By: Darby Kane
Narrators: Helen Laser, Andrew Eiden
HarperAudio
ISBN: 9780063351967
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: 12/10/2024
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars
A wife wonders who killed her husband in a twisty thriller of deception and betrayal.
Darby Kane, author of the #1 international bestseller Pretty Little Wife, returns with another twisty domestic thriller about a wife wondering who tried to kill her husband twice before finally succeeding… because that was supposed to be her job.
Dr. Richmond Dougherty is a renowned pediatric surgeon, an infamous tragedy survivor, and a national hero. He’s also very dead—thanks to a fall down the stairs. His neighbors angrily point a finger at the newest Ms. Dougherty, Addison. The sudden marriage to the mysterious young woman only lasted ninety-seven days, and he’d had two suspicious “accidents” during that time. Now Addison is a very rich widow.
As law enforcement starts to circle in on Addison and people in town become increasingly hostile, sides are chosen with Kathryn, Richmond’s high school sweetheart, wife number one, and the mother of his children, leading the fray. Despite rising tensions, Addison is even more driven to forge ahead on the path she charted years ago…
Determined at all costs to unravel Richmond’s legacy, she soon becomes a target—with a shocking note left on her bedroom wall: You will pay. But it will take a lot more than faceless threats to stop Addison. Her plan to marry Richmond then ruin him may have been derailed by his unexpected death, but she’s not done with him yet.
Praise
“What The Wife Knew is a compelling whodunnit full of snark, secrets, and betrayals. While you’re guessing who’s out for revenge, prepare to be thoroughly entertained by this fast paced chiller that builds suspense with each passing chapter. Kane’s narrative shines with brilliant plotting and one twisted moment after another. This one is not to be missed.”
— Jaime Lynn Hendricks, bestselling author of A Lovely Lie
"Darby presents a clever, bingeable psychological thriller perfect for fans of Camilla Läckberg." — Booklist
“Fans of dark domestic thrillers like “Gone Girl” will find much to obsess over in this twisty novel about a wife who is immediately suspected of murder when her widely beloved husband, a pediatric surgeon, dies after a nasty fall down a set of stairs.”
— Seattle Times
My Review
The bestselling author Darby Kane returns following The Last Invitation, The Replacement Wife, and Pretty Little Wife with her best yet—WHAT THE WIFE KNEW.
WHAT THE WIFE KNEW is a twisty game of cat-and-mouse domestic suspense thriller of revenge revolving around a triangle plus more: a first wife, a second wife, and a husband/father. Who beat the new wife to murdering her husband? A job that was supposed to be hers.
About...
Dr. Richmond Dougherty is a renowned pediatric surgeon. A tragedy survivor and a hero. (but is he)? He also has plenty of skeletons in his closet from when he was young. Someone knows the truth. Blackmail.
Kathyrn is the high school sweetheart, first wife, and mother of Richmond's two children. How much does she know about his past?
Addison is the second/new wife. She has her reasons for marrying Dr. Dougherty. REVENGE. She is glad her husband is dead, but she was not the one to do the deed (Darn)!
When Richmond winds up dead after a fall down the stairs (this was the third attempt on his life) from poison to a car accident prior, everyone points fingers at the new young wife, who has only been married for 97 days, taking the first wife's side.
Now, Addison is a wealthy widow. But is she? Then she gets threatening letters. But Addison is determined...
Whodunit and Whydunit?
My thoughts...
WHAT THE WIFE KNEW is a suspenseful, twisty plot-driven whodunit domestic thriller that keeps you guessing and leaves you on the edge of your seat.
Plenty of suspects exist in this complex, twisted, multi-layered suspense mystery, and they all have dirty, dark secrets from the past. At its center is the snarky, tenacious, and driven protagonist, which may be your favorite to the explosive conclusion.
The dual past-present narrative POVs and flashbacks slowly unravel the secrets, lies, betrayal, schemes, and murder, keeping you captivated, fully engaged, and absorbed in the story. A gripping tale of obsession and deceit
You have no clue where the author is taking you, but you'll enjoy the action-packed roller coaster ride, which is wild, thrilling, and entertaining. Watch for the letters, stairs, bat, scissors, and gun.
Recs...
WHAT THE WIFE KNEW is for fans of the author and those who enjoy twisty plot-driven novels by Shari Lapena, Mary Kubica, BA Paris, Liv Constantine, Victoria Helen Stone, Robyn Harding, Michele Campbell, Sarah Pekkanen, and Kaira Rouda.
@JudithDCollins #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Dec 10, 2024
About the Author
Darby Kane is a former divorce lawyer with a dual writing personality. Her debut thriller, Pretty Little Wife, was a Book of the Month pick, #1 international bestseller, and has been optioned by Amazon for a television series, starring Gabrielle Union. She’s written romantic suspense as HelenKay Dimon and currently writes stories centered on family hijinks with a mix of suspense and romance. The first, Moorewood Family Rules, has been optioned for television. WEBSITE
