New Thriller Called 'Deeply Unhinged' is Barnes & Noble's June Book Club Pick
A mysterious death, wealthy suburban moms and simmering social rivalries are at the center of Barnes & Noble's latest book club selection.
The bookseller has chosen Hannah Selinger's debut novel "Valley of the Moms" as its Book Club Pick for June 2026, highlighting the thriller as one of the summer's most talked-about new releases.
Barnes & Noble describes the novel as "'Stepford Wives' meets 'Big Little Lies'" and praises its mix of "gossip, drama and a dead body." The retailer says the story follows a suburban community that begins to unravel after the mysterious death of a local mother.
Set in Hamilton, Massachusetts, the novel centers on Anna Plummer, a wife and mother who has grown increasingly frustrated with the unspoken rules governing life in her affluent town. When a dispute involving the local Parent Teacher Organization spirals out of control, tensions begin to simmer beneath the community's carefully polished surface.
One year later, Anna is found dead in the frozen Ipswich River.
Her husband, Denny, is left to piece together what happened while also confronting suspicions that he may have been involved in her death. Told through alternating perspectives and dual timelines, the novel gradually reveals the secrets, betrayals and hidden resentments that led to the tragedy.
Early reviews suggest readers can expect plenty of twists.
People called the novel "frighteningly realistic and deeply unhinged," while author Amanda Eyre Ward praised its "complex characters and a thrilling satiric bite." Booklist noted that the story will appeal to readers who enjoy complicated friendships, domestic drama and suspenseful storytelling.
Other reviewers have highlighted the book's exploration of privilege and social status. Author Kelsey Cox described the novel as "sleek, smart, and deliciously unnerving," while K.T. Nguyen praised its look at the "toxic power dynamics of wealthy suburbia."
The novel marks Selinger's first work of fiction after building a successful career as a journalist and food writer. Over the years, she has written for publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, The Wall Street Journal and CNN. In 2025, she published the memoir Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly.
With its mix of mystery, social satire and suburban intrigue, Valley of the Moms appears poised to find a wide audience among thriller fans this summer.
After all, there are few things readers love more than a picturesque town filled with secrets. Especially when someone winds up dead.
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This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 1:29 PM.