In Trust Issues, Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands have crafted a deliciously twisted tale of family betrayal that pulls readers into a vortex of cons, counter-cons, and startling revelations. This cat-and-mouse thriller revolves around siblings Hazel and Kagan Bailey, who find themselves forced into an uneasy alliance after their mother’s suspicious death. The novel expertly peels back layers of deception as the siblings hunt down their stepfather—a master con artist who has disappeared with their inheritance.
What distinguishes this thriller from others in the genre is its meticulous examination of damaged family dynamics. Keenan and Wands (who have previously written together as E.G. Scott) excel at creating characters who are simultaneously sympathetic and deeply flawed. There are no heroes in this story—only varying degrees of moral compromise, making for a psychologically rich reading experience that stays with you long after the final page.
Family Ties That Bind and Blind
At the heart of Trust Issues by Keenan and Wands lies the fractured relationship between Hazel and Kagan Bailey. Their partnership is born of necessity rather than affection, as they navigate grief, suspicion, and their mutual resentment. Hazel, a conspiracy theorist influencer with an unhealthy attachment to her phone, and Kagan, a recently divorced photographer struggling with addiction, present a dysfunctional duo whose tangled history reads true to life.
The authors excel at showing how childhood trauma shapes adult behavior, particularly in how the siblings relate to their late mother Janice. Their memories of her are colored by their individual grievances—Hazel resenting being cut off financially, Kagan resentful of perceived favoritism. This nuanced portrayal of family dysfunction gives the thriller emotional heft beyond its twisting plot.
The mastermind villain Perry Walters (also known as Walt Pierson, among other aliases) emerges as a fascinatingly reprehensible character whose calculated charm masks a ruthless opportunist. The gradual revealing of his manipulations through multiple timelines creates a satisfying puzzle for readers to piece together alongside the protagonists.
A Twisting, Turning Plot That Delivers
Keenan and Wands demonstrate impressive control over their intricate plot, which flows with the relentless momentum of a rapidly descending spiral. The narrative begins with Janice’s suspicious death (an apparent fall from a wall in Fort Tryon Park) and follows the siblings as they discover connections between their mother’s new husband Perry and Hazel’s missing boyfriend Adam. When they learn about Ava Parker—Perry’s daughter who was supposedly dead—the siblings believe they’ve found their perfect accomplice.
The second act shifts to an elaborate sting operation in Boca Raton, where Perry (now “Walt”) is preparing to marry wealthy socialite Iris. This section showcases the authors’ talent for creating tension through layers of pretense: the siblings pretending to be a married couple, Perry pretending to be a grieving widower, and everyone harboring hidden agendas.
What elevates the story beyond a standard revenge thriller is the introduction of Ava Parker, who adds unexpected depth and moral complexity. Her perspective shifts the novel into territory that examines the cyclical nature of manipulation and the blurry line between justice and revenge.
Strengths and Standout Elements
- Psychological Depth: The authors excel at creating complex characters whose motivations feel authentic despite their outlandish actions. Each player in this twisted game is given enough background to make their choices comprehensible, if not always sympathetic.
- Atmospheric Settings: From the elegant Upper West Side apartments to the faded grandeur of a Hilton Head mansion to the sun-drenched fakery of Boca Raton, the novel’s settings become characters in themselves, reflecting the themes of surface beauty hiding rot beneath.
- Dialogue That Crackles: The verbal sparring between characters reveals layers of subtext and suppressed emotion, particularly in the tense exchanges between Hazel and Kagan. Their banter carries the weight of decades of resentment and competition while maintaining a darkly comic edge.
- Timely Themes: The exploration of social media influence culture through Hazel’s character feels particularly relevant, as does the examination of technology addiction alongside more traditional substance dependencies. The novel subtly questions how we construct our identities in an age of curated online personas.
- The Ultimate Con: Without spoiling the ending, the final act delivers a satisfying twist that forces readers to reevaluate everything that came before. It’s a testament to the authors’ skill that this reversal feels both surprising and inevitable in retrospect.
Areas That Could Be Stronger
While Trust Issues by Keenan and Wands succeeds on many levels, it occasionally falters in pacing during the middle section. The Boca Raton chapters, while crucial to the plot, sometimes meander through redundant character interactions before reaching the climactic boat scene.
The character of Adam remains somewhat underdeveloped compared to other players in the story. As Hazel’s ex-boyfriend who turns out to be working with Perry, his motivations and background feel sketched rather than fully realized. A deeper exploration of his relationship with Perry might have added another compelling dimension to the web of deception.
Some readers may find the moral ambiguity of all characters challenging, as there’s no clear protagonist to root for without reservation. While this complexity is ultimately a strength of the novel, it occasionally creates emotional distance that might prevent complete investment in the characters’ fates.
Comparative Context
Fans of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl will appreciate the similar exploration of toxic relationships and unreliable narrators, though Trust Issues by Keenan and Wands spreads its unreliability across multiple characters rather than concentrating it in one twist. The novel also shares DNA with Laura Dave’s The Last Thing He Told Me and Liane Moriarty’s “Big Little Lies” in its examination of family secrets and deception, while offering a darker, more cynical worldview.
Readers who enjoyed Keenan and Wands’ previous work as E.G. Scott (The Woman Inside, In Case of Emergency, and The Rule of Three) will find their signature blend of psychological insight and surprising twists fully intact here, with an added layer of social commentary that feels fresh and timely.
Style and Structure: A Masterclass in Suspense
The authors employ a multi-perspective narrative structure that allows readers to experience events from different viewpoints, creating dramatic irony as we witness characters making decisions based on incomplete information. Chapters alternate primarily between Hazel, Kagan, Ava, and Perry/Walt, with each voice distinctly rendered.
The prose is sharp and efficient, moving the story forward while still taking time for evocative description when needed:
The ground slips out from beneath her feet.
She’s over the low wall, stomach in her throat as a hand shoots up desperately to try to grasp the edge of the weathered stone. Panic swells as fingers swipe the cold, hard slab to no avail, her body tumbling in a heap, knocking helplessly against the rocky surface, bright bursts of pain reducing her vision to a blinding flash of white, tensed muscles going limp from the sudden shock.
This opening passage immediately establishes the life-or-death stakes and disorienting experience of deception that will characterize the entire novel.
Thematic Richness
Beyond its twisty plot, Trust Issues by Keenan and Wands offers thoughtful exploration of several interconnected themes:
- Inheritance and Entitlement: The siblings’ expectation of inherited wealth reveals deep-seated assumptions about what they’re owed, complicating our sympathy for their quest.
- Digital vs. Physical Reality: Hazel’s online conspiracy theory persona contrasts with her real-world vulnerability, raising questions about authentic identity in the digital age.
- Family as Both Refuge and Trap: The Bailey siblings simultaneously rely on and resent each other, bound by shared history but divided by competing narratives about the past.
- The Nature of Trust: As the title suggests, the novel interrogates what it means to trust someone—whether family member, romantic partner, or potential ally—in a world where everyone seems to be running some version of a con.
Final Assessment
Trust Issues by Keenan and Wands delivers a compelling, twist-filled reading experience that balances character development with plot momentum. Keenan and Wands have created a thriller that works on multiple levels: as a straightforward revenge tale, as a psychological study of family dysfunction, and as a meditation on the nature of truth and deception.
The novel’s greatest achievement may be its ending, which subverts expectations while remaining true to the characters and themes established throughout. Without revealing specifics, the conclusion forces readers to reconsider everything they’ve read, making this a book that rewards close attention and possibly even a second reading.
Strengths at a Glance:
- Complex, morally ambiguous characters with authentic motivations
- Intricately plotted con/counter-con narrative with satisfying twists
- Sharp dialogue that reveals character while advancing plot
- Atmospheric settings that enhance the themes of deception and appearance vs. reality
- Contemporary relevance in its examination of technology addiction and online personas
- Psychologically astute portrayal of family dynamics and inherited trauma
- A finale that recontextualizes everything that came before
Room for Improvement:
- Occasional pacing issues in the middle section
- Some supporting characters (particularly Adam) deserve fuller development
- The moral ambiguity of all characters might challenge readers seeking a clear hero
For Readers Who Appreciate…
Trust Issues by Keenan and Wands will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy:
- Psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators
- Family dramas with deep-rooted dysfunction
- Stories featuring elaborate con games and revenge plots
- Morally complex characters operating in ethical gray areas
- Narratives that examine wealth, privilege, and entitlement
- Twisty endings that prompt reevaluation of the entire story
For those who’ve appreciated Patricia Highsmith’s amoral protagonists, Caroline Kepnes’s exploration of toxic relationships, or Tana French’s psychologically complex crime novels, this book offers a similar blend of darkness, insight, and unexpected developments.
The Verdict
With Trust Issues, Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands have crafted a compelling thriller that transcends genre conventions while delivering the core satisfactions readers seek: memorable characters, constant surprises, and an ending that resonates. Though not flawless, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, resulting in a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page.
The book’s exploration of deception—both the lies we tell others and those we tell ourselves—makes for a reading experience that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. By the conclusion, readers will find themselves questioning not only who can be trusted within the story, but how much they can trust their own perceptions as readers.
In a genre often criticized for prioritizing plot over substance, Trust Issues stands out for achieving both. It delivers the roller-coaster ride thriller fans crave while offering psychological depth and social commentary that elevates it above many of its peers. For readers seeking a smart, twisty tale of revenge, betrayal, and unexpected justice, this novel delivers in spades—just don’t trust everything (or anyone) at first glance.
