Mark Burcham and his wife Amy live the perfect they have a happy marriage, a comfortable home in Los Angeles and a beautiful daughter, Tatum. But one night Amy fails to come home from a business trip to Boston, and her office has no record of a client on the east coast.
Then Mark gets the worst news of all; Amy has been found dead. But nothing makes sense. Why was Amy still in town, when he’d waved her off at the airport a few days before? Who was the mysterious client she’d been meeting with for months? There’s only one thing Mark knows for his wife was keeping secrets.
As he digs deeper into the life Amy tried to keep hidden, Mark realizes that someone is trying to stop him, someone who is watching his every move. And when they threaten Tatum to keep him from discovering the truth, Mark will stop at nothing to keep his family safe…
Steve Frech lives in Los Angeles. His best-selling thrillers, DARK HOLLOWS, NIGHTINGALE HOUSE, and DEADLY GAMES, are available in all e-book formats and paperback from HQ Stories & Harper Collins.
SECRETS TO THE GRAVE (Book 1 in the Detective Meredith Somerset series) is now available.
In addition to writing, he is the co-creator of 'Sports? with Jessimae Peluso' for Comedy Central.
He is phenomenal at bar trivia, enjoys cooking, and is a frustrated Chicago Bears fan.
The Good Husband by Steve Frech is a police procedural thriller that I could not put down, it was entertaining from beginning to end which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Amy & Mark Burcham were happily married & had a daughter Tatum Amy was going on a business trip to Boston & was staying at the Viscery Hotel she usually rings Mark as they were so very close but when Mark didn’t hear from her for two days alarm bells were ringing.
Detective Harper was brought in by Mark to investigate her disappearance as we delve further into the prose a body turns up on Skid Row it had been there a few days, Mark finds out that it is Amy who would want to kill her & what is the motive?
The tension builds up chapter by chapter it kept me guessing right the way through but when Detective Harper ends up dead things start to escalate even more & the kidnapping of Tatum turns Mark’s world upside down. A solid 4 star 🌟 read loved this book.
Mark and Amy are living a quiet suburban life with their teenage daughter, Tatum, when all of the sudden, everything Mark knows is gone. He dropped his wife off at LAX for her business flight to Boston, as he had been doing for months. A few days later, Amy’s body is found - not in Boston, but right there in Los Angeles. The police say she overdosed, but Mark knows his wife - she would never do drugs. Is it possible the police are lying to him? He’s not going to give up on finding out…
I haven’t seen many reviews for this book yet, but the ones I’ve seen were overwhelmingly positive. This is definitely a page-turner with some action, some suspense, some surprises and quite a few twists. Normally, that would mean a 4-5 star rating from me, but we have a couple of problems…
I don’t mind a bit of exaggeration or a couple of improbable things in a thriller book; usually it’s to be expected. This, however, may win the prize of THE MOST implausible book I’ve ever read. I’d love to make a separate review for all of the technically unimaginable and far-fetched things in this book, as there were so many - enough that I was eventually laughing. The writing also made things relatively easy to figure out, though the big twist was a complete surprise!
This is one you can read in one sitting, and most popcorn thriller fans will enjoy it. It’s not a bad story, but it was just too far off the edge of reality for me. By the end, all I could think was that there was no way any of this would have ever happened the way it did. For being so unbelievable when a few tweaks could have changed that, it gets 3.5 stars from me.
(Thank you to HQ, Steve Frech and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on February 27, 2024.)
This is definitely one of those “high octane” novels and I loved the action and unexpected plot developments. Readers run around Los Angeles with the faithful husband, Mark, (seriously, he is a genuine good guy, no ulterior motive!) as he tries to find out what really happened to his wife.
I enjoyed following this story from a male perspective; it definitely made for a refreshing read. Following the devastating news that his wife has died, Mark does not believe the police report. From the beginning, his gut is telling him that there is far more to Amy’s death than is being reported, and when he clocks a black SUV following him around town, he starts to realise that there are bigger powers at play.
Like Mark, readers are taken on a high energy journey of discovery where truths are questioned and no one can be trusted. When it is clear that even his daughter is becoming trapped in an apparent web of deceit, Mark feels the pressure even more to keep his family safe. I admired Mark’s qualities: his determination to discover the truth at all costs and how much he cares for his teenage daughter. Even when the task feels hopeless, Mark follows a trail of clues to help him find out what really happened to his wife.
The short chapters definitely helped with the fast pace of this narrative but even then, I still felt like I could not put it down. I was so intrigued to see what would happen next to Mark and whether there was anyone who he could actually trust. When it is clear that there is deception far outreaching any authority figure, I could get a true sense of how helpless Mark felt yet, he never gives up and starts challenging the threats that come his way.
This was such a good read and I can definitely see it being turned into a film or television series. There are enough cliff-hangers to keep viewers interested! A family man turned protector, I enjoyed seeing Mark’s character at work over the story and how nothing is what it seems.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It became really hard to finish this book as the same phrase and comments were repeatedly over and over. Points sometimes need to be said several times to empower their points but this was way over kill and hard to finish the book
3/5★ • tengo sentimientos encontrados con este libro porque la trama me ha gustado y me ha parecido interesante. es adictiva, con giros interesantes y ágil de leer. pero la narración y la forma de escribir del autor no me ha gustado, creo que está narrado de una forma muy simple y un poco inconexa en algunas partes.
Lo siento no puedo meterle más de 2 estrellas porque el giro de guion es tan lamentable, si, lamentable del todo, que me es imposible dejarlo pasar.
Y es una pena, porque la historia no está mal, el protagonista cumple y la trama tiene su puntillo, tampoco es que sin ese giro se hubiera llevado 4, pero 3 sólidas sin duda.
Novela que solo recomiendo para aquellos que les guste el género y no quieran pensar mucho.
This story is told in first person by Mark. This is my first read by this author. I found it to be a fast-paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. As I read along, I couldn’t help but think that it was going to end up being a standard whistleblower story and that I would probably be disappointed in the end, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. “What was this woman up to?” is what I kept thinking as the husband uncovered secrets and lies at every turn.
I really enjoyed this family, the characters of Mark and his daughter and the story that he tells of his love with his wife Amy. I was rooting for him along the way, trying to figure out Amy’s actions and motivations that might prove him right in the faith and loyalty he had with her. I was also a bit distracted by Mark and his obliviousness at times and missed a few things myself. Loved the twist and I should have seen it coming but I didn’t.
Recommended for a quick, unputdownable thriller.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for a copy provided for an honest review.
The Good Husband was a solid domestic thriller and exactly what I’d call a palate cleanser read. It’s intriguing, fast-moving, and suspenseful without being heavy on graphic content or extreme trigger warnings.
The story starts with a chilling setup: a husband drops his wife off at the airport for a routine business trip—only for her to be found days later, dead just miles from their home. The circumstances of her death don’t align with the woman he knew at all: dressed in lingerie, ruled an accidental overdose, and quickly labeled as a tragic case of a secret double life.
Everyone around him is ready to accept that explanation. He’s cast as the pitied, grieving husband who simply can’t face the truth. But he knows his wife too well to believe that narrative—and that quiet certainty drives the tension forward.
This isn’t a twist-heavy, shock-for-shock’s-sake thriller, but it is a compelling psychological unraveling of marriage, perception, and how easily a story can be rewritten once someone can no longer defend themselves. The pacing is strong, the suspense builds steadily, and it kept me engaged without demanding too much emotional or mental energy.
If you’re looking for a quick, entertaining domestic thriller with low trigger intensity—something suspenseful but accessible—this one fits the bill perfectly. A great in-between read for thriller lovers.
When The Good Husband audiobook popped up as an Audible recommendation, I was instantly captivated by the book’s cover and intrigued by this ‘new to me’ author. Thanks to the recommendation, I am now a Steve Frech follower! I’m so happy to have given The Good Husband a listen- what an action packed adrenaline rush. I was on edge for a majority of the story. Frech’s writing had a free flowing style that balanced well with the complexity of the characters and tension filled plot. It goes without saying, there were plenty of suspense, secrets, and betrayal that hooked me right from the start and held on in intensity until the very end.
The Good Husband followed Mark Burcham and his wife, Amy. They were living a happy and comfortable life in Los Angeles until one night Amy failed to come home from a business trip in Boston, and her office has no record of having clients on the east coast. Learning this, Mark went on an endless quest to determine what happened to Amy.
I admired the length Mark Burcham, the main protagonist, went to protect his family. He was relentless. His determination and persistence was commendable. Although, there isn’t any one I know that wouldn’t persevere if they were in the same predicament as Mark. That said, this story had a highly intense and gripping narrative that made this tale extremely entertaining. I didn’t want to stop listening.
On top of the profound tension, I found the themes Frech focused on meshed well with the dialogue-from the devastating loss and grief, adulterous betrayal, to dark secrets and cover-ups, all fit together appropriately. Moreover, these themes all played a significant role in making the plot stand out in comparison to other books in the thriller-mystery genre. Likewise, a few plot elements also stood out. One, Mark being a stay-at-home-dad, and two, the motives, clues, and plot twists were solid and these collectively made for a mysterious and intriguing narrative. I also liked the shocking revelations. I did not predict them, but in hindsight, there was one revelation that I should have predicted. But since I didn’t, Frech left me questioning all that I had read, and it was stimulating.
Although this was my first read by Steve Frech, his new release, The Good Husband showcased his skilled storytelling and deserves a wider audience in the suspenseful thriller-mystery genre. I am elated to have added Frech to my ever growing ‘top author’ list and I unquestionably recommend this book if you are attracted to thrillers that read with the ease of Daniel Hurst’s books but have the plot intricacies of John Marrs writing style. You will be in for a real treat with Steve Frech newest release, The Good Husband. (Audio)
Oh my goodness – what a nail biter! This thriller sucked me in very early on and didn’t let up until the bombshell ending. I’ve read other novels by this author and he’s earned a spot on my must-read list. The happily married couple with a teenage daughter were so realistic it felt as if I knew them all. Mark is a stay at home Dad while Amy is a very successful, committed client recruiter for a hedge fund. They live in Los Angeles and the only conflict has been their daughter’s boundaries with the boyfriend. Just as everything seems to good to be real their happily ever after ends. Far from being over, Mark’s nightmare is only beginning. The plot covers every range of emotion you can feel, from devastating loss and grief, adulterous betrayal, to dark secrets and cover-ups. The plot is original and well paced. You won’t know who to trust or what to believe. The police detective, even the FBI, the very agencies you expect to give you answers, will they help you understand why Amy died? A must read thriller that will keep you guessing start to finish. I received an advance reader copy of “The Good Husband” by Steve Frech, publisher HarperCollins, expected publication 02/27/2024, from NetGalley. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.
I’m shocked that this book is so highly rated. I should’ve given up within the first 50 pages. What a drag to read. Hated the writing style, storyline was absolutely ridiculous. Just no. Skip it.
3.75⭐️ Fast paced new author for me!! I found this book enjoyable and I loved the MC, Mark. He is a good man who goes to great lengths to find answers about who killed his wife, Amy. His love and care for his daughter, Tatum, is so sweet. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
Well, it was always you. WHAT a line, kinda grabs your heartstrings and pulls, doesn't it? This family is in a hell of a mess with bad guys everywhere and nothing to go on but what the husband knows in his gut. That his wife didn't cheat, that she wouldn't lie, and that she loved him despite the evidence that seems to suggest otherwise.
I was hooked from the start and held on tight as the book unfolded. Mark and Amy have had a great marriage if you ask Mark, the stay-at-home dad to Tatum. But then his wife doesn't return from a business trip and all hell breaks out. Then Amy is found dead, not murdered, but dead.
The plot is smart and moves quickly. This was my first book by Frech, but I don't think it will be my last.
This is a okay thriller/mystery, but I wouldn’t characterize it as “pulse pounding” or fast paced. The characters are impossible to become invested in. The teenage daughter is hateable and the husband makes ridiculous decisions. They have no other family or friends to support them, which actually makes sense considering how awful they are. Most of the plot devices were delivered with a heavy hand and I predicted the ending after the tenth reference to one of the bigger clues. This book should have been told in multiple perspectives, with the second half being told in the past from the wife’s perspective. The book would have garnered more reader investment in the characters.
The buildup was exciting enough, but the escalation and the end was anti-climactic, and it was hard to care about the charaters. Mark is borderline unlikable, and I know NOTHING about any of them outside of the plot. The engagement was wildly unneccesary and the conclusion of the book was lackluster. The book started at a solid 4 stars and derailed itself to a 1.
Pedestrian take of man trying to find missing wife and things are afoot Bit intriguing at begining but then quite straightforward and nothing new Sorry Ty though netgalley and publishers for advanced copy to read
Mark Burcham knows his wife Amy. At least he thinks he does. So when she doesn’t return from a business trip to Boston, and within hours her lingerie clad body is discovered in an alley, dead of an overdose, he is sure she was murdered. Unfortunately, the police do not agree with him. They don’t believe him when he tells them he’s being followed or when he blames a household accident on a mysterious intruder. He’s on his own and he needs to protect himself and his teenage daughter. Protect her from what exactly?
And then comes the wild ride that is The Good Husband. Mark, Amy, Tatum, Liz and Aiden leap out of the pages. You don’t have a chance to think if all the action could really happen, you just hang on tightly as this twisty plot gets more and more complicated. And just when you think you have it figured out, the final surprise will leave you breathless. I couldn’t read fast enough! 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, HQ digital and Steve Frech for this ARC.
This kind of feels like a white male savior type of book. You know those action/suspense thrillers where the white male saves the day? I did enjoy some of the mystery, but then there was this ridiculous twist. I think no matter if your wife is a part of that(trying to keep it spoiler-free), you would know it's your wife. It was unbelievable. In the climax part too, it felt over-the-top.
I felt like the ending was underwhelming but it was a really good book. It definitely kept me engaged. Was a page turner. Would like to read more of this author. I felt like the ending was like something I’ve read or seen before which was underwhelming to me.
This was a pretty good, fast paced short thriller. The MMC was a good, family man protecting his family. The family relationships are solid and they are relatable. The main twist caught me by surprise, which is rare. All in all this was a solid read.