Publication Date: December 9, 2025
From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard comes a page—turning drama that explores the beauty of female friendship; the relationship between money, power, and sex; and the very human desire to protect the ones we love most.
When she is convicted of a double murder, Felicity Wild, a brilliant grad student turned high—priced escort, declares, “I may not be innocent, but I’m innocent of this.”
Reenie Bigelow never doubted it. A jury may have given Felicity a life sentence, but Reenie knows that her childhood best friend is not capable of murder. And so Reenie, a journalist, decides to use her deep connections to Felicity’s past to unravel the truth.
The more she uncovers, the more Reenie is convinced that the story the prosecution told is wrong, despite the puzzling fact that Felicity said not one single word in her own defense. But there’s one thing Reenie knows for certain: Felicity would never lie.
Reenie Bigelow may typically report on fashion trends, but she’s eager to use her investigative skills when her childhood best friend faces a double murder conviction.
Author Jacquelyn Mitchard delivers a suspenseful thriller in The Birdwatcher, delving into the complexities of a derailed close friendship. As the story develops, Reenie focuses on why Felicity ended up as a high-priced escort, deviating from her graduate studies.
Despite their past connection, though, Felicity won’t talk to Reenie. And when Felicity won’t even say anything in her defense, Reenie vows to find answers.
The title, which references Felicity’s fascination with birds, is reinforced by each chapter introducing a different type. The author uses symbolism to enforce key concepts.
The Birdwatcher offers a book of discovery regarding the ties of friendship and how far someone will go to discover the truth.
Jacquelyn Mitchard is the award—winning, New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels for adults, seven novels for teenagers, and five children’s books. These include The Deep End of the Ocean, the inaugural selection of the Oprah Winfrey Book Club. She is also a professor of creative writing whose short stories, articles, essays and book reviews have been widely published. A native of Chicago, she now lives on Cape Cod with her family.
