Society Women by Adriane Leigh
From the title, Society Women might seem to be a light diversion, a frothy, amusing tale of the escapades of wealthy urban dwellers who live to shop, gossip and lunch. Instead, Adriane Leigh has written a diabolical, scorching tale of revenge directed at morally bankrupt predators. Women of every class have been victimized or controlled by powerful men but typically blame themselves or are too embarrassed or simply afraid they will not be believed to effectively respond. Who would believe a tenured college professor at an Ivy League university could be a serial rapist of young coeds? What corporate head convinced a series of physicians and psychiatrists as well as his innocent young daughter that his wife was criminally insane and needed to be locked away forever? There are high-level government officials and prominent men in all industries who have physically, emotionally, or verbally abused girlfriends, wives, and strangers with impunity, knowing they will likely escape censure or punishment.
A Life Built on Lies and Shadows
Ellie Taylor has experienced recurring haunting nightmares, episodes of anxiety and instances of sleepwalking since early childhood and more recently has awakened inexplicably covered in bruises. Her mother had been committed to Mount Sinai’s Psychiatric Wing before being transferred to a New Jersey sanatorium, where she remained until her death two years later. The dreams are frequently of five-year-old Ellie being rescued from a house fire set by her mother, who was dragged away kicking and shrieking by men in white coats. This is the story Daniel Thomas, her adoring father, has repeatedly told her. Daniel is the fabulously wealthy founder and president of a major New York City investment group. Ellie is his only child and sole heir, and, in turn, her husband, Jack Taylor, is hers.
Daniel, Ellie and Jack are all alumni of Columbia University, where Ellie graduated with a degree in finance and economics. Jack was in law school and a few years older than Ellie when they ‘met cute’ by chance in the university library by his bumping into her and spilling a load of books. Within six months they were engaged and have been together for almost ten years, married for seven. They had returned from their honeymoon and moved into a $10,000-per-month apartment overlooking Columbus Circle, near Central Park. Following their elopement, both went to work for her father. Her life should be idyllic, but she is restless, vaguely dissatisfied and concerned about her mental health.
The Society’s Dark Promise of Justice
Ellie does enjoy her work as an accountant while Jack has become indispensible to her father. He remains so occupied that she rarely sees her drop-dead gorgeous suave husband, who is seldom home at bedtime, frequently opting to sleep in the second bedroom. Ellie is attractive but not a knockout, intelligent but insecure, introverted and socially awkward. She’s been described by her husband as being docile, passive and compliant. Life takes a startling turn when she receives an elegantly embossed, handwritten, hand-delivered card formally addressed to Elyse Valentinja Taylor inviting her to the Spring Women’s Weekend hosted by The Society in Westchester County. Business professional is the requested attire, and it states a car will be provided. Internet searches fail to provide much information aside from a charity gala notice and a photograph of several prominent NYC women.
To bolster her confidence, Ellie impulsively invites Aubrey Collins, a new neighbor, to attend the weekend with her. The society has gathered at the palatial mansion of Kat Volkov, where she is informed they are an exclusive organization that only accepts one new member annually by unanimous vote. With the exception of one woman, the nine present are all approximately 60 years old, glamorous, poised and polite. They offer friendship, sisterhood and support but remain vague about the nature of their philanthropic work. Each woman harbors secret knowledge of actions perpetrated by influential men that have adversely affected female family members and close friends. On a very personal level, they are in possession of devastating secrets about Ellie’s loved ones. Has her life truly been filled with gaslighting, trickery and lies?
Wicked villains among the powerful may soon experience firsthand, to their detriment, Friedrich Nietzsche’s observation, “In revenge and in love, woman is more barbarous than man.” You don’t want to miss the twists in this powerful novel ensuring justice will be served.
Adriana Leigh has dedicated Society Women: “To all the women who turned their scars into weapons and their silence into fire.”
About Adriane Leigh:
Adriane Leigh is a self-published USA Today bestselling author of multiple novels and novellas. Her writing has appeared in Vogue and The Montreal Gazette, and she is the founder of RARE: Romance Author & Reader Events. She also hosts The Rebel Artist podcast. She lives on Lake Michigan with her family.
