled.”
—Elly Griffiths, author of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries
“Darlington’s promising debut has more twists than a bag of pretzels”
—Booklist
“[The Exes] explores the power dynamics of modern romance while also delving into the secrets we keep even from ourselves—putting a new spin on the classic unreliable narrator.”
—Marie Claire, "The 10 Most-Anticipated Mystery-Thriller Books of 2026"
“The Exes is a wild and twisty killer ride from a talent to watch.”
—Sam Blake, #1 Irish Times bestselling author
“In [her] nail-biting debut. . . Darlington keeps the pace fleet and the twists flying as she perceptively explores the contradictory power dynamics of contemporary heterosexual romance. It’s a promising first outing.”
—Publisher's Weekly
“Super smart with twists that almost gave me whiplash, it makes for utterly compulsive reading. A stunning debut that stays with you way after the final page.”
—Steph Broadribb, bestselling author of The Retired Detectives Club series
“Twisting and unexpected, Leodora Darlington is set to be a breakout thriller big name with a plot that constantly wrong-foots you. ”
—Stylist