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The Ex
David and Molly Jones live with their three-year-old son on Manhattan's Upper West Side. They are devoted to their child and secure in their love for each other. "Then Deirdre invades their lives..."
Once upon a time, she was David's wife. Now, suddenly, she is their new neighbor...befriending their son...luring her ex-husband back into a world of addictive sex David both craves and fears. But Deirdre won't be content to be the other woman forever. She wants David back--this time for keeps. There's only one force Deidre didn't reckon on: David' wife. To hold on to her family, her sanity, and her life, Molly is willing to go to hell and back.
Played out againt a teeming backdrop of urban life--with all its hidden perils and sudden, random violence-- "The Ex" grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the explosive climax. With this novel, John Lutz proves once again that he is the master of spine-tingling, edge-of-your-chair suspense.
Once upon a time, she was David's wife. Now, suddenly, she is their new neighbor...befriending their son...luring her ex-husband back into a world of addictive sex David both craves and fears. But Deirdre won't be content to be the other woman forever. She wants David back--this time for keeps. There's only one force Deidre didn't reckon on: David' wife. To hold on to her family, her sanity, and her life, Molly is willing to go to hell and back.
Played out againt a teeming backdrop of urban life--with all its hidden perils and sudden, random violence-- "The Ex" grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the explosive climax. With this novel, John Lutz proves once again that he is the master of spine-tingling, edge-of-your-chair suspense.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
13 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
John Lutz
234 books300 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John Lutz has captivated suspense enthusiasts for over four decades. He has been one of the premier voices in contemporary hard-boiled fiction. His work includes political suspense, private eye novels, urban suspense, humor, occult, crime caper, police procedural, espionage, historical, futuristic, amateur detective, thriller; virtually every mystery sub-genre. John Lutz published his first short story in 1966 in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and has been publishing regularly ever since. He is the author of more than fifty novels and 250 short stories and articles.
His novels and short fiction have been translated into virtually every language and adapted for almost every medium. He is a past president of both Mystery Writers of America and Private Eye Writers of America. Among his awards are the MWA Edgar, the PWA Shamus, The Trophee 813 Award for best mystery short story collection translated into the French language, the PWA Life Achievement Award, and the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Golden Derringer Lifetime Achievement Award.
He is the author of two private eye series, the Nudger series, set in his home town of St. Louis, and the Carver series, set in Florida, as well as many non-series suspense novels. His SWF SEEKS SAME was made into the hit movie SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh, and his novel THE EX was made into the HBO original movie of the same title, for which he co-authored the screenplay.
Lutz and his wife, Barbara, split their time between St. Louis and Sarasota, Florida.
John Lutz has captivated suspense enthusiasts for over four decades. He has been one of the premier voices in contemporary hard-boiled fiction. His work includes political suspense, private eye novels, urban suspense, humor, occult, crime caper, police procedural, espionage, historical, futuristic, amateur detective, thriller; virtually every mystery sub-genre. John Lutz published his first short story in 1966 in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and has been publishing regularly ever since. He is the author of more than fifty novels and 250 short stories and articles.
His novels and short fiction have been translated into virtually every language and adapted for almost every medium. He is a past president of both Mystery Writers of America and Private Eye Writers of America. Among his awards are the MWA Edgar, the PWA Shamus, The Trophee 813 Award for best mystery short story collection translated into the French language, the PWA Life Achievement Award, and the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Golden Derringer Lifetime Achievement Award.
He is the author of two private eye series, the Nudger series, set in his home town of St. Louis, and the Carver series, set in Florida, as well as many non-series suspense novels. His SWF SEEKS SAME was made into the hit movie SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh, and his novel THE EX was made into the HBO original movie of the same title, for which he co-authored the screenplay.
Lutz and his wife, Barbara, split their time between St. Louis and Sarasota, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 6, 2023
From 1996
I saw in my review of the Black Lizard Anthology of Crime Fiction that one of my favorite pieces was by John Lutz. Then I've seen on Kindle that he has lots of books. He wrote Single White Female (which I have seen the movie.of). And this novel is basically the same thing, but with a family and a child.. Fun and readable, but predictable.
I saw in my review of the Black Lizard Anthology of Crime Fiction that one of my favorite pieces was by John Lutz. Then I've seen on Kindle that he has lots of books. He wrote Single White Female (which I have seen the movie.of). And this novel is basically the same thing, but with a family and a child.. Fun and readable, but predictable.
February 27, 2021
3.5 stars. In this book from 1996, Deidre escaped from a mental hospital during a tornado. She killed on her way out and she has killed since. She travels to NYC to find her ex David, now married to Molly with a three year old son. Femme fatale Deidre. Stupid, weak David. This cannot end well.
The story had a great twist about 3/4 in that I did not see coming. What an ending! The author wants readers to wonder about that smile on the last page. I don't always understand endings if the author doesn't spell it out for me, but I believe I got this one.
Note: numerous sexual encounters and cruelty to a cat.
The story had a great twist about 3/4 in that I did not see coming. What an ending! The author wants readers to wonder about that smile on the last page. I don't always understand endings if the author doesn't spell it out for me, but I believe I got this one.
Note: numerous sexual encounters and cruelty to a cat.
July 28, 2019
Had it on my TBR for over 10 years now, so figured I'd finally pick it up.
I enjoyed the book, however, the ending left me dumbfounded. First of all, such a lack of restraint from the husband's side is simply laughable, but what really got to me was the epilogue. The author either doesn't know women at all, or he simply rushed the ending to be done with it.
Find me a single woman who behaves the way Molly did when the story ended - after she found out her husband's deep betrayal. Women simply don't act as if nothing happened, because it did. A major break of trust happened, and well, read for yourself and roll your own eyes at the implausible ending.
I enjoyed the book, however, the ending left me dumbfounded. First of all, such a lack of restraint from the husband's side is simply laughable, but what really got to me was the epilogue. The author either doesn't know women at all, or he simply rushed the ending to be done with it.
Find me a single woman who behaves the way Molly did when the story ended - after she found out her husband's deep betrayal. Women simply don't act as if nothing happened, because it did. A major break of trust happened, and well, read for yourself and roll your own eyes at the implausible ending.
August 28, 2021
My recent visit to the local library triggered some old memories including one of this title. My first ever crime/thriller book I borrowed from the adult section. Not sure how I'd rate it now but this book made me stick with this genre ever since and I do remember liking it a lot back then so Imma give it 4 stars for old times' sake.
March 2, 2025
I wanted a quick, torrid read and The Ex by John Lutz certainly delivered but that ending almost destroyed the entire book, it did bring a star off my rating. Lutz has some fun in the beginning of the story having our villain escape a mental institution and commit a quick murder. Her name is Deirdre and she's trying re-establish her relationship with her Ex, David. Unfortunately for her, David has remarried and has a young son. The story becomes Deirdre's quest to get back into David's life while wrecking havoc to anyone that gets in the way. It's a fun, tawdry, "lifetime movie" read but with some dark sex. There is a character in the book, Darlene, that you are never quite sure who she is or her purpose. There's a chapter that stumbles around trying to explain it then that ending tries to make us question what we just read. In some cases, I'd be okay with that but Lutz just doesn't work hard enough for me to get any enjoyment out of it. With just a little more effort this could have been a 4 star read. Maybe I'll get that with my next Lutz book.
August 31, 2023
Not bad but the twist is easy to see
August 26, 2024
Lots of twist and turns. Good book.
December 12, 2024
The book was good, kept my interest throughout. The ending was awful. It made no sense.
January 12, 2025
Really great book! Fast read… so catching.. could not stop reading
September 11, 2025
A jealous ex that lives upstairs? no thank you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2010
This book was "eh" for me. I was really enjoying it most of the way through, but started to roll my eyes towards the last third of the book. The actions of the husband really bugged me; either he is the world's most clueless idiot, or he's a complete jackass. Both, I guess! His wife was far more forgiving than I would be. Another negative is that there were numerous plot holes, and a few occassions where the story went from A to D with no B or C in between to clue us in on the transition.
Still, I kind of enjoyed the book. It was published in 1996 but it felt more dated than that. There was no email, no cell phones; answering machines with cassette tapes; none of the modern high-tech stuff that we have in this day and time. I enjoy reading books that took place several decades ago, and this one almost felt like it could've been written in the 50's or 60's.
So, nothing to rave over, but not totally bad.
This author also wrote Single White Female, from which came the movie with Jennifer Jason Leigh and Bridget Fonda.
Still, I kind of enjoyed the book. It was published in 1996 but it felt more dated than that. There was no email, no cell phones; answering machines with cassette tapes; none of the modern high-tech stuff that we have in this day and time. I enjoy reading books that took place several decades ago, and this one almost felt like it could've been written in the 50's or 60's.
So, nothing to rave over, but not totally bad.
This author also wrote Single White Female, from which came the movie with Jennifer Jason Leigh and Bridget Fonda.
April 20, 2014
John Lutz broke out with his debut thriller, The Ex, a couple of years ago. It's about your not typical ex that you've come across, now and then. David Jones was a happily remarried man with a devoted wife Molly and an adorable son Michael. But once upon a time, he was married to Deirdre. Years later, she re-entered his life with a plan of her own to win him back. And she would take down any obstacles in her way, leaving a trail of wreckage in her wake. Set in the backdrop of NYC, she wormed her way into their lives and driving a wedge her between Molly and David. In this fast-paced thriller, she makes it personal, until the shocking climax with a surprising ending.
January 31, 2009
Started reading and it became interesting from the beginning...so I kept reading more. I really had a hard time putting this one down, I wanted to know what was next!
I didn't expect other people to be effected by Deidre. I just figured ex-wife obsessed by ex-husband. Very interesting though, as always.
I didn't expect other people to be effected by Deidre. I just figured ex-wife obsessed by ex-husband. Very interesting though, as always.
June 9, 2009
This was an awesome book! Apparently they made an HBO series out of it, which I would love to see.
The ex wife of an everyday normal guy goes crazy and decides she wants her hubby back, but he's already re-married and has a son. I love this stalker!
The ex wife of an everyday normal guy goes crazy and decides she wants her hubby back, but he's already re-married and has a son. I love this stalker!
Read
February 24, 2017The successful and happy world of David and Molly Jones is thrown into
turmoil by the emergence of Deirdre Grocci, an erotically obsessed woman
from David's past who will stop at nothing to get him back.
November 1, 2008
sTALKER BOOK, SPOOKY
April 27, 2010
Think crazy ex wife, weak ex husband, and the 2nd wife and put them in a Fatal Attraction situation! It was a great book that I read in less than a day- one I couldn't put down!
March 21, 2011
Excellent. I want to read more of his. Very exciting.
June 19, 2011
Too much sex. Stupid book. Not the Lutz I like.
June 12, 2012
Free Ebook so why not?
2.5
2.5
June 17, 2012
I thought this book was good. However, I felt that the husband was a bit clueless regarding the whole situation and that irritated me.
August 13, 2012
Since this book was a stand alone instead of part of a series, I found it interesting from the beginning to end. There were enough twists & turns to keep me turning the pages, it was well written.
January 6, 2013
Predictable. But I like the author so I'm reading earlier novels is his
April 3, 2013
Trashy, scandalous, fun beach reading.
July 11, 2013
Gripping read. "Fatal Attraction" isn't a patch on this!!
Read
April 6, 2014Keeps you hooked til the very end every time. P.I. thriller/mystery.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews