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The Husband
My wife and I have a happy marriage.
She’s a good mother.
She would never abandon our family.
I don’t know her at all.
I work nights so it’s almost 3 a.m. when I get home. It’s day ten of the heatwave and even this late, the air is suffocating.
Inside the house, the only sound is our five-month-old daughter, crying in her crib.
I wait for Em’s footsteps on the landing. I listen out for her soothing voice.
Any second now.
There’s nothing. I check our bedroom. I wait for the mound of crumpled blankets to move. The bed is empty.
It’s the middle of the night. My wife is gone and she left our baby here. All alone.
And I have no idea why.
A tense and gripping psychological thriller.
The Husband was previously published in audio as The Rain by B.B. Thomas.
She’s a good mother.
She would never abandon our family.
I don’t know her at all.
I work nights so it’s almost 3 a.m. when I get home. It’s day ten of the heatwave and even this late, the air is suffocating.
Inside the house, the only sound is our five-month-old daughter, crying in her crib.
I wait for Em’s footsteps on the landing. I listen out for her soothing voice.
Any second now.
There’s nothing. I check our bedroom. I wait for the mound of crumpled blankets to move. The bed is empty.
It’s the middle of the night. My wife is gone and she left our baby here. All alone.
And I have no idea why.
A tense and gripping psychological thriller.
The Husband was previously published in audio as The Rain by B.B. Thomas.
- GenresThriller
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2021
1426 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
October 23, 2021
3.5 stars
When Rob and Emma moved back to her old hometown from London to raise their baby daughter, they were looking forward to a fresh start.
But when Rob returns home from work one night to find his daughter screaming and no sign of his wife, it starts to uncover a lot of things he did not know about Emma.
Torn between wanting to protect his daughter at all costs, but desperate to find his wife, we join Rob on his mission to find out the truth about what happened to Emma and prove that he had nothing to do with her disappearance.
This book started well. Very gripping opening with the disovery of Emma's dissappearance, but then dipped a little in the middle I felt, but brought it back towards the end with a tense, if somewhat unbelievable finale. The narrations in the Audible exclusive were excellent.
When Rob and Emma moved back to her old hometown from London to raise their baby daughter, they were looking forward to a fresh start.
But when Rob returns home from work one night to find his daughter screaming and no sign of his wife, it starts to uncover a lot of things he did not know about Emma.
Torn between wanting to protect his daughter at all costs, but desperate to find his wife, we join Rob on his mission to find out the truth about what happened to Emma and prove that he had nothing to do with her disappearance.
This book started well. Very gripping opening with the disovery of Emma's dissappearance, but then dipped a little in the middle I felt, but brought it back towards the end with a tense, if somewhat unbelievable finale. The narrations in the Audible exclusive were excellent.
November 12, 2024
Having read many books like this, I wasn’t surprised that the story followed the pattern and outcome exactly as I was expecting. But it was an easy read and didn’t require a lot of brain power so a solid 3✨
November 2, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book! Rob comes home from work in the in the middle of the night to discover his wife missing and their baby alone in their house. Lots of twists and turns in this book. The first 75% of the book was a slow burn for me- I would consider more of a mystery than a thriller. The last 25% gets absolutely wild and I couldn't put it down.
October 31, 2024
So much that I didn't see coming. Was a thrilling, fantastic read. Love this author just another great book
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
January 4, 2025
Would have been better if a little shorter
Good premise, needs an editor for typos. Also easy to figure out who was doing what. The red herrings just kinda fell by the wayside, with no closure or explanation. Overall, however, it kept my attention and had a somewhat satisfying ending.
Good premise, needs an editor for typos. Also easy to figure out who was doing what. The red herrings just kinda fell by the wayside, with no closure or explanation. Overall, however, it kept my attention and had a somewhat satisfying ending.
June 27, 2025
I think this might be one of my favourite books by Darren so far! I've always been a fan of Darren's work and this, once again, was no exception. I've seen a lot of mixed reviews on this one, but Holy Sh*t the ending of this book was an absolute roller coaster!! As a parent I was STRESSED 🤣! It was definitely a bit of a slow burn to start with, but they're always the best as you know, the good stuff is coming!
Once the story had built up, I found this a fast-paced page turner, epsically the last 40%, I physically could not put it down. Obsessed!
Once the story had built up, I found this a fast-paced page turner, epsically the last 40%, I physically could not put it down. Obsessed!
January 4, 2025
interesting story
This book Had some twist and turns. It Kept me interested to the end. I Would recommend to others. Easy read
This book Had some twist and turns. It Kept me interested to the end. I Would recommend to others. Easy read
November 20, 2025
Not often do I read a book in one day but this had me hooked from the first few pages. It’s got that perfect ‘something feels off’ vibe without being too over the top. Definitely pick up this book!
January 21, 2025
The first 70% was unnecessary long and can put you to sleep but the twist was good.
November 19, 2024
Boring
It was quite boring for most of the book. I found myself skipping over redundant paragraphs to get on with it. Characters weren’t developed and intertwined except for 2 grandparents. It was not hard to figure out who the murderer was because there was only one outsider.
It was quite boring for most of the book. I found myself skipping over redundant paragraphs to get on with it. Characters weren’t developed and intertwined except for 2 grandparents. It was not hard to figure out who the murderer was because there was only one outsider.
October 8, 2022
I tried to like this book, but Rob is a complete wet lettuce! Ridiculous decisions… to the point I almost stopped listening!
The book became predictable from the minute a certain character enters the story.. although I did think they were someone else from Ems past. The description of taut psychological thriller is definitely over sold, it certainly didn’t keep me guessing!
I spent most of the last 25.% of the book rolling my eyes and saying under my breath, what an idiot!
Two stars because I did actually finish it!
The book became predictable from the minute a certain character enters the story.. although I did think they were someone else from Ems past. The description of taut psychological thriller is definitely over sold, it certainly didn’t keep me guessing!
I spent most of the last 25.% of the book rolling my eyes and saying under my breath, what an idiot!
Two stars because I did actually finish it!
November 7, 2024
Rob is returning home late at night from his job. He finds the kitchen uncleaned, as Emma has found it difficult to keep things tidy lately. Rob starts to clean things up when he hears his baby daughter, Sophie, crying upstairs. He assumes that Emma will get up and nurse her. But when the crying continues, he goes upstairs only to find that Emma has vanished. He calls the police, and they find a piece of her bathrobe on the fence behind his house and assume she just walked away in that.
He calls Emma’s parents who live nearby. They are very upset and come over to help make sense of why she would just disappear leaving her daughter behind. Searches are made but nothing turns up. Her mother says that Emma had been feeling depressed lately and maybe she’s having some kind of a breakdown.
Then we see the entries that Emma has made in a diary over the years of her struggle to fit in and not give into her desires. She feels she cannot stay in one spot for very long before she has to leave. Is this what she has done now?
Oh, this was one twisty and scary thriller. It wasn’t until the last hour that I figured out what was really happening and I must say the author did an excellent job of putting this book together. There is only one glitch that I questioned that didn’t make it 100 percent past my eagle eye. However, the story is such a good one so I must give it 5 stars. Do read this and see if you can find that one glitch as well. Enjoy!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
He calls Emma’s parents who live nearby. They are very upset and come over to help make sense of why she would just disappear leaving her daughter behind. Searches are made but nothing turns up. Her mother says that Emma had been feeling depressed lately and maybe she’s having some kind of a breakdown.
Then we see the entries that Emma has made in a diary over the years of her struggle to fit in and not give into her desires. She feels she cannot stay in one spot for very long before she has to leave. Is this what she has done now?
Oh, this was one twisty and scary thriller. It wasn’t until the last hour that I figured out what was really happening and I must say the author did an excellent job of putting this book together. There is only one glitch that I questioned that didn’t make it 100 percent past my eagle eye. However, the story is such a good one so I must give it 5 stars. Do read this and see if you can find that one glitch as well. Enjoy!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 2, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.
The Husband was creepy and unsettling and a more unique thriller to read. At first I thought I might be getting into a Gone, Girl situation due to the diary entries by the missing wife, Emma, which didn’t seem to quite jive with the husband, Rob’s, recollections of their relationship and similar circumstances in other ways. But (fortunately as it’s been done before several times) this did not go to that same place but rather threw a big twist of its own to explain why exactly the two didn’t seem to be in the same relationship the other was recalling.
Opening with a bang, Rob comes home to the pair’s five month old crying and Emma not attending to her needs. Quickly realizing that Emma has seemingly vanished in thin air, Rob goes through all the stages of a husband looking for his wife, including the residents of his tight knit village eyeing him in suspicion. While there are many characters I eyed as being intimately close to the mystery, what actually happened could not have been guessed. This story played with suspense and intrigue so well I enjoyed the ending despite it being a bit far fetched.
If you truly want to be stumped throughout, this one is most definitely for you.
The Husband was creepy and unsettling and a more unique thriller to read. At first I thought I might be getting into a Gone, Girl situation due to the diary entries by the missing wife, Emma, which didn’t seem to quite jive with the husband, Rob’s, recollections of their relationship and similar circumstances in other ways. But (fortunately as it’s been done before several times) this did not go to that same place but rather threw a big twist of its own to explain why exactly the two didn’t seem to be in the same relationship the other was recalling.
Opening with a bang, Rob comes home to the pair’s five month old crying and Emma not attending to her needs. Quickly realizing that Emma has seemingly vanished in thin air, Rob goes through all the stages of a husband looking for his wife, including the residents of his tight knit village eyeing him in suspicion. While there are many characters I eyed as being intimately close to the mystery, what actually happened could not have been guessed. This story played with suspense and intrigue so well I enjoyed the ending despite it being a bit far fetched.
If you truly want to be stumped throughout, this one is most definitely for you.
November 2, 2024
I didn't, couldn't like Emma, but this was a well-orchestrated tale.
It's not often that you get a book like this told mostly from a guy's perspective. And, goodness, what a well thought-out one, with a well-orchestrated baddie who remained off my radar until 'they' - not going to Spoiler here - started appearing just a tad too much. Sadly, I suspected them quickly at that point, as they blew an often mentioned, not-on-page character out of the water, no pun intended.
But, Emma. Ugh, what an unlikeable user of a person. A multiple cheater, a liar, a user, selfish, a pleasure seeker. Why marry 'doughy guy' if she couldn't even be faithful for a couple of years? I mean, he really was too sweet, too decent, too good for her.
It's a book worthy of a read, as there's clever storytelling and a decent dad, as well as in-laws who start out as judgey but come to have his back, and at the end, they're a family of 4, forged through Emma's actions. But, cops, 'doughy guy' and the parents should've clocked something suss about the 'evidence' discovered rather late in the tale, rather conveniently, so this where the book loses 1* for me.
ARC courtesy of Joffe Books and NetGalley for my reading pleasure.
It's not often that you get a book like this told mostly from a guy's perspective. And, goodness, what a well thought-out one, with a well-orchestrated baddie who remained off my radar until 'they' - not going to Spoiler here - started appearing just a tad too much. Sadly, I suspected them quickly at that point, as they blew an often mentioned, not-on-page character out of the water, no pun intended.
But, Emma. Ugh, what an unlikeable user of a person. A multiple cheater, a liar, a user, selfish, a pleasure seeker. Why marry 'doughy guy' if she couldn't even be faithful for a couple of years? I mean, he really was too sweet, too decent, too good for her.
It's a book worthy of a read, as there's clever storytelling and a decent dad, as well as in-laws who start out as judgey but come to have his back, and at the end, they're a family of 4, forged through Emma's actions. But, cops, 'doughy guy' and the parents should've clocked something suss about the 'evidence' discovered rather late in the tale, rather conveniently, so this where the book loses 1* for me.
ARC courtesy of Joffe Books and NetGalley for my reading pleasure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2024
Gripping and addictive from the start, this book had me sitting on the edge of my seat throughout. My jaw was on the ground for quite some time at the conclusion. It certainly wasn't where I expected it to go.
Emma and Rob are a married couple with an infant daughter. Looking for a fresh start, they move from London back to Emma's hometown. Rob returns home from his overnight shift early one morning to find his daughter screaming and Emma nowhere to be found. Rob frantically searches for her to no avail. In the days that follow, he learns of Emma's troubled past and erratic behavior. Did he ever truly know his wife?
This was a fast paced read full of action and suspense. Rob was a likeable character as were Emma's parents. The story was unique and interesting. I enjoyed reading this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe books for the advanced copy
Emma and Rob are a married couple with an infant daughter. Looking for a fresh start, they move from London back to Emma's hometown. Rob returns home from his overnight shift early one morning to find his daughter screaming and Emma nowhere to be found. Rob frantically searches for her to no avail. In the days that follow, he learns of Emma's troubled past and erratic behavior. Did he ever truly know his wife?
This was a fast paced read full of action and suspense. Rob was a likeable character as were Emma's parents. The story was unique and interesting. I enjoyed reading this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe books for the advanced copy
June 11, 2025
The Husband. by B.B. Thomas.
Emma and Rob .. a young married couple are just riding through a few bumps in their marriage..a young baby ..lack of sleep … moving to a new town … even though Emma did live there when she was younger in her trouble teen days.
Rob comes home from his late night job …thinking all is well and Emma and their young daughter are asleep … not long later Sophie starts to cry and Rob is sure Emma will wake soon to attend to her .. why is Emma not getting up …. Rob attends to Sophie and goes to take her to Emma!
Emma is not there .. where is she… she seems to have left .. but where has she gone. Turns out she has left Rob but it makes no sense she has left Sophie .. she adores her … rumours are going around Rob has done something to her .. but he loves her with every fibre of his body.
A lot of talk and speculations are being cast around … what HAS happened ……
Emma and Rob .. a young married couple are just riding through a few bumps in their marriage..a young baby ..lack of sleep … moving to a new town … even though Emma did live there when she was younger in her trouble teen days.
Rob comes home from his late night job …thinking all is well and Emma and their young daughter are asleep … not long later Sophie starts to cry and Rob is sure Emma will wake soon to attend to her .. why is Emma not getting up …. Rob attends to Sophie and goes to take her to Emma!
Emma is not there .. where is she… she seems to have left .. but where has she gone. Turns out she has left Rob but it makes no sense she has left Sophie .. she adores her … rumours are going around Rob has done something to her .. but he loves her with every fibre of his body.
A lot of talk and speculations are being cast around … what HAS happened ……
October 30, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC of The Husband by Darren O'Sullivan.
This book started off slowly and I almost gave up but then it took off and was a good story. There were twists and turns in this book that made it even more enjoyable.
Em was a devoted wife and mother who disappears one night out of the blue. Did she run away? Was she upset with her husband? Did her husband hurt her and hide the body? The story is of all the people trying to make sense of her disappearance. There were times in the book where I felt I had a read a similar story to this but I couldn't but my finger on which book it was.
This book was definitely entertaining but not one of my favorite thrillers.
This book started off slowly and I almost gave up but then it took off and was a good story. There were twists and turns in this book that made it even more enjoyable.
Em was a devoted wife and mother who disappears one night out of the blue. Did she run away? Was she upset with her husband? Did her husband hurt her and hide the body? The story is of all the people trying to make sense of her disappearance. There were times in the book where I felt I had a read a similar story to this but I couldn't but my finger on which book it was.
This book was definitely entertaining but not one of my favorite thrillers.
January 3, 2025
Rob and Emma are apparently happily married until Emma goes missing, leaving their baby, Sophie, alone. Rob is determined to find Em until the police search reveals new information and Em's parents come clean about who their daughter really is. Rob receives strange phone calls and he suspects that someone has been inside his house. Could it be Em having second thoughts and possibly return home or is there something dark and sinister lurking in the shadows. Rob's emotions and fears are so real and raw and his protectiveness of baby Sophie just pulled at my heart. The plot twist at the end was unpredictable and mind-blowingly good!
October 31, 2024
Emma and Rob live a quiet life with their infant daughter, Sophie. Rob returns home early from night shift to find Emma gone, and Sophie alone in her cot.
Rob thought they were happy, how could Emma walk away from him and their child?
I was hooked from the beginning of this book, it was suspenseful and twisty. I found the characters believable, and the writing flowed well.
I haven't read any of this author's work before, but will definitely keep an eye out for more from Mr O'Sullivan.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to read this book.
Rob thought they were happy, how could Emma walk away from him and their child?
I was hooked from the beginning of this book, it was suspenseful and twisty. I found the characters believable, and the writing flowed well.
I haven't read any of this author's work before, but will definitely keep an eye out for more from Mr O'Sullivan.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to read this book.
October 27, 2024
Thank you Joffe Books and NetGalley for an early copy of The Husband. This was an interesting read. Very fast reading which is always good. I felt it took awhile to get to the point, I was wondering where it was going but all of a sudden it took on a life of its own and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Rob was a great character and so were Em’s parents. Some parts were a bit unbelievable but All in All a good read. Thank you again.
November 6, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe books for this arc. This is my first book to read from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s written as a diary of events from key character perspectives. It kept me gripped from the first chapter and the pacing was spot on. I soon figured one particular character was too good to be true but took a while to figure out the motive! A really good read and I’d look forward to further work from this author
January 29, 2025
Surprisingly good
The story was a thriller based on a missing wife. Altho the book started out slow it did get much more interesting. It was a bit confusing tho how the chapters kept changing points of view and the continual flashbacks You couldn't always tell how they were connected.
The story did build and ended up with a satisfying conclusion. At one point I was sure I knew the conclusion to the mystery but I was wrong.
The story was a thriller based on a missing wife. Altho the book started out slow it did get much more interesting. It was a bit confusing tho how the chapters kept changing points of view and the continual flashbacks You couldn't always tell how they were connected.
The story did build and ended up with a satisfying conclusion. At one point I was sure I knew the conclusion to the mystery but I was wrong.
February 26, 2025
Wow
The beginning of the book was slow for me, I kept reading thinking it may get better. By the time I realized it wasn't getting any better, I was too far into it to put it down now. I needed to see what happened to Emma. I figured it out around page 250/255 someone like that. It dawned on me that, wait a minute... I'm not gonna spoil the story. Go read the book and give it time, you will be glad you did.
The beginning of the book was slow for me, I kept reading thinking it may get better. By the time I realized it wasn't getting any better, I was too far into it to put it down now. I needed to see what happened to Emma. I figured it out around page 250/255 someone like that. It dawned on me that, wait a minute... I'm not gonna spoil the story. Go read the book and give it time, you will be glad you did.
July 28, 2025
Tense thriller
Great psychological thriller. Rob’s wife disappears and leaves her infant daughter alone in her crib! Was she abducted? Or did she willingly leave him? Evidence points to her leaving for another man. Rob is immediately a suspect in her disappearance. A diary is found that points to Rob but he maintains his innocence. His whole life now revolves around his infant daughter, Sophie. Many twist culminating in a tense confrontation. A must read!
Great psychological thriller. Rob’s wife disappears and leaves her infant daughter alone in her crib! Was she abducted? Or did she willingly leave him? Evidence points to her leaving for another man. Rob is immediately a suspect in her disappearance. A diary is found that points to Rob but he maintains his innocence. His whole life now revolves around his infant daughter, Sophie. Many twist culminating in a tense confrontation. A must read!
October 31, 2024
Wow I can’t explain how on edge I felt reading this
It was definitely fast paced and intense.
I really enjoyed it
Loved the character Rob really did have it tough and I’m still a little disappointed with how he was treated he definitely deserved an apology that’s how invested I was in this it made me emotional
Did not see any of the book coming it was just one twist after another
Loved it
It was definitely fast paced and intense.
I really enjoyed it
Loved the character Rob really did have it tough and I’m still a little disappointed with how he was treated he definitely deserved an apology that’s how invested I was in this it made me emotional
Did not see any of the book coming it was just one twist after another
Loved it
November 23, 2024
As a big fan of psychological thrillers, this book had me turning pages! It's an easy read that had me thinking the whole time. Just when I thought I knew what would happen next I was surprised. It's full of twists and turns that keeps the pages turning. I want sure whether to live or hate the main character. A good read for sure!
December 7, 2024
What a complete roller coaster of emotions!
It started off slow, as most thriller books do. By the middle of the book, something was off. I felt chills down my spine as I kept reading, guessing and guessing again trying to guess who had killed Emma Clarke... only to find out, it wasn't who I thought it was. It was somebody I didn't even think of!
It started off slow, as most thriller books do. By the middle of the book, something was off. I felt chills down my spine as I kept reading, guessing and guessing again trying to guess who had killed Emma Clarke... only to find out, it wasn't who I thought it was. It was somebody I didn't even think of!
January 5, 2025
I found the first 2/3 (?) of the story really boring and repetitive. When it gets to the Steve "twist", that was a bit of a surprise but then it also became very obvious as to who/what the culprit was. I wish the author had done a better job of misdirection because the rest of the story played out like the standard blueprint.
January 26, 2025
Page turning thriller
Read this book in one sitting--could not put it down--so may twists & turns --you think you've worked out what really happened & then BANG the story turns & leaves your head spinning --if you only read one book this month or even this year it has to be this one.
Read this book in one sitting--could not put it down--so may twists & turns --you think you've worked out what really happened & then BANG the story turns & leaves your head spinning --if you only read one book this month or even this year it has to be this one.
June 30, 2025
Thrilling.
I loved everything about this book, the characters, the storyline, and the build up of tension towards the end kept me reading far longer than I should have. I didn’t guess who the villain was which is always a plus and I will certainly look for more of Darren O’Sullivan’s books.
I loved everything about this book, the characters, the storyline, and the build up of tension towards the end kept me reading far longer than I should have. I didn’t guess who the villain was which is always a plus and I will certainly look for more of Darren O’Sullivan’s books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews