Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Berkley [Advance Reading Copy]
Pages
374
Description
Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE INSTANT #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER USA Today bestseller Edgar + ITW Thriller Award nominee for Best First Novel �??Think: Dexter but sexier.�?��??theSkimm �??A dark and irresistible debut.�?��??People �??Will shock even the savviest suspense readers.�?��??Real Simple Dexter meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith in this wildly compulsive debut thriller about a couple whose fifteen-year marriage has finally gotten too interesting... Our love story is simple. I met a gorgeous woman. We fell in love. We had kids. We moved to the suburbs. We told each other our biggest dreams, and our darkest secrets. And then we got bored. We look like a normal couple. We're your neighbors, the parents of your kid's friend, the acquaintances you keep meaning to get dinner with. We all have our secrets to keeping a marriage alive. Ours just happens to b… (more)
Description
A couple's fifteen-year marriage has finally gotten too interesting...
Our love story is simple. I met a gorgeous woman. We fell in love. We had kids. We moved to the suburbs. We told each other our biggest dreams, and our darkest secrets. And then we got bored.
We look like a normal couple. We're your neighbors, the parents of your kid's friend, the acquaintances you keep meaning to get dinner with.
We all have secrets to keeping a marriage alive.
Ours just happens to be getting away with murder.
Our love story is simple. I met a gorgeous woman. We fell in love. We had kids. We moved to the suburbs. We told each other our biggest dreams, and our darkest secrets. And then we got bored.
We look like a normal couple. We're your neighbors, the parents of your kid's friend, the acquaintances you keep meaning to get dinner with.
We all have secrets to keeping a marriage alive.
Ours just happens to be getting away with murder.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2019
Physical description
374 p.; 9 inches
ISBN
0451491726 / 9780451491725
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member pdebolt
Millicent and her husband, the unnamed narrator, have two teen-aged children and, from the outside, lead a normal life. He is a country club tennis pro and she is a residential realtor. Their interests, which are far from normal, soon become apparent when young women disappear under the guise
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they’ve created that a former serial killer is active once again. Although the book does drag in parts and requires a considerable suspension of disbelief, the premise that two psychopathic people are married held my interest. The ultimate questions are which one is more capable of unspeakable evil and is the other equally culpable? Show Less
LibraryThing member dcoward
I loved this thriller! It was a fun, quick read. Millicent seems like the perfect wife, and her unnamed husband, the narrator, is a doting father. When their marriage seems dull, they decide to spice things up with a little murder.
LibraryThing member Darcia
I had such high expectations for this book. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.
The story is written in first person, from the husband's perspective. For a man with psychopathic tendencies who lives on the edge, he is remarkably dull and complacent. Honestly, he bored me.
The wife is rigid and
Pacing is slow, largely because the husband is clueless. He doesn't ask questions and doesn't want to know details, and so the murder aspect of this story remains on the periphery. We spend a lot of time with him screwing up his kids, making excuses to leave his job, and dealing with his obsessive thoughts about what his wife is doing with "their" victims.
I saw the first twist coming early on. I kept reading in the hopes that something would shake the husband out of his stupor. When something finally did, I just didn't care anymore.
*I received an advance copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.*
The story is written in first person, from the husband's perspective. For a man with psychopathic tendencies who lives on the edge, he is remarkably dull and complacent. Honestly, he bored me.
The wife is rigid and
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robotic. For reasons I don't understand, he finds her militant personality sexy. But there is absolutely nothing sexy about their relationship.Pacing is slow, largely because the husband is clueless. He doesn't ask questions and doesn't want to know details, and so the murder aspect of this story remains on the periphery. We spend a lot of time with him screwing up his kids, making excuses to leave his job, and dealing with his obsessive thoughts about what his wife is doing with "their" victims.
I saw the first twist coming early on. I kept reading in the hopes that something would shake the husband out of his stupor. When something finally did, I just didn't care anymore.
*I received an advance copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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LibraryThing member gpangel
My Lovely Wife is a 2019 Berkley publication.
Sly, witty, and brilliant!!
The tile, cover, and intriguing synopsis for this book made it sound too good to pass up- and it was!!
The premise is mostly original, as a husband and wife and their two children enjoy ,what appears on the surface, to be a
The husband, who never reveals his real name, tells this story from a first person perspective, giving us a play by play of events as they unfold, adding all his twisted inner thoughts about what has happened, what is probably happening, what he hopes will happen, and what he is afraid will happen- which is as fascinating as it is horrifying.
I can’t believe this is a debut novel!! Smart, devious, well-constructed, and wildly entertaining!! I loved it! If you love psychological thrillers, you do not want to miss this one! Relish it and savor it and try not to feel too guilty if you find yourself laughing instead being justly outraged by our narrator and his lovely wife. This book was almost TOO fun! But, if you love dark humor, twisted and disturbing plots, with loads of surprises, I promise this one will deliver everything you ordered and then some!!
5 stars
Sly, witty, and brilliant!!
The tile, cover, and intriguing synopsis for this book made it sound too good to pass up- and it was!!
The premise is mostly original, as a husband and wife and their two children enjoy ,what appears on the surface, to be a
Show More
nice normal, healthy, family life. However, this married couple, instead of engaging in a little role play to spice up their marriage- indulge in a little murder on the side instead. The husband, who never reveals his real name, tells this story from a first person perspective, giving us a play by play of events as they unfold, adding all his twisted inner thoughts about what has happened, what is probably happening, what he hopes will happen, and what he is afraid will happen- which is as fascinating as it is horrifying.
I can’t believe this is a debut novel!! Smart, devious, well-constructed, and wildly entertaining!! I loved it! If you love psychological thrillers, you do not want to miss this one! Relish it and savor it and try not to feel too guilty if you find yourself laughing instead being justly outraged by our narrator and his lovely wife. This book was almost TOO fun! But, if you love dark humor, twisted and disturbing plots, with loads of surprises, I promise this one will deliver everything you ordered and then some!!
5 stars
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LibraryThing member miss.mesmerized
They did it before and they are about to do it again. What looks like the absolute average family in Hidden Oaks – the father a tennis coach, the mother in real estates and two lovely kids – is all but average. They have a secret, or better: secrets in plural since they have killed more than
Samantha Downing’s debut is a terrific thriller which combines the core emotions of human beings: love and hate. It’s masterly constructed and when you think you finally know what it all adds up to, you get a big surprise and a twist that takes suspense to another level.
First of all, the couple at the centre of the novel. The story is told from the husband’s point of view – interestingly, he never gets a name, there are only his aliases when he makes contact with possible victims. The point of view is limited of course which will play a major role and undeniably helps to lead you to wrong assumptions. As a reader, I should have known better, but I fell easily prey to Downing. At the beginning, you get the impression that the parents are a bit different, even strange to a certain extent, but even though you know that they have killed before, it doesn’t really keep you from seeing the loving father and mother who try to educate their children and deeply care for them. At some point, I even wished for them to get away with murder. Well, they are great in deceiving their environment and so is the reader.
An impressive psychological thriller which only reveals its full extent at the end of the novel and definitely makes you think about what you really know of the people around you and how easily you can be tricked and misled.
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one woman. And they are looking for their next victim. They are clever, a lot cleverer than all the other inhabitants of their small community and most certainly smarter than the police who don’t even know that somebody is missing. Yet, every run of luck has an ending and theirs is about to come, isn’t it?Samantha Downing’s debut is a terrific thriller which combines the core emotions of human beings: love and hate. It’s masterly constructed and when you think you finally know what it all adds up to, you get a big surprise and a twist that takes suspense to another level.
First of all, the couple at the centre of the novel. The story is told from the husband’s point of view – interestingly, he never gets a name, there are only his aliases when he makes contact with possible victims. The point of view is limited of course which will play a major role and undeniably helps to lead you to wrong assumptions. As a reader, I should have known better, but I fell easily prey to Downing. At the beginning, you get the impression that the parents are a bit different, even strange to a certain extent, but even though you know that they have killed before, it doesn’t really keep you from seeing the loving father and mother who try to educate their children and deeply care for them. At some point, I even wished for them to get away with murder. Well, they are great in deceiving their environment and so is the reader.
An impressive psychological thriller which only reveals its full extent at the end of the novel and definitely makes you think about what you really know of the people around you and how easily you can be tricked and misled.
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LibraryThing member Lauranthalas
This is one messed up, insane book that I couldn’t stop reading. I loved that someone said this book is a cross between Dexter and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
Without giving anything away, this book is about a married couple that appears to be normal. Except everyone has their secrets, and theirs is
Without giving anything away, this book is about a married couple that appears to be normal. Except everyone has their secrets, and theirs is
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murder. Show Less
LibraryThing member PattyLouise
My Lovely Wife
By
Samantha Downing
What it's all about...
Millicent and her husband...he says his name is Tobias...are an oddly married couple. Murder is what keeps their marriage going and their marriage is very weird. There isn’t much else I want to say about this book. It’s one of those books
My thoughts after reading this book...
This is one of those books that pulls the reader in. I wasn’t sure what atrocity would be revealed next and by whom! Twists and turns abound in this book. Even their children are involved.
What I loved best...
The shocking surprises were the best things about this book! Manipulation is an almost daily event by all family members. Readers should be prepared for excitement when reading this book!
What potential readers might want to know...
Potential readers should know that shock as well as awe is a key part of this book. It’s a great reading ride. It got a teeny bit predictable near its end but it was still a great book!
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my choice to read and review it.
By
Samantha Downing
What it's all about...
Millicent and her husband...he says his name is Tobias...are an oddly married couple. Murder is what keeps their marriage going and their marriage is very weird. There isn’t much else I want to say about this book. It’s one of those books
Show More
where you really need to read it. No hints about what happens...just read and be as surprised and shocked as I was. My thoughts after reading this book...
This is one of those books that pulls the reader in. I wasn’t sure what atrocity would be revealed next and by whom! Twists and turns abound in this book. Even their children are involved.
What I loved best...
The shocking surprises were the best things about this book! Manipulation is an almost daily event by all family members. Readers should be prepared for excitement when reading this book!
What potential readers might want to know...
Potential readers should know that shock as well as awe is a key part of this book. It’s a great reading ride. It got a teeny bit predictable near its end but it was still a great book!
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my choice to read and review it.
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LibraryThing member madamepince
Suspenseful and a quick read, but I found myself getting misty for Fowler's The Collector.
LibraryThing member SilversReviews
A Lovely Wife is definitely a misnomer. A demented psycho is more like it.
Everything Millicent does seems innocent on the outside, but it is truly evil. She plans things that will benefit her and only her with her family being at the brunt of the control issues she has. Millicent is definitely a
One day after a number of years of marriage, she had the most bizarre plan. Her husband who was never given a name in the book did what he did to keep Millicent pleased most likely because he was afraid of his wife.
MY LOVELY WIFE is unbelievable, but Ms. Downing does an excellent job of keeping you engaged from the first page, and the engagement doesn’t stop just like Millicent doesn't stop the murders of young women.
Ms. Downing's debut is unique and well-written, but also has a story line that is unthinkable and unimaginable.
If you enjoy a fast-paced book that takes you on a crazy ride and will have you biting your nails, then MY LOVELY WIFE will be a book you will want to take a look at.
You HAVE to read this book to believe what the characters are doing. You won't be able to turn the pages quickly enough. 5/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Everything Millicent does seems innocent on the outside, but it is truly evil. She plans things that will benefit her and only her with her family being at the brunt of the control issues she has. Millicent is definitely a
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character to hate.One day after a number of years of marriage, she had the most bizarre plan. Her husband who was never given a name in the book did what he did to keep Millicent pleased most likely because he was afraid of his wife.
MY LOVELY WIFE is unbelievable, but Ms. Downing does an excellent job of keeping you engaged from the first page, and the engagement doesn’t stop just like Millicent doesn't stop the murders of young women.
Ms. Downing's debut is unique and well-written, but also has a story line that is unthinkable and unimaginable.
If you enjoy a fast-paced book that takes you on a crazy ride and will have you biting your nails, then MY LOVELY WIFE will be a book you will want to take a look at.
You HAVE to read this book to believe what the characters are doing. You won't be able to turn the pages quickly enough. 5/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member Susan.Macura
This was one of the best books I have read this year. Told from the point of view of the husband, he describes his relationship with his wife Millicent, the love of his life, and their family. Interspersed throughout his stories about life with his family and work are what he and Millicent do to
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spice up their marriage - they murder young women! However, nothing is as it seems, and there are some really bizarre twists in this tale of love and romance that keeps one glued to the tale until the very end! I simply loved it and can't wait to read this author's next book, though I don't know how she will top this one! Show Less
LibraryThing member MM_Jones
Impressive for a debut novel, but not great. The ending is good, unfortunately the main characters are boring. Maybe it's just hard to engage with a couple psychopaths who take pleasure in real or imagined murders.
LibraryThing member erinclark
I listened to the audio version of this book and it was excellent. Full of all kinds of plot twists, I never knew what was coming. I could not stop listening! Well written, well performed and highly recommended.
LibraryThing member authorjanebnight
Synopsis:
A couple who have been married for years and have two grown children try to live a normal life while indulging in a desire for murder.
My rating:
3/5
This book is a thriller and as such I am going to try and keep my review vague and spoiler free.
I had mixed feelings about this book. The
On the other hand, I wasn't sure how reliable he was as a narrator. Some things happen and I felt like he should have seen the red flags for them because they are so extreme they can't really have just come out of left field unless his head was completely buried in the sand.
I thought the way the couple lured their victims was really neat and it was something I hadn't seen before and it was a brilliant method.
I wasn't a huge fan of the twists in the ending. There were a few that were okay but predictable and then there were a few that I didn't feel like were adequately foreshadowed for me to believe them. Particularly some of the reveals about the wife didn't ring true based on what we'd been shown of her to that point.
The last scene of the book also confused me. I wasn't sure what the intended meaning was.
Overall I understand why people like this book and I think that most thriller fans will enjoy it. It wasn't bad I just expected more from it based on how excited other readers were about the book.
A couple who have been married for years and have two grown children try to live a normal life while indulging in a desire for murder.
My rating:
3/5
This book is a thriller and as such I am going to try and keep my review vague and spoiler free.
I had mixed feelings about this book. The
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book is told in first person perspective from the husband and I wasn't sure what to make of him. On one hand, I loved how concerned he was for his kids and what a good dad he was despite his...hobby. When people compare this book to Dexter I believe this is the part they are meaning and it was the part of the book with a Dexter feel. On the other hand, I wasn't sure how reliable he was as a narrator. Some things happen and I felt like he should have seen the red flags for them because they are so extreme they can't really have just come out of left field unless his head was completely buried in the sand.
I thought the way the couple lured their victims was really neat and it was something I hadn't seen before and it was a brilliant method.
I wasn't a huge fan of the twists in the ending. There were a few that were okay but predictable and then there were a few that I didn't feel like were adequately foreshadowed for me to believe them. Particularly some of the reveals about the wife didn't ring true based on what we'd been shown of her to that point.
The last scene of the book also confused me. I wasn't sure what the intended meaning was.
Overall I understand why people like this book and I think that most thriller fans will enjoy it. It wasn't bad I just expected more from it based on how excited other readers were about the book.
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LibraryThing member shazjhb
Interesting book. Some things were predictable. No sympathic characters. I did not even like the children
LibraryThing member RidgewayGirl
I've been in the mood for thrillers and trying to find good ones certainly reminded me of how difficult this genre is to get right. There are a ton of them out there, and most are . . . fine, I guess? This certainly falls firmly into the "ok, fine" category, and while that's no great praise, it
This is the story of a marriage, a happy one in the husband's assessment. They've had struggles and they could always use a little more money, but they have two children and a shared passion for murder. They're not quite a Bianchi and Buono, or even a Brady and Hindley, preferring to distribute the tasks involved between them, rather than share the experience, but when you've got kids and jobs, it's really the most practical arrangement. But being married to a murderer doesn't always feel safe and while he finds the whole process exciting, he may like it just a little less than his wife.
So this was fine. None of the characters were sympathetic, which might have made for a more interesting book, or at least one that asked for more emotional investment from the reader, but it was well-paced and the writing was serviceable. I was never tempted to abandon this book, nor did I ever roll my eyes or throw the book across the room in disgust. Downing's plot holds up for the most part and this book was fine.
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should be noted that there are so many worse domestic thrillers out there. This is the story of a marriage, a happy one in the husband's assessment. They've had struggles and they could always use a little more money, but they have two children and a shared passion for murder. They're not quite a Bianchi and Buono, or even a Brady and Hindley, preferring to distribute the tasks involved between them, rather than share the experience, but when you've got kids and jobs, it's really the most practical arrangement. But being married to a murderer doesn't always feel safe and while he finds the whole process exciting, he may like it just a little less than his wife.
So this was fine. None of the characters were sympathetic, which might have made for a more interesting book, or at least one that asked for more emotional investment from the reader, but it was well-paced and the writing was serviceable. I was never tempted to abandon this book, nor did I ever roll my eyes or throw the book across the room in disgust. Downing's plot holds up for the most part and this book was fine.
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LibraryThing member GirlWellRead
A special thank you to Edelweiss and Penguin Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A charming couple living in the burbs with their two children—she's a real estate agent and he is a tennis pro—that seem to have it all, even good looks. They are the couple next door,
But forget about the seven-year itch, how about the fifteen-year one that brings with it the most interesting, yet gruesome way to keep a marriage alive.
Theirs is getting away with murder.
Samantha Downing, that was a crazy ride and I loved every second of it! The character development was incredible and the reader will have a love/hate relationship with them. Gah! This book was dark and twisty in the best possible way and I'm blown away that this seize-you-by-the-throat-thriller it is her debut.
Downing's writing was taught and tense and kept me on my toes. I literally had no idea what was going to happen and let me just say that the last sentence of the book literally made me gasp.
A charming couple living in the burbs with their two children—she's a real estate agent and he is a tennis pro—that seem to have it all, even good looks. They are the couple next door,
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members of your clubs, parents of your kid's friends, and the friends you have dinner parties with.But forget about the seven-year itch, how about the fifteen-year one that brings with it the most interesting, yet gruesome way to keep a marriage alive.
Theirs is getting away with murder.
Samantha Downing, that was a crazy ride and I loved every second of it! The character development was incredible and the reader will have a love/hate relationship with them. Gah! This book was dark and twisty in the best possible way and I'm blown away that this seize-you-by-the-throat-thriller it is her debut.
Downing's writing was taught and tense and kept me on my toes. I literally had no idea what was going to happen and let me just say that the last sentence of the book literally made me gasp.
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LibraryThing member tswaine
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down! Who is manipulating who? Just when I thought I knew everything that was going on, I found out I didn't! If you like psychological thrillers, this book is for you! It would make a great book club discussion book. I will recommend "My Lovely Wife" to all my
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reader friends! Show Less
LibraryThing member litwitch
"The world is filled with things I can't do and can't afford, from houses to cars to kitchen equipment, but this, this, is how we can be free. This is one thing that is ours, that we control."
5 bloody stars!
I originally gave this four stars but quickly changed my mind. I have finished reading three
I highly suggest going into this one blind, so I'll avoid posting any plot spoilers in my review. The novel follows a suburban married couple living a seemingly normal life with their two children. Both parents have normal jobs, Millicent working in real estate and her husband working as a golf instructor. The children attend a respected private school. As with marriages, though, theirs has gotten a little boring. Instead of spicing things up in the bedroom, this couple thinks outside of the box (WAY outside of it).
The fact that this was a debut surprises me, because the author weaved a thrilling story that literally had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, something happened to prove me wrong. I had so much fun reading about this psychopathic couple! I'm almost ashamed to admit how much I found myself rooting for them, but that just goes to show how talented Downing is.
This is a family drama/thriller that you have to read!
5 bloody stars!
I originally gave this four stars but quickly changed my mind. I have finished reading three
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books since My Lovely Wife and although all three books were fantastic, I can't stop thinking about this one! I highly suggest going into this one blind, so I'll avoid posting any plot spoilers in my review. The novel follows a suburban married couple living a seemingly normal life with their two children. Both parents have normal jobs, Millicent working in real estate and her husband working as a golf instructor. The children attend a respected private school. As with marriages, though, theirs has gotten a little boring. Instead of spicing things up in the bedroom, this couple thinks outside of the box (WAY outside of it).
The fact that this was a debut surprises me, because the author weaved a thrilling story that literally had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, something happened to prove me wrong. I had so much fun reading about this psychopathic couple! I'm almost ashamed to admit how much I found myself rooting for them, but that just goes to show how talented Downing is.
This is a family drama/thriller that you have to read!
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LibraryThing member Sharn
I really enjoyed this book. I went into it blind, had no idea what to expect. I try my hardest not to read the synopsis because they tell me a bit too much and I’d rather the element of surprise. I’m not going to lie, sometimes that works against me but not this time.
LibraryThing member marykuhl
This book was written in the first person, from the husband's perspective... I don't think the husband's name is ever identified. But that being said, this book is about the husband, and his wife Millicent and their "killing spree". This book had a good twist I didn't see coming until the moment
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the husband figured it out. I look forward to reading the next book by this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member johnfishlock
Great read. Fun characters, but odd names made it hard for me to picture them in my mind. Jesus, talk about betrayal, lies and all of that..phew...
LibraryThing member delphimo
My Lovely Wife upset me immensely and I almost stopped reading this deranged story. Millicent, the lovely wife, must control everything in the life of her family. Even though she works hard to sell houses, she must still cook and clean and supervise every household task. Her unnamed husband, a
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tennis teacher, narrates the story. This seemingly normal married couple kill women and frighten the community to believe a serial killer from the past has returned. Of course, the husband only kills one woman, while Millicent kidnaps, tortures, and kills many women. As the story unfolds, Millicent’s fury and anger encroaches on the children. Samantha Downing uses short chapters in the style of James Patterson. As the terror and horror mounts, the reader plows on with the story. So many lessons stand out such as the behavior of the children. Have we turned into such as callous society? Show Less
LibraryThing member TheYodamom
My Lovely Wife
I hated the book, and yet couldn't put it down. The characters were all hideous, the perfect family unit. A husband and wife, two children, a san and daughter living in a suburban dream. The story kind of slow in the beginning, well everything was ordinary real life daily stuff for a
Thank you to the publishers for honoring me with a copy of this book for an honest review
I hated the book, and yet couldn't put it down. The characters were all hideous, the perfect family unit. A husband and wife, two children, a san and daughter living in a suburban dream. The story kind of slow in the beginning, well everything was ordinary real life daily stuff for a
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while. Things didn’t stay normal very long, things got weirder and weirder as these characters developed their tastes. I thought I knew, I did, till the end then I suffered whiplash. Holy Shiitake what a story.Thank you to the publishers for honoring me with a copy of this book for an honest review
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LibraryThing member out-and-about
The first half of the book was awful. So full of boring backstory and amazingly flat characters. Once the plot began to move, it was an intricately woven mystery with a nice twist at the end. But getting there was painful. Three stars mainly because I think if the author had a better editor, it
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could have been a good book. Show Less
LibraryThing member muddyboy
This is a great mystery novel and I can see why it got all the acclaim that it did. It is about a serial murdering couple with two teenage kids in the suburbs. The husband scouts for victims and the wife does the dirty deeds. This is a novel premise with many twists along the way. They have trouble
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with their kids and the news media but they are quite good at covering their tracks. Will they get away with this or not? This will make a great movie and I can't wait to see it. Show Less
Awards
Edgar Award (Nominee — First Novel — 2020)
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Shortlist — 2020)
Macavity Award (Nominee — 2020)
International Thriller Writers Award (Nominee — First Novel — 2020)
Call number
FIC F Dow