Next to Heaven
The PROVOCATIVE new novel from BESTSELLING author of A Million Little Pieces
Published on 4. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-1-80075-547-5 (ISBN)
Description
Privilege, sex, scandal, and murder.
The new novel from Sunday Times-bestselling author James Frey.
'Will be the novel on every beach towel this summer, all summer, everywhere' Esquire
'A deliriously over-the-top portrait of decadence on the brink' Bustle
'A Connecticut sex romp-cum-murder mystery' Vanity Fair
Behind every great fortune, lies a great crime - Honore de Balzac
New Bethlehem, Connecticut. Picture-perfect lawns, manicured hedges, multi-million dollar homes. But beneath the designer yoga gear and country club memberships lies a darker reality.
In this world of excess, Devon and Belle have it all - beauty, money, status. But they want something more. Something dangerous. Something that makes them feel alive. Their solution? A party - a meticulously curated gathering of New Bethlehem's elite, from a desperate ex-NFL quarterback to a hockey coach with a penchant for married women, and a ruthless Wall Street 'closer' who wields his wealth like a weapon.
One night. Multiple betrayals. And a murder that will shatter New Bethlehem's carefully constructed facade.
Fans of The White Lotus and Big Little Lies will be drawn into the dark underbelly of the American Dream - a world where money can buy anything, until it ruins everything.
READERS ARE THRILLED, UNSETTLED AND SEDUCED
'Sharp, provocative ... Captivates with its blend of dark humour and social commentary'
'Dark, disturbing and funny'
'Transcends simple categorization - part thriller, part social satire, part moral fable - and the result is both entertaining and deeply unsettling'
'A mix of wit, mystery and dark undertone ... I couldn't put it down ... Perfect pool side reading'
'I deeply loved this book ... the ending slaps'
'Super fun and sexy summer read! Rich people behaving badly'
The new novel from Sunday Times-bestselling author James Frey.
'Will be the novel on every beach towel this summer, all summer, everywhere' Esquire
'A deliriously over-the-top portrait of decadence on the brink' Bustle
'A Connecticut sex romp-cum-murder mystery' Vanity Fair
Behind every great fortune, lies a great crime - Honore de Balzac
New Bethlehem, Connecticut. Picture-perfect lawns, manicured hedges, multi-million dollar homes. But beneath the designer yoga gear and country club memberships lies a darker reality.
In this world of excess, Devon and Belle have it all - beauty, money, status. But they want something more. Something dangerous. Something that makes them feel alive. Their solution? A party - a meticulously curated gathering of New Bethlehem's elite, from a desperate ex-NFL quarterback to a hockey coach with a penchant for married women, and a ruthless Wall Street 'closer' who wields his wealth like a weapon.
One night. Multiple betrayals. And a murder that will shatter New Bethlehem's carefully constructed facade.
Fans of The White Lotus and Big Little Lies will be drawn into the dark underbelly of the American Dream - a world where money can buy anything, until it ruins everything.
READERS ARE THRILLED, UNSETTLED AND SEDUCED
'Sharp, provocative ... Captivates with its blend of dark humour and social commentary'
'Dark, disturbing and funny'
'Transcends simple categorization - part thriller, part social satire, part moral fable - and the result is both entertaining and deeply unsettling'
'A mix of wit, mystery and dark undertone ... I couldn't put it down ... Perfect pool side reading'
'I deeply loved this book ... the ending slaps'
'Super fun and sexy summer read! Rich people behaving badly'
Reviews / Votes
'Will be the novel on every beach towel this summer, all summer, everywhere. Because sex and murder, yes. And because Frey could always tell a great story' - Esquire 'Frey's first adult novel in seven years follows four glamorous, miserable, and ultra-wealthy couples - a group whose glossy surfaces begin to crack when a swingers party ends in murder. With coke-fueled monologues, a surplus of extramarital sex scenes, and plenty of suburban ennui, Next to Heaven delivers a deliriously over-the-top portrait of decadence on the brink' - Bustle 'A sexy, funny novel ... A Connecticut sex romp-cum-murder mystery' - Vanity Fair 'A sizzling gossipfest about the misdeeds of the rich' - Wall Street Journal 'Reading Next to Heaven feels like being part of a group with great gossip ... When you see Next to Heaven on the beach this summer peeking out of beach bags, don't think of today's stealth wealth porn. Instead, think of giant diamonds and strong perfume. It's Dynasty for a new generation' - Town and CountryMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 189 mm
Width: 131 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
273 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80075-547-5 (9781800755475)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
James Frey
Next to Heaven
The PROVOCATIVE new novel from BESTSELLING author of A Million Little Pieces
E-Book
06/2025
Swift Press
€9.59
Available for download
Person
James Frey was called America's Most Notorious Author by Time Magazine and the Bad Boy of American Literature by the New York Times. He has written multiple global bestsellers, including A Million Little Pieces, Bright Shiny Morning and The Final Testament of the Holy Bible. He has sold more than thirty million books, and his work has been published in forty-two languages. He lives in a small town in Connecticut.