The Unknown Wife

Aria Brandt #2

by Rylie Dark

In a sun-drenched Malibu mansion, art restorer Aria Brandt's latest commission by a reclusive millionaire is more than a job—it's a puzzle with a deadly secret buried in its layers of paint.

As she works, Aria becomes entangled in the mystery of the patron's missing first wife. With every brushstroke drags her deeper into a web of lies and deceit, blurring the lines between art and reality.

Can Aria uncover the truth before it’s too late? Or will she become part of the mansion's shadowed history?

THE UNKNOWN WIFE is the second book in a new psychological suspense series by #1 bestselling and critically acclaimed mystery and suspense author Rylie Dark, whose books have received over 2,000 five-star reviews and ratings.

Future books in the series are also available!

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

159 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2024

About the author

Rylie Dark is author of the SADIE PRICE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the CARLY SEE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the MIA NORTH FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the MORGAN STARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting); of the HAILEY ROCK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting),of the TARA STRONG MYSTERY series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the ALEX QUINN SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting).

Rylie loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.ryliedark.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.

BOOKS BY RYLIE DARK

ALEX QUINN SUSPENSE THRILLER

FIRST, MURDER (Book #1)

SECOND, DEATH (Book #2)

THIRD, ENVY (Book #3)

FOURTH, LUST (Book #4)

FIFTH, WRATH (Book #5)

HAILEY ROCK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

BEHIND YOU (Book #1)

BESIDE YOU (Book #2)

AFTER YOU (Book #3)

WATCHING YOU (Book #4)

JUDGING YOU (Book #5)

TARA STRONG MYSTERY

GIRL WITHOUT A CHANCE (Book #1)

GIRL WITHOUT A HOME (Book #2)

GIRL WITHOUT A TRACE (Book #3)

GIRL WITHOUT A NAME (Book #4)

GIRL WITHOUT A PRAYER (Book #5)

SADIE PRICE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

ONLY MURDER (Book #1)

ONLY RAGE (Book #2)

ONLY HIS (Book #3)

ONLY ONCE (Book #4)

ONLY SPITE (Book #5)

ONLY MADNESS (Book #6)

MIA NORTH FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

SEE HER RUN (Book #1)

SEE HER HIDE (Book #2)

SEE HER SCREAM (Book #3)

SEE HER VANISH (Book #4)

SEE HER GONE (Book #5)

SEE HER DEAD (Book #6)

CARLY SEE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

NO WAY OUT (Book #1)

NO WAY BACK (Book #2)

NO WAY HOME (Book #3)

NO WAY LEFT (Book #4)

NO WAY UP (Book #5)

NO WAY TO DIE (Book #6)

MORGAN STARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

TOO LATE (Book #1)

TOO CLOSE (Book #2)

TOO FAR GONE (Book #3)

TOO LOST (Book #4)

TOO BROKEN (Book #5)

Reviews

[Анастасія ꒰⁠⑅⁠ᵕ⁠༚⁠ᵕ⁠꒱⁠˖⁠♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Нудна і дратуюча книжка. Головна героїня вирішила що вона детектив чи поліцейська, тому лазить там де не положено, і вважає, що вона має на це право.

[Tammie P ℓօรƭเɳαɓօօҡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Unknown Wife (Aria Brandt #2) by Rylie Dark follows Aria Brandt, an art conservator hired to restore a painting at the grandiose Crestwood Manor in Malibu, California. Her time at the house pulls her into a mystery she intends to solve while navigating and analyzing the current and past inhabitants: an art advisor, the reclusive owner, his housekeeper, his still-grieving son, his current wife and his deceased first wife.

The story uses the first person narrative: Aria's point of view.

The main idea of the story is good. That's what made me read the book in the first place.

I couldn't get behind the main character. I suspect the protagonist's ability to pry was to attest to her tenacity. However, (many times) her prying came across as annoying.

I didn't like the author's storytelling method/technique.
The story read/felt like a series of events. It did not 'draw me in.' I only stuck it out to the end because curiosity got the best of me. Alas, the climax was underwhelming. Hence, my rating below:

I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars. It just didn't resonate with me. But, maybe it will, with you.

I purchased a copy of this novel (publication date: August 31, 2024). All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Susan Mabry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast-paced novel perfect for the beach! 3stars because the murderer was predictable to me😂but a fun read. Love Rylie Dark!

[Maryann Hornbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down.

This story gabbed me from the start. But little did I realize it was book 2 and there were too many references to book one. In fact chapter 20 was entirely useless as far as I was concerned.

Aria, a young art restorer, is hired to restore a painting for a wealthy man in a mansion. The painting was his dead wife’s favorite. The new wife is rather snotty and unfriendly but since Aria was referred by friend Vivian, who is an art expert, she’s hired.

The home is strange and quiet but Aria makes friends with the housekeeper and the owners son. As she starts the restoration she becomes increasingly curious about this strange family. She begins snooping and asking questions that (I think) are none of her business. But as it turns out she discovers some startling facts.

At any rate the story is magnetic and keeps you reading. But I do have some criticism as to the reality of a stranger in your home, prodding and snooping so much.

[Tiffany A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rylie Dark's The Unknown Wife delivers a gripping psychological suspense tale that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Set in a sun-drenched Malibu mansion, the story follows art restorer Aria Brandt as she becomes entangled in the mystery of her patron's missing first wife. With each brushstroke, Aria delves deeper into a web of lies and deceit, blurring the lines between art and reality.

The book’s pacing is spot-on, maintaining a steady rhythm that propels the narrative forward without dragging. The twists and turns are well-executed, ensuring that readers remain engaged and eager to uncover the truth. The psychological tension adds depth to the story, exploring themes of memory, identity, and trust. Aria's character is compelling, and her journey is both intriguing and thought-provoking. However, some readers have noted that certain side characters could have been more developed, and a few plot twists may stretch believability. Additionally, the book is the second in the Aria Brandt series, and some references to the first book may be confusing for new readers.

Despite these minor drawbacks, The Unknown Wife is a solid and enjoyable thriller that will appeal to fans of domestic suspense. It's a quick, satisfying read that keeps you guessing until the very end.

[Rebecca Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Unknown Wife" by Rylie Dark is one of those thrillers that grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. It’s the kind of plot that makes you want to keep turning the pages to figure out what’s going on. Rylie Dark knows how to build suspense. The pacing is spot on — you never feel like the story drags, and the twists hit you just when you’re starting to think you’ve got it all figured out. There’s a lot of psychological tension too, which adds depth to the story. You get to explore the protagonist’s struggle with memory, identity, and trust, which keeps you invested. That said, some of the side characters could’ve used a bit more development. They don’t always feel fleshed out, and a couple of the plot twists might be a little hard to believe. But if you’re just looking for a fast, engaging read that keeps you guessing, this book delivers. "The Unknown Wife" is a solid, enjoyable thriller. It’s perfect if you’re into domestic suspense and don’t mind a few out-there twists. It’s a quick, satisfying read that’s sure to keep you entertained.

[Dr. S. Conger · Rating 4 out of 5]

art restorer murder mystery

Aria finds herself in a strange, locked-up, sprawling mansion on the Pacific Coast restoring a sundamaged painting and increasingly finding unexplained details in the death of the first wife of the owner. As she paints and ruminates, she begins to investigate, finding paintings in a strange storage area and other things that don't add up. As clues mount, she enlists help, finds a few allies and alienates a few enemies, too. A good book for a rainy day!

[Perrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was decent, but far too many repeated "a smile that didn't reach his/her eyes" or similar. Did any editor or the author herself not notice this? I mean, it was beyond ludicrous. Sorry. I did finish the book, but nearly DNFed after the twentieth or so similar phrase. Won't be reading any more by this author.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hooked me really quickly! I listened to it, so I may have missed a couple details. But I thought there were a few things an editor should have caught and fixed (like two people have a conversation and then the story says “a couple hours later…”. But those little things didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment. It was a very engaging mystery!

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written series. The mystery builds to the very end, and a character you least expect is responsible for the murder. The plot weaves through the characters building their personality traits and is easy to read. You are finished with the book before you realize it.

[diannscollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skeletons in the Closet

The artist who stays in the mansion to refurbish a painting feels like there is something going on with the family that lives there. How did the first wife really die? What's with the paintings in the storage units?

[Judy Scaife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different

The storyline was interesting and intriguing at the same time. I felt the main character was too nosey for her own good, but she got the job done in the end. The ending certainly was not expected. Worth a read