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After He's Gone
I’m standing in the middle of our living room looking at my husband’s dead body in front of me.
I know it’s my husband. I know he’s dead. What I don’t know is whether I killed him.
How did it all go so wrong?
There’s so much blood. Soaking into our white carpet.
I try to clean up the mess, scrubbing away at the blood, wondering how I got here.
Am I really as crazy as he’s been making out all this time?
I know it’s my husband. I know he’s dead. What I don’t know is whether I killed him.
How did it all go so wrong?
There’s so much blood. Soaking into our white carpet.
I try to clean up the mess, scrubbing away at the blood, wondering how I got here.
Am I really as crazy as he’s been making out all this time?
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2017
672 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Bolger Hyde
18 books164 followersKatherine Bolger Hyde is the author of the Crime with the Classics series as well as several books for children. A lifelong lover of literature (and alliteration), Katherine has a degree in Russian literature and works as editorial director for Ancient Faith Publishing. She lives in the redwoods of Santa Cruz County, California, with her husband and the youngest of her four children. Katherine loves to sing and knit, and she dreams of one day designing and building her own storybook cottage in the woods.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
July 3, 2023
I admit to love books where amnesia is a theme, and this didn’t disappoint in its portrayal of it. The suspense was there all the time, and it had an satisfying ending. The only issue I had was the unprofessionalism by the police, but it made for an interesting ending so there’s that.
June 15, 2023
A wife discovers her husband lying in a pool of blood.
There were problems in their marriage.
But did she kill him?
The wife had been suffering from migraine-induced blackouts, so even she does not know the answer to this question.
This fast-paced thriller was unputdownable.
The book unfolded from the two POVs of the wife and the police detective investigating the crime.
The book alternated the past with the present; providing readers with a deeper understanding of the events leading up to the couple's marital problems and the husband's death.
I listened to the full-cast audiobook read by Mary Helen Gallucci, and Noah Michael Levine.
Both narrators gave Academy Award performances.
I usually don't enjoy books with controlling and verbally/emotionally abusive male protagonists and weak female protagonists --- yet, this book "hooked" me, from start to finish.
Triggers: domestic violence.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
There were problems in their marriage.
But did she kill him?
The wife had been suffering from migraine-induced blackouts, so even she does not know the answer to this question.
This fast-paced thriller was unputdownable.
The book unfolded from the two POVs of the wife and the police detective investigating the crime.
The book alternated the past with the present; providing readers with a deeper understanding of the events leading up to the couple's marital problems and the husband's death.
I listened to the full-cast audiobook read by Mary Helen Gallucci, and Noah Michael Levine.
Both narrators gave Academy Award performances.
I usually don't enjoy books with controlling and verbally/emotionally abusive male protagonists and weak female protagonists --- yet, this book "hooked" me, from start to finish.
Triggers: domestic violence.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
February 14, 2023
3.75 Stars
I'm just going to throw it out there. This is one of those mystery novels where you will most likely get annoyed and frustrated with the protagonist.
Abby was a law student when she met the charming and handsome Charles. Right away, he swept her off her feet. He took her to fancy restaurants and showered her with gifts. Less than a year later, they were married. That's when she noticed a change in her husband's demeanor. He became controlling and aggressive. Things didn't get any better after having a child. One day, she found her husband dead on the living room floor. The thing was, she couldn't remember if she had done it or not.
Abby was weak-minded and lacked a backbone. It was maddening. She had multiple chances to get out. Of course, she chose not to.
With that being said, the story was still entertaining and kept me captivated the entire time. I would recommend it to those who are a fan of domestic mystery/thriller novels.
***I would like to thank NetGalley, Katherine Bolger Hyde (the author), and Severn House for graciously sending me an ARC to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.**
I'm just going to throw it out there. This is one of those mystery novels where you will most likely get annoyed and frustrated with the protagonist.
Abby was a law student when she met the charming and handsome Charles. Right away, he swept her off her feet. He took her to fancy restaurants and showered her with gifts. Less than a year later, they were married. That's when she noticed a change in her husband's demeanor. He became controlling and aggressive. Things didn't get any better after having a child. One day, she found her husband dead on the living room floor. The thing was, she couldn't remember if she had done it or not.
Abby was weak-minded and lacked a backbone. It was maddening. She had multiple chances to get out. Of course, she chose not to.
With that being said, the story was still entertaining and kept me captivated the entire time. I would recommend it to those who are a fan of domestic mystery/thriller novels.
***I would like to thank NetGalley, Katherine Bolger Hyde (the author), and Severn House for graciously sending me an ARC to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.**
January 20, 2023
Abby and Charles meet in law school. Charles is from a well known, very wealthy family and Abby can't believe her good luck when he asks her out. Their relationship blossoms quickly and they are soon married. Charles begins working for his father's law firm and Abby finds herself pregnant, but still has a year left of law school to attend. After the arrival of their daughter, Emma, she starts to have migraines and blackouts. One day after coming home, she finds Charles lying on the floor with blood all over his head. Abby has another blackout is not certain if she killed him, or if it was someone else. Detective Peter Rocher takes over the case to find out what really happened that day.
AFTER HE'S GONE was such a good book, I had a hard time putting it down. I have never read a book by this author before and I was so happy to stumble upon it on NetGalley. If you liked BEHIND CLOSED DOORS by B.A. Paris, I think you will enjoy this book too. A brilliant read!! 4.5 stars, rounding up to 5.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for my ARC!
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
AFTER HE'S GONE was such a good book, I had a hard time putting it down. I have never read a book by this author before and I was so happy to stumble upon it on NetGalley. If you liked BEHIND CLOSED DOORS by B.A. Paris, I think you will enjoy this book too. A brilliant read!! 4.5 stars, rounding up to 5.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for my ARC!
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
April 14, 2023
This was a great twisty book. Very clever and it left you thinking did she? Or didn’t she? Without giving anything anyway I did actually guess but, it was still a great read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
February 23, 2023
Detective Peter Rocher finds himself with a whopper. In a wealthy neighborhood in the living room of a well-to-do family lawyer Charles Crenshaw is dead in a pool of his own blood. His wife found him but she doesn't remember whay happened due to a blackout.
This story bounces between past and present. Mysteries and revelations are revealed as the story unfolds. I was hooked, unable to put this down. The writing was superb and the plot was delicious.
This story bounces between past and present. Mysteries and revelations are revealed as the story unfolds. I was hooked, unable to put this down. The writing was superb and the plot was delicious.
April 10, 2023
If you're looking for a fast-paced domestic thriller then look no further. I found "After He's Gone" to be a compulsively readable novel - though a tad predictable. There were no jaw-dropping plot twists, but there was an engaging protagonist, albeit one with little self-esteem.
The story is set in California and is told via dual timelines. We are introduced to Abby when she first meets Charles, a fellow law student. She feels unworthy of him as he is popular, rich, handsome, and ever so charming. Completely bowled over by his forceful personality, it is not long before they are married. Well folks, the honeymoon is well and truly over. His forceful personality turns out to be one of a narcissistic and controlling man. A man who uses mind games to keep Abby dancing to his tune.
Abby is prone to blackouts and with an infant daughter in the house, that is scary indeed. After one such blackout she is confronted with the dead body of her husband lying in a pool of blood... The story is split between events before and after his death.
This was a real page turner, though not highly original. I guess that is a testament to the clever writing. Charles was a character that left the reader with no remorse that he died. In fact if you were the type to dance on someone's grave, you'd be doing a jig on his.
The ending of the book was a bit too tidy, too unlikely, in my humble opinion. However, the denouement didn't preclude me from giving this domestic thriller a four star rating, for pure reading enjoyment. I wouldn't hesitate to read more of this author's work.
The story is set in California and is told via dual timelines. We are introduced to Abby when she first meets Charles, a fellow law student. She feels unworthy of him as he is popular, rich, handsome, and ever so charming. Completely bowled over by his forceful personality, it is not long before they are married. Well folks, the honeymoon is well and truly over. His forceful personality turns out to be one of a narcissistic and controlling man. A man who uses mind games to keep Abby dancing to his tune.
Abby is prone to blackouts and with an infant daughter in the house, that is scary indeed. After one such blackout she is confronted with the dead body of her husband lying in a pool of blood... The story is split between events before and after his death.
This was a real page turner, though not highly original. I guess that is a testament to the clever writing. Charles was a character that left the reader with no remorse that he died. In fact if you were the type to dance on someone's grave, you'd be doing a jig on his.
The ending of the book was a bit too tidy, too unlikely, in my humble opinion. However, the denouement didn't preclude me from giving this domestic thriller a four star rating, for pure reading enjoyment. I wouldn't hesitate to read more of this author's work.
May 5, 2023
This was incredibly boring, bland, with no real twists because we know the guy is a jerk the whole time. It also relies heavily on the trope I hate the most - gaslighting. It doesn’t help that the writing is amateur and lacks any sort of depth.
The story follows Abby who has discovered her awful husband lying dead on the ground. Unfortunately for her she can’t remember anything leading up to her discover for that day so she doesn’t know if she’s the one who murdered him.
The book is basically a long justification for why this man must have been murdered because he’s terrible to everyone. So much so that he’s a caricature and I skimmed a lot of scenes with him in it because he never deviates from the script. Then the ending, which is supposed to be a twist (?), isn’t really one and it all just ends suddenly. Not a fan.
The story follows Abby who has discovered her awful husband lying dead on the ground. Unfortunately for her she can’t remember anything leading up to her discover for that day so she doesn’t know if she’s the one who murdered him.
The book is basically a long justification for why this man must have been murdered because he’s terrible to everyone. So much so that he’s a caricature and I skimmed a lot of scenes with him in it because he never deviates from the script. Then the ending, which is supposed to be a twist (?), isn’t really one and it all just ends suddenly. Not a fan.
January 19, 2023
I was hooked from the start! I love when books start right in the middle of the action and this one definitely managed that. The characters were well written and a but annoying but at least they were consistently annoying and it was just who they were. It'd be weirder if a completely logical and rational character suddenly made all these irritatingly decision but our protagonist just had some questionable judgement lol. The lave kept up, the two timeliness never got confusing or lost, there are the required twists for a good domestic noir and I don't really have anything bad to say here really! Maybe some bits were a but out there but it's a fiction book not a documentary so who cares. I really enjoyed it
March 31, 2023
Abby's husband, Charles, is dead. But it's unclear how he died. And though Abby found him, she can't remember anything that happened before.
I think I read so many thrillers that the amnesia trope is starting to lose its appeal for me. I feel like we wait the entire book already knowing the memory will be regained right at the end. Abby annoyed me too. I wish she had more guts to pack up and leave when she had the chance - and she did have several. Overall though, I did like the small romantic aspect that was thrown in and whilst my review seems to be whinging a lot, I was actually entertained by the story and would be keen to read more by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I think I read so many thrillers that the amnesia trope is starting to lose its appeal for me. I feel like we wait the entire book already knowing the memory will be regained right at the end. Abby annoyed me too. I wish she had more guts to pack up and leave when she had the chance - and she did have several. Overall though, I did like the small romantic aspect that was thrown in and whilst my review seems to be whinging a lot, I was actually entertained by the story and would be keen to read more by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 28, 2023
I really liked this book - it had all the ingredients, a thriller/psychological novel needs to have - plus tiny little romantic vibes as well.
We have a man that seems to be murdered, many suspects - especially his wife, that experiences medical blackouts - and a cop, that has actual hunches and feelings.
This was a very good book, which did not let me stop reading it...plenty of suspense !
We have a man that seems to be murdered, many suspects - especially his wife, that experiences medical blackouts - and a cop, that has actual hunches and feelings.
This was a very good book, which did not let me stop reading it...plenty of suspense !
March 22, 2024
Abby finds her abusive husband Charles dead and suffers from periodic blackouts so she doesn't know if she killed him or not. This is a short, fast paced thriller with the pov's of both Abby and Peter, the detective investigating the case. I was completely engrossed in this story from the start and plan to read future books from this author.
January 12, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for this arc!
The book takes no time at all to get right into the thick of it. Did Abby do the unthinkable and kill her husband?
In the first chapter we find Charles, Abby's husband, murdered in their home in cold blood but the crime scene seems to be a little off. Abby is the one who finds him dead and calls the police but has no recollection of the prior events that lead to his demise. Apparently she has been having blackouts over the last few months; chunks of time are missing throughout her days which she shares with Peter, the detective.
The book is told in alternating timelines from when Abby first met the rich and handsome Charles to present day, from both Abby and Peter's perspectives.
This book was so juicy I could not put it down. One minute you think that Abby and Charles are the perfect fairytale couple. He comes from a well off family and woes her with all his charm and money, but money cannot buy happiness. As their relationship begins to get more serious, i.e. marriage, you get a sense that Charles is quite controlling and verbally/emotionally abusive. He isn't the prince charming she expected he once was. I began wanting to murder him myself. I was hoping she actually did it. I will say the ending was kind of laughable at some parts, I would even say ridiculous but overall a decent read.
The book takes no time at all to get right into the thick of it. Did Abby do the unthinkable and kill her husband?
In the first chapter we find Charles, Abby's husband, murdered in their home in cold blood but the crime scene seems to be a little off. Abby is the one who finds him dead and calls the police but has no recollection of the prior events that lead to his demise. Apparently she has been having blackouts over the last few months; chunks of time are missing throughout her days which she shares with Peter, the detective.
The book is told in alternating timelines from when Abby first met the rich and handsome Charles to present day, from both Abby and Peter's perspectives.
This book was so juicy I could not put it down. One minute you think that Abby and Charles are the perfect fairytale couple. He comes from a well off family and woes her with all his charm and money, but money cannot buy happiness. As their relationship begins to get more serious, i.e. marriage, you get a sense that Charles is quite controlling and verbally/emotionally abusive. He isn't the prince charming she expected he once was. I began wanting to murder him myself. I was hoping she actually did it. I will say the ending was kind of laughable at some parts, I would even say ridiculous but overall a decent read.
January 30, 2023
A bit of a romance, a lot of a domestic/psychological thriller, and a really entertaining few hours!! The main female character is one who will annoy the heck out of pretty much everyone. She had quite a few opportunities to get out of her situation and more than a few warning signs, but she was much more adept at playing the perpetual victim. I was stuck to the pages and raced through this one very quickly.
March 21, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read this advanced copy. This is a story of a narcissist who acts like a wonderful person until he and Abby get married. Then the evilness comes out. She has no money of her own and feels stuck. On the day she finds her husband dead on the floor, she can't be sure if she killed him during one of her blackouts or not. I give this book four stars, it's a good suspense novel.
February 3, 2023
I was waiting for some crazy plot twist at the end & I got nothing. The entire book had me turning pages & then the last 3 chapters I was just so disappointed.
June 1, 2023
Who else is psyched up for this Memorial Day Weekend?
My husband has been busying himself packing up the rafts, the cooler, beach towels and sunblock. I myself, have packed 10 books in our shared suitcase... OOPS!
One book I do not have to pack up is After He's Gone.
I have a problem containing myself and got a little too excited in anticipation for the weekend and picked this superstar up last night and well, time got away from me and I was up until 4am reading.
This book was worth it!
The twists, the turns, the lies, the deceit...
I was totally consumed and I know you will be too! This is a 5 star thriller that will be loved by all.
Here is a bit of a teaser :
harles and I were law students when I fell for him. He was handsome, charming, sure of himself—and he deigned to look at me. We had a dream-come-true courtship, wedding, and honeymoon, all orchestrated and paid for by his wealthy parents. Then he brought me home…and I woke up. Nineteen months and a baby later, I'm standing in our pristine living room, looking at Charles lying in a pool of blood. I don't remember how I got here. The police are bound to think I killed him. But I didn't…did I?
My husband has been busying himself packing up the rafts, the cooler, beach towels and sunblock. I myself, have packed 10 books in our shared suitcase... OOPS!
One book I do not have to pack up is After He's Gone.
I have a problem containing myself and got a little too excited in anticipation for the weekend and picked this superstar up last night and well, time got away from me and I was up until 4am reading.
This book was worth it!
The twists, the turns, the lies, the deceit...
I was totally consumed and I know you will be too! This is a 5 star thriller that will be loved by all.
Here is a bit of a teaser :
harles and I were law students when I fell for him. He was handsome, charming, sure of himself—and he deigned to look at me. We had a dream-come-true courtship, wedding, and honeymoon, all orchestrated and paid for by his wealthy parents. Then he brought me home…and I woke up. Nineteen months and a baby later, I'm standing in our pristine living room, looking at Charles lying in a pool of blood. I don't remember how I got here. The police are bound to think I killed him. But I didn't…did I?
March 21, 2023
There is a line in this book that goes something like "dad is the past. Charles is the future" which is so my 20 year old daughter lately. Young people are ridiculous. Don't fall so hard for someone that you give up your family. Give up on your family if they are truly awful though, which the dad is, but it is still silly.
There is some biblical stuff in here. Our girl is a christian. In fact, they don't even get it on until after the wedding. Also if you love hating the husband you will absolutely love this book. He is the worst!
Always have your newborn baby's hearing screened at birth. Don't skip it.
It is weird that this woman was released from the hospital the day she had her baby but they let her stay in the hospital forever for testing for her blackouts even though she's perfectly healthy otherwise. In real life they would have you visit the specialists over the next two years and never figure anything out.
This is a book with a fun mystery and information about congenital deafness that I think people should read for sure!
There is some biblical stuff in here. Our girl is a christian. In fact, they don't even get it on until after the wedding. Also if you love hating the husband you will absolutely love this book. He is the worst!
Always have your newborn baby's hearing screened at birth. Don't skip it.
It is weird that this woman was released from the hospital the day she had her baby but they let her stay in the hospital forever for testing for her blackouts even though she's perfectly healthy otherwise. In real life they would have you visit the specialists over the next two years and never figure anything out.
This is a book with a fun mystery and information about congenital deafness that I think people should read for sure!
January 15, 2023
3.75/5 stars! Ok; hear me out: Abby sucks and is super unlikable and I wanted to scream at her multiple times. Now that that is out of the way, I really enjoyed this story. I didn't see the final twist coming and enjoyed the different storylines of sharing both when they met, their 'happy' marriage, the murder, and the investigation that follows. It was an easy story to stay engaged in and despite Abby being a pain in the a**, I really enjoyed it.
I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
March 24, 2023
Thank you to #NetGalley, Severn Book Publisher and Katherine Bolger Hyde for the opportunity to read an advance copy of After He’s Gone, to be published April 4, 2023. This detective novel was told from two points of view, the heroine and the detective who works throughout the book to determine who killed her husband. It’s intense, clue-filled and sensational. Anyone who enjoys a good crime novel would likely enjoy this book. #NetGalley. #SevernBookPublisher. #KatherineBolgerHyde. #AfterHe’sGone
January 15, 2023
I really enjoyed this domestic thriller, much more than I had anticipated after reading some mixed reviews.
This book quickly drew me in and the writing style is easy and fast paced. I had planned to start this book, but had to keep reading to get to the end.
The characters are unlikeable and annoying but that just added to my intrigue.
Overall, this is a great read and one that I’d recommend.
This book quickly drew me in and the writing style is easy and fast paced. I had planned to start this book, but had to keep reading to get to the end.
The characters are unlikeable and annoying but that just added to my intrigue.
Overall, this is a great read and one that I’d recommend.
February 12, 2023
I really enjoyed this at first. I didn't particularly like the female protagonist but the story for the most part was enjoyable and held my interest. Then at one point I feel like it just plateaued and the conclusion was bland. This had so much potential that just felt left untouched. Overall, this is okay for a quick , easy read between books. Three Stars.
Thank you Netgalley and Severn House for this ARC.
Thank you Netgalley and Severn House for this ARC.
January 21, 2025
3.5* Overall good, but the ended was so abrupt. Also, Abby was book smart but lacked any semblance of common sense. There were so many times I wanted to scream at her! Some of the characterization of the other characters was weak (father and BIL specifically). I liked the idea of the trauma induced amnesia. I really enjoyed the back and forth timelines. At the end of the day I was rooting for Abby, but she was just so damn weak! Shout out to her big sister for holding her down!
December 15, 2024
Could be real life.
I fell into the pages of horrible but realistic storyline. Imagining what a truly twisted human will do to prove he is the controller of his domain. Although sometimes well laid plans can have a different outcome than the one he contrived. This is where I say there is a saying " Sometimes the best laid plan of mice and man can go array. "
I fell into the pages of horrible but realistic storyline. Imagining what a truly twisted human will do to prove he is the controller of his domain. Although sometimes well laid plans can have a different outcome than the one he contrived. This is where I say there is a saying " Sometimes the best laid plan of mice and man can go array. "
March 1, 2025
An abused woman gets the life she deserves
Abby put up with so much from Charles. He used every form of manipulation to get her to fall in line. He was even dumb enough to keep a journal of his sinister plot against her. Everything worked out in the end and she could finally move on with her baby and a good man.
Abby put up with so much from Charles. He used every form of manipulation to get her to fall in line. He was even dumb enough to keep a journal of his sinister plot against her. Everything worked out in the end and she could finally move on with her baby and a good man.
March 30, 2023
I was all set to score this four stars but the ending is just so silly I really couldn’t justify it. That’s a pity because the ready of the book is quite a page turner despite Abby being one of the wettest women I’ve come across. Mixed timeline works well too.
May 29, 2023
predictable and corny
Sorry to say this, but versions of this story have been done by tv and movie writers many times before. It’s only redeeming value is in a close-up look at why an abused woman might have trouble leaving her abuser.
Sorry to say this, but versions of this story have been done by tv and movie writers many times before. It’s only redeeming value is in a close-up look at why an abused woman might have trouble leaving her abuser.
March 25, 2024
Domestic thrillers are definitely my thing and I really enjoyed this one. I love a good mystery/thriller and this one definitely satisfied that in my life right now. I definitely recommend if you like domestic thrillers too. *I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley.*
January 17, 2023
This was a page turner that’s for sure and I thoroughly enjoyed it but it frustrated me at times.. twists and turns galore …
March 3, 2023
I really liked this book. You’re hooked right from the beginning with a surprising ending. I would, definitely, recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews