Worry Doll Review: A Sensual Novel About Desire and Deceit 2026

In Worry Doll, Laura McPhee-Browne delivers a sensual, sinister novel about the horrors of desire and the messy truth of an affair. The story follows two women, Heloise and Lacey, who meet on a train and tumble into a ferocious, all-consuming connection. McPhee-Browne masterfully explores how desire makes honest liars of us, with each character remembering the same encounter entirely differently.

A Tale of Two Perspectives

The novel is structured as dual accounts from Heloise and Lacey, lying side by side like twin hotel beds. Readers are invited to play detective, but unlike typical affair narratives, Worry Doll denies us full clarity. We will always know less than the characters, forced to decide anyway with shonky evidence and fickle hearts.

The Pleasure of Speculation

This is a book for readers who love interpretive gameplay, reminiscent of Audition by Katie Kitamura and Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday. The pleasure here is speculation, as McPhee-Browne crafts a narrative where truth is elusive and blame cannot be easily apportioned.

Comparison Table: Worry Doll vs. Similar Novels

Key Takeaways

• Worry Doll is a sensual, sinister exploration of desire and its consequences.
• The novel uses dual narratives to highlight how memory and truth differ between lovers.
• McPhee-Browne’s prose is immersive, with vivid details like the craving for a perfect chicken sandwich.
• Readers who enjoy ambiguous, speculative fiction will love this book.

The Horror of Desire

McPhee-Browne doesn’t shy away from the dark side of passion. Heloise’s life seems stable—meaningful work, a charming house, dinner-party friends—but the affair with Lacey unravels everything. The novel asks: What happens when desire consumes you?

FAQ

Overall, Worry Doll is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the complexities of love and the horrors of desire. McPhee-Browne’s writing is both sensual and sinister, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page.