The Truth About Ruby Cooper
Hardback Published on: 12/03/2026
Price: £16.99
Bookseller Reviews
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Nobody does dark like Liz Nugent!
If you’re a fan of previous Thriller of the Month, Strange Sally Diamond (as I am), then Nugent is back with another incredibly memorable character, and Ru... READ MORE
I couldn’t put it down!
Nobody writes dark, difficult women like Luz Nugent. I go into reading her books with high hopes and she is yet to disappoint.This is not an easy read, but... READ MORE
Gripping and rather unsettling
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 to... READ MORE
Darkly addictive
This book takes you on a bit of a dark journey, with some shocking twists and turns throughout. There were a few instances where I wanted to scream at the... READ MORE
This made me so angry I almost didn't finish it, but it was worth it.
Trigger warning Rape Alcohol and Drug addiction
Liz Nugent wrote that this book was a little different from her other books and at one stage she threw the... READ MORE
Unputdownable!
Having loved Sally Diamond I had high hopes for Ruby Cooper and had my socks knocked off once again. This is dark, twisty and completely maddening at times... READ MORE
Unforgettable Main Character
Wow, what an incredible book.Ruby Cooper is one of the most unlikeable characters I've ever read about and I loved every second of it. The Truth About Ruby... READ MORE
Darkly Addictive Reading
There's already a lot of reviews for this so I'll keep mine short, but if you're already a fan of Liz Nugent (or a fan of dark, psychological thrillers in ... READ MORE
Synopsis
'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.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
- ISBN: 9781844886791
- Number of pages: 384
- Dimensions: 242 x 164 x 35 mm
- Weight: 578g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allThe most disturbing page-turner I’ve read in a long time
This book is a jaw-dropper. A gasp-out-loud, what-did-I-just-read kind of novel.
Liz Nugent is one of my absolute favourite authors, precisely because s... READ MORE
A must read for 2026
I absolutely love Liz Nugent’s previous books, so I was beyond excited to get early access to The Truth About Ruby Cooper, and it did not disappoint. This ... READ MORE
The Truth About Ruby Cooper
The Truth About Ruby Cooper by Liz Nugent is the story of a family with two daughters, Erin and Ruby who live in an idyllic community in Boston until Ruby,... READ MORE
A dark and disturbing family drama
This is a dark family drama set in Boston, USA and Dublin, Ireland and across three decades. The main protagonist is Ruby Cooper, who as a child lived in ... READ MORE
Gripping, Horrifying , Shocking and Unputdownable
" 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 conseq... READ MORE
A Compelling Read
The Truth about Ruby Cooper is a compelling and gripping book, told through all the main characters ,it explores the devastating ripple effect of a teenage... READ MORE
Another fantastic title from Liz Nugent
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 B... READ MORE
Another masterpiece by the unbelievably talented writer
I am so privileged to read a galley copy because Liz Nugent is one of my absolute favourite writers.
This is another gem of a read. No one can do charact... READ MORE
Another Corker from Liz Nugent
**Listened to audio book as well as electronic copy**
I've really enjoyed the last few books by Liz Nugent, and this book is another corker!!
I loved h... READ MORE
Brilliant
I seem to have developed a new habit for 2026 which involves reading a lot of books with characters I dislike. I think it will be a hard task to meet someo... READ MORE
"Dares to go where many others won't"
Let’s start with understatement: Liz Nugent certainly knows how to spin a compelling yarn. Not just compelling with a capital C, but in all caps.
The b... READ MORE
Page turner
Another page turner from Liz Nugent. Dark, disturbing and extremely readable. Brilliant characters, hard to put the book down.
Unforgettable!
Ruby has always been jealous of her older sister Erin who’s prettier than her and also has an adoring boyfriend Milo. Ruby is sixteen years-old and wants ... READ MORE
A dark and disturbing psychological thriller
The Truth About Ruby Cooper is a WTH did I just read kind of book. It had me totally engrossed throughout, shaking my head in disbelief at times and leavin... READ MORE
Highly Recommended
This has been skillfully masterminded and is something quite different. It makes for a harrowing read but is neverthless a gripping and dramatic thriller.... READ MORE
Great characterisation
4.5-4.75⭐️
I love this author. You can rely on her for extremely strong character driven stories who are morally grey and complicated. I was so excited ... READ MORE
I couldn’t put it down!
I’ve read several of Liz Nugent’s books and they all have one thing in common, particularly nasty, amoral characters that are impossible to like but intere... READ MORE
The Truth About Ruby Cooper by Liz Nugent
The Cooper family are well-to-do, influential and respected. They’re also deeply religious, with Doug, the head of the family, the leader of his own church... READ MORE
Deliciously Dark Delight
A book with a dark and tragic central plot that pulls you in and grips you tightly until the very end. Told by various characters, but in a seamless and n... READ MORE
A powerful and disturbing story for the #MeToo era
When Ruby Cooper is 16, she falls victim to rape. The impact it has on her, the lives of those who love her, and the lives of the accused rapist and his fa... READ MORE
Dark and compelling
This book is simply genius!
I have read almost all of Nugent’s books, and she is one of my favourite authors. She never disappoints. Her stories are uni... READ MORE
Dark, emotional and twisted to its core.
Oh my goodness, but Liz Nugent is a goddess when it comes to writing characters! She specialises in dark and tangled personalities, and Ruby Cooper is no e... READ MORE
Addictive and awe-inspiring
The Truth About Ruby Cooper kicks off with an incident. Someone isn’t telling the truth about what really happened and the longer they keep that secret, th... READ MORE
A must read
I read this book and could not put it down. Highly recommend.
I fell in love with Liz Nugent after I read Strange Sally Diamond, so had high hopes for ... READ MORE
Another hit for Liz Nugent
A book with a dark and tragic central plot that pulls you in and grips you tightly until the very end. Told by the various protagonists, but in a seamless ... READ MORE
A Very Special Book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ruby and her big sister Erin live a privileged life in Boston, a nice house with caring parents. Erin can do no wrong, clever and beautiful,... READ MORE
The Truth about Ruby Cooper
I have been an avid fan of this author ever since I read Unravelling Oliver and have read and loved every book she has written since. This book, however wa... READ MORE
An Emotional Rollercoaster of a read.
Well what a read this is one that really well stick with you for a long time. Its one you'll have to stick with and believe me it's definitely worth it.
... READ MORE
Gripping Psychological Thriller
The Truth About Ruby Cooper by Liz Nugent
I had read and loved Strange Sally Diamond and so was very much looking forward to Liz Nugent’s latest book and ... READ MORE
This Book is Hard to Put Down Once You Pick it up.
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 inci... READ MORE
Secrets and lies
Ruby and her sister Erin are growing up in Boston and from all outward appearances, life is normal. An event occurs that changes their lives and destroys t... READ MORE
Deliciously Dark!
A deliciously dark novel by Liz Nugent, with lots of surprises.
Ruby and Erin Cooper are sisters and one day when they’re aged 16 and 18, an ‘incident’ ha... READ MORE
Wow what a read
This is an unbelievable read, spanning complex emotions, jealousy, sibling rivalry, addiction and many other intense patterns from the incredibly selfish R... READ MORE
Brilliant Read!
Thank you to the publishers for this early review copy, so very pleased to report that this is a BRILLIANT READ!
I've only previously read Strange Sally D... READ MORE
If you love Liz Nugent, you'll love this
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 ... READ MORE
Excellent
This was a sensational read and I had to pace myself so that I did not finish it too soon. This was very different to Liz Nugent’s previous books ( I have ... READ MORE
brilliant read !
I’ve just finished this book with a lump in my throat!, Dark, disturbing raw, honest and very emotive. The characters are so well written . Ruby herself ha... READ MORE
Another truly brilliant book by Liz Nugent
I thought this was going to be a thriller but it’s a twisty, psychological family drama.
In the 90s, The Coopers were the perfect family living in Bosto... READ MORE
Amazing!
Told from several view points but mainly focused on Erin and Ruby. This is a story with several harsh and unexpected twists. It will definitely keep you gr... READ MORE
I was hooked from the start
I am a fan of Liz Nugent’s previous novel Strange Sally Diamond. So, I was so excited to receive a copy of ‘The truth about Ruby Cooper’
Ruby and Erin are... READ MORE
very clever
Another page turner from Ms Nugent, and difficult to review without spoilers. The author has created a very flawed and unlikeable main character in Ruby w... READ MORE
Unlikeable characters but a compelling plot
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 ... READ MORE
A very uncomfortable read at times and had a cast of very real characters
Wow, mind blown! This one was a very uncomfortable read at times and had a cast of very real characters. The title character is very flawed and unlikeable ... READ MORE
Deliciously Dark!
A deliciously dark novel by Liz Nugent, with lots of surprises.
Ruby and Erin Cooper are sisters and one day when they’re aged 16 and 18, an ‘incident’ ha... READ MORE
Definitely a 6 star read
WOW, what a read!! A totally gripping book from start to finish. Even when I put this book down for just 5 minutes, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Fant... READ MORE
The Truth about Ruby Cooper
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 T... READ MORE
A brilliant, dark, emotional , evocative read
Very grateful to @vikingbooksuk for approving me for this brilliant book. I think this is my first Liz Nugent book but after this read I really doubt it wi... READ MORE
Best book I’ve read in a long time
The main protagonists in this story are Ruby and Erin Cooper. They live a privileged life in Boston where their father is a devout pastor at their local ch... READ MORE
Liz Nugent? You know this is going to be one of the books of 2026
Another masterpiece by the unbelievably talented writer.
This is another gem of a read. No one can do characters like Liz Nugent. I really enjoyed the who... READ MORE
Easy 5 stars for this amazing book
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 iss... READ MORE
A divisive and manipulative main character
When sixteen-year-old Ruby is involved in an incident with her sister's boyfriend, she cannot face the judgment of her local community and flees to Ireland... READ MORE
The Queen of psychological thrillers back with another banger!
Liz Nugent is one of my favourite authors, I absolutely adore her previous books.As Liz herself says in a note at the start of The Truth About Ruby Cooper,... READ MORE
Excellent read!
I loved this book, the authors warning at the start is right-it makes you so angry but it’s worth it!
It is well written and the characters are very rea... READ MORE
A 6 star read for me
WOW, what a read!! A totally gripping book from start to finish. Even when I put this book down for just 5 minutes, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Fant... READ MORE
Do Not Miss!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ruby and her big sister Erin live a privileged life in Boston, a nice house with caring parents. Erin can do no wrong, clever and beautiful,... READ MORE
Liz Nugent does it again!!
Sixteen-year-old Ruby Cooper lives a seemingly perfect life with her family in Boston. They are wealthy and well-respected within the close-knit church com... READ MORE
Fantastic
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 ... READ MORE
Something left me wanting
Liz Nugent is an expert at writing corrupt, twisted and utterly authentic characters. Ruby and her fellow characters in Nugent’s latest novel are no excep... READ MORE
Compelling well written story
The Truth About Ruby Cooper is a slow burning, perfectly paced novel with some very intriguing characters. The Cooper’s seemingly perfect family life is sh... READ MORE
Novel set in BOSTON and DUBLIN
Ruby Cooper is growing up at the tailend of the 20th Century with her older sister, Erin, and their parents. Their father is a fairly devout pastor (with a... READ MORE
Gripping and addictive
The Truth About Ruby Cooper is a dark and gripping read. I literally couldn't put this down. The book follows sisters Ruby and Erin who grew up in a religi... READ MORE
Another Liz Nugent Triumph
It's Liz Nugent. You know it's going to be good.
That's my first point. The second, is that opinion is based of the simple fact Liz weaves and spins a tel... READ MORE
Another great Liz Nugent book
This book was phenomenal I absolutely loved it . It follows a family in Boston who after an “incident” leaves the family torn apart and the mum and younges... READ MORE
It didn’t disappoint!
I was so excited to read this book and it didn’t disappoint! It was easy to keep going and read just one more chapter!When the story starts to unravel I ju... READ MORE
The truth about Ruby Cooper
In this book we follow Ruby and her family after Ruby has suffered a traumatic incident.
The author explores in depth how the incident has affected not jus... READ MORE
Super Read!
4.5 stars rounded up.
An incident happened to Ruby Cooper when she was a child and this book follows the implications of this and how it affects Ruby an... READ MORE
Fantastic read
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 tel... READ MORE
oooooooo where to start?
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hopefully people like Ruby Cooper are in very small numbers. With L... READ MORE
Bold, compelling, unforgettable
This is one of those books that insists upon being consumed in large, gulping chunks. With barely a space for reflective pause, it lands blow after emotion... READ MORE
Liz Nugent's darkest novel to date
If my sister hadn’t been beautiful, none of it would have happened.A huge thanks to @liznugentwriter @penguinbooksireland and @netgalley for the ARC.Befo... READ MORE
Liz Nugent does it again!
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!
The Truth... READ MORE
Dark, obsessive and seriously addictive
Wow! This is dark, obsessive and seriously addictive and I couldn't put it down. There are a number of 'OMG' moments and I'd love to review these but it'... READ MORE
A lie to sink a family
Oh, she’s done it again. After her splendid “Strange Sally Diamond”, Liz Nugent has wrenched another dark story from her pen - a very difficult review with... READ MORE
Book of the year?
I didn’t read the blurb, I didn’t read the author foreword letter to the reader. I went in blind.
Ruby and Erin are sisters. The Truth About Ruby Cooper... READ MORE
Five stars!
The Truth About Ruby Cooper by Liz Nugent is a gripping, unsettling and emotionally charged book that lingers long after the final page. From the opening l... READ MORE
If you're wanting something dark, twisted, and very real that will throw your emotions around like a ragdoll...
If my sister hadn’t been beautiful, none of it would have happened.
A huge thanks to @liznugentwriter @penguinbooksireland and @netgalley for the ARC.... READ MORE
Outstanding
“If my sister hadn’t been beautiful, none of it would have happened.”
That opening line does a lot of heavy lifting — cool, unsettling, and quietly load... READ MORE
Love her or hate her, Ruby will stay with you a long time
To say I really liked this book is strange as the content was disturbing but Liz Nugent’s writing is so on point that it kept me from doing what she sugges... READ MORE
Dark, dark story
Erin is the pretty and intelligent sister, happy with her boyfriend and planning on going to Harvard. Her sister Ruby, is awkward, keen on drama and very ... READ MORE
Annoyingly good
I really enjoyed this book although I felt like I was snooping and reading though someone’s diary it was so well written especially with each chapter being... READ MORE
Gripping drama.
Rating: 4.4/5
Liz Nugent's previous novel, "Strange Sally Diamond", was one of my favourite reads of 2023, so I was always going to be keeping an eye ou... READ MORE
Incredible book
Gosh this book is insanely gripping; unsettling and utterly compelling. I found myself thinking about it constantly and even stayed up way way way way way ... READ MORE
The Truth about Ruby Cooper
I was just thinking the other week that it seemed like it'd been a while since there'd been a new Liz Nugent book, when lo and behold, I was invited to rea... READ MORE
Compelling!
I’ve read several of Liz Nugent’s books and they all have one thing in common, particularly nasty, amoral characters that are impossible to like but intere... READ MORE
Back with a bang.... and a half!
The Truth About Ruby Cooper is the latest book from Liz Nugent and it comes out the gates like a shot - but then, if you have read the author before you wi... READ MORE
Fabulous read
I am a fan of Liz Nugent’s previous novel Strange Sally Diamond. So, I was so excited to receive a copy of ‘The truth about Ruby Cooper’
Ruby and Erin are... READ MORE
One little big lie….
Oh, she’s done it again. After her splendid “Strange Sally Diamond”, Liz Nugent has wrenched another dark story from her pen - a very difficult review with... READ MORE
Fabulous thrilling read
A dark and gripping read.
The characters are well developed.
This one certainly kept me engrossed and reading late into the night.
My thanks to netgalle... READ MORE
Actions have consequences …the question is, Who will bear those consequences?
Thanks to Liz and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Truth About Roby Cooper prior to the publication date.
I am a fan of the author and was delighted ... READ MORE
Brilliant!
I’m a big fan of Liz Nugent and have read most of her books, which are all brilliant! The Truth About Ruby Cooper is no exception. The characters are deepl... READ MORE
Brilliant!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 brilliant stars.
I wasn’t sure at first as the writing style was unusual, basically like someone telling you a never ending description of... READ MORE
Page turner
I was very lucky to receive an advance copy and what a treat to read it as my first book this year. Liz Nugent has done it again. I feel I'm going to be ch... READ MORE
such a good perspective for a book!
Firstly, I would recommend going into this book as blind as you can (but check the trigger warnings as there are very difficult themes covered in this book... READ MORE
Liz does it again!
Another brilliant book by Liz Nugent. I absolutely adore her writing style. It's to the point and flows so well. I loved reading about Ruby Cooper and her ... READ MORE
Deeply unsettling but impossible to put down
The Truth About Ruby Cooper draws you in from the very first page, unfolding a story that is deeply unsettling and impossible to put down. Liz Nugent once ... READ MORE
Five stars!
The Truth About Ruby Cooper by Liz Nugent is a gripping, unsettling and emotionally charged book that lingers long after the final page. From the opening l... READ MORE
Another outstanding read from Liz Nugent
Oh Lordy Lordy Lordy! Liz Nugent has only gone and done it again! It might have been a long time coming but The Truth About Ruby Cooper is well worth the w... READ MORE
This is a dark, compelling novel about the past’s relentless grip, well paced with emotional depth, shocking revelations, and unforgettable characters.
I really enjoy Liz Nugent novels and once again she succeeds in achieving a chilling and intriguing read. The Truth About Ruby Cooper is a gripping read th... READ MORE
Another page turner
Another page turner from Liz Nugent. Dark, disturbing and extremely readable. Brilliant characters, hard to put the book down.
Incredible main character
This is a very unique read primarily about the eponymous Ruby Cooper told primarily from her perspective and that of her sister Erin’s as we follow their l... READ MORE
Unputdownable
Ruby and her sister Erin are growing up in Boston and from all outward appearances, life is normal. An event occurs that changes their lives and destroys t... READ MORE
A page turner
Another page turner and another machiavellian character to despise. I just love a Liz Nugent book and this one was no exception. My only gripe was I though... READ MORE
Liz Nugent has done it again!
Absolutely phenomenal. I gave 5 stars to Strange Sally Diamond which was my first time reading from Liz Nugent and this was just as absorbing.
We follow... READ MORE
Dark, compelling and thought-provoking
Having read and enjoyed Liz Nugent’s excellent Strange Sally Diamond, I was eager to get stuck into this one – and although so very different, it certainly... READ MORE
Compelling
I really enjoy Liz Nugent novels and once again she succeeds in achieving a chilling and intriguing read. The Truth About Ruby Cooper is a gripping read th... READ MORE
Dark and compelling, entirely gripping - a wonderful read
Dark and compelling, heartbreaking at times, with complex and deeply flawed characters - a story with multiple twists and turns that repeatedly shock and s... READ MORE
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