They Never Learn by Layne Fargo is a psychological thriller that will push the boundaries of many readers and reveal their deepest and truest feelings about such topics as murder, misogyny, and vigilante justice.
Scarlett Clark is a highly intelligent, academically accomplished, and formidable English professor. But her talents as a serial killer are even more impressive.
Every year for the past sixteen years, she’s honed her skills, plotting, and executing the murders of men she deems deserving, the last seven at Gorman University where she teaches. Whether student or professor, he’s on her list because he’s done something to separate his behavior from that of the typical dreadful men who come across Scarlett’s path. Her preparations are meticulous, so she’s never drawn attention to herself. Even when she was in Chicago, killing on a much larger scale, she went undetected. Now, it’s time to start planning her biggest kill to date, but psychology professor Dr. Samina Pierce starts looking into the growing body count on campus. Scarlett’s come too far to allow anyone, even—or maybe especially—the brilliant and attractive Dr. Pierce to get in her way, so she inserts herself into the investigation, hoping to keep tabs on Pierce’s progress and foil her efforts. Everything’s falling into place until she loses control during her latest murder. Suddenly, her perfectly structured secret life is at risk of discovery.
Carly Schiller is a wide-eyed freshman at Gorman. She’s escaped her small town and emotionally abusive father, and her goal is to keep her head down and focus on her creative writing. Her roommate Allison Hadley is cool, cultured, and confident, everything Carly isn’t. Allison slowly draws Carly out of her shell, and it’s no surprise when Carly develops feelings for the effervescent theater arts major. One night, Allison is sexually assaulted at a party, and Carly’s consumed with a rage she’s never felt. She doesn’t know what to do with her fantasies of revenge, but when a seemingly sympathetic professor takes an interest in her, she believes she won’t have to face these feelings alone.
When Carly’s and Scarlett’s lives intersect, the game is on.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Jeannie: There are many things I LOVE about this book. First and foremost, I love antiheroes, and They Never Learn presents possibly the most deliciously well-drawn antihero I’ve ever come across. For clarity, I’ll use the following definition. An antihero is a main character in fiction that lacks traditional heroic qualities, but the audience tends to love and root for them anyway. They typically have good intentions, but their method of achieving their desired result is questionable. Scarlett can certainly check all these boxes.
I love antiheroes because they make me think and ponder questions that don’t frequently come up. In Scarlett’s case, the main question is: Is there a type of person or circumstance that, for me, justifies murder? We know Scarlett’s a cold blooded, unapologetic killer and are clear as to her motives from the opening scene, so there is no dilemma for the reader about her actions. No thoughts like, “Well, is what she’s doing really reprehensible?” I think most would place murder in that category. But Scarlett and her actions did cause me to question if there are circumstances I’d consider justifiable for murder, what are they, and why?
I’m sure many women, myself included, have entertained the kind of retribution or revenge fantasies that are developed and put into action against misogynistic and abusive men in this storyline. But could I ever enact them? And if not for this particular infraction, then for what? I love a book that makes me dig deep and search my soul, and They Never Learn certainly does.
Another definite pro for me about They Never Learn is the writing. I am always a sucker for great writing regardless of anything else. And OMG! Fargo’s a brilliant writer. Her characters are so deeply developed, they walk off the page. Her descriptions are so detailed and exact, I felt I was a part of every scene. Her narrative is crisp and beautifully written. But what truly stands out is her pacing and how she doles out only what she wants the reader to know until that perfect moment for a reveal no one sees coming. She is a master of her craft.
I listened to the audiobook format of They Never Learn, and as all audiobook fans know, the narration can make or break a story. In this case, the narration enhances everything about this book. There are two narrators, Lameece Issaq and Eileen Stevens, one for Scarlett’s POV, the other for Carly, and both do a spectacular job.
Victoria: I’m with you, Jeannie. I’ve always been a huge fan of the anti-hero in literature and film. Depending on the story, I’m often rooting for the villain especially if it’s a female character who’s trying to assert her own agency in a patriarchal world. Scarlet is the perfect antihero. She’s brilliant, she’s calculating, and she’s wickedly sarcastic. She’s completely aware that she’s a monster, yet she never stops to reconsider her actions. There’re no moments of uncertainty where she questions the road she’s taken. That might be my favorite thing about her. She’s completely unapologetic about her actions, and it’s so refreshing. Often a female character in her position has a moment where she questions her actions and then turns over a new leaf, returning to the moral and ethical expectations of society. Scarlet is authentic and unrepentant to the very end. And you’re right Jeannie, from the get-go Fargo signals that Scarlett is going to be a very uncommon main character who lives by her own moral code. While Scarlet is busy being her genuine self, Carly is struggling to find her voice and take her first steps toward living authentically. They complement each other in such a lovely manner – light and dark, innocent and immoral, benign and malevolent. They’re two sides of the same coin.
Fargo’s writing and pacing is phenomenal. She leads the reader through They Never Learn, step by step, doling out bits of information to guide us through the plot like an expert dance partner. There’s not one wasted word. I was listening to the book while driving one afternoon, and I just about drove off the road at one of the major reveals. I know I’m reading something special when an author can illicit such a strong response from me. She expertly maintains a level of suspense from beginning to end that kept me intensely involved in the story.
I listened to the audiobook format of this book, and it’s flawless. The book is told from dual points of view with chapters alternating between Carly and Scarlet’s perspective. The two voice actors are fantastic. They each capture the essence of the women, adding one more dimension to the story. The narrators provide male voices that distinguish them from the two main characters without bringing too much attention to them.
Cons And Heads Up
Victoria: For the people in the back – this isn’t a romance. This is a thriller about a serial killer who kills bad men. There’s on page, graphic violence, rape, and attempted rape. The main characters are bisexual women, and one of them is in a relationship with a man for most of the book. So, there’s on page sex between a man and a woman. It’s not graphic sex, but it’s there. If any of this is a problem for you, I don’t recommend this book. Please don’t buy it and come at me when you’re offended.
The Conclusion
Jeannie: They Never Learn is definitely not for every reader. But it IS for those who love and look for something unique and who appreciate a book that challenges them to think about subjects that might make them squirm a little and leaves them pondering some big subjects, such as morality, justice, and vindication, for long after the book ends. This book has earned a high spot on my reread list, and I wish I had a great book club so I had more folks to discuss it with at length. At this time, I’ve read it only once, but I can see all the deep layers it has, holding new discoveries for future reads. I recommend it highly for anyone with whom this review resonates.
Victoria: Everything about They Never Learn appealed to me. I agree with Jeannie, this book isn’t for everyone. It’s dark and violent, yet I celebrated Scarlett’s brand of justice. She’s a feminist serial killer for the #MeToo movement. I never thought I’d equate murder with the word fun, but here I am. It’s also a very smart book. The plot is intricate and nuanced. I feel like I’ll discover something new every time I read it. Jeannie and I spent three hours discussing everything from the characters and plot to the significance of the color red. I think after another reading, we could easily fill another three hours. I certainly recommend this book for readers looking for something exciting and unusual.
Excerpt from They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
“Why—” he starts, but his throat is too constricted to speak.
I put the phone in his twitching hand and lean over him, my body casting his in shadow.
“Megan Foster,” I say.
Tyler’s eyes widen—and this, this is my favorite part. The abject terror that takes over their faces. That’s how I know they’re finally seeing me, realizing what I truly am.
I imagine what Tyler might say, if he were still capable of forming words. It wasn’t just me—that’s probably where he’d start. He wasn’t the only one who held Megan down on that filthy frat house mattress. They all did it—Tyler and four of his closest friends, half the starting lineup of the football team.
I didn’t start it. Who knows, that might even be the truth. Maybe Tyler was the second to take his turn, or the third, or the fourth, or the fifth. Maybe by the time he got there she’d given up fighting back, so he could almost pretend she was willing. He didn’t have bruises and scratches on his arms afterward, like his teammate Devin Caldwell did. But the police didn’t do a damn thing to Devin Caldwell either. They claimed there wasn’t enough proof.
For me, what Megan said was more than enough proof. True justice would have been bolting the fraternity house doors and setting the whole place on fire, burning every one of those boys in their beds. I might not even have needed to douse the place in kerosene first, considering every surface is sticky with spilled alcohol. But I can’t kill them all, not unless I want to get caught. I’ve spent the past sixteen years murdering men who deserve it, and I’m not about to get sloppy now.
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9781982132027
Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press
Audiobook Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Narrator: Lameece Issaq, Eileen Stevens
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