The Truth About Ruby Cooper

by Liz Nugent

If my sister hadn’t been beautiful, none of it would have happened.

Ruby Cooper and her sister, Erin, live an idyllic life in their close-knit church community in Boston. But when Ruby is sixteen, she is involved in an incident that causes her family’s world to implode.

Across decades, the fallout leaves a wake of destruction behind Ruby in Dublin and Erin in Boston.

Not that Ruby wants to think about the past.

But it can’t stay a secret forever.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Irish Literature, Ireland, Audiobook

369 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 12, 2026

About the author

Liz Nugent worked as a stage manager in theatres in Ireland and toured internationally before writing extensively for radio and television drama.

Unravelling Oliver was published in 2014, hit the number 1 spot for several weeks and won Crime Novel of the Year at the Irish Book Awards.

Lying in Wait, published in 2016, went straight to number 1 and was chosen for the Richard & Judy Book Club. It won the Radio 1 Ryan Tubridy Listeners Choice Award at the Irish Book Awards.

In October 2017, Liz won the Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Award in Literature.

Skin Deep was published in 2018. It also went straight to number 1 in the bestsellers charts and scooped two awards at the An Post Irish Book Awards in Nov '18: Crime Novel of the Year AND the Radio 1 Ryan Tubridy Listener's Choice Award.

Little Cruelties (Our Little Cruelties) was published in 2020. Another number 1 bestseller, it topped the charts for fifteen weeks, was nominated for Crime Novel of the Year at the Irish Book Awards, long listed for a CWA award at Theakston Crime Festival at Harrogate. It was listed as one of the most recommended thrillers of the Year by the New York Times.
Liz was presented with the James Joyce Medal for Literature (via Zoom!) in February 21 and was a Guest of Honour at Iceland Noir in November 21.

Strange Sally. Diamond was published in 2023 and was number 1 in the Irish charts for 9 weeks and stayed I the top ten for 26 weeks. It won Crime Novel of the Year at the Irish Book Awards and made the shortlist of six for Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year in 2024. It was the second best selling book in Ireland after the Booker Prize winning Prophet Son by Paul Lynch and the most borrowed book for adults from Irish libraries.

Her new novel The Truth About Ruby Cooper will be published in March 2026 in UK and iRL by Penguin Sandycove and in the US by Gallery /Simon and Schuster at a later date TBC.

Reviews

[Ceecee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up
Sisters Erin and Ruby Cooper live a comfortable life in Boston where their father is both a successful pastor and financier. The sisters tell their versions of the story of Southie Milo Kelly from South Boston. At age 16 on the 15th September 1999 there’s an incident which changes everything. After this their Irish mother Maureen, takes Ruby to Dublin to her mother whilst Erin stays in Boston with her father. Two broken girls, a family rent asunder, lives destroyed. The novel follows the family over 25 years examining the ramifications and the trail of destruction.

I wondered how Liz Nugent would follow up on the hugely successful Strange Sally Diamond and it’s safe to say she’s got another best seller on her hands. This is quite a departure from her other novels as she’s trying something new which she explains in the introduction. What she’s achieved in this format has all the ingredients of a compelling psychological thriller. At times the plot and storytelling is very raw, emotional and utterly gripping with multiple shocks along the way. Some aspects of the plot almost have me questioning what I’ve just read as I can’t quite believe my eyes!

The characters are all very well drawn and my sympathies flip-flop all over the place as does my condemnation. The author has created quite something in Ruby Cooper and I don’t want to say too much about her personality traits for fear of spoiling things for future readers and so I’ll settle for saying that she’s fascinating.

I think the first half has more sock in the jaw moments and sharp inhales of breath as the second half examines the long-term impact on the central characters of Ruby and Erin and those around them. However, that’s not to say it’s not engrossing reading and there are still plenty of chills, taut tension and episodes of shocking behaviour. It builds to what can only be described as an inevitable end with Ruby having the final word. Or is it?

Overall, it’s beautifully written and a dark dramatic look at what human emotions can lead to and how they dictate future behaviours.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin General UK for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

[Dem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! You just couldn't make this stuff up............Well actually, Liz Nugent did and what a page turner this novel turns out to be.

A psychological thriller that is dark, disturbing, wicked and unputdownable. Just what we have come to expect from Liz Nugent. She is not afraid to take on difficult subjects and characters and trust me Ruby Cooper is a character that is difficult to forget. This story had me exclaiming out loud on more than one occasion and the less said here the better.

The story moves between Boston and Dublin. Ruby Cooper and her sister Erin grow up in a very close religious family. When Ruby is sixteen, the unthinkable happens and her and her family must deal with the consequences. The novel spans decades and is a twisty rollercoaster of a ride that certainly doesn't disappoint the reader.
I didn't want this novel to end and was pacing my reading time, there is lots to discuss in this book and I think book groups are going to enjoy the discussion on this one.
This book is due for release in Spring 2026, and I don't want to give anything away as I know many readers are looking forward to this novel hitting the shelves.

My thanks to Liz and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Truth About Ruby Cooper and I have no doubt I'll be re-reading it for book club come spring 2026.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz Nugent is a genius and I will read anything she writes. The Truth About Ruby Cooper is not an easy book to read as it tackles some really difficult issues and the author is not afraid to go there. In saying that, it is compelling, it is addictive and it is brilliant. An absolute must read and easy 5 stars.

I had some very extreme emotions reading this book I must say. I was sad, I was shocked, I was so very angry and appalled at times. Ruby is not a nice person and her actions are hard to understand or sympathise with. It all starts with “the incident “ and carries on throughout this story. There is no care for how her actions will impact those that she loves, changing all of their lives forever.

And look at that cover! Stunning 💜

Thank you so much to Penguin UK Books for my advanced copy to read. I will be singing its praises to anyone who will listen. Publishes on March 12th.

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one does darkness like Nugent, and this was maybe one of the best examples of this. Ruby was really a character that I struggled with, and I also struggled with that I had a hard time feeling empathy towards her. But she also had some glimmers of guilt and love, but such an effective denial system that always chose so very badly. I liked how all the characters had very distinctive personalities, that weren’t black or white. To write so convincingly, is impressive. I had so many complex emotion while reading: sorrow, frustration and disgust. There was some hope in there, but it was hard to let that blossom due to the tainted backstory and selfish choices.

EDIT: it’s now been some days since reading this and I just had to add how it has affected my life. Being social now I find myself wondering; Am I really listening now for their sake or mine? This has totally gotten under my skin!!

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

" I love her, but she doesn't make it easy.".. the words of Ruby's father to her mother.

To enter the world of Ruby Cooper and the subsequent and consequential actions of one moment at the age of sixteen is a hard-hitting emotional and deeply unsettling read.

Many readers will have got to know the work of Liz Nugent through the phenomenal Strange Sally Diamond; this new story again takes readers through a multitude of emotions and moral questions.

Ruby and her sister Erin live in what would appear to be an idyllic childhood and life but living in the shadow of expectations and demands can lead to unexpected actions- and so during her mid teens one incident and decision impact upon Ruby, her family and those closely connected. The outcomes ripple out for decades ahead. To say much more about the plot would certainly spoil the read

This is a story of deep psychological trauma and the impact of a terrible event. This is not a comfortable read and may will divide readers - it will raise questions about parenting, sibling rivalry and choices.

To say anymore in a review would further persuade or even dissuade people to read this challenging novel. One point that has to be made is that this novel explores the impact of addiction and for many who have experienced the repercussions of this then this could be /will be a tough read.

Gripping, horrifying and shocking- and a book that was hard to put down even in its darkest moments.

4.5 out of 5 due to certain unsettling content.

[Laura Lovesreading]

Eeeek! I love this authors work!
I still think about Strange Sally Diamond!
Ready to dive into this one!
🩷🤍🩷🤍

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am deeply uncomfortable and conflicted.
What happens when the younger sister accuses the older sister’s beloved boyfriend of rape?

It takes guts to write something like this. I don’t know how to feel. On one hand, I always feel icky about sensationalising traumatic incidents. I especially felt uncomfortable that Nugent gives us a manipulative character who ‘Cries Wolf’ out of petty jealousy.

As acknowledged in the book, it’s a dangerous game when a story has a false accusation of rape when it is already so hard for women to be heard and it comes down to victim blaming or believing.

We follow these two sisters through decades after the fallout.
Ruby, the youngest, who moves to Ireland and falls down the holes of drink and drugs.
Erin, the eldest, suffering from guilt and mistrust after seemingly being betrayed by her heat, head, and boyfriend.

All of this against a backdrop of a religious family and community. I have to say I appreciated how religion wasn’t villainised as is often the case.

Being in Ruby’s head is dark. She is cold and calculating utterly self-serving. I could write an essay on this, but you should read and follow her life and choices to find out by yourself.

I still feel uneasy about the whole story and whether we should take a message from it. However, I cannot deny this is one that will linger. I could not stop reading it.

Physical arc gifted by Sandycove Penguin Books.

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[Tracy Fenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Queen of the Opening Line has done it again!

This is a perfect example of how to nail the psychological thriller, keep the reader utterly gripped and throw in several WTF and OMG moments that literally left me open mouthed with shock.

As a huge fan of Liz Nugent and having read all her books, I was delighted to get an early ARC copy of The Truth About Ruby Cooper. I was so excited I didn’t even read the blurb, so went in completely oblivious to what this story was about and if you need further proof of how much I loved it, I didn’t put it down and devoured it in a day, only stopping halfway to message Liz to say WOW.

I’m not going to spoil anything for you, but I will say it’s about a family, a shocking and awful incident and the cataclysmic and devastating effects it has on everyone from that moment on.

It’s raw and beautiful, brutal and heartbreaking laying bare some of the truths about addiction, recovery and the effect our actions have on those we love.

5 big fat stars

[Jindi (readingwithcaffeine) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not even kidding when I say I haven’t moved in six hours, in which time I both started and finished this book. If you’re looking for a compelling, powerful, one-sitting read definitely add this one to your lists but WARNING: it will absolutely consume you… so maybe wait until you have zero plans and all the time to dedicate to reading this in it’s entirety.

I appreciate the fact that in the proof copy I received was a note from Liz Nugent herself telling me beforehand that at some point whilst reading this book, I might feel the urge to hurl it across the room - this couldn’t have been more true. However, I wasn’t expecting to also need to take time-outs after every other chapter to control both my anger and my breathing. Liz also messaged me on instagram to inform me that it’s a much different book to SSD so my advice is: please don’t go into this expecting it to be similar to that. It’s such a unique book written from a very different POV, but honestly blew my mind. It’s raw and gut-wrenching, featuring themes of grief, trauma and really dives deep into a tough subject matter. The ending to part one left me utterly speechless.

I found it impossible to put down and it’s been a long time since I devoured a book over 350 pages in literally one sitting. I’m so impressed by this author and she definitely deserves to be on everyone’s radar!!!!!! I know this book is going to be an absolute hit!!!! 5 stars!!!!!

[Adrian Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic and riveting story from Liz Nugent.

The story of 16 year old Ruby and her older sister Erin who live with their religious parents in Boston. When an incident occurs between Ruby and Erin’s boyfriend it sets in motion a series of events that rips their family apart and Ruby and her mother move to Dublin leaving Erin and their father behind.

Dark distrurbing, possibly a little controversial but Nugent attacks this head on and again somehow ropes you in to caring for some pretty unsavoury and flawed characters. You will find yourself equally repulsed and empathetic throughout as you spend half a life time with these characters.

Another tour de force from Nugent. Storytelling of the highest calibre. Original, dark, sad and at times funny, I just loved this one.

Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.

[Ashley Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Liz Nugent writes her characters is literally like no other 😮‍💨

This story is DARK so if you’re easily triggered & don’t like touchy subjects I’d really advise you to check trigger warnings before reading it!

But once again although it’s a touchy subject I feel like Liz Nugent could be the one to write a story about it and do it right which in my humble opinion she did just that!

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars ⭐️

[Jo Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

All the damned sinister stars!

#Jorecommends

[Donna Morfett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you read a book and you have to process what you've read before you can even think about writing a review.
This didnt feel like reading fiction, it felt like reading a real life story, so realistic, hard hitting and brutal at times.
A family, living in Boston, USA, are living the American dream. Erin and Ruby dont want for anything, their pastor father and mother love them. Yet Ruby feels slighted and less loved because her sister is smarter and more beautiful.
This leads to what becomes known as the incident, and the fallout from it.
Not only exploring the aftermath of one crime and the many, many ripples out from it, it deeply explores loyalty, and family. I think the relationship between sisters is one of the most complex, but that between mother and daughter, of 3 generations, father and daughter, spouses, and sister and brother are all explored.
There are a few genuine shocks, one about a quarter of the way in, just to give you an idea of how incredible this book is. The word unputdownable is overused but is 100% the case with this. I would have stayed up to finish it if I needed to.
Liz Nugent totally nails it again. A story about people, that hits hard. Incredible.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her introduction, author Liz Nugent states that she had not written a book like this before, she was trying something new, and she warned that there might come a time when the reader would want to throw said book at the wall. She wasn't wrong.
This is an extremely dark book, with themes that some may find triggering. These include:
- Alcoholism
- Substance Abuse
- Sexual Assault
- Grooming
- Rape
The story centres around the Cooper family who live in Boston, namely sisters Erin and Ruby. Spanning three decades, it chronicles the lives of the sisters, and an incident in 1999 which saw the family divided; while Ruby and her mother, Maureen, move to Dublin, Erin and her father, Doug, remain in Boston.
As well as wanting to hurl my kindle at the wall, I found myself shouting WTF quite a lot. I've gone through every emotion imaginable whilst reading this book, that's how bloody good it is.
I found it incredibly difficult to like Ruby, and I have to be honest, Erin annoyed me a wee bit too.
Despite, or maybe because of, its dark themes, I loved The Truth About Ruby Cooper. What transpires within its pages are thankfully rare in real life, but it's interesting to read them from this perspective.
Thanks to Penguin Sandycove, Penguin Random House UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

[Wynnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the very first pages, I found myself full of thoughts about this novel — so many, in fact, that it’s difficult to articulate them without revealing too much.

Ruby lives in Boston with her older sister Erin, her Irish mother, and her father, who founded his own church. On the surface, she appears to be an awkward, somewhat ordinary teenager. Beneath that exterior, however, lies a far more complex and unsettling inner world. When a shocking incident occurs, it fractures the family and sends ripples through their entire community. In the aftermath, Ruby and her mother relocate to Dublin, while Erin remains in the United States with their father.

The novel carefully explores how this event reshapes each of their lives in profound and lasting ways.What struck me most was the way my feelings toward Ruby constantly shifted. I moved between compassion and intense frustration, only to circle back again.

Liz Nugent has a remarkable gift for crafting complex, morally ambiguous characters. They are flawed, sometimes difficult. She reveals just enough to guide the reader, while leaving space for interpretation, allowing us to fill in the emotional and psychological gaps ourselves.This is a gripping and unsettling read — one I often tackled with my head in my hands, stunned by what Ruby is capable of. It’s a novel that lingers long after the final page.

[Simone Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a tough read..... This will have you questioning yourself as a mother, sibling, spouse....and ask yourself if there's ever a right time to correct a wrong.

This book to me was like a character study ....in the aftermath of 'the incident', when Ruby Cooper was 16yrs old....and spans decades after that day and the ripple effects that took place in so many lives.

This was a difficult read....an unsettling read, but one I could not put down and finished in one sitting.

I'll put a more coherent review together once I gather my thoughts 😄

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can honestly say when I got an email with a widget for Liz Nugent’s new book I literally screamed with delight . I couldn’t wait to dive straight into The truth about Ruby Cooper. I didn’t even read the blurb and went in completely clueless as to what the book was actually about . Well yet again Liz Nugent has literally blown me away with another unforgettable book . This story is about two sisters, Ruby and Erin and is based between Boston and Dublin . It’s a tense, emotional and at times heartbreaking read. Again Liz Nugent has knocked it out of the park with another book that rendered me speechless at times . I won’t say any more in case of spoilers but I guarantee this is one book you won’t want to miss when it’s published in March . My only gripe is that I will have to wait another 2 years for the next one .

[Cynth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This surpassed my already high expectations, it was so captivatingly dark, perfectly written and heartbreaking in parts. Liz Nugent writes incredibly powerful stories and the story of Ruby Cooper and her family didn’t disappoint. I would recommend you go in this book blind. (but please check TW if you have any)

[Fran McBookface · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have I ever disliked a character so much yet found the book so brilliant that I was unable to keep turning the pages? I really don't think so!

This is another cracker from Liz Nugent. It’s uneasy, it’s tense and it is utterly gripping. From the brilliant opening line to the last page I was captivated and read it in just a couple of sittings.

The story focuses on Ruby and her sister Erin . Unfolding from a rape, crossing decades and moving from America to Ireland, it follows the consequences and impact of the sexual assault on each of the womens lives. As well as the rape , the book also deals with further difficult topics such as alcoholism but all are skillfully handled.

I don’t want to say too much more about the plot as I definitely think it is one of those books you’ll enjoy more if you go into blind.

The Truth About Ruby Cooper is a book that will make you think, with excellent, well developed characters particularly Ruby with all her flaws and conniving ways

All the stars!

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4

Erin and Ruby Cooper may be close sisters but when Ruby is involved in terrible incident the family fractures beyond repair leaving Ruby with their mother in Dublin and Erin in Boston with their father. As the years go by the fractures deepen and Ruby buries her head further and further into the sand. The past is the very last place she wants to revisit.

Having read several rave reviews about this latest offering from Liz Nugent I was looking forward to reading Ruby's story. However the truth about Ruby is not much of a secret and the story itself, while well written, felt less exciting than Strange Sally Diamond, which I preferred.

Ruby is certainly not meant to be a sympathetic character but I didnt particularly warm to many other characters either.

The story felt a little forced at times with everything being thrown at it. Trigger warnings should include coercive control, grooming, sexual and physical abuse plus alcohol and drug abuse.

If you love Liz Nugent's previous novels you will enjoy this.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the digital review copy.

[Sarah O'Riordan | travelseatsreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz has done it again! Another horrid character that you love to hate!

[Sahar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read everything this author has written so I was excited to read a 30 page sampler and I enjoyed it. It’s got quite a heavy storyline but it is a page turner and written in the authors typical style. I’m excited and intrigued to read more.

[Chloe]

#Gifted

The Truth About Ruby Cooper is the latest psychological suspense novel from Liz Nugent; the Queen of dark, twisted characters.

This is the story of two sisters, Ruby and Erin, brought up in a well-off family in Boston with two loving parents. Erin is a teenager; beautiful and smart with a boyfriend, Milo, who clearly loves her as much as she does him.
Ruby meanwhile is younger than Erin and both completely different to her and deeply jealous of her.
That is until a horrific incident involving Ruby destroys everyone’s lives, shattering the Cooper family forever.

The author takes us along with the main players in the story over the course of the next two decades and across continents, expertly demonstrating how one shocking event can have far reaching, even generational consequences for everyone involved.

This is another serious page-turner from Liz Nugent. I actually started reading this while away at a fitness retreat as I had a bit of time to get ready before dinner. Next thing I knew, I was several chapters in and I had only ten minutes to get out of my workout gear and get to dinner 😅 but it was worth it!

Some of the characters’ behaviour and actions were so unpleasant at times I found myself talking to them while I was reading it, telling them not to do the very bad thing they were definitely about to do.
But I loved that!
Sometimes reading about the life of a deeply flawed, and incredibly polarising human is just really compelling.
This is a fully immersive book is what I’m saying, almost impossible to put down, and because we get so much detail on these people’s lives, it feels like you really get to know them (whether you would actually want to or not 🫣).
To be able to write a character that can elicit pity and hate from the reader at the same time is a serious skill. Oh and I loved the ending, just a perfect little sting in the tale.

If you’re already a fan of Liz Nugent’s books then I think you’ll love this one.
If you’re new to her but love morally ambiguous, complex characters, well-plotted narratives and a few unexpected twists and turns, you should definitely pick up The Truth About Ruby Cooper.

[Georgie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a life-altering event fractures their family, 16 year old Ruby and her sister are separated between the US and Ireland. Spanning decades, this book explores the fallout and the impact ‘the incident’ has on everything - their lives, relationships, family - truth and lies.

Without spoilers, this is a crime fiction novel, more akin to a family or generational saga, exploring themes of femininity, religion, addiction, trauma, s*xual ass*lt, and much more. It is dark and controversial, with complex characters.

There is a lot to discuss in this book and it would make an excellent book club choice. When you read it (because you MUST read it) feel free to talk to me about it as I have a lot of thoughts.

I read most of this book in one day (I never do this as I’m such a slow reader!). Very addictive and highly recommend!

After reading Strange Sally Diamond a few years ago, this has cemented Liz Nugent as a must-read author for me. Can’t wait to read some of her other books.

**
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Fig Tree for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Out March 2026!
**

“What was it dad said that day? ‘I love her, but she doesn't make it easy.’ I think of that a lot.“

[AmyJ_booktok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an e-arc of what could possibly be my top thriller of the year👏🏼

This book is one which I personally think is better going in blind but be warned it is DARK, check your triggers!
That being said, this book follows two sisters, Ruby and Erin Cooper. We start in the 90s when the girls are just teeenagers, their lives are turned upside down when something happens that their parents could have never predicted. This incident changes the lives of multiple people, and we follow both Ruby and Erin, and their family while they try to navigate life. This book is laced with deception and guilt, that constantly keeps you guessing.

This is now my new fave Liz book and deserves all the stars. A real page turner that has such an emotional impact while packing so many twists and turns. A must read!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I’m sure no one is going to be weird about this AT ALL

She's done it again folks! Synopsis wise I'm saying very little here. A family implodes due to an incident and at the centre of it is Ruby. We follow them for the next few decades as the after effects of said incident continue to ripple.

Okay so I'm really hoping people will be normal about this!! I dunno!! But I was entertained and horrified in equal measure. I love a wretched character! There were times when the plot spun out to something that felt superfluous and then it was tied back in. Everything meant something!

This reminded me of Skin Deep which to this day is still my fave Liz Nugent book and my fave thriller ever.

*read via Netgalley

[Shaun Trott · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up 😮‍💨

[Karen]

Review to follow. Deeply flawed characters are this author's speciality, and this one is a cracking read.

[Joanna Flis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liz Nugent - I love her books, but she doesn't make it easy...