The Keepers of Men

by Clarice Montgomery

I've had an affair with one of your husbands.

This is the scandalous bombshell, left in an anonymous note, that welcomes four women as they descend on the crown jewel of professional golf tournaments. The prestigious Desert Invitational is supposed to be a highlight—Sarah Farmer's husband is finally vying for supremacy against golf's titans, Cassandra Bell is supporting her spouse as he battles to retain his place among the sport’s elite, Hillary Torre is maintaining her carefully curated public facade, and Whitney Silver is stepping out for the first time since personal tragedy shattered her world.

But over the course of two tension-filled days, a deadly game suspicions ignite desperation, and desperation fans the flames of chaos. Because each woman has a past they can’t escape, a truth they can’t face—and when avarice, fame, and betrayal collide, the fallout is inevitable—and deadly.

For fans of Lucy Foley’s The Guest List and Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies comes an addictive thriller about the dark side of ambition, marriage, and the lengths we'll go to protect what's ours.

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

Clarice grew up in the American South and now lives in the Midwest with her husband. The Keepers of Men is her first novel.

Reviews

[your mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Ten Hut Media for the Advanced Reader Copy!

This book slaps cheeks! First, the cover definitely made me think of Elin Woods chasing Tiger with a golf club (although the book isn’t quite THAT dramatic 😂)

The different points of view help create an amazing story about drama between the wives of professional golfers taking place during the final two days of one of the biggest tournaments of the season. It’s a thrilling, fast-paced story that highlights the complexity of loving marriages!

Ngl, I quickly skimmed the sections that were interviews or commentary about the players and golf tournament, but that was only because I was too invested in the main plot between the wives.

Overall, this is a very cheek-slappy poolside read 😎

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Ten Hut Media, for letting me be an advanced reader!

While I'm not an avid golfer, this book does a great job giving enough insight into the atmosphere of a professional golf tournament without being an info dump about golf. I attended the Masters a few years back, and this book made me feel like I was back there walking around the grounds. Including the heat.

Golfing aside, the drama between the women and the connections they have (and the ones you don't expect) kept my focus the whole time! I also loved how the story unfolded in a weekend as it made it feel fast-paced that I didn't want to put it down. I needed to know what happened! Perfect summertime read, and one book I hope everyone else enjoys too 🙂

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Anger feels like power when the only alternative is sorrow.”

The Keepers Of Men follows four women supporting their husbands at the prestigious professional golf tournament, the Desert Invitational. But over the course of two tension filled days, a deadly game unfolds when the women receive an anonymous note containing a scandalous bombshell: I've had an affair with one of your husbands. Each woman has a past they can’t escape, a truth they can’t face - and when avarice, fame, and betrayal collide, the fallout is inevitable - and deadly.

The Keepers Of Men is a gripping sports thriller, and is told from the four women’s perspective, as well as the additional perspective of a bartender at the event. I particularly enjoyed Sarah’s character development - her growth and the dynamic she shared with the other women made this a compelling read. The strength of this book definitely lies in its characters, who drive the narrative and keep the plot engaging.

Throughout this book, there are interview, archive and podcast excerpts; as well as chapters giving insight into the women’s pasts and the secrets held there. These layers added depth and intrigue, keeping me on edge as the story unfolded. Although I initially had reservations about the golf element, I loved the atmospheric setting of the Desert Invitational. The intensity of the competition brought an added sense of urgency and tension to the unraveling lives of Sarah, Cassandra, Hillary, and Whitney - making the experience enjoyable and thrilling. I loved the twist at the end too - but I won’t reveal anything about that!

Thank you so much to Clarice Montgomery for sending me this advanced copy of The Keepers Of Men to read and review. My opinions are my own.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another reviewer commented that the book seemed more like chick-lit than a thriller - I would have to agree. There isn’t enough tension and suspense to categorize this book as a thriller in my opinion. The author does a good job giving readers a good sense of a golf tournament without dumping an overwhelming amount of detailed golf information into the story. Four women receive a note where the note writer states, “I’ve had an affair with one of your husbands”. The story unfolds as each woman must reflect on her relationship with her husband, decide if she really trusts him and whether that cryptic message could be true in her personal relationship. I think the book is well written and will appeal to many readers, unfortunately for me, it missed the mark.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

My very first sports thriller and it won’t be my last! Having a love of golf, I knew when Clarice reached out to me I had to read this! This is told from the four wives perspective, a bartender and then has a mixed media format with podcast excerpt, news interviews, etc. Short chapter that intrigued with every word, the tension palpable throughout and the intensity of the Desert Invitational golf competition just added to the thrill of this book! Told over the two days of the contest, with some insight into the characters pasts and then an epilogue set afterwards, we have a great development of character from each of the women which shows their dynamic and also highlight a body positivity issue within Sarah to look as good as the other wives! I was thoroughly engaged throughout.

[Kate | Date With A Thriller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never read a golf-themed book but thought I’d give it a shot! 😁

This one read more like chick lit to me than thriller. There were a couple of twists, but I saw them coming. As I always say, not every book is for every person, so feel free to give this one a shot as well! 🏌️

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️

[James Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining read! Kept me interested through out. Nice job of golf/tournament insight as background for the suspense between all the charactors!

[Teresa Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clarice Montgomery’s The Keepers of Men serves up a sharp, addictive debut that takes readers deep into the world of elite golf—but don’t expect this to be just about swings and scores. The story kicks off with an anonymous note dropped at a major tournament: “I’ve had an affair with one of your husbands.” From there, Montgomery spins a tense, fast-paced web around four women whose lives, marriages, and reputations are suddenly upended. It’s smart, stylish, and simmering with secrets as layers of ambition, image, and betrayal peel back with every chapter.

What I loved most is how Montgomery balances the on-course competition with the even fiercer one happening off it. The real game unfolds between the wives—the expectations, the facades, the quiet rivalries—and watching their worlds slowly unravel is as satisfying as a perfect final putt. For a debut, this one hits every mark: crisp writing, pitch-perfect pacing, and characters you’ll love to side-eye. If you’re craving a domestic thriller that feels fresh, glamorous, and a little wicked, The Keepers of Men should be added to your TBR.

[Morgan (booksreadbymorgan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun! My first golf related book and I really enjoyed both the tournament talk and main drama between the wives. As usual for me as a reader when I’m reading multiple MCs, it took me several chapters to finally remember who was who and which main character was married to which golfer 😂

I could easily picture all this unfolding in my head with real wives I’ve seen over the years of watching golf which made the story even better (and entertaining) for me. For some reason, I think I was waiting for a huge, shocking twist. Idk what the twist would be but something. It did wrap up nicely despite that, and you’re kind of left with 1 or 2 plot points where you have to use your own judgement and imagination to fill them.

[Daina Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the combo of gentlemen’s sport and vicious wife competition! Each character was so relatable that I attached myself to every one—special love for Bartender #3. She had her eye on the whole crowd and knew how to keep the thirsty golf fans hydrated and happy.

The quiet but very powerful wife is truly the queen of her own universe; these keepers of men KNOW it already or are in training for their role beside a PGA Tour Professional.

I have to admit that I was fooled, can’t tell how or when without spoiling! It was the perfect vacation read.

Hats off to the brilliant author and the publisher that shared her with us. Would love to read more from this writer….

[Dee Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won The Keepers of Men through a Goodreads giveaway and was curious about the golf/thriller angle.

Like a couple of other reviewers mentioned, I also found that the story felt more like chick lit than a thriller. The pacing was a bit slow and most of the reveals were predictable. The focus was more on the drama that comes with being the wife of a competitve golfer. Still worth the read for a fun golf season story.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a golf mystery and I enjoyed learning more about it. Told from the points of view of the wives, the reader gets their backstory and what it took for them to get where they are. I particularly liked Sarah because she is the newest member and the most insecure of them all. I liked watching her character grow and learn. I would recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via Severn River Publishing and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Preston Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a golf enthusiast who wants to read (more thrillers), The Keepers of Men was the perfect book into that genre… just enough golf to hook my attention while being introduced to each dynamic character.

I really enjoyed the book’s tempo… each chapter smartly jumping between the wives’ perspectives and their (often sweaty) situations. It kept me guessing… and second guessing… until the very end. Great read!!

[Whitney Warrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Ten Hut Media for the ARC!

Every so often, someone feels a need to redo "A Letter to Three Wives." The original movie (Linda Darnell! Jeanne Craine! Ann Sothern!) is great; as a general rule, I tend to ignore new versions. But this one is better than most and a good summer read (seriously, still sweating). Enjoy.

[Herman and/or JoAnn Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

I have been slowly learning about thing, as my hubby really enjoys it. This book was great for keen insights into the world of professional golf, while spinning an excellent mystery in its surroundings. I enjoyed every page! Well done first novel! Will be watching for more from this author.

[Heather Balog · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 star. It took forever to read this book. I think I won it in a Goodreads giveaway. The beginning dragged and honestly golf literally puts me to sleep (I nap on Sundays when my hubby watches it on tv). I pushed through and the end picked up, hence the 2.5 stars instead of 2, but I don’t think I’ll read anything else by this writer.

[Elizabeth Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

.

Easy read and good plot but can’t help feeling like it was too shallow and not enough depth. I feel like there could have been more drama and plot twist. Everything was very service level.

[E · Rating 2 out of 5]

confusing

This book was not for me. I did not like all the back and forth between the five women. I don’t feel that the story was wrapped in a satisfactory way, too much left hanging. This is only my view of the book, it may be a great one for other readers.

[Karen Watson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let down by this book. Kept waiting for something to happen but it never did. Expecting a twist but no. One of the most boring books about boring wife’s with no lives other than their husband’s boring golf careers. Not for me

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 - I wasn’t so sure about this book at first, but it really developed and kept me coming back to find out the next twist as the book went on!

[Kiersten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thank you to the publisher and the author for sending me an ARC of this unique thriller perfect for summer days by the pool. I was a little nervous to pick this one up as I am just not into golf even a little bit. The idea of watching a golf tournament just sounds absolutely miserable to me, and I was really afraid that the setting would have me too bogged down to enjoy this one.Thankfully I was wrong as the parts describing the actual golf tournament were as minimal as possible, and I could just be there for all of the wifely drama.

This story is told in multiple perspectives (I think five) between the four golfer wives involved in the note scandal at the beginning of the story and a bartender that just happens to be working the tournament and has become familiar with all of the golfers and their wives. There is some really top notch drama between the wives as the note hits each of them differently, and we see some begin to spiral while others cling to their image for dear life. Each wife is very distinct and interesting in her own way, and this creates such an interesting dynamic between them, their husbands, and their inner dialogue as we learn the secrets each protects at all costs.

The setting of this one was also sublime as it is a desert invitational which is why this is the perfect summer read. The descriptions of the heat and the toll it takes on everyone at the tournament basically had me sweating and experiencing the heat alongside them. It definitely adds to the stress that each woman feels as they scramble to save their reputations and their marriages and heightens the drama.

This is a very fast-paced story, and although the ending is not the most shocking, it was one that felt earned and made sense for the story being told. Overall, this was a really solid thriller, and even if you find golf abhorrent like I do, I think this is worth checking out this summer!

[Cali Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Clarice for allowing us to be an early reader!

This book will have you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you know who did it you take another turn. The author does an amazing job writing very distinct characters and leaves you wanting more of her stories. She touches on the topic of body imagery in such real and devastating way. The family dynamics are so real and heartbreaking.

Pick up this book you won’t regret it! Check out @bookish_banter_babes on Instagram to get a link to our podcast episode raving on this book after you read it!