The Change by Kirsten Miller: Book Review

With its strong female leads, thought-provoking themes, and page-turning suspense, The Change by Kirsten Miller is a novel well worth adding to your reading list.

Synopsis: The Change

Kirsten Miller’s novel The Change is a dark, empowering thriller where the menopause becomes a source of extraordinary strength.

In the coastal town of Mattauk, three women on the cusp of transformation discover that age brings not decline but power.

Nessa James: a widowed nurse, begins to hear the voices of the dead.

Harriett Osborne: once a high-powered executive, finds her life unravelling even as she undergoes a startling personal rebirth.

Jo Levison: long at war with her body, learns to channel her menopausal rage into something formidable.

When the three women stumble upon the body of a teenage girl that is dismissed by police as another tragic statistic, they refuse to let her story be forgotten.

Guided by Nessa’s voices, their search for the truth uncovers more victims, and leads them into the guarded heart of Mattauk’s wealthiest enclave, where corruption, privilege, and impunity thrive.

Blending sharp social commentary with elements of the supernatural, The Change is a story of female resilience, friendship, and justice.

Review: The Change

Kirsten Miller’s The Change is a genre-bending feminist thriller with a supernatural twist.

Set in the Long Island oceanfront community of Mattauk, the novel blends mystery, crime, and magical realism while shining a light on issues of gender around the areas of power, and justice.

Premise

At the heart of the novel are three women, Nessa James, Harriett Osborne, and Jo Levison, who, upon reaching menopause, discover that they have developed extraordinary abilities.

Rather than shying away from this life change, they harness their newfound powers to uncover a disturbing truth: the police seem indifferent to the number of young women are going missing in the area.

Where most fantasy novels tie the awakening of powers to adolescence, The Change flips this to the menopause as the trigger for the transformation.

A Message Woven into Storytelling

This is a novel that makes no secret of its agenda. Issues of sexism, systemic injustice, and the treatment of females are laid bare, not hidden between the lines.

Normally, a story that foregrounds its message so openly risks feeling heavy-handed, However in the Change, Miller manages to balance the themes with a gripping narrative.

As a reader, you’re never pulled away from the mystery at the centre of the plot. Instead, the social commentary enhances the stakes, giving the story both weight and urgency which could have been missing.

Strong Characters

Ensemble Lead

Having three main characters in a novel will sometimes lead a writer giving more depth to one of them, however Kirsten Miller avoids this as each one could have made the novel on their own, but together they form a powerhouse trio:

• Nessa James brings quiet strength and sensitivity.
• Harriett Osborne is bold, unflinching, and darkly funny.
• Jo Levison balances rage with determination, embodying raw energy.

Their individual arcs intertwine beautifully, allowing Miller to explore of womanhood such as power and resilience.

Side Characters

What elevates the book further is the depth of the side characters. Even minor figures are given carefully crafted backstories that make their actions believable and compelling.

For instance, the police chief’s wife, though not a lead, becomes a standout example of how layered characterization of side characters can enriches the story

Twists, Turns, and Atmosphere

While the themes and characters help, The Change succeeds because it’s a well-plotted novel. The pacing is sharp, the twists keep you engaged, and the eerie coastal setting of Mattauk lends itself perfectly to the atmosphere of secrets and unease.

Conclusion

Why Read The Change?

• If you enjoy thrillers with a supernatural edge, this novel delivers.
• If you’re drawn to feminist fiction that doesn’t shy away from bold messages, you’ll find plenty to engage with here.
• And if you’re simply looking for a fast-paced, twist-filled mystery, The Change will grip you from start to finish.

Final Verdict

With its strong female leads, thought-provoking themes, and page-turning suspense, The Change by Kirsten Miller is a novel well worth adding to your reading list.

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Above all Keep Safe and treat people fairly.

Mark.