My Husband’s Wife Review

Synopsis from Edelweiss:

“It won’t be so bad when you’re there,” says my new husband before kissing me. “I know,” I say before he peels off.

Two lies. Small white ones. Designed to make the other feel better. But that’s how some lies start. Small. Well meaning. Until they get too big to handle.

When young lawyer Lily marries Ed, she’s determined to make a fresh start. To leave the secrets of the past behind. But then she takes on her first murder case and meets Joe. A convicted murderer who Lily is strangely drawn to. For whom she will soon be willing to risk almost anything.

But Lily is not the only one with secrets. Her next door neighbor, Carla, may be only nine, but she has already learned that secrets are powerful things. That they can get her whatever she wants.

When Lily finds Carla on her doorstep sixteen years later, a chain of events is set in place that can only end one way.

An eye for an eye. A wife for a wife.

About: My Husband’s Wife is a thriller written by Jane Corry. It was recently published on 10/31/17 by Penguin Books, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, 400 pages. The genres are mystery, thriller, suspense, and fiction. This book is the author’s debut thriller. Please see below for more information about the author.

My Experience: I started reading My Husband’s Wife on 10/25/17 and finished it on 11/04/17. This book is an exciting and addicting read because it’s full of secrets, lies, and deceptions. If time was on my side, I would have plowed through this book in one day! I love following Carla’s point of view. She pays attention to every little details and uses it to her advantage while appearing innocent. She might truly being innocent because she’s a child and that makes her seems very clever. I also like her views as an adult. I like learning the difference between solicitor and barrister from this book. I like learning of Asperger syndrome. The lies were so cleverly weaved for the crimes committed. Excellent twists to that last crime! I like the reminder about how we don’t really know people. 

In this book, readers will follow Lily Macdonald, a twenty five year old newlywed to Ed Macdonald. Lily is a solicitor defense lawyer and Ed is an artist on a rocky career path. Readers will also follow Carla, a 9 year old girl and neighbor to Lily & Ed Macdonald. Carla lives with her mom. Carla learns early on how to manipulate to get what she wants. This book starts out with a death 15 years later without further information. The author then takes readers back to 15 years before when Lily & Ed are starting out as a newlywed. Their marriage is bumpy due to many reasons. As a lawyer, Lily is to represent a convicted murderer Joe Thomas to appeal his case. Joe reminds her of her dead brother Daniel so she goes above and beyond to get him acquitted. Carla, on the other hand, is having a hard time fitting in. She has moved into another school because the kids from the previous school were mean to her. In this new school, life still doesn’t go according to her plans. Life at home isn’t so great either because her mom loves a man who already have a family of his own. Some lies are caught and the past sticks around to haunt the present and the future. Fast forward to 12 years later and readers will follow Carla in her early twenties and Lily in her early forties. There is also a mystery italicize narrative throughout the story that is confusing and even in the end I don’t know if it belongs to someone.

This book is very well written. Each page, the story becomes intriguing. I couldn’t wait to learn the secrets of all of the characters. Carla seems to notice everything, from her mom’s practiced smiles/cries in front of the mirror to her lies. I’m anticipating each page as to how the story will unfolds when the dual point of views are of an adult and a child. I haven’t read a book with this different perspectives and ended up flipping page after page. One thing that is a dead giveaway is the trouble marriage which readers are well aware of right away. If there is trouble in the marriage, anything happen afterwards is bound to happen. Also, welcoming a single woman into a home is a welcome trouble to come. Even so, I still enjoy the read greatly and I highly recommend everyone to read this book!

Pro: mystery, cover, suspense, secrets, lies, deceptions, page turner, fast paced,

Con: none

I rate it 5 stars!

Buy it here for free shipping: Book Depository

About the Author:

Jane Corry is a writer and journalist, and has spent time as the writer-in residence of a high security prison for men–an experience that helped inspire My Husband’s Wife, her debut thriller. Jane runs regular writing workshops and speaks at literary festivals worldwide, including The Women’s Fiction Festival in Matera, Italy. Until recently, she was a tutor in creative writing at Oxford University. This is her first thriller and first U.S. publication. (Photo and info obtained from Edelweiss).

***Disclaimer: Many thanks to the author Jane Corry, publisher Penguin Books, and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine