3.5 stars rounded up. Was definitely surprised by the ending of this novel, but found this kinda boring.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and fairly rate this book.

Megan Abbott brings her gothic midwestern fever dream style straight to the heart of Detroit and it’s astonishing how good this book is. The language, the characters, the slow burning dread. I love it all and you will too.

I really, really wanted to love this. Abbott has always been a superb author for me, but this was not her best work.

Three sisters find themselves broke and at the lowest they've ever been. Desperate to bring themselves out of it, they're willing to do anything. That "anything" ends up being "The Club"- an MLM/pyramid scheme of money, and they can hope again.

One of the sisters ends up dead, her ex nowhere to be found. It seems an open and shut case, but nothing is as it seems, and no one can be trusted.

Twisty? Check. Well-written? Check. A fantastic premise? Check and check!

However, I found it to be the weakest of this author's books, as it felt too long and too slow.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early read!

This was everything that I was looking for from a suspenseful novel, it had that element that I wanted and enjoyed from the description. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and was glad I was able to read this. Megan Abbott has a strong writing style and was wanting to read more.

Kudos to El Dorado Drive being such an accurate, real life portrayal of 3 sisters complex & complicated relationship with each other. I was able to relate to the 3 blonde, bodacious, bold Bishop sisters, 1 with a deadbeat ex-husband/father, along with their financial issues, debts, creditors, failures & successes. "Everything felt both beautiful & painful, like all family events ....It was playful & it wasn't, like everything between sisters."

The book opens, "All I want to be is innocent again. But they knew it wasn't possible. You don't become innocent again. Life only goes in one direction."

There were so many quotes I jotted down in my notebook and also shared with my own sister. I keep telling her she must read this and will relate to it.

Truthfully I did prefer the book before The Wheel was introduced which is ironic as I usually need plot driven books. I was so enthralled with the minute details of the Bishop sisters and how they interacted with each other and in the larger scheme of life. "Sister stuff was so intricate."

I understand Abbott needed some dynamic/force and The Wheel. Provided another form of sisterhood. It was almost cult like and created messiness and issues. The Wheels twice monthly meetings almost made Pam, Harper & Debra less real, more cartoonish and stereotypical and less likeable.

I thought I had figured out the ending early on but without giving any spoilers I'm happy there were many red herrings. I also like how the ending is tied back to the opening line. "But innocence, like our childhoods, our first loves, our broken families- you don't get them back and if you thought about it, you wouldn't want them back. They make you who you were. Who you are."

The book centers around sisters and money. "All the talk about the money. The money. The money. Always the money." Pam even made her son a money cake at his graduation party.

"Going from rich to just getting by was maybe the hardest thing because you'd never learned how to do. Anything. How to accommodate, how to budget. So your debts only grew "

I award this 4 out of 5 mushroom shaped cookie jars. Anyone who is a sister and/or has struggled with financial security should read this. The book is perfect for fans of Hello. Beautiful.

Fairly predictable but an enjoyable read.. Well written, great characters and well told. hanks for the opportunity to read this and much luck on publication. Megan Abbot never dissappoints

Megan Abbott's El Dorado Drive is the kind of book that gets under your skin and stays there. Picture this: Harper, dead broke and out of options, shows up at her sister Pam's door in suburban Detroit. But here's the twist - Pam, who should be financially ruined after her ex cleaned out their accounts, is somehow living large. Her secret? Something called the Wheel, a women's "investment group" that promises sisterhood and wealth. Spoiler alert: if it sounds too good to be true...

Abbott has this incredible knack for pulling you into the minds of her characters. You feel Harper's desperation, Pam's fierce belief in the Wheel, and the magnetic pull that draws women into this scheme dressed up as female empowerment. The story starts like a slow-burning fuse, building tension as you realize just how deep this rabbit hole goes.

What begins as a story about survival and sisterhood takes a dark turn when death enters the picture. Suddenly, Harper and Pam aren't just dealing with moral gray areas - they're in real danger. Abbott weaves '70s and '80s suburban life into the backdrop with perfect details that make the setting feel alive without drowning in nostalgia.

Yes, the early chapters take their time setting things up, but trust me - Abbott knows exactly what she's doing. She's laying the groundwork for a story that's about much more than a pyramid scheme. It's about the desperate things we'll do for financial security, the complicated bonds between sisters, and how easily "empowerment" can become exploitation.

The ending? It's like a punch to the gut that you somehow didn't see coming, even though all the clues were there. El Dorado Drive is a masterclass in psychological suspense that'll make you think twice about those too-good-to-be-true opportunities that come knocking. It's unsettling, it's brilliant, and you won't be able to put it down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam/ G. P. Putnam's Sons for sharing this gripping thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

El Dorado Drive has elements of a thriller, but also dives into the psychological lives of a group of women who for various reasons find themselves in need of money. There are times when I read about events or episodes of white collar crime and think how does one end up on this situation? Well El Dorado Drive lays this type of situation bare, showing how when money is involved and situations are desperate people make choices they would never otherwise make. As often happens, the unintended consequences cannot be escaped.

I rate this book 4 stars. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for making this book available in exchange for my honest review.

Gosh! This book was amazing. I already I knew I enjoyed Abbott's writing, but this story was so involved and she did it such justice. The topic was enjoyable and of course, the sister drama was too! The book explores friendships and greed in depth and made me think about how I spend money compared to my friends and family. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for the copy of El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott. This was more of a Women’s Fiction book so if you’re expecting a mystery/thriller temper your expectations. This is a long book with a slow start introducing the characters and their money woes, and while it was good to know more about the sisters, I kept waiting for something to happen. I loved the surprising ending and how it all made sense even though it never occurred to me. If you love family dramas, this would be perfect for you! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I'm a big Megan Abbott fan, and have enjoyed quite a few of her stories. "El Dorado Drive" examines the complex relationships between three sisters - dynamics that get even more complicated when money (and murder) is involved. While this thriller moved a little more slowly than I might have preferred, I was very satisfied with the character arcs, and the slant on multilevel marketing schemes was delicious.

I was so excited to see Megan Abbott has a new book coming out. I’ve been a fan and have enjoyed many of her books. Unfortunately, this was not a favorite. I won’t say it was bad but it wasn’t great either. I felt like the story moved slower than necessary with not enough drama, action and twists to grab me. Wanting to know how it ended is what kept me turning the pages, I just didn’t want to give up on her book. The end was satisfying enough and I was rewarded with a little twist I wasn’t expecting. I wish the rest of the book was the same.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Holy Cow! Definitely my favorite Megan Abbott book to date. I was actually reading another book & decided to take a peak @ El Dorado Drive & that is all it took. Could barely put it down once starting it. So well written, you can picture the scenes. And the Wheel..... not gonna lie & say I didn't think of "re-inventing the Wheel" here and now, IRL. Ha ha. Joking. Mostly. Seriously, if you've enjoyed a Megan Abbott book in the past or if you enjoy suspense filled reads with familial overtones, pick this up & it will blow you away. Promise. FIVE solid stars!!!

This is such a messy story. Everyone has money issues. This leads to desperate measures and murder. The characters, especially Harper and Vivian, are relatable and likeable. If you like family drama where everyone appears guilty before a surpise-ish ending, you'll enjoy El Dorado Drive.

What's not to like here? A club of desperate, cash-strapped women involved in a pyramid scheme. Three sisters, the Bishops, with love between them, but also interesting dynamics in their relationships. A vortex of increasing darkness, paranoia, and violence. All in the hands of the great Megan Abbott. At times a slow burn, but always deliciously rendered, this is another winner from Abbott. The ending pages are breathtaking, as the plot hurtles to its finish. Highly recommended!

El Dorado Drive takes readers back to the 70s and 80s, into the world of MLM pyramid schemes with a dark twist. Megan Abbott crafts a gripping tale about two sisters entrenched in the Wheel MLM, a small-town network that thrives on recruitment and promises of riches. When they bring in their youngest sister, struggling with financial woes, the family dynamic shifts, and tensions rise.

As with all MLMs, there are winners at the top and plenty of losers at the bottom. When a murder rocks the ranks, the group must scramble to protect its secrets while evading the police. The mystery deepens as the story unravels, and the question remains: who could be driven to kill in this cutthroat game of wealth and power?

Abbott balances nostalgia with suspense, immersing readers in vivid period details—the retro homes, decadent meals, and fashion of the era—all while confronting the stark sexism and manipulation embedded in these schemes. Though it might have benefited from a touch more adrenaline-pumping thrills, El Dorado Drive delivers plenty of originality and intrigue.

Longtime Abbott fans and newcomers alike will find much to enjoy in this cleverly woven tale of greed, betrayal, and family. Don't miss it!

#ElDoradoDrive #MeganAbbott #PenguinGroup

Abbott’s trademark style shines here, she crafts an atmosphere so thick with tension that it’s almost palpable. Her portrayal of desperation, especially in the context of suburban life, highlights how easily the pursuit of stability can devolve into something dangerous. This is a story about the price of ambition, the hidden perils of well-meaning communities, and the ease with which desperation can consume even the closest of bonds. It’s a gripping, thought provoking novel that doesn’t let you go.

Abbott’s writing is sharp, keeping the suspense tight while exploring how far desperation can push people. The story’s unsettling, yet addictive, you can’t help but devour it, waiting to see just how deep the rabbit hole goes. I absolutely enjoyed reading it.

MLMs? Megan Abbott? Yes, please. Sign me up for this one; I couldn't hit request fast enough! Sadly, this story fell a bit flat for me. The narrative arc often felt disjointed, and the pacing was off. I didn't hate it, and it kept me turning the pages, but this definitely wasn't my favorite.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm a big fan of Megan Abbott's writing, so this book caught me off guard in a few ways. The way the story unfolds was very weird. I can't exactly explain it, but it almost felt like the narration was a list of things happening with no real flow or action. So many characters were introduced in the first few pages that it read very jumpy. And, in general, the story just bummed me out. Clearly this was a miss for me, but I remain a fan of Abbott's and look forward to her next book!