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The Serial Killer's Family #1
Die Frau des Serienkillers
They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew.
Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family.
When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst.
But the worst is beyond imagining.
As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.
They’re husband and wife – till death do them part…
Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family.
When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst.
But the worst is beyond imagining.
As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.
They’re husband and wife – till death do them part…
First published May 27, 2021
1957 people are currently reading
30725 people want to read
About the author
Alice Hunter
7 books652 followersAfter completing a psychology degree, Alice Hunter became an interventions facilitator in a prison. There, she was part of a team offering rehabilitation programmes to men serving sentences for a wide range of offences, often working with prisoners who'd committed serious violent crimes. Previously, Alice had been a nurse, working in the NHS. She now puts her experiences to good use in fiction. The Serial Killer’s Wife, The Serial Killer’s Daughter and The Serial Killer’s Sister all draw heavily on her knowledge of psychology and the criminal mind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,947 reviews
July 23, 2022
This is complex, head spinning, absolutely disturbing, twisty and truly delicious psychological thriller which introduces us a new debut author Alice Hunter!
As soon as I finished the book and I wanted to read her bio and I found out Ms. Hunter’s main job was interventions facilitator in prisons, working at rehabilitation programs to men serving sentences, especially working with prisoners who’d committed serious brutal crimes!
It really explains how she managed to portray the dangerous mind of a real criminal. Especially BDSM parts of the book and the narration parts explain the killer’s instinct, the motivation and the thirst of committing crimes are blood freezing, terrifyingly bleak but also realistic!
We have four narrators in this book:
Tom: a exemplary, great husband and father is arrested for killing his ex girlfriend...
Tom’s wife Beth who tries to adjust in her new life with their beautiful kid Poppy but after their reputation has been tarnished, she will have to learn to live as killer’s wife!
Katie: 8 years ago she’s met with Tom and she thought she was so lucky to be chosen by him. But later she starts seeing the real face of her controlling lover and she feels trapped in her relationship. What happened to Katie? Is she really dead? Could Tom act such a violent crime against her?
And the unknown narrator who is forced to have BDSM kind of sexual relationship with a man: we’re not sure it’s Tom! And the woman can be anybody! Is she still alive to give us her identity?
Beth and Tom’s perfect marriage will be destroyed after his conviction to kill his ex girlfriend. His loyal wife Beth does anything to protect their daughter but small townies don’t stop gossiping: how cannot she know what kind of monster she’s been married for 8 years! The press, the townies are suspicious about her acts. And Tom needs his wife’s support to be acquitted from the murder charge.
What does really Beth know? Will she help her husband to save him from prison? Does she keep important secrets which may change everything about their lives? And could her husband be a vicious killer?
Don’t worry! All your questions will be answered during this wild ride! I absolutely enjoyed this twisty, surprising, heart pounding reading!
It’s a fresh start and intriguing debut novel earned my four criminal minds, dysfunctional relationships, perfect couple stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
As soon as I finished the book and I wanted to read her bio and I found out Ms. Hunter’s main job was interventions facilitator in prisons, working at rehabilitation programs to men serving sentences, especially working with prisoners who’d committed serious brutal crimes!
It really explains how she managed to portray the dangerous mind of a real criminal. Especially BDSM parts of the book and the narration parts explain the killer’s instinct, the motivation and the thirst of committing crimes are blood freezing, terrifyingly bleak but also realistic!
We have four narrators in this book:
Tom: a exemplary, great husband and father is arrested for killing his ex girlfriend...
Tom’s wife Beth who tries to adjust in her new life with their beautiful kid Poppy but after their reputation has been tarnished, she will have to learn to live as killer’s wife!
Katie: 8 years ago she’s met with Tom and she thought she was so lucky to be chosen by him. But later she starts seeing the real face of her controlling lover and she feels trapped in her relationship. What happened to Katie? Is she really dead? Could Tom act such a violent crime against her?
And the unknown narrator who is forced to have BDSM kind of sexual relationship with a man: we’re not sure it’s Tom! And the woman can be anybody! Is she still alive to give us her identity?
Beth and Tom’s perfect marriage will be destroyed after his conviction to kill his ex girlfriend. His loyal wife Beth does anything to protect their daughter but small townies don’t stop gossiping: how cannot she know what kind of monster she’s been married for 8 years! The press, the townies are suspicious about her acts. And Tom needs his wife’s support to be acquitted from the murder charge.
What does really Beth know? Will she help her husband to save him from prison? Does she keep important secrets which may change everything about their lives? And could her husband be a vicious killer?
Don’t worry! All your questions will be answered during this wild ride! I absolutely enjoyed this twisty, surprising, heart pounding reading!
It’s a fresh start and intriguing debut novel earned my four criminal minds, dysfunctional relationships, perfect couple stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
June 2, 2021
A slow moving mystery, which makes you question how well we really know anyone...
Beth Hardcastle is worried because her husband should've been home from work, but it's the police knocking on her door, not Tom! Tom is quickly arrested in connection with the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend eight years ago. Why now? And what will Beth and her three year old daughter Poppy do now?
I requested The Serial Killer’s Wife because I really enjoyed Stillhouse Lake, and this sounded similar, but this book was nowhere near as good as that one!
I struggled to get into the story for a while because I didn't like the writing style. It felt choppy and amateur, plus the dialogue was extremely stilted and awkward. The relationships and conversations felt a bit forced and unrealistic. I found myself not wanting to pick the book up, but did anyway and it picked up a bit.
Whilst some parts were entertaining, like Tom's flashbacks and thoughts, and the twists at the end were good, most of the plot twists were quite predictable if you've read a few thrillers or crime books.
My main problem though, was with the wife, Beth, and since most of the book was from her POV, I found it frustrating! Beth was extremely unlikeable, so selfish and self centred! Right from the start, she was more concerned with how the other mum's would see her, than with her husband sitting in prison! If my husband was arrested for the potential murder of an ex, I would be banging on that police station door for answers from both the police, and my husband, but Beth was more worried about appearances, and her ceramic café.. Her strange decisions were sort of explained later on in the book, but it didn't sit well with me!
The other characters were bland, one dimensional and not fully fleshed out. We had multiple POVs from Beth, her husband, Katie the ex-girlfriend, and one other mystery character, and were introduced to friends, but none of them felt like real people to me. Even though I did like Tom's chapters the most, he was the most boring serial killer ever! I wanted to see a real monster, but his POV did not show him to be like that whatsoever. In fact, no bodies showed up until about half way through! It just wasn't gruesome or horrifying enough to warrant the title in my opinion!
The book felt too long, and detailed mundane aspects of Beth's life like baking cookies for her café, and it endlessly talked about her daughter Poppy. It felt so repetitive, and definitely slowed the pace of the story, sucking any potential tension out of the story. It took far too long for revelations to unfold, what with the lawyer pretending not to know much, and the police not being forthcoming at all, which dragged the story out further.
As I mentioned the ending had a couple of surprises, which surprised me, and it seemed to me as if the author was paving the way for a sequel, but I just wanted a bit more.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review
Beth Hardcastle is worried because her husband should've been home from work, but it's the police knocking on her door, not Tom! Tom is quickly arrested in connection with the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend eight years ago. Why now? And what will Beth and her three year old daughter Poppy do now?
I requested The Serial Killer’s Wife because I really enjoyed Stillhouse Lake, and this sounded similar, but this book was nowhere near as good as that one!
I struggled to get into the story for a while because I didn't like the writing style. It felt choppy and amateur, plus the dialogue was extremely stilted and awkward. The relationships and conversations felt a bit forced and unrealistic. I found myself not wanting to pick the book up, but did anyway and it picked up a bit.
Whilst some parts were entertaining, like Tom's flashbacks and thoughts, and the twists at the end were good, most of the plot twists were quite predictable if you've read a few thrillers or crime books.
My main problem though, was with the wife, Beth, and since most of the book was from her POV, I found it frustrating! Beth was extremely unlikeable, so selfish and self centred! Right from the start, she was more concerned with how the other mum's would see her, than with her husband sitting in prison! If my husband was arrested for the potential murder of an ex, I would be banging on that police station door for answers from both the police, and my husband, but Beth was more worried about appearances, and her ceramic café.. Her strange decisions were sort of explained later on in the book, but it didn't sit well with me!
The other characters were bland, one dimensional and not fully fleshed out. We had multiple POVs from Beth, her husband, Katie the ex-girlfriend, and one other mystery character, and were introduced to friends, but none of them felt like real people to me. Even though I did like Tom's chapters the most, he was the most boring serial killer ever! I wanted to see a real monster, but his POV did not show him to be like that whatsoever. In fact, no bodies showed up until about half way through! It just wasn't gruesome or horrifying enough to warrant the title in my opinion!
The book felt too long, and detailed mundane aspects of Beth's life like baking cookies for her café, and it endlessly talked about her daughter Poppy. It felt so repetitive, and definitely slowed the pace of the story, sucking any potential tension out of the story. It took far too long for revelations to unfold, what with the lawyer pretending not to know much, and the police not being forthcoming at all, which dragged the story out further.
As I mentioned the ending had a couple of surprises, which surprised me, and it seemed to me as if the author was paving the way for a sequel, but I just wanted a bit more.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review
March 19, 2021
Debut author, Alice Hunter, drops you right into the action, as inspectors knock on the door, looking to question Beth’s husband, Tom about the disappearance of Katie, a woman he was dating eight years ago-right before they met.
But, why now?
There is still no body. So, what new evidence could they possibly have?
The story unfolds mostly from the POV of Beth as she questions what she does, and doesn’t know about her husband, while trying to protect their 3 year old daughter, Poppy, and keep her ceramic and baked goods cafe afloat.
There are also a few chapters from Katie, 8 years ago, and an unidentified male, who enjoys “erotic asphyxiation”.
Beth’s constant justification for her thoughts and actions started to wear on me, as I waited for additional revelations, which took TOO LONG to come.
I wish the pace from the opening chapter had been maintained!
I DID like the twist at the end though!
I read a lot of thrillers and the author managed to surprise me! So Kudos for that!
Thank You to Avon Books, UK for my gifted copy.
It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Available May 27, 2021.
But, why now?
There is still no body. So, what new evidence could they possibly have?
The story unfolds mostly from the POV of Beth as she questions what she does, and doesn’t know about her husband, while trying to protect their 3 year old daughter, Poppy, and keep her ceramic and baked goods cafe afloat.
There are also a few chapters from Katie, 8 years ago, and an unidentified male, who enjoys “erotic asphyxiation”.
Beth’s constant justification for her thoughts and actions started to wear on me, as I waited for additional revelations, which took TOO LONG to come.
I wish the pace from the opening chapter had been maintained!
I DID like the twist at the end though!
I read a lot of thrillers and the author managed to surprise me! So Kudos for that!
Thank You to Avon Books, UK for my gifted copy.
It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Available May 27, 2021.
July 13, 2021
Beth Hardcastle is unamused that her husband Tom is home late from work. It’s two hours past their daughter Poppy’s bedtime and he hasn’t so much as called to say he’d be running late. She’s relieved when she hears someone at the door. Finally, she thinks… except it’s not Tom. It’s the police. And as soon as Tom does arrive home, they’re whisking him away to be questioned about a murder. Suddenly Tom being late is the least of Beth’s worries and as he continues to be held by police, she is forced to confront that her dreamy small town life could be shattered. And, of course, that she may in fact be married to a murderer…
I don’t like leaving harsh reviews but this book simply did *nothing* for me. I guessed the twist(s) from a mile away, didn’t care for any of the characters, and was bored to death. At over a third of the way in, I’d marked down that all we’d done is spend 4 days with Beth as she is kind of worried the moms at her daughter’s pre-school will be mean if her husband is charged with murder. Oh, and we had a couple of chapters from Tom’s POV that made him sound like an ass, but certainly not an interesting or devious serial killer like I’d hoped based on the title. I like slow burn books, but this didn’t have any of that gradually ratcheting up the tension feeling for me. Instead it felt like what should have been 2 chapters were extended into nearly half the book. That’s not a slow burn. It’s trying to light damp logs with a magnifying glass on a cloudy day.
And then when we start to get to the “good” stuff, which isn’t until about two thirds in, there was not a single thing I hadn’t seen coming or where I couldn’t see exactly what the author was trying to set up. It was, at least to me, distractingly obvious. I held out hope that maybe this was on purpose and I was going to be blindsided, but no. And while this complaint is not unique to this book/author, I am so very over books with one-note evil men. Yes yes we get it. You hate women and they’re all evil and it’s all their fault. Please try to be more interesting next time.
There are so many domestic suspense novels out there right now, and in a bloated genre, there’s just really no need to pick up something as bland and predictable as this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360/Avon for the advanced copy of this book for review.
I don’t like leaving harsh reviews but this book simply did *nothing* for me. I guessed the twist(s) from a mile away, didn’t care for any of the characters, and was bored to death. At over a third of the way in, I’d marked down that all we’d done is spend 4 days with Beth as she is kind of worried the moms at her daughter’s pre-school will be mean if her husband is charged with murder. Oh, and we had a couple of chapters from Tom’s POV that made him sound like an ass, but certainly not an interesting or devious serial killer like I’d hoped based on the title. I like slow burn books, but this didn’t have any of that gradually ratcheting up the tension feeling for me. Instead it felt like what should have been 2 chapters were extended into nearly half the book. That’s not a slow burn. It’s trying to light damp logs with a magnifying glass on a cloudy day.
And then when we start to get to the “good” stuff, which isn’t until about two thirds in, there was not a single thing I hadn’t seen coming or where I couldn’t see exactly what the author was trying to set up. It was, at least to me, distractingly obvious. I held out hope that maybe this was on purpose and I was going to be blindsided, but no. And while this complaint is not unique to this book/author, I am so very over books with one-note evil men. Yes yes we get it. You hate women and they’re all evil and it’s all their fault. Please try to be more interesting next time.
There are so many domestic suspense novels out there right now, and in a bloated genre, there’s just really no need to pick up something as bland and predictable as this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360/Avon for the advanced copy of this book for review.
April 10, 2021
Beth Hardcastle's life is upended when the police come knocking on her door.
Her husband, Tom, a wonderful father, and loving husband, is taken for questioning over the death of his ex-girlfriend Katie, who disappeared eight years ago.
Beth is shocked. Is her husband guilty?
Beth can only think that her wonderful life is imploding. She has to protect her daughter, Poppy, the best way she can while keeping her store open too. Living in a small town, she knows people can turn on them in the blink of an eye.
Thankfully, there is Adam. He has gone through something awful too and he seems to understand her and wants to help them.
But is Beth hiding something? Does she know more than she should?
~~
As soon as I saw this novel on NetGalley, I knew I wanted to read it. From the cover to its name, it called to me.
For the most part, I will say that I enjoyed it despite seeing the twist a mile away. I found myself still reading along.
Good debut novel.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Avon Books UK via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Her husband, Tom, a wonderful father, and loving husband, is taken for questioning over the death of his ex-girlfriend Katie, who disappeared eight years ago.
Beth is shocked. Is her husband guilty?
Beth can only think that her wonderful life is imploding. She has to protect her daughter, Poppy, the best way she can while keeping her store open too. Living in a small town, she knows people can turn on them in the blink of an eye.
Thankfully, there is Adam. He has gone through something awful too and he seems to understand her and wants to help them.
But is Beth hiding something? Does she know more than she should?
~~
As soon as I saw this novel on NetGalley, I knew I wanted to read it. From the cover to its name, it called to me.
For the most part, I will say that I enjoyed it despite seeing the twist a mile away. I found myself still reading along.
Good debut novel.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Avon Books UK via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
March 28, 2025
EXCERPT: Tom - This isn't the first time I've been in a police station, but it is the first time I have been interviewed in relation to a murder.
I clench my fists under the rectangular table. My wedding ring digs into the flesh of the neighbouring fingers. I will my hands to relax again, pulling my arms from beneath the table and resting them loosely in front of me. I'll come across as less stressed if I do that. I close my eyes lightly, blocking out the dull yellow, windowless walls. The room is claustrophobic, airless, and that's without other bodies in here. Why couldn't they ask their questions in the comfort of my own home, for God's sake?
'Because it's bad,' the voice in my head answers.
'Oh, God. What's coming?'
My eyes spring open at the sound of the door.
I guess I'm about to find out.
ABOUT 'THE SERIAL KILLER'S WIFE': They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew.
Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family.
When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst.
But the worst is beyond imagining.
As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.
They’re husband and wife – till death do them part…
MY THOUGHTS: The Serial Killer's Wife is not bad, but it is rather ordinary. It is slow, particularly so in the first half. There are a few twists in the second half, but other than one OMG! moment, there was nothing that I didn't see coming. And that was a problem for me. I kept waiting for some great unexpected revelation, some surprise, but it didn't happen.
There is a distinct lack of suspense, always a problem for me, and I didn't relate to the characters at all. There was no depth to any of them, and the dialogue was equally as shallow. The book's publicity blurb isn't entirely accurate either.
I liked the fact that there were three different people narrating this audiobook. However, their voices weren't particularly expressive. At times they sounded like they were reading a telephone directory.
The whole book felt rather flat. The premise is wonderful and clever, but the author just didn't pull it off. The Serial Killer's Wife might have earned a whole three stars if it weren't for that final chapter because, despite my comments, there was never a moment where I considered not finishing it. The final chapter was totally extraneous, and totally pointless. Sometimes less is more.
⭐⭐.5
#TheSerialKillersWife #NetGalley
I: @alicehunter_author #harpercollinsaudio #harpercollinsaudiobooks
T: @Alice_Hunter_1 @HarperCollinsUK
#audiobook #contemporaryfiction #crime #domesticdrama #psychologicalthriller #serialkillerthriller
THE AUTHOR: After completing a psychology degree, Alice Hunter became an interventions facilitator in a prison. There, she was part of a team offering rehabilitation programmes to men serving sentences for a wide range of offences, often working with prisoners who'd committed serious violent crimes. Previously, Alice had been a nurse, working in the NHS. She now puts her experiences to good use in fiction.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Audio via Netgalley for providing an audio ARC of The Serial Killer's Wife written by Alice Hunter and narrated by Sarah Paul, James Mcnaughton, and Kristin Atherton. All opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
I clench my fists under the rectangular table. My wedding ring digs into the flesh of the neighbouring fingers. I will my hands to relax again, pulling my arms from beneath the table and resting them loosely in front of me. I'll come across as less stressed if I do that. I close my eyes lightly, blocking out the dull yellow, windowless walls. The room is claustrophobic, airless, and that's without other bodies in here. Why couldn't they ask their questions in the comfort of my own home, for God's sake?
'Because it's bad,' the voice in my head answers.
'Oh, God. What's coming?'
My eyes spring open at the sound of the door.
I guess I'm about to find out.
ABOUT 'THE SERIAL KILLER'S WIFE': They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew.
Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family.
When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst.
But the worst is beyond imagining.
As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.
They’re husband and wife – till death do them part…
MY THOUGHTS: The Serial Killer's Wife is not bad, but it is rather ordinary. It is slow, particularly so in the first half. There are a few twists in the second half, but other than one OMG! moment, there was nothing that I didn't see coming. And that was a problem for me. I kept waiting for some great unexpected revelation, some surprise, but it didn't happen.
There is a distinct lack of suspense, always a problem for me, and I didn't relate to the characters at all. There was no depth to any of them, and the dialogue was equally as shallow. The book's publicity blurb isn't entirely accurate either.
I liked the fact that there were three different people narrating this audiobook. However, their voices weren't particularly expressive. At times they sounded like they were reading a telephone directory.
The whole book felt rather flat. The premise is wonderful and clever, but the author just didn't pull it off. The Serial Killer's Wife might have earned a whole three stars if it weren't for that final chapter because, despite my comments, there was never a moment where I considered not finishing it. The final chapter was totally extraneous, and totally pointless. Sometimes less is more.
⭐⭐.5
#TheSerialKillersWife #NetGalley
I: @alicehunter_author #harpercollinsaudio #harpercollinsaudiobooks
T: @Alice_Hunter_1 @HarperCollinsUK
#audiobook #contemporaryfiction #crime #domesticdrama #psychologicalthriller #serialkillerthriller
THE AUTHOR: After completing a psychology degree, Alice Hunter became an interventions facilitator in a prison. There, she was part of a team offering rehabilitation programmes to men serving sentences for a wide range of offences, often working with prisoners who'd committed serious violent crimes. Previously, Alice had been a nurse, working in the NHS. She now puts her experiences to good use in fiction.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Audio via Netgalley for providing an audio ARC of The Serial Killer's Wife written by Alice Hunter and narrated by Sarah Paul, James Mcnaughton, and Kristin Atherton. All opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
June 1, 2021
Beth and Tom Hardcastle seem to have a perfect life with a happy marriage and a delightful 3y old daughter, Poppy. They recently moved from London to Banbury, a small town where Beth runs a café and ceramic painting business, while Tom commutes to work in finance. Beth has been accepted into the community but is still struggling to break into the local friendship groups. Tom works long hours and is hardly ever home but is generally accepted by all as a nice family guy. That is until the day when a knock on their door turns out to be police wanting to question Tom in regard to the disappearance and probable murder of his ex-girlfriend Katie 8 years ago.
Local gossips can’t believe Beth doesn’t know anything about Katie’s disappearance. Could she really have been married to a monstrous killer all these years without knowing? At first Beth is supportive of Tom, claiming there is no way he could be a killer without her knowledge. Besides, the police haven’t found a body so how could they have new evidence after all this time? However, as time goes by it’s clear that Beth is holding something back from the police that might be damaging to Tom’s claims of innocence. In fact, both Beth and Tom have secrets they are keeping from each other as well as from the police.
Alice Hunter’s debut novel is a deliciously different psychological thriller. Told mostly from the perspective of Beth as the accused killer’s wife, Tom himself is a shadowy character for much of the novel. However, we hear Katie’s voice from eight years previously telling us about her relationship with Tom. We also hear details of a relationship from an unidentified man with a sexual penchant for erotic asphyxiation. Who is the woman and is the voice that of Tom, the good family man or someone else?
The thriller starts with a good pace, raising tensions and questions about Tom and Beth’s relationship and what Beth really knows about Tom. The writing is patchy in places, slowing the pace and losing momentum around the middle of the novel, as Beth indulges in a lot of hand wringing about what to tell the police and whether her daughter Poppy will be okay. With her husband sitting in goal about to be tried for murder, most women would be frantic, but not Beth. She is a difficult character to feel sympathy for as she blurts out secrets to people she barely knows and neglects the café and her business assistant. Her growing friendship with recent widower Adam Wright seems unwise and some of her decisions don’t make sense. The pace and suspense pick up again in the second half of the novel as more about Tom is revealed. And the clever twisty ending will shed some light on Beth’s sometime puzzling behaviour.
Overall, this is a good first novel with an intriguing title and an original hook that will soon have you reading addictively to find out about the serial killer’s wife.
With many thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for a copy to read. Review originally posted in Mystery and Suspense magazine.
Local gossips can’t believe Beth doesn’t know anything about Katie’s disappearance. Could she really have been married to a monstrous killer all these years without knowing? At first Beth is supportive of Tom, claiming there is no way he could be a killer without her knowledge. Besides, the police haven’t found a body so how could they have new evidence after all this time? However, as time goes by it’s clear that Beth is holding something back from the police that might be damaging to Tom’s claims of innocence. In fact, both Beth and Tom have secrets they are keeping from each other as well as from the police.
Alice Hunter’s debut novel is a deliciously different psychological thriller. Told mostly from the perspective of Beth as the accused killer’s wife, Tom himself is a shadowy character for much of the novel. However, we hear Katie’s voice from eight years previously telling us about her relationship with Tom. We also hear details of a relationship from an unidentified man with a sexual penchant for erotic asphyxiation. Who is the woman and is the voice that of Tom, the good family man or someone else?
The thriller starts with a good pace, raising tensions and questions about Tom and Beth’s relationship and what Beth really knows about Tom. The writing is patchy in places, slowing the pace and losing momentum around the middle of the novel, as Beth indulges in a lot of hand wringing about what to tell the police and whether her daughter Poppy will be okay. With her husband sitting in goal about to be tried for murder, most women would be frantic, but not Beth. She is a difficult character to feel sympathy for as she blurts out secrets to people she barely knows and neglects the café and her business assistant. Her growing friendship with recent widower Adam Wright seems unwise and some of her decisions don’t make sense. The pace and suspense pick up again in the second half of the novel as more about Tom is revealed. And the clever twisty ending will shed some light on Beth’s sometime puzzling behaviour.
Overall, this is a good first novel with an intriguing title and an original hook that will soon have you reading addictively to find out about the serial killer’s wife.
With many thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for a copy to read. Review originally posted in Mystery and Suspense magazine.
March 21, 2021
Where's the Beef?
Beth and her husband Tom have made a life in a small community after moving from London. She began a pottery cafe and has been mostly accepted by the close knit residents. He still commutes to the city.
When two investigators knock on her door one evening, Beth thinks it’s her husband who’s forgotten his key. The ball is set in play with the police wanting to ask “a few questions”.
Later, Tom is not forthcoming and skirts Beth’s concerns.
So begins a cat and mouse game with Beth, her husband, the media, and the detectives.
Fifty percent into the story however, there were no dead bodies yet. With “Serial Killer” in the title, I expected a pile up! Instead, Beth and her constant inner hand wringing dulled the momentum.
Despite that aspect, this was surprisingly juicy and very easy to read! I enjoyed this and think a fast reader could finish in one sitting.
In addition, Alice Hunter has an impressive mini bio at the front of the book giving credence to the inner workings of the criminal mind. It was worth reading and gave me some perspective.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advance copy
Beth and her husband Tom have made a life in a small community after moving from London. She began a pottery cafe and has been mostly accepted by the close knit residents. He still commutes to the city.
When two investigators knock on her door one evening, Beth thinks it’s her husband who’s forgotten his key. The ball is set in play with the police wanting to ask “a few questions”.
Later, Tom is not forthcoming and skirts Beth’s concerns.
So begins a cat and mouse game with Beth, her husband, the media, and the detectives.
Fifty percent into the story however, there were no dead bodies yet. With “Serial Killer” in the title, I expected a pile up! Instead, Beth and her constant inner hand wringing dulled the momentum.
Despite that aspect, this was surprisingly juicy and very easy to read! I enjoyed this and think a fast reader could finish in one sitting.
In addition, Alice Hunter has an impressive mini bio at the front of the book giving credence to the inner workings of the criminal mind. It was worth reading and gave me some perspective.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advance copy
March 19, 2021
Top marks for a great twist that I did not see coming! Unfortunately that was probably the best part of this book. It starts well - Beth is wondering why Tom is not home yet, he always like to give their 3 year old daughter, Poppy, a goodnight kiss. Then the knock on the door, finally! But instead of Tom there are two police officers at the door. Of course they don’t tell Beth anything. When Tom arrives home he is whisked off to be questioned about the disappearance, 8 years ago, of his former girlfriend Katie. Why now? She has been missing for 8 years.
Beth insists that she knows nothing about it. At the halfway mark we do not even have a definite murder, let alone a serial killer. The middle of the story really dragged as Beth grapples with her conscience about whether or not to tell the police what she knows. Which isn’t much at this stage. She is trying to protect Poppy from the fallout and trying to keep her pottery cafe running. And she is developing a very friendly relationship with Adam whose wife, Camilla, died a couple of years ago and who has a 3 year old daughter as well.
The information about the ‘serial killing’ is doled out far too slowly. The author was clever with her misdirection here and in how she dribbled out the clues and then hit you with the killer twist. Unfortunately by then I just wanted to get to the finish line. I think this author has a lot potential though. While I found the book slow, I did not, at any point feel like not finishing it. The writing was very good and the characters were well portrayed. I did appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC. Thanks to Netgalley, Avon Books UK and Alice Hunter for providing a copy to review. My opinions are my own.
Beth insists that she knows nothing about it. At the halfway mark we do not even have a definite murder, let alone a serial killer. The middle of the story really dragged as Beth grapples with her conscience about whether or not to tell the police what she knows. Which isn’t much at this stage. She is trying to protect Poppy from the fallout and trying to keep her pottery cafe running. And she is developing a very friendly relationship with Adam whose wife, Camilla, died a couple of years ago and who has a 3 year old daughter as well.
The information about the ‘serial killing’ is doled out far too slowly. The author was clever with her misdirection here and in how she dribbled out the clues and then hit you with the killer twist. Unfortunately by then I just wanted to get to the finish line. I think this author has a lot potential though. While I found the book slow, I did not, at any point feel like not finishing it. The writing was very good and the characters were well portrayed. I did appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC. Thanks to Netgalley, Avon Books UK and Alice Hunter for providing a copy to review. My opinions are my own.
November 30, 2024
I requested this book from NetGalley and received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
And I will be brutally honest.
This book was terrible. I don’t know why it is getting high ratings. Twists do not make a good story. Well-written characters and a believable plot do. This book has neither. The characters are all extremely, extremely unlikable. They are unreliable narrators as well, and while that in itself is not reason to pan a book, ridiculous actions that make zero sense when looking at the big picture do. Their actions aren’t just stupid but generally deplorable. The story goes at a plodding pace and nothing much happens after the first chapter other than Beth constantly, and I mean constantly, talking about her daughter Poppy and how awful her life will be if she doesn’t do the right thing. It’s Poppy this and Poppy that and oh poor poor me!! Unfortunately, at no time did she ever do the right thing. I almost felt sorry for the serial killer husband, Tom, for having married such an imbecile. He is also not written as a serial killer should be. He seems too nice and almost as though he was sorry for his acts. I cannot say too much more without spoiling the story. There isn’t much going on in the story other than deception and idiocy. When I read books like this I wonder why I haven’t written one? I could certainly do better than this. This one did not deserve to be published.
And I will be brutally honest.
This book was terrible. I don’t know why it is getting high ratings. Twists do not make a good story. Well-written characters and a believable plot do. This book has neither. The characters are all extremely, extremely unlikable. They are unreliable narrators as well, and while that in itself is not reason to pan a book, ridiculous actions that make zero sense when looking at the big picture do. Their actions aren’t just stupid but generally deplorable. The story goes at a plodding pace and nothing much happens after the first chapter other than Beth constantly, and I mean constantly, talking about her daughter Poppy and how awful her life will be if she doesn’t do the right thing. It’s Poppy this and Poppy that and oh poor poor me!! Unfortunately, at no time did she ever do the right thing. I almost felt sorry for the serial killer husband, Tom, for having married such an imbecile. He is also not written as a serial killer should be. He seems too nice and almost as though he was sorry for his acts. I cannot say too much more without spoiling the story. There isn’t much going on in the story other than deception and idiocy. When I read books like this I wonder why I haven’t written one? I could certainly do better than this. This one did not deserve to be published.
September 9, 2021
Consider these two possible thriller scenarios:
1. Husband is accused of murder and arrested. Wife considers him innocent. Surprise twist in the story occurs when husband is revealed to be the killer.
2. Husband is accused of murder and arrested. Wife considers him innocent. Surprise twist in the story occurs when husband is found to have committed more than one murder.
Both of these twists would have given us reasonably good jolts while reading. Because they can be unexpected and sudden, depending on the author's writing skills. But in this book, there is no scope of such a major surprise until at least 62% of the book. Why? Because till that point, the book talks of only one murder investigation and the title of the book has already told us that the person in question is a "serial killer". Thus, upto the 62% mark, I was not thrilled but just waiting to know when the second murder details will be revealed. What a huge spoiler in the title itself! ☹️🙄
The story isn't so bad. Beth and Tom have been happily married for 7 years and proud parents of three year old Poppy. But everyone changes on the day Tom is taken into custody for the murder of his ex-girlfriend. Soon Beth finds herself swinging between various emotions, wondering how her picture perfect life has been suddenly upturned.
Because of the title, you know that there are multiple murders involved, whether actual or accused. So the first half goes by in just waiting for the details to come out. Only after about 70% does the story pace up a little. The last few chapters seem very rushed, but the saving grace is the final chapter with its neat little surprise.
I could not connect with Beth as a character. She comes across as pretty self-obsessed and whiny. As the story mostly rests on her shoulders, the book became an average experience for me. If I take this book as a psychological thriller or a mystery or a crime, this book fell flat for me. There was not much suspense until the end and the overall book is very predictable.
The writing is ok. There are too many detailed sentences on Beth's thoughts, but I suppose, as she's the titular lead, she gets the lion's share of the word count. It does become a little repetitive though. The author has presented the story through multiple perspectives to break the monotony. However, a major chunk of the chapters are from Beth's point of view. A few are from Tom, and some from his murder victims' perspectives. The best chapters are the ones that show the victim's thinking.
What saves the book is the great narration that takes the ordinary and raises it to a good level. While one of the lady narrators did take pauses at odd points in a sentence, the overall performance was still very good.
If you are looking for a thriller that isn't too taxing on your brain (a light predictable beach-read kind of thriller), then this is the book for you.
A 2.5 from me, rounding up to 3 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
1. Husband is accused of murder and arrested. Wife considers him innocent. Surprise twist in the story occurs when husband is revealed to be the killer.
2. Husband is accused of murder and arrested. Wife considers him innocent. Surprise twist in the story occurs when husband is found to have committed more than one murder.
Both of these twists would have given us reasonably good jolts while reading. Because they can be unexpected and sudden, depending on the author's writing skills. But in this book, there is no scope of such a major surprise until at least 62% of the book. Why? Because till that point, the book talks of only one murder investigation and the title of the book has already told us that the person in question is a "serial killer". Thus, upto the 62% mark, I was not thrilled but just waiting to know when the second murder details will be revealed. What a huge spoiler in the title itself! ☹️🙄
The story isn't so bad. Beth and Tom have been happily married for 7 years and proud parents of three year old Poppy. But everyone changes on the day Tom is taken into custody for the murder of his ex-girlfriend. Soon Beth finds herself swinging between various emotions, wondering how her picture perfect life has been suddenly upturned.
Because of the title, you know that there are multiple murders involved, whether actual or accused. So the first half goes by in just waiting for the details to come out. Only after about 70% does the story pace up a little. The last few chapters seem very rushed, but the saving grace is the final chapter with its neat little surprise.
I could not connect with Beth as a character. She comes across as pretty self-obsessed and whiny. As the story mostly rests on her shoulders, the book became an average experience for me. If I take this book as a psychological thriller or a mystery or a crime, this book fell flat for me. There was not much suspense until the end and the overall book is very predictable.
The writing is ok. There are too many detailed sentences on Beth's thoughts, but I suppose, as she's the titular lead, she gets the lion's share of the word count. It does become a little repetitive though. The author has presented the story through multiple perspectives to break the monotony. However, a major chunk of the chapters are from Beth's point of view. A few are from Tom, and some from his murder victims' perspectives. The best chapters are the ones that show the victim's thinking.
What saves the book is the great narration that takes the ordinary and raises it to a good level. While one of the lady narrators did take pauses at odd points in a sentence, the overall performance was still very good.
If you are looking for a thriller that isn't too taxing on your brain (a light predictable beach-read kind of thriller), then this is the book for you.
A 2.5 from me, rounding up to 3 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
March 12, 2021
I’ll be keeping my eye out for the author’s future work. Ms. Hunter has fabricated a juicy psychological thriller brimming with disturbing fantasies, complex characters and complicated relationships!
Does anyone really know their spouse? How long can you let yourself be deceived before you suspect you’ve been manipulated into believing their lies?
Beth and Tom have an enviable marriage until Tom is questioned about the disappearance of an old girlfriend. Before long, he’s arrested and charged with murder. I felt guilty, taking joy in reading about their crumbling marriage, as Beth is left to take care of their daughter—Poppy—and deal with the hostile backlash of being a serial killer’s wife! It���s hard to believe she’s been married to a monster all of these years, without knowing it.
I usually hate endings that don’t provide full closure, but I loved this twisty (and somewhat predictable) ending! Alice Hunter is on my radar for sure!
Thank you to NetGalley, Alice Hunter and Avon Books UK for this free digital ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion!
My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s
Published: May 27th 2021 by Avon Books UK
Pages: 400
Recommend: Yes, but don’t expect a deep and realistic read.
#AliceHunter @AvonBooksUK @NetGalley
#FamilySuspense #NoRulesJustThrills #InExchangeForReview #BookReview #JustFinished #SerialKiller
Does anyone really know their spouse? How long can you let yourself be deceived before you suspect you’ve been manipulated into believing their lies?
Beth and Tom have an enviable marriage until Tom is questioned about the disappearance of an old girlfriend. Before long, he’s arrested and charged with murder. I felt guilty, taking joy in reading about their crumbling marriage, as Beth is left to take care of their daughter—Poppy—and deal with the hostile backlash of being a serial killer’s wife! It���s hard to believe she’s been married to a monster all of these years, without knowing it.
I usually hate endings that don’t provide full closure, but I loved this twisty (and somewhat predictable) ending! Alice Hunter is on my radar for sure!
Thank you to NetGalley, Alice Hunter and Avon Books UK for this free digital ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion!
My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s
Published: May 27th 2021 by Avon Books UK
Pages: 400
Recommend: Yes, but don’t expect a deep and realistic read.
#AliceHunter @AvonBooksUK @NetGalley
#FamilySuspense #NoRulesJustThrills #InExchangeForReview #BookReview #JustFinished #SerialKiller
April 11, 2021
Beth and Tom appear to have the perfect marriage, they have a beautiful daughter Poppy. Beth owns a successful Ceramic Cafe and the locals have accepted her as they settle into the small community.
But that’s all about to change, as one night when her husband is working late at the office, the police arrive to question Tom about a murder of Katie an ex girlfriend of his.
Tom is arrested. Beth is struggling to protect her daughter against the gossips who think Beth must have known what her husband had done. Did she really know her husband even though they have been married for eight years!!
This was a roller coaster of a ride with its many twists and gasp out loud moments!!
I will definitely be looking out for Alice Hunters next books!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
July 12, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
The Serial Killer's Wife.
I'm always up for a novel revolving around a serial killer so I was excited when my request was approved.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
First, let me be clear. This is not gripping or suspenseful or exciting.
Beth, the wife of the serial killer, spends most of her time denying her husband's involvement in the deaths of several women; then crying, and ignoring her husband's attorney's calls.
Beth is super annoying, like that irritating Maroon 5 song you can't get out of your head.
You know the one I'm talking about. Rhymes with Shmooves with Ragger.
There is a lack of urgency and no suspense through the narrative.
This is not a police procedural, which is what I always look for in novels like this.
I should have looked elsewhere.
The story mostly consists of Beth crying on the shoulders of a yummy mummy, ignoring the attorney's calls, worrying about her child (understandable) and hanging out with the cute local widower.
You know the book isn't going to turn out well when a story about a serial killer is booorrrrinngggg.
Tom, the serial killer in question, is one of the lamest I've ever met. And I read a lot of these types of books.
For 99% of the novel, he's locked up in prison, whining about how he misses his family and how much they depend on him and how Beth won't betray him.
There is a twist at the end, which I sort of saw coming, though it was hard to believe. I can't believe Beth as a manipulative person at all, nor was there any guarantee her plan would work.
Also, it's a huge pet peeve of mine when authors purposely withhold information from readers, such as when Beth reveals Tom had informed her of his heinous ways and she's been sitting on this information for over a year.
That's a cheap trick. Not a twist. I've said that before and I'll keep saying it.
The writing was average, but oh so repetitive; if I hear yummy mummies or Polly poppet one more time, I'm gonna scream.
A part of me wished Tom had murdered Beth.
You never really get what you want.
I'm always up for a novel revolving around a serial killer so I was excited when my request was approved.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
First, let me be clear. This is not gripping or suspenseful or exciting.
Beth, the wife of the serial killer, spends most of her time denying her husband's involvement in the deaths of several women; then crying, and ignoring her husband's attorney's calls.
Beth is super annoying, like that irritating Maroon 5 song you can't get out of your head.
You know the one I'm talking about. Rhymes with Shmooves with Ragger.
There is a lack of urgency and no suspense through the narrative.
This is not a police procedural, which is what I always look for in novels like this.
I should have looked elsewhere.
The story mostly consists of Beth crying on the shoulders of a yummy mummy, ignoring the attorney's calls, worrying about her child (understandable) and hanging out with the cute local widower.
You know the book isn't going to turn out well when a story about a serial killer is booorrrrinngggg.
Tom, the serial killer in question, is one of the lamest I've ever met. And I read a lot of these types of books.
For 99% of the novel, he's locked up in prison, whining about how he misses his family and how much they depend on him and how Beth won't betray him.
There is a twist at the end, which I sort of saw coming, though it was hard to believe. I can't believe Beth as a manipulative person at all, nor was there any guarantee her plan would work.
Also, it's a huge pet peeve of mine when authors purposely withhold information from readers, such as when Beth reveals Tom had informed her of his heinous ways and she's been sitting on this information for over a year.
That's a cheap trick. Not a twist. I've said that before and I'll keep saying it.
The writing was average, but oh so repetitive; if I hear yummy mummies or Polly poppet one more time, I'm gonna scream.
A part of me wished Tom had murdered Beth.
You never really get what you want.
June 23, 2021
From the outset we know that Beth Hardcastle's husband Tom is guilty of the crimes that his been charged with - the books title already reveals that to the reader.
Where Hunter's entertaining debut thrives is the impact on the family who find themselves thrust into the spotlight too.
Especially for young three year old Poppy who'd been waiting for a bedtime story the night the police showed up to question the child's father for the murder of Tom's ex-girlfriend 8 years ago.
The village setting help solidifies the gossip and intrusion that is put upon Beth.
In truth I struggled to warm towards Beth who was the main protagonist in the various POV's - not wanting her daughter to be caught up in the tittle tattle being her redeeming feature.
The chapters were short and reasonably well paced, with a few nice surprises thrown in during the conclusion.
Where Hunter's entertaining debut thrives is the impact on the family who find themselves thrust into the spotlight too.
Especially for young three year old Poppy who'd been waiting for a bedtime story the night the police showed up to question the child's father for the murder of Tom's ex-girlfriend 8 years ago.
The village setting help solidifies the gossip and intrusion that is put upon Beth.
In truth I struggled to warm towards Beth who was the main protagonist in the various POV's - not wanting her daughter to be caught up in the tittle tattle being her redeeming feature.
The chapters were short and reasonably well paced, with a few nice surprises thrown in during the conclusion.
June 1, 2021
This compelling narrative had me engrossed from the beginning. It’s certainly a fast-paced thriller, aided by the very short chapters. Making it ideal for your bag and commuting, this book concluded with me experiencing goose bumps of anticipation.
Largely told from Beth’s perspective, we follow her life crumbling down when her husband is arrested on suspicion of a murder that took place several years ago. Police are suspicious of Beth’s naivety and this is something she experiences in her village as people question why she was not aware of Tom’s murderous behaviour. After all, she is his wife, surely she suspected something? As the novel progresses, we learn about Tom’s past in very brief snapshots. So brief, in fact, that I was desperate for Hunter to develop this part of the plot further – I found it so very interesting. However, the focus primarily stays on Beth as she grows to cope with the media frenzy during the police investigations, turning to acquaintances in the village for support for both her and her daughter, Poppy.
Self-preservation is a theme that runs throughout this novel and I found it interesting to consider the different elements. Primarily, of course, it can be applied to Tom and his efforts to ensure his behaviours remain secret. However, as the novel develops, Hunter explores the psychology behind Tom’s actions; his movements are an attempt to preserve the Tom that Beth and Poppy knows as a loving husband and devoted father. In other words, Tom behaves as he does in order to protect the ones he loves. (Although how much he loves them and in what way, is another debate entirely.) Similarly, Beth also tries to keep the family unit together as much as possible. Initially, she does not believe the accusations and intends to protect her daughter from police developments. Yet, Beth also wants to break free from Tom and it is gradually revealed that she is more complicit than we realised. Beth’s behaviours over the course of the story show that she intends to keep her and Poppy as secure as possible, without being a sacrifice to the police investigation.
As a debut novel, this is a fantastic piece of writing. I read that the author was inspired by not only her employment background, but also her interest in True Crime documentaries. A fan myself, I can see how this has been worked into the novel and I loved the exploration into Tom and Beth’s personalities, beyond the murderous accusations. At times, the writing reminded me of Helen Fields – not based on the violent actions, but the study of character motivations. Therefore, if you are a Fields fan (like me – I’ve reviewed most of her books!), then this will certainly appeal.
I enjoyed this book the more that I read it and found I could not put it down. The closing was completely unexpected and I liked the open-ending – will there be a follow-up to this story? Whipping through the novel, I loved the twists and turns in Hunter’s narrative. There were many surprises along the way and with the unforeseen conclusion, I think it will definitely be in my top reads for this year.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Largely told from Beth’s perspective, we follow her life crumbling down when her husband is arrested on suspicion of a murder that took place several years ago. Police are suspicious of Beth’s naivety and this is something she experiences in her village as people question why she was not aware of Tom’s murderous behaviour. After all, she is his wife, surely she suspected something? As the novel progresses, we learn about Tom’s past in very brief snapshots. So brief, in fact, that I was desperate for Hunter to develop this part of the plot further – I found it so very interesting. However, the focus primarily stays on Beth as she grows to cope with the media frenzy during the police investigations, turning to acquaintances in the village for support for both her and her daughter, Poppy.
Self-preservation is a theme that runs throughout this novel and I found it interesting to consider the different elements. Primarily, of course, it can be applied to Tom and his efforts to ensure his behaviours remain secret. However, as the novel develops, Hunter explores the psychology behind Tom’s actions; his movements are an attempt to preserve the Tom that Beth and Poppy knows as a loving husband and devoted father. In other words, Tom behaves as he does in order to protect the ones he loves. (Although how much he loves them and in what way, is another debate entirely.) Similarly, Beth also tries to keep the family unit together as much as possible. Initially, she does not believe the accusations and intends to protect her daughter from police developments. Yet, Beth also wants to break free from Tom and it is gradually revealed that she is more complicit than we realised. Beth’s behaviours over the course of the story show that she intends to keep her and Poppy as secure as possible, without being a sacrifice to the police investigation.
As a debut novel, this is a fantastic piece of writing. I read that the author was inspired by not only her employment background, but also her interest in True Crime documentaries. A fan myself, I can see how this has been worked into the novel and I loved the exploration into Tom and Beth’s personalities, beyond the murderous accusations. At times, the writing reminded me of Helen Fields – not based on the violent actions, but the study of character motivations. Therefore, if you are a Fields fan (like me – I’ve reviewed most of her books!), then this will certainly appeal.
I enjoyed this book the more that I read it and found I could not put it down. The closing was completely unexpected and I liked the open-ending – will there be a follow-up to this story? Whipping through the novel, I loved the twists and turns in Hunter’s narrative. There were many surprises along the way and with the unforeseen conclusion, I think it will definitely be in my top reads for this year.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2021
With a title like The Serial Killer's Wife how could I resist!
A psychological thriller that kept me reading, I was itching to know how it would end. I had plenty of my own theories whilst reading it, most of which were completely wrong which I love.
It is never a good thing when you open the front door expecting your husband who is late home from work and you come face to face with 2 police officers. They are looking for Beth's husband Tom, with questions about his ex-girlfriend who went missing 8 years ago. What does Tom know about it? You will have to read it to find out.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for my advanced copy of this book to read.
A psychological thriller that kept me reading, I was itching to know how it would end. I had plenty of my own theories whilst reading it, most of which were completely wrong which I love.
It is never a good thing when you open the front door expecting your husband who is late home from work and you come face to face with 2 police officers. They are looking for Beth's husband Tom, with questions about his ex-girlfriend who went missing 8 years ago. What does Tom know about it? You will have to read it to find out.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for my advanced copy of this book to read.
May 31, 2021
4.5★s
“How quickly things can change. In an instant, your path can take a sharp turn and lead you somewhere you never anticipated.”
The Serial Killer’s Wife is the first novel by British author, Alice Hunter. When the police came to question her husband in relation to a murder, Beth Hardcastle’s reaction is one of shock and confusion: how could they possibly believe that her Tom, the perfect husband and father, would have anything to do with it?
But as Tom is detained and then arrested, she fears that the life they have built in the little village of Lower Tew, their dream, is about to crumble. They have been there two years. Tom commutes to London for his work as a finance portfolio manager; Beth had been happy to give up her position as a London recruitment consultant when they had Poppy, and now runs a ceramics café.
Beth hasn’t made any real friends yet: the playgroup yummy mummies don’t talk to her; there has been no invitation to join the book club that regularly met in her café; and even though she tells the police “We’re very happy; we’ve carved out the perfect life for ourselves here”, she later confides to the only person she feels comfortable with: “It’s surprising what you can hide behind the image of a perfect life.”
When the police question Beth, Tom’s solicitor advises her: “Answer their questions with as little detail as possible. Answer with brevity and clarity. It’s easier to remember what you’ve said, too.” Beth declares that she doesn’t know anything, anyway. She has her hands full keeping three-year-old Poppy safe and dodging the media circus camped in front of their cottage. How could Tom have brought this down on them?
The main narrative is from Beth’s perspective, with occasional contributions by Tom and by Katie, the apparent murder victim, as well as short pieces by an unknown woman who describes encounters with a man (Tom?) who gets off on strangling her. Beth’s behaviour and reactions are slightly off, giving the reader cause to wonder about her protested ignorance.
While the initial scene-setting could have been more subtle, this is an impressive debut: cleverly plotted, with twists that will take most readers by surprise. Hunter’s depiction of the village is excellent, and she keeps the reader guessing with each new wrinkle in the story: it’s no spoiler to say that Tom is definitely a murderer, but there’s a lot more to this tale. Undeniably a page-turner.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Avon Books UK
“How quickly things can change. In an instant, your path can take a sharp turn and lead you somewhere you never anticipated.”
The Serial Killer’s Wife is the first novel by British author, Alice Hunter. When the police came to question her husband in relation to a murder, Beth Hardcastle’s reaction is one of shock and confusion: how could they possibly believe that her Tom, the perfect husband and father, would have anything to do with it?
But as Tom is detained and then arrested, she fears that the life they have built in the little village of Lower Tew, their dream, is about to crumble. They have been there two years. Tom commutes to London for his work as a finance portfolio manager; Beth had been happy to give up her position as a London recruitment consultant when they had Poppy, and now runs a ceramics café.
Beth hasn’t made any real friends yet: the playgroup yummy mummies don’t talk to her; there has been no invitation to join the book club that regularly met in her café; and even though she tells the police “We’re very happy; we’ve carved out the perfect life for ourselves here”, she later confides to the only person she feels comfortable with: “It’s surprising what you can hide behind the image of a perfect life.”
When the police question Beth, Tom’s solicitor advises her: “Answer their questions with as little detail as possible. Answer with brevity and clarity. It’s easier to remember what you’ve said, too.” Beth declares that she doesn’t know anything, anyway. She has her hands full keeping three-year-old Poppy safe and dodging the media circus camped in front of their cottage. How could Tom have brought this down on them?
The main narrative is from Beth’s perspective, with occasional contributions by Tom and by Katie, the apparent murder victim, as well as short pieces by an unknown woman who describes encounters with a man (Tom?) who gets off on strangling her. Beth’s behaviour and reactions are slightly off, giving the reader cause to wonder about her protested ignorance.
While the initial scene-setting could have been more subtle, this is an impressive debut: cleverly plotted, with twists that will take most readers by surprise. Hunter’s depiction of the village is excellent, and she keeps the reader guessing with each new wrinkle in the story: it’s no spoiler to say that Tom is definitely a murderer, but there’s a lot more to this tale. Undeniably a page-turner.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Avon Books UK
March 1, 2021
I was excited for this book, because the blurs sounded super exciting. Unfortunately, imo, this book missed the mark. It might be because I'm a thriller roll rn which makes me more sensitive about books shortcommings.
The idea of the plot was very interesting, but Beth as a protagonist wasn't very compelling and I wasn't very much invested in the story.
The plot dragged on and on at times, which really made it hard to read and focus on. There are pages and pages filled with insignificant ramble which might have been cut out.
The final twist wasn't particulary shocking, as I predicted it somewhere around the middle of the book.
I will for sure give the Author another chance as I see great potential there, but unfortunately this particular book wasn't for me.
I received an early copy from the publisher in an exchange for an honest review
The idea of the plot was very interesting, but Beth as a protagonist wasn't very compelling and I wasn't very much invested in the story.
The plot dragged on and on at times, which really made it hard to read and focus on. There are pages and pages filled with insignificant ramble which might have been cut out.
The final twist wasn't particulary shocking, as I predicted it somewhere around the middle of the book.
I will for sure give the Author another chance as I see great potential there, but unfortunately this particular book wasn't for me.
I received an early copy from the publisher in an exchange for an honest review
February 4, 2023
This was good but not great. The summary made it sound more interesting than it was. I was expecting a "You" kind of situation, something deliciously evil, but it was more of a slow moving domestic drama with few reveals and definitely no shocking ones. I already bought the sequel and I will check it out but I probably wouldn't buy them if I had it to do over. There's nothing bad about it, there's just so much out there that you hate to waste time reading something you don't love but I'm trying to stop buying so many and work through the books I have lol
July 1, 2021
This is definitely an author to watch! Beth, her husband Tom and their daughter Poppy are new to the area. Beth owns a cafe and is starting to make friends. One night Tom is late coming home when the police arrive at their home wanting to question him in relation to a missing woman. What happens next sends Beth and Tom into a living nightmare. This was a really good, twisty story that kept my interest throughout. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 18, 2021
I chose to read this book with a group of online readers on Facebook as part of a readalong and because I love anything to do with Serial Killers and unrealiable narrators, I knew this would be a good one.
The Serial Killer’s Wife is a new standalone, twisty, twisted psychological thriller that is guaranteed to keep you on your toes, spin your head a few times and keep you gripped from the opening chapter to the last.
Due to the book title, the reader assumes immediately that the story is about a woman whose husband is a serial killer, but the opening few chapters when we are introduced to Beth and Tom Hardcastle and their cute little toddler daughter Poppy are written in a way that you half hope you are wrong.
Beth is a devoted mother to Poppy and wife to Tom. A few years ago they moved to a tiny village near Banbury where Beth opened up her dream shop, a pottery cafe named Poppy’s Pottery Place, slowing she is establishing herself within the village community. Tom works in banking and commutes everyday to London and their lives are hectic but on first impressions seemingly perfect.
When Tom is late home from work one evening and two policemen turn up wanting to question him in relation to his ex-girlfriend who has been missing for 8 years, presumed dead, Beth’s world is turned upside down and inside out. What happened to this missing women? Why are the police questioning Tom? Why was Tom late home? These are questions that immediately spring to mind, but chapter after chapter more layers are appearing and more secrets are being revealed.
This is a brilliant story that kept me guessing throughout. I must admit I had my suspicions about halfway through the book, but just couldn’t work out the truth of what happened to the missing ex-girlfriend and whether Beth did know what her husband had done.
Very few books surprise me or leave me with a feeling of being cleverly duped so it was a pleasure to finish this book knowing that once again my amateur armchair detective skills are completely useless.
Fans of twisty, clever and well written thrillers should love this.
The Serial Killer’s Wife is a new standalone, twisty, twisted psychological thriller that is guaranteed to keep you on your toes, spin your head a few times and keep you gripped from the opening chapter to the last.
Due to the book title, the reader assumes immediately that the story is about a woman whose husband is a serial killer, but the opening few chapters when we are introduced to Beth and Tom Hardcastle and their cute little toddler daughter Poppy are written in a way that you half hope you are wrong.
Beth is a devoted mother to Poppy and wife to Tom. A few years ago they moved to a tiny village near Banbury where Beth opened up her dream shop, a pottery cafe named Poppy’s Pottery Place, slowing she is establishing herself within the village community. Tom works in banking and commutes everyday to London and their lives are hectic but on first impressions seemingly perfect.
When Tom is late home from work one evening and two policemen turn up wanting to question him in relation to his ex-girlfriend who has been missing for 8 years, presumed dead, Beth’s world is turned upside down and inside out. What happened to this missing women? Why are the police questioning Tom? Why was Tom late home? These are questions that immediately spring to mind, but chapter after chapter more layers are appearing and more secrets are being revealed.
This is a brilliant story that kept me guessing throughout. I must admit I had my suspicions about halfway through the book, but just couldn’t work out the truth of what happened to the missing ex-girlfriend and whether Beth did know what her husband had done.
Very few books surprise me or leave me with a feeling of being cleverly duped so it was a pleasure to finish this book knowing that once again my amateur armchair detective skills are completely useless.
Fans of twisty, clever and well written thrillers should love this.
May 31, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
The Serial Killer’s Wife turned out to be a different book from what I was expecting to read. I expected the book to quite gruesome as the husband picks off his victims one by one whilst his wife may or may not have known. I knew he was going to be arrested early on due to the synopsis but I thought that maybe via a series of flashbacks we would get to relive these moments, the book was far softer in the approach but it was still an amazing read.
Beth lives in a little village with her husband Tom and their young daughter Poppy. She runs the local art cafe and Poppy attends the village nursery. She thought they had the perfect life until one night Tom is late home from work and the police come knocking on her door. She expected the police to tell her there had been an accident and Tom was hurt, not that they wanted to take him in for questioning over the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend Katie.
The police charge him with murder but that isn’t the end of what they charge him with. Beth has to live in this quaint village in which everyone knows her business and they can’t believe she didn’t know her husband was a serial killer.
The book is told from different points of view, although mainly from Beth’s and set in different time periods, – Now, Then, and a few from years ago. It has short chapters and an exciting plot which kept me gripped to the pages. I actually read the book in just two sittings as it was such an easy, fast-paced read.
This is a book you need to go into with an open mind, plus the ending was a real shocker although looking back I had picked up on a few warning signs.
I did wonder as I turned the last page whether this is going to be a standalone novel or if there is to be a follow-up book. It would be amazing to continue the story and delve deeper into the couple’s life. Whichever it is, The Serial Killer’s Wife is a tense, atmospheric read that I enjoyed the whole way through.
The Serial Killer’s Wife turned out to be a different book from what I was expecting to read. I expected the book to quite gruesome as the husband picks off his victims one by one whilst his wife may or may not have known. I knew he was going to be arrested early on due to the synopsis but I thought that maybe via a series of flashbacks we would get to relive these moments, the book was far softer in the approach but it was still an amazing read.
Beth lives in a little village with her husband Tom and their young daughter Poppy. She runs the local art cafe and Poppy attends the village nursery. She thought they had the perfect life until one night Tom is late home from work and the police come knocking on her door. She expected the police to tell her there had been an accident and Tom was hurt, not that they wanted to take him in for questioning over the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend Katie.
The police charge him with murder but that isn’t the end of what they charge him with. Beth has to live in this quaint village in which everyone knows her business and they can’t believe she didn’t know her husband was a serial killer.
The book is told from different points of view, although mainly from Beth’s and set in different time periods, – Now, Then, and a few from years ago. It has short chapters and an exciting plot which kept me gripped to the pages. I actually read the book in just two sittings as it was such an easy, fast-paced read.
This is a book you need to go into with an open mind, plus the ending was a real shocker although looking back I had picked up on a few warning signs.
I did wonder as I turned the last page whether this is going to be a standalone novel or if there is to be a follow-up book. It would be amazing to continue the story and delve deeper into the couple’s life. Whichever it is, The Serial Killer’s Wife is a tense, atmospheric read that I enjoyed the whole way through.
May 13, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood - they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family. When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should have been back by now -what if he had crashed his car? But the worst is beyond imagining. As the interrogation begins, Beth finds herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.
Tom works in the city and Beth runs her own pottery cafe. They have a three year old daughter, Poppy. When Tom is arrested for his involvement in his previous partners disappearance, Beth is shocked. The story is told mainly from Beth's perspective. The pace was slow but it did pickup in the
second half. The twist at the end was worth sticking with the book for, i never saw it coming. For the book to be called The Serial Killer's Wife, there was no body or bodies in the first half.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUk and the author #AliceHunter for my ARC of #TheSerialKillersWife in exchange for an honest review.
Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood - they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family. When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should have been back by now -what if he had crashed his car? But the worst is beyond imagining. As the interrogation begins, Beth finds herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.
Tom works in the city and Beth runs her own pottery cafe. They have a three year old daughter, Poppy. When Tom is arrested for his involvement in his previous partners disappearance, Beth is shocked. The story is told mainly from Beth's perspective. The pace was slow but it did pickup in the
second half. The twist at the end was worth sticking with the book for, i never saw it coming. For the book to be called The Serial Killer's Wife, there was no body or bodies in the first half.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUk and the author #AliceHunter for my ARC of #TheSerialKillersWife in exchange for an honest review.
November 11, 2021
“How quickly things can change. In an instant, your path can take a sharp turn and lead you somewhere you never anticipated.”
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I quite enjoyed this one. The narrators did an excellent job; bringing very interesting characters to life.
I’m intrigued to see where Hunter will go next, as this was an excellent debut.
The plot was engaging, the characters strong and fascinating, and I did not see that twist there in the end.
Will be on the lookout for Hunter’s other books.
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I quite enjoyed this one. The narrators did an excellent job; bringing very interesting characters to life.
I’m intrigued to see where Hunter will go next, as this was an excellent debut.
The plot was engaging, the characters strong and fascinating, and I did not see that twist there in the end.
Will be on the lookout for Hunter’s other books.
May 26, 2021
The Serial Killer's Wife is an addictive and disturbing domestic thriller, written by Sam Carrington under the pseudonym Alice Hunter, and raises the question: how well do you really know the person you're married to? Beth and Tom Hardcastle have a seemingly idyllic life, the perfect marriage and family, and together they want for nothing. They appear hopelessly in love exactly as they should be, but we all know looks can be deceiving. Blissfully married for 7 years, they recently decided to move from the chaos of London to a village near Banbury for a quieter life in the countryside where Beth opened a successful business - Poppy's Pottery Place - a cosy, rustic ceramics cafe full of freshly homemade baked goods while Tom continued to be a finance portfolio manager in the city. The story opens at 8 PM with Beth having just settled her 3-year-old daughter, Poppy, when rather forceful knocking begins on the front door. She goes to answer expecting it to be her husband, Tom; he's later than usual but he's back now and that's all that matters. But behind the door stands the police and naturally, she begins to panic, her mind frantically skipping around the different possible scenarios as to why they're here and Tom is not. Has he been involved in an accident on his way home from work? The two plainclothes police officers introduce themselves as Detective Inspector Manning from the Metropolitan Police and his colleague from Thames Valley, Detective Sergeant Walters. They are here looking to speak to Tom and insist on coming in to wait. Tom commutes from their family home, a quaint cottage in Lower Tew to central London Monday to Friday as he works in banking at Moore & Wells.
Eventually, he arrives through the door and is greeted by detectives; he looks terrified and they inform him that they think he may be able to assist them with a murder inquiry. Tom is taken away for questioning at Banbury station before being released and then the following day is shockingly arrested for being involved in the disappearance and probable murder of his ex-girlfriend Katie Williams 8 years ago. Beth realises her life is ruined and about to fall apart and whether he has committed the crime or not the gossip-mongering villagers can't believe that Beth, the person supposed to be closest to him, didn't know about his deadly deeds. She stands by him but as more and more information comes to light she questions whether her husband was a Jekyll and Hyde type character who could've hidden his murderous streak and masqueraded as the loyal family man. But, it turns out, Katie is not the only one he is suspected of brutally slaughtering. They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew. This is one of the most addictive and disturbing thrillers I’ve read in years. Beth and Tom’s story is one of toxic love and obsession – it’s sinister, twisted, and terrifyingly plausible. It’s a totally compulsive read that had me gripped right up to the final line and left chills down my spine for hours after. This deliciously devious tale is perfectly paced, full of mind-boggling twists with an abundance of dark secrets unravelling before our very eyes. Laced with suspense and impossible to put down, Hunter studied psychology and worked in the prison service as part of a team offering rehabilitation programmes to violent offenders and the story feels more authentic due to her experience. Highly recommended.
Eventually, he arrives through the door and is greeted by detectives; he looks terrified and they inform him that they think he may be able to assist them with a murder inquiry. Tom is taken away for questioning at Banbury station before being released and then the following day is shockingly arrested for being involved in the disappearance and probable murder of his ex-girlfriend Katie Williams 8 years ago. Beth realises her life is ruined and about to fall apart and whether he has committed the crime or not the gossip-mongering villagers can't believe that Beth, the person supposed to be closest to him, didn't know about his deadly deeds. She stands by him but as more and more information comes to light she questions whether her husband was a Jekyll and Hyde type character who could've hidden his murderous streak and masqueraded as the loyal family man. But, it turns out, Katie is not the only one he is suspected of brutally slaughtering. They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew. This is one of the most addictive and disturbing thrillers I’ve read in years. Beth and Tom’s story is one of toxic love and obsession – it’s sinister, twisted, and terrifyingly plausible. It’s a totally compulsive read that had me gripped right up to the final line and left chills down my spine for hours after. This deliciously devious tale is perfectly paced, full of mind-boggling twists with an abundance of dark secrets unravelling before our very eyes. Laced with suspense and impossible to put down, Hunter studied psychology and worked in the prison service as part of a team offering rehabilitation programmes to violent offenders and the story feels more authentic due to her experience. Highly recommended.
August 10, 2021
What a pleasant read! That sounds odd I'm sure. I don't know what to tell you. Other than this was a very cool sublime reading experience.
For those reader's that struggle to finish or enjoy reading a book when the main characters are all distasteful. I would ask you to consider taking a step back, let yourself read this, from a "distance". Detach yourself just enough so your focus isn't personally overwhelmed by characters that aren't exactly "quality" humans. Not everyone is that bad! I just don't want anyone to miss out on an enjoyable read. It's definitely greasy, that is, covered in slimy cleverness. I expected a decent read, entertaining enough for its purpose. However, I found it to be highly entertaining, smart and devious.
The Serial Killers Wife. What do you think? Would you know if your own significant other was a serial killer? Would you know if a family member was? You're sister, you're son, you're father? Everyone is quick to point the finger at the wife. Did she know? She had to, right! Was she an accomplice? We all assume we'd know if we were in the presence of evil. But then again, we're all hiding something. No one's an open book.
*Thank you to Avon Books via NetGalley for the digital review copy.
For those reader's that struggle to finish or enjoy reading a book when the main characters are all distasteful. I would ask you to consider taking a step back, let yourself read this, from a "distance". Detach yourself just enough so your focus isn't personally overwhelmed by characters that aren't exactly "quality" humans. Not everyone is that bad! I just don't want anyone to miss out on an enjoyable read. It's definitely greasy, that is, covered in slimy cleverness. I expected a decent read, entertaining enough for its purpose. However, I found it to be highly entertaining, smart and devious.
The Serial Killers Wife. What do you think? Would you know if your own significant other was a serial killer? Would you know if a family member was? You're sister, you're son, you're father? Everyone is quick to point the finger at the wife. Did she know? She had to, right! Was she an accomplice? We all assume we'd know if we were in the presence of evil. But then again, we're all hiding something. No one's an open book.
*Thank you to Avon Books via NetGalley for the digital review copy.
May 16, 2021
Wow! What a thriller!
I really enjoyed the concept of this book. The idea of focusing on the wife and the themes of knowing or not knowing, we're really clever and interesting.
I loved the short chapters, it made it a super quick and easy book to read.
I also liked the writing style. It was really tense and had me on the edge of my seat. I never once got confused with the different perspectives.
For me, the ending really made this book. I did not see it coming at all. It definitely made me gasp out loud.
I've read a lot of thrillers in my time so I'm used to reading the same things over and over again.
But this thriller was dark, unique and a really enjoyable read. Highly recommend, if you are looking for a fantastic new psychological thriller to check out.
TW: murder and violence
I really enjoyed the concept of this book. The idea of focusing on the wife and the themes of knowing or not knowing, we're really clever and interesting.
I loved the short chapters, it made it a super quick and easy book to read.
I also liked the writing style. It was really tense and had me on the edge of my seat. I never once got confused with the different perspectives.
For me, the ending really made this book. I did not see it coming at all. It definitely made me gasp out loud.
I've read a lot of thrillers in my time so I'm used to reading the same things over and over again.
But this thriller was dark, unique and a really enjoyable read. Highly recommend, if you are looking for a fantastic new psychological thriller to check out.
TW: murder and violence
February 23, 2021
I requested this book from NetGalley based on the cover blurb and the fact it was getting high ratings and I’m sorry to say it just wasn’t for me.
These days there are so many crime fiction novels coming out that it can seem hard to be heard amongst the crowd. An author really needs to find their ‘voice’ and create a style as well as come up with a stomping good tale. And this , sadly is where I found this book failed.
It’s very slow paced, with almost all details held back until the final chapters. I couldn’t ‘buy into’ either characters story. I found Beth repetitive and a bit bland and the fact she couldn’t wait 5 minutes before pursuing her own selfish interests was just oddly written in... even if it is part of the story.
Tom only became interesting when we were given flash black to 8 years before. But for all his sinister creepiness it’s like the author couldn’t allow herself to really unleash the monster that’s been hiding in plain sight.
We’re told on the back cover that Tom and Beth are fine, upstanding citizens and idealised by their neighbourhood. But the reality it that Tom’s never home and Beth has no friends and is either kept at close quarters by ‘possessive’ Tom or openly left out by the other women in the community. Ultimately there just wasn’t enough substance to hold a plot of this style and I really struggled to see it through to the end 🤞🤞that it would be great.
Overall it just lacked too much for me and I’m just a bit disappointed that I didn’t love it as much as everyone else. Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
These days there are so many crime fiction novels coming out that it can seem hard to be heard amongst the crowd. An author really needs to find their ‘voice’ and create a style as well as come up with a stomping good tale. And this , sadly is where I found this book failed.
It’s very slow paced, with almost all details held back until the final chapters. I couldn’t ‘buy into’ either characters story. I found Beth repetitive and a bit bland and the fact she couldn’t wait 5 minutes before pursuing her own selfish interests was just oddly written in... even if it is part of the story.
Tom only became interesting when we were given flash black to 8 years before. But for all his sinister creepiness it’s like the author couldn’t allow herself to really unleash the monster that’s been hiding in plain sight.
We’re told on the back cover that Tom and Beth are fine, upstanding citizens and idealised by their neighbourhood. But the reality it that Tom’s never home and Beth has no friends and is either kept at close quarters by ‘possessive’ Tom or openly left out by the other women in the community. Ultimately there just wasn’t enough substance to hold a plot of this style and I really struggled to see it through to the end 🤞🤞that it would be great.
Overall it just lacked too much for me and I’m just a bit disappointed that I didn’t love it as much as everyone else. Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 12, 2021
Enjoyable if somewhat silly story. The guts of a good book is in there somewhere.
Beth and Tom have a great marriage. Having bought a cottage in the country a couple of years ago after the arrival of their first child, Beth runs a local coffee shop and Tom still commutes to London for his job.
When Tom doesn’t arrive home from work one evening, Beth becomes worried something may have happened to him. When the police knock on the door she thinks her worst fears have been realised. Tom must have been in an accident.
The police are there concerning Tom alright, but not for the reasons Beth thinks. He has been arrested for the murder of an ex girlfriend. Beths world seems to be falling apart. How could she not know she was living with a potential killer? Was she as unknowing as she appears or did she know more than she’s letting on?
You really have to suspend disbelief with this one. Beth especially makes some odd choices continuously throughout the book but they are somewhat explained later on. A rather forced feeling friendship feels like a clunky plot device and it does end up being just that, rather predictably.
There are parts of this that are very good and the writing in parts is also very good. It’s a very easy read and is entertaining to a point but it just becomes too fantastical and silly for its own good. The ending, while predictable from a long way out was horrendous and completely ruined the book for me.
The book itself for all its faults was decent enough to a point. It just felt that it could have been much more than it was.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.
Beth and Tom have a great marriage. Having bought a cottage in the country a couple of years ago after the arrival of their first child, Beth runs a local coffee shop and Tom still commutes to London for his job.
When Tom doesn’t arrive home from work one evening, Beth becomes worried something may have happened to him. When the police knock on the door she thinks her worst fears have been realised. Tom must have been in an accident.
The police are there concerning Tom alright, but not for the reasons Beth thinks. He has been arrested for the murder of an ex girlfriend. Beths world seems to be falling apart. How could she not know she was living with a potential killer? Was she as unknowing as she appears or did she know more than she’s letting on?
You really have to suspend disbelief with this one. Beth especially makes some odd choices continuously throughout the book but they are somewhat explained later on. A rather forced feeling friendship feels like a clunky plot device and it does end up being just that, rather predictably.
There are parts of this that are very good and the writing in parts is also very good. It’s a very easy read and is entertaining to a point but it just becomes too fantastical and silly for its own good. The ending, while predictable from a long way out was horrendous and completely ruined the book for me.
The book itself for all its faults was decent enough to a point. It just felt that it could have been much more than it was.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.
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