By: D. J. Palmer
ISBN: 1250107490
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 04/14/2020
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 5 Stars + Top Books of 2020 Author Q&A Interview The New Husband is a riveting thriller about the lies we tell ourselves from D. J. Palmer, the author of Saving Meghan. Just because you love someone doesn’t mean you know them. Nina Garrity learned that the hard way after discovering that her missing husband, Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman.
But Glen's gone—presumably drowned while fishing on his boat—so she can't confront him about the affair or any of his other misdeeds. A year and a half after the accident, Nina considers herself a widow, even though the police never found a body. Following a chance encounter with Simon Fitch, a teacher from her daughter Maggie's middle school, Nina finds love again and has hopes of putting her shattered life back together.
Simon, a widower still grieving the suicide of his first wife, has found his dream girl in Nina. His charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by betrayal. Nina's teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes his dad could have been, but Maggie sees a far darker side to this new man in their lives. Even Nina’s good friends wonder if Simon is supremely devoted—or dangerously possessive.
But Nina is committed, not only to her soon-to-be new husband but also to resuming her former career as a social worker. Before she can move forward, however, Nina must first clear her conscience that she's not making another terrible choice in a man. In doing so, she will uncover the shocking truth: the greatest danger to her, and her children, are the lies people tell themselves.
My Review
In this chilling, twisty thriller, D.J. Palmer takes you into the depths of obsession, showing the lengths people will go to keep their family together...or tear it apart. Have you ever judged, someone? After reading, you may think twice. Things are not always as they seem on the surface. Check out my Q&A Elevator Ride with the author, to get all the behind the scenes exclusives of THE NEW HUSBAND and more about this talented author. Top Books of 2020 INTENSE, ADDICTIVE, MIND-BLOWING! I am a huge fan of Daniel and Michael Palmer's books —have read them all. I am certainly enjoying the new titles under the DJ name, including this one and his most recent, Saving Meghan Top Books of 2019. Perfectly paced, DJ Palmer delivers a modern chilling cautionary tale with a mix of coming-of-age, domestic suspense, psychological and crime thriller, and so much more!! D.J. Palmer, the multi-talented bestselling author brings the best of both worlds from family, domestic suspense, mystery, medical, and psychological thrillers. What I enjoy about D.J.'s writing is his ability to cross many genres, his strong character development, vivid descriptions, twisty cleverly crafted plots, and his unique topics and storylines which are relevant, newsworthy, and emotionally charged. In THE NEW HUSBAND — darkness is often not easy to spot when it is right in front of us. Most good people do not think like evil sinister monsters and overlook the warning signs. The book opens in Seabury, New Hampshire on Lake Winnipesaukee.
A man is out on his boat fishing on a chilly predawn morning when he spots a boat. However, it appears the captain of the Starcraft is a barking golden retriever. (you had me at Golden Retriever) Where is the owner? The man investigates further and finds the dog alone. Did the owner fall overboard, a heart attack, or something more sinister? After seeing the blood, he had a feeling it may be the latter. Meet the Garrity family. Glen a former banker is now missing. His wife, Nina, children Maggie (13 yr. old daughter), son Connor (16 yr. old son) and Daisy (5 yr. old) Golden Retriever. They had been married for fifteen years. The novel flashes forward seventeen months later. Glen has never been found. Turns out their money is gone, and once his photo had been circulated via the news, it turns out Glen may be alive and involved with another woman under a different name. However, he was never found, and all leads had turned cold. Due to the financial loss, Nina must care for her family. She planned on moving with the kids to her parent’s home in Nebraska, but then Simon came into the picture. Nina felt this was a way to keep her family here in New Hampshire. Simon was Maggie’s teacher at school. She despises the man. He stepped in Nina’s life and now they are moving in together. He had said all the right things and charmed Nina and worked his way into their lives. On the exterior, he seems perfect. Looks can be deceiving. Maggie is not happy about the situation and Connor seems to be OK with the new relationship. Simon wants to get married so he could officially become Nina’s NEW HUSBAND. However, due to the NH laws, she had to wait two years or longer after spousal abandonment for a divorce. His body has not been found. Little clues about Simon’s dark side began surfacing. Maggie is the first to notice. He does not want Nina to work, he controls her, keeps her from her friends, he interfered with every family plan and yet Nina could not see these things. He is manipulative. She only sees what she wanted to see. The good side. Maggie attempts to tell her mom, but her mom thinks she is just acting out due to missing her father. Maggie (also been the victim of bullying at school), finds comfort in a new friend, Benjamin (love him). With his help, they begin their own sleuthing to follow Simon and find out where is he going, what he is hiding, where his money is coming from, and what actually happened to his past wife (he says suicide) and the woman he was to marry previously. Things did not add up. What is going on at his lake house? This section is unputdownable, heart-pounding suspense. Simon has everyone fooled. But Maggie and Ben. He is sly and calculating. A devil in disguise. However, Maggie needs evidence. She is smart and observant. However, as things begin unraveling and rising the surface, they all may be in danger. Where is Glen? What kind of monster is Simon? What really happened to his wife Allison? The diary entries tell the tale. How will they escape this madness alive, and find their father?
A fast-paced twisty thriller with some jaw-dropping moments and shockers. If you have read DJ Palmer (Daniel and Michael’s) previous books, you are aware the author is a master storyteller and creates more than a thriller. There is always something beneath the story. A critical takeaway. When I write reviews and read books, I may a little different than most. Maybe it is my research background. I want to uncover the message. I read between the lines. Some readers miss the critical elements of a book. (for this reason, is why I started the Elevator Ride with the Author. To connect readers and writers). In addition to THE NEW HUSBAND being a knock-out compelling domestic psychological thriller, there is so much here. A big theme apparent throughout the novel is: JUDGMENT. As in Nina’s case, and in Simon’s previous relationships, you cannot judge. Everyone thinks what they would or would not do. Until you live it, you do not know. I really enjoyed the tenacious characters of Maggie and Ben. They were superbly developed, along with Daisy (gosh I miss my golden retriever, Duke). I have noticed DJ interjects determined teen characters into his books which play an integral role in the storyline. I enjoy how he uses different points of view from adults and teens. Maggie judged Ben in the beginning. Nina judged Glen, among others. Others judged Allison and Nina. However, things are not always as they seem on the surface. This is powerful and thought-provoking. THE NEW HUSBAND would make for a great movie or TV series! Epilogue: For me, the epilogue (an essay written by Maggie Garrity, daughter, and amateur sleuth) makes this book stand out and a perfect way to end this masterly crafted novel. A lesson for us all, both adults and teens. Judging others is easy. “However, until you live it, you don’t know what you would actually do.” Don’t rush to judgment. Have humility. Show empathy. Ask: What can I do to help? Well done! Cannot wait to see what is next! #JDCMustReadBooks A special thank you 💕 to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Praise for DJ Palmer:
“A well-crafted, increasingly tense page-turner.”
—Kirkus Reviews The New Husband
[C]leverly plotted, creepy domestic noir…Palmer fans will be satisfied.”
—Publishers Weekly The New Husband
“A well-crafted, increasingly tense page-turner.”
—Kirkus Reviews
"25 Best New Books to Cuddle Up With Coming April 2020"
—POPSUGAR
"Dubbed as one of 2020's most anticipated reads."
—SheKnows
"Named One of Seven Thrillers to Read If you
Finished Watching ‘You’."
—Betches
"A thoroughly engaging read full of breath-holding moments and pulse-pounding tension.
An incredible tale of secrets and obsession."
—NerdDaily
Elevator Q&A with the Author
April 14, 2020
About the Author
DANIEL PALMER is the USA Today bestselling author of ten critically acclaimed suspense novels. He published his first novel, DELIRIOUS, after a decade-long career in e-commerce, where he helped launch first generation websites for major online retailers including Barnes & Noble and Dick Sporting Goods. Following the success of Daniel's publishing career, he founded DAY IN THE LIFE MEDIA, a video production and communication company committed to helping brands identify their brand heroes so they can tell stories in a way that directly impacts the bottom line. A recording artist, accomplished blues harmonica player, and lifelong Red Sox fan, Daniel lives in New Hampshire with his wife and two children. Read More
