Her Prodigal Husband

Alice Einstein #1

by Becky Masterman

From the award-winning author of the internationally-bestselling Brigid Quinn thrillers, which have been translated into 20 languages, comes this gripping series an upmarket novel of domestic suspense about a pair of sisters nicknamed Malice and Lethal, and a husband who vanishes into thin air, only to reappear and throw a bomb into both their lives

Alice Einstein - known as "Malice" to her former schoolfriends - likes to tell herself stories. There's a good one she's workshopping about how, despite once being a critically acclaimed literary novelist, she's ended up blocked and uninspired, living in her timid, conflict-averse sister Liesel's spare room.

But then Liesel sends her an SOS worthy of a thriller novel. The horror! The horror! Sam is back.

Sam, Liesel's wealthy ex-husband, vanished ten years ago, leaving her a chunk of money but no explanation. Sam is handsome, charming, manipulative . . . and now he claims he's sick. But Alice, with her experience of spinning tales, knows a liar when she sees one.

Haunted by a childhood tragedy that gave birth to the cruel nickname "Lethal", Liesel now specialises in saving dogs, children, sisters. Telling herself it's time she returned the favor, Alice engages the services of Brigid Quinn, a hardboiled local private investigator with a shady past, to help her get rid of Sam for good.

But as the plot thickens, Alice begins to wonder if she knows anyone involved - most of all herself - quite as well as she thinks . . .

Packed with quirky, colorful characters, and with a nail-biting, slow-burn plot, Her Prodigal Husband is a nail-biting novel of domestic suspense that raises thought-provoking questions about self-deception, the power of stories, and what it means to be a family, and marks the long-awaited return of Brigid Quinn, "one of the most memorable FBI agents since Clarice Starling" (Publishers Weekly).

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense

272 pages, Hardcover

Published January 7, 2025

About the author

Becky Masterman created her heroine, Brigid Quinn while working as an editor for a forensic science and law enforcement press. Her debut thriller, Rage Against the Dying, was a finalist for the Edgar Awards and the CWA Gold Dagger, as well as the Macavity, Barry, ITW and Anthony awards. Becky lives in Tucson, Arizona, with her husband.

Reviews

[Jannelies (living between hope and fear) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sometimes you pick up a book that disappoints from the first few pages. Sadly, this is such a book. I just couldn’t get into it; I found it confusing and had an immediate dislike for the two main characters. And the food… If there’s one thing that I don’t like is descriptions of every meal a person in the story haves. And here the book starts with the description of a truly unappetizing meal. It may sound silly but I really tried to get over it and I just couldn't. Maybe I should try another book by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and Severn House for this review copy.

[Kate Cedras · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay read but drug on… I finished but it was honestly challenging to finish. The story lacked depth and I felt like the characters were just missing something. Either way- not my favorite book.

I always recommend every read books and determine their review and opinion on their own.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Laura Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

HER PRODIGAL HUSBAND by Becky Masterman
Release date set for the 7th of January 2025
Thank you netgalley and Severn house publisher for this ARC.
This is a spin off book from a series that I haven't read before.
Slow paced book for me and I struggled to stay engaged with it.
It's a good book it just wasn't for me that's all

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler free review on my YouTube channel! https://youtube.com/@bookreviewswithb...

[Jessica Wilczynski · Rating 1 out of 5]

1⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for an advanced copy of Her Prodigal Husband.

Liesel has trauma from her past when she was a teenager babysitting and something happened to the child she was watching. Ever since then she has made it her life’s mission to help others. Her sister Alice has always tried to protect her especially when Liesel’s estranged husband shows back up after disappearing a decade ago. Liesel believes his story about being sick but Alice decides to find out why he is really back.

This book was the weirdest book I have ever read. I did not enjoy one thing about it. The characters were horrible and the storyline was way too complicated. I honestly feel like it is hard to even explain what went on in this book. I was not a fan.

[Faithe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Prodigal Husband by Becky Masterman , centers around Alice Einstein who is an author. She is writing greeting card lines as she has writer's Block and it pays the bills, or at least her portion of them as she lives in her sister's guest room. Her sister Liesl, had a traumatic event happen surrounding a young baby when she was a teenager. Liesl was so affected by this event that it continues to come up throughout her life in various ways. Liesl also has a lot going on, aside from dealing with her past trauma, she is dealing with her ex-husband re-entering the picture, fostering rescue dogs and helping those seeking asylum in the United states. Liesl's ex-husband Sam comes back into the picture, after several years away, claiming he has a rare incurable disease. Alice decides to ask for help in Brigid Quinn who is an ex FBI agent turned private investigator, to see what she can dig up on Sam.

Everyone in this book is very dynamic and full of layers (and secrets). The book definitely had some twists that I did not see coming! I loved that Alice writes a book, titles the same as this book, like book inception!

Overall, this was a very engaging read that I would recommend to anyone that likes thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Note: Thank you to Becky Masterman and Severn house for providing this book to NetGalley. I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

[Leane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Masterman’s Quinn series is unique due to its older female protagonist, compelling detective and forensic procedural details, and the sultry, arid baking sun of its Arizona setting. This author understands how to deftly plot while weaving in CH particulars, for both her main and secondary CHs, and thematic material which adds, along with the weather and setting details, a variety of Tones from contemplative to terrifying, making her books page-turners. The first is Rage Against the Dying (2013). Her Prodigal Husband alludes to the stunning but staggering conclusion to the fourth book, We Were Once Killers (2019). You can read Her Prodigal Husband as both a stand-alone and as a way to catch-up with Ms Quinn since the devastating conclusion of Killers. If CH development is your thing, read them in order for the pleasure of a writer who knows her stuff. Masterman always plays a bit with Style, and in Her Prodigal Husband, she tells this tale through Alice (Malice) Einstein (last name is a trope in itself) as a 1st POV and very URN (Unreliable Narrator). Alice is a frustrated novelist, searching for the story to put her back on the best seller lists, who lives in her head constantly creating story lines from the wheat and chaff of the lives of those around her and an over-protective older sister to Liesel (Lethal). The meta material about creating stories, writing, publishing, and the celebrity success brings, is one of the constant undercurrents in this book and our job, as readers, is to figure out what is real and what is fiction while we read a fictional story. Challenging as much as it is entertaining and insightful. I do believe the author is working out something out here. The Story Line is a journey the reader will want to take themselves; however, the author combines the 1st POV running commentary of Alice with excerpts of her typed versions of her novel in progress, Plot continuously zigs and zags as she tells this tale, and makes us view the other CHs through her particular lens—but also manages to give us clues to the complexity of the other CHS, and, oddly, the satisfying ending. Humor, especially in dialogue, serves the story well, and I found Alice’s asides, Quinn’s acerbic comments, and the antics around the rescue dogs broke up the tensions that continue to build until the end. Liesel is the younger sister and worries about climate change, conserving water, has at least 2-3 rescue dogs, works with the vulnerable immigrant population, and whose particular Achille’s Heel is children. Even in her middle-age, Alice believes, Liesel cannot see the negative in people and is particularly vulnerable, to her prodigal husband, Sam. Sam’s privileged upbringing and trust fund mindset, education, and male narcissism is often another topic of humor since Alice truly loathes him. Thematic material also includes immigration, climate, domestic abuse, the treatment of Native Americans, COVID, fraud, and PTSD as Masterman sprinkles in other political, economic, and social issues. Red Flags: Domestic Abuse; Sexual and Child Abuse; Harm to Child; Immigration; Violent Death; Violence; Parenting; SIDS. Fans of the Setting may want to also look for the Georgia O’Keeffe historical mystery series by Kathryn Lasky set in 1935 New Mexico, for Frame, CH, and Tone as well as good detecting details. Another Readalike suggestion is because of the fiction/writing meta, CHs, and Plot, as well as Setting (although not Arizona), Peter Swanson’s Eight Perfect Murders, and/or for 1st POV and writing, Kemper Donovan.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her Prodigal Husband by Becky Masterman is a recommended domestic suspense novel.

Alice Einstein, a novelist who currently writes greeting cards messages, is living with her younger sister Liesl, in Saddlebrooke, Arizonia. When Liesl's wealthy ex-husband Sam suddenly appears after being gone for ten years, Alice's first thought is he will be kicked out of the house, but she sees kindhearted Liesl welcoming him back. Sam claims he has a fatal illness, but Alice has her doubts. Sam is a known liar. Alice ends up asking hardboiled private investigator Brigid Quinn, a friend of Liesl, to look into where he has been to help get rid of him.

The characters are all fully realized and portrayed as individuals, but other than Brigid, I didn't really care about any of them which made the all ready slow moving plot crawl along. Part of the problem is that Alice is the narrator and her character grated on my nerves. She never became an interesting or compelling character to follow. Interspersed between the action are excerpts of or thoughts about Alice's writing a thriller based on the current situation. They didn't add anything to the narrative for me, other than slowing it down.

The quality of the writing is good and has an interesting plot. There are twists and some humorous moments, which the dogs often help create. The actual narrative just moved too slowly and never held my complete attention. Additionally, inserted in the narrative are opinions concerning current political views, which diminishes and dates the novel. The final denouement had some surprises.

This is a spin-off from a series featuring Brigid Quinn, when she was with the FBI, and based on her character, I'd be interested in reading those novels. Her Prodigal Husband is a decent domestic suspense novel and will perhaps work better for other readers. Thanks to Severn House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/1...

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Brigid Quinn books and was beyond excited to see there was a new one featuring the fearless retired ex FBI agent. That being said this book was not in the same league as the earlier ones— it was almost as if someone else had written it.
It took me ages to get into the story and I found the plot overly complicated with a denouement that was distinctly underwhelming.
I nearly put the book down several times but in the end decided to finish it as I was curious how it would all end. Indeed it did pick up a bit towards the end.
Alice and Liesl Einstein are two sisters who live together- Alice is an author who writes greetings card verses as she has had little success with her novels in recent years and Liesl devotes herself to good causes after her husband left her 10 years earlier. However as he was well off she has plenty of money and a lovely house.
When one day he turns up, claiming a fatal illness and wanting to move back in, Liesl accepts him. However, Alice is deeply suspicious of his motives.
She employs Brigid Quinn to investigate him and in the process discovers that all is not as it seems.
The premise of the plot is good but I just didn’t find the story engaging. I wasn’t particularly drawn to Alice who narrates the story and the sisters’ connection to Albert Einstein was not especially interesting.
That being said, I enjoyed meeting Brigid Quinn again and wouldn’t be averse to reading more about her, perhaps in a book written in the same way as the earlier ones with Brigid as the main character as she has a great self deprecating sense of humour which I enjoyed reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read Becky Masterman’s Brigid Quinn books and enjoying them, I was excited to read “Her Prodigal Husband.” The book’s main characters are Alice and Liesel Einstein, two sisters nicknamed Malice and Lethal in high school. When the book begins, Alice is living in a guest room at Liesel’s home, writing greeting cards and working on a thriller. The author of three books already, Alice decides to make this new book part of the thriller genre.

Shortly after the novel starts, Liesel sends a text message to Alice that her estranged husband, Sam, has returned after ten years. Based on Sam’s history, as well as his disappearance for a decade, Alice is suspicious of his return and what the future entails. She enlists the help of Brigid Quinn, a private investigator with secrets of her own, that is an acquaintance of Liesel. Alice wants Brigid to investigate Sam and where he’s been for the past ten years and whether Liesel can trust what he tells her.

Liesel, meanwhile, has spent most of the years since Sam’s disappearance saving the money he left her, fostering dogs, and trying to help asylum seekers navigate the U.S. legal systems. She seems to take what Sam tells her at face value and doesn’t question what he says. Liesel also doesn’t seem interested in where Sam’s been for the past ten years.

Overall, this book didn’t work for me. The author’s writing style was not anything like what I remembered (and enjoyed) from her books focused on Brigid Quinn. The plot made no sense to me, at times, and some of Alice’s choices and actions were far-fetched. In fact, the few bright spots of the book for me were the ones involving Brigid Quinn and her interactions with Alice, Liesel, and Sam.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

[Stacey Crampton · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House Publisher for this ARC. The views below are my own.

Plot

Haunted by a childhood tragedy that gave birth to the cruel nickname "Lethal", Liesl now specialises in saving things: dogs, children, sisters. Telling herself it's time she returned the favor, Alice engages the services of Brigid Quinn, a hardboiled local private investigator with a shady past, to help her get rid of Sam for good.

Sam, Liesl's wealthy ex-husband, vanished ten years ago, leaving her a chunk of money but no explanation. Sam is handsome, charming, manipulative . . . and now he claims he's sick. But Alice, with her experience of spinning tales, knows a liar when she sees one.

Review

Perhaps because this was a spin-off of a series I haven’t read, I don’t have the full history of Quinn, but I really struggled to get through this book. It was well written, it was twisty and confusing in all the right parts but I just couldn’t get to grips with it. Overall, I was left a little underwhelmed but I didn’t hate it, it’s just not for me.

[Eva Edge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Prodigal Husband by Becky Masterman is domestic suspense with some twists and humorous moments. This is a slow-paced story but I kind of liked the storyline. It's not typical so it was kind of interesting to see where things were going.

Einstein sisters Alice and Liesl were always close and now as adults they live in the same house, support and look after each other. Alice is a published author who currently writes greeting cards but Liesl dedicates her life to helping the less fortunate. Then out of nowhere Liesl's husband Sam arrives. Alice doesn't believe that after 10 years Sam is here to be with Liesl so this is where ex-FBI agent Brigid comes in handy.

The story is presented in one timeline and mainly from Alice's point of view so it is easy to follow.

Thank you, NetGalley and Severn House Publisher for this copy.

[Ashley Mahoney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book to review through NetGalley. This book was a tough read for me. It was very slow and never really picked up. It felt very anti climatic. Quinn was the only interesting character. I think digging into her past/career would’ve made for a much better book. The main character in this book was annoying and self absorbed. It just felt like nothing really happened through out the book. I usually finish books within a few days and this one took me a few weeks.

As for the actual writing, I found that there were many run on sentences. I didn’t like that it was just from the main characters point of view I think having Sam’s point of view also would’ve helped a bit.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit to being a fan of Brigid Quinn, the FBI SA turned PI who figures in many of Masterman's books-but if you haven't read the preceding novels, you'll still be fine with this as a standalone. However, know that it wasn't my favorite of the lot largely because I didn't like Alice who narrates. Sam. the husband of Alice's sister Liesel, has returned after years away and is claiming that he's ill but Alice wisely does not believe him and hires Brigid. This starts slow and then gets twisty with a historical angle that didn't quite work for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers.

[Corina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few months back, I read a book for our bookish meetup that was published 13 years ago by Becky Masterman - needless to say, I was hooked and read all her works! Much to my surprise, she wrote a spinoff to that series this year and it featured Brigid Quinn!!

Triangulation fiction with deep secrets, WTF moments, and a happy ending that didn’t get anybody killed - even Carlo seems to be getting over his angst. The style of writing was unique in that the story flipped from being told in realtime to being a draft of a book that would possibly be published? Here’s to hoping there will be more!

[Nicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many secrets, lies and hidden agendas make this a book that should have been a winner. But the minute I opened the book I fell asleep. Not the goal the author was looking for. The characters just didn't grab me. Sam was clearly a loser. So why did he show up again? Taking the money and house would not save him. And to claim he was dying? If he was dying why would he need the money or the house? Just didn't make sense to me. The young sister seems spacy and the older one creates stories out of speculation. The storyline could have been amazing. But I was not amazed at all.

[Michelle Godard-Richer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author, so I went in without a previous connection to Brigid Quinn. I was able to follow along with the plotting, and I enjoyed the suspense behind unravelling Alice's tales and the mystery of her sister Liesl's shady husband Sam. But I didn't feel the connection to the characters that I probably would have if I'd connected with Brigid Quinn in the previous books. Fans of slower-burn mysteries and the previous books by this author will enjoy this one.

3.5 rounded up to 4

[Sooz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The whole premise for this book is good but it's not well put together. The whole plot is slow, is tied up too quickly and as for the jumping around, that just confused me at bits. You were never sure if things were really happening or if it was in the main characters head. If you like a mystery that is slow paced with no murder, then this may be for you. But if you like fast paced mysteries then steer clear.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be slow and without much substance. I did not like the
Characters and had a difficult time knowing what they were out to prove.
Just kept dragging on. One sister was wealthy through marriage and the
Other was a writer. Guess they were trying to prove they weren’t bad
People. Just a so so read for me.

[Shannon D'Arpino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite, I actually struggled to get through this one. I found the story hard to follow and not sure how I liked the characters. I felt like the most interesting part of the story was only a blip. I would have liked to have gotten more information on the Native Americans portion of the story (don't want to share any spoilers).

[DJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different Brigid Quin book, in that it was told from Alice Einstein's POV. I really enjoyed the behind the scenes look at Book Festivals, author interviews with their FAQ's, and the name dropping of some of my favorite authors. I don't know why this book is rated so low by other readers? I found it to be like a literary chocolate box, and I really enjoyed it.

[Tena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts outs very slow. Told from Alice's point of view the story bounces back and forth. A great story line, just unfolded slowly. Some laugh out load moments with some mystery and several dogs.

[Jess Connell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was fun. I spent the majority of it confused and guessing, which is exactly what you want from a psychological thriller. I liked the way everything wrapped up nicely, though it felt slightly anti-climactic

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, hated Sam

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful

[Tobey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, easy read, but I didn't like the tone. I'd love a return to a pure Brigid Quinn novel.

[Stella Marchione · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such an interesting story to watch unfold. It took me in directions I had no idea it would end up it. Very twisty.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different yet interesting interaction between sisters and later with Sam and Brigid Quinn. My first novel by this author and have put this series on my TBR lists.

[Stephanie Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not even the presence of Brigid Quinn (main character in books by the same author that I enjoyed) could push this one up for me - the main character was difficult to engage with. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review - book publishes 1/7/25