The Garden of Wives: A Novel

by Danielle LaCarak

Beneath the surface of Orchid Hill’s polished exterior, something dark is waiting to be uncovered.

Cass Maccabee thought her new life in the Gardens of Orchid Hill would be perfect—a luxury home, an ideal neighborhood, and a promising future. But when she arrives, she can’t shake the feeling that something is off. There are whispers of secrets, hidden motives, and a dark past no one dares to speak about.

As Cass becomes entangled in the lives of the women around her, she senses that behind their perfect smiles and flawless facades, danger and deception are lurking. In a world of high-tech comforts and traditional charm, the walls of Orchid Hill hold more than just gossip—they hide truths that could destroy everything.

With strong female leads and an air of suspense that keeps you guessing, The Garden of Wives is a psychological thriller where nothing is as it seems, and trust is a dangerous game. The deeper Cass digs, the more she realizes that appearances are only part of the story—and the real terror lies in the secrets buried beneath the surface.

427 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 22, 2024

Reviews

[Kimberly McGuire · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great thrilling read with unexpected twists right till the very end! A story of a newcomer who moves into an upscale gated community with her husband. The new homeowner then discovers dark secrets about her new home from fellow neighbors. All of the families in the neighborhood appear to have perfect housewives when in reality everyone has their own secrets. Lots of things contained in this story which is told from many points of view, and what’s behind the closed doors?! A must read to find out.

[TheKoreanOne · Rating 4 out of 5]

stepford wives on steroids

Some of this story reads as non-fiction and I would argue it should be categorized as horror. Because there were so many characters in a short time, I didn’t become emotionally invested but I still felt sick to my stomach for all the parallels to the real world.

[Book Worm D · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!!!!

If you like books that keep you up at night because you can't put them down, then look no further. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

[Jaclyn Westlake · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, The Garden of Wives hooked me with its razor-sharp prose and unsettlingly perfect setting. Danielle LaCarak has crafted a gleaming suburban dreamworld with a rotting core, and I couldn't tear myself away.

The characters are layered, flawed, and fascinating - each woman navigating ambition, motherhood, desire, and danger in her own way. I loved the slow unraveling of secrets, the shifting alliances, and the way the tension builds into a climax that’s as emotionally resonant as it is shocking.

This book is perfect for fans of Big Little Lies and The Stepford Wives, but it still feels wholly original. LaCarak has a gift for writing suspense that feels intimate and intelligent. I’ll be thinking about Orchid Hill and its fierce, complicated women for a long time.

Highly recommend!

[Michelle L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It!
I absolutely loved the character development in this book! It felt so fresh and real. It was amazing to see such a variety of strong, badass female characters with actual depth. One moment I was laughing so hard I nearly snorted, and the next, I was on the edge of my seat, completely glued to the suspense. It’s rare to find a book that hits both humor and intensity so perfectly. Such a cool, modern read!

[Renee Crosbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

This was a great book. I couldn't stop reading it. I needed to know what happened next. Such a unique story line.

[Skyler Varnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a page turner. Amazing writing. Some parts were hard to read. But am absolutely amazing book.

[Ali Moulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite! Weird sexual content.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far out there…. Definitely not my genre of book reading. But yet….
I kept reading .