The Ex-Wife's Secret

by A.J. Carter

The truth will tear you apart.

Andrew and I built the perfect life together in our charming village home. Our renovation projects were coming along nicely, our careers were thriving, and I could already picture our future together.

Then Frieda moved in across the street.

She arrived without warning, forcing herself into our lives. At first, it was just uncomfortable encounters and strange coincidences. But as her presence becomes more intrusive and her behaviour more erratic, I sense something sinister beneath her friendly facade.

Why has Frieda appeared now, after all these years? What secrets lay beneath her desperate need for money – and for Andrew's attention?

And how far will she go to get what she wants?

A gripping domestic thriller about obsession, revenge, and the deadly secrets we keep.
—————

Genres: Thriller

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2025

About the author

AJ Carter is a psychological thriller author from Bristol, England. His first book, The Family Secret, is praised by critics around the world, and he continues to regularly deliver suspenseful novels you can’t put down.

Sign up to his mailing list today and be the first to hear about upcoming releases and hot new deals for existing books. You’ll also receive a FREE digital copy of The Couple Downstairs – an unputdownable domestic thriller you won’t find anywhere else in the world: https://BookHip.com/WAXFLLP

Reviews

[Rebecca Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmmmmmm I did like it, definitely gripping but definitely some holes. Why in all Becca’s chapters/diary entries does she talk about liking Natasha and hoping Natasha doesn’t get hurt in any of it etc etc.? Also, why did Natasha have to run across the road to ‘save’ Becca when Andrew was being skewered by Frieda? Becca was safe, it was Andrew who needed saving the poor bugger. Just seemed a bit silly that bit. Also, what person is stupid enough to be confronted about forgetting their partners birthday and then comes home with a present for someone else? I just don’t believe even the stupidest of men is capable of being that stupid.

[Meg Firth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just MEH imo. More like 2.5 stars but bumped it up to 3 cos it did keep me hooked… but if I have to hear about Freida’s horrible perfume, brews going cold or the floor boards creaking one more time I may lose my shit 👍🏼

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, we have Natasha and Andrew living a happy life in a pretty village with nothing much to hassle them, they share cooking and flick sauce at each other, all very gooily happy

And then Frieda and her daughter move in opposite, narcissistic, angry, foul mouthed and good at making a scene….and their lives change

Frieda is abhorrent she really is, normally a character like this has one small redeeming feature, not so with this money gravbing cruel ‘Mum’…..but why has she moved to the village and what does she want

All becomes very clear and very quickly and life for all 4 will escalate until it explodes

Another quick moving stand alone psychological thriller from this author where the story starts as means to go on and ends darkly, very darkly

[Alana Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book did not capture me unfortunately.
It was incredibly predictable... even the ending.
I was sick of reading about Frieda's perfume as if it was going to be something really important but it wasn't.
It was just lacking in my opinion and I doubt I will read more from this author.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The arrival of an email from AJ Carter announcing an ARC of his latest book is always exciting, as I know I’m going to be deeply immersed into another captivating story.

AJ’s writing style always manages to pull me in from the first page, and the premise of "The Ex Wife's Secret" was immediately gripping.

The story centers around Natasha and her husband, Andrew, living seemingly ordinary lives. However, the arrival of a new neighbour, Frieda, shatters their peaceful existence. Natasha senses something deeply amiss about Frieda. Her odd behavior and unsettling presence sparks a creeping suspicion that she harbors a sinister plan.

Once again, AJ has masterfully crafted a narrative that grabbed my attention from the start. The plot had plenty of suspense and twists and turns that held me captivated throughout.

As always, thank you AJ for an ARC of your brilliant book.

[mary mae · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sorry what? I kept waiting for the plot twist and the ending was a disappointment

[MRS M R DUNNE · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tedious

Oh my God this book was so tedious, reminiscent of old seventies horror books. (I won't say anymore on that subject because of potential spoilers.)
Rambling and repetitive. I was sick of references to cheap perfume, clothes that would have been fashionable a decade ago, unwashed hair and that bl••dy cream coat. I speed read through a great deal of it.
Don't bother, is my advice.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT?!?

Wow! Didn't see that coming.

I enjoyed this story and thought I had it all figured out. I was so off base on this one.

This was a super quick read. I sped through it in 2 sittings. There was just enough character development to hook you in, but the story was fast-paced with no real dull spots.

Would definitely recommend this read. Well done,

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.50✨this wasn’t a bad book per say but i REALLY struggled to get into this book like it didn’t pull me in as quick as other thrillers have in the past. i liked the plot tho, the fact that everything freida did was so thought out. BUT I LOVED THE ENDING, like the last chapter was LIT, like it was so good, not expecting it. really fucked shit up with that last chapter but so good

[Gem Woodroofe · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOD. I am speechless😶. What an incredible book. I was so engrossed and couldn't put it down. Fantastic plot and a totally unexpected twists.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg what a brilliant book. I was so glued to my Kindle. This one has got to be his best book so far!

[Jo Crompton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could easily have been 4 ⭐'s if it wasn't for the constant repeated phrases and descriptions!

[Carolyn Frith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sluggish in the middle; horrible ending

I found this book slow and repetitive, especially while they waited for the paternity test results. The final twist was not credible, given everything we knew about Becca's character up until that point. Yes, it was a "shocking" twist, but I felt the author manufactured it just to have a shocking twist. It made no sense, and the ending was entirely unsatisfying.

[Brenda Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow! What a twist at the end!

Andrew and Natasha are romantic partners. A woman and her daughter move in across the street. They come over to introduce themselves. But Andrew after seeing who’s standing at the door make the excuse he has to check on dinner. That’s when Natasha finds out that their new neighbor is Andrew’s ex-wife! Later they are both surprised to find out that it’s possible that Andrew is the father of Becca, his ex-wife’s 12 yr old daughter. The story becomes convoluted and suspenseful. Very chilling! Must read!

[Lara Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars 🥱 I wasn’t interested in this book until the 75% mark, it was good (ish) up until the last chapter, but that ending made less than zero sense.

Too much talking about coffee and Freida’s perfume and not enough talking about all of the plot holes the author left empty.

The ending was the BIGGEST contradiction I’ve ever seen in a book!

I was excited to read this given the average rating is quite high, but it was a bit of a flop in my opinion 😬

[Autumn Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you get the email of a new book release and cannot download it fast enough! And of course it doesn't disappoint!!

AJ Carter, your books just get better and better!!

Natasha and Andrew are happily living life...until Frieda moves in across the street and rocks their world. Becca, Frieda's daughter, just gets caught in the middle as an innocent child...or is she?

[Nan Christine Borton-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curl up with provisions!

Curl up with provisions! AJ Carter has perfected domestic thrillers in my opinion and this one will take you on a wild ride. Great storyline, identifiable characters and twists you won’t see coming.
The story is riveting and the ending made my jaw drop to the floor!

[BLOOPY! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice tension building to a somewhat weak ending to support it. But then there is a separate {spoiler redacted}.
Got confused when a meeting was said to be at twelve, but happened at four with no explanation. I missed something, even though I reread a couple of times, perhaps. Felt some of the book was repetitive.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good storyline and a truly unexpected ending kept me hooked!

I quite enjoyed the overall plot and twists but I found the book could have been trimmed by about 100 pages. The writing often felt overly descriptive, with repetitive sensory details that slowed the pacing. Despite that, it was a satisfying and engaging mystery overall.

[A Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly well written, I was intrigued and enjoyed reading it. Docked a star for repetitiveness - the perfume 'she's taken to wearing recently' (that meant nothing in the end?), the colour of the coat, 'my professional instincts kicked in...' etc. But was still a solid 4 star read right until the final 'twist' which I hated.

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My! The drama and suspense was next level in this domestic psychological thriller! I was on the edge of my seat. The twists had me guessing at every turn. I never knew what would happen next. The plot was action packed and so well developed. This is a fantastic must-read.

[sandra Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. Kept me on my toes and guessing what was going to happen next.
I could not put it down and read it in one sitting. Body was stiff, but well worth it.
I would rate this book a 10 star if it was available.

[Teresa Skalla · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline was great with the plot twists and surprises, but I had a tough time with the author’s writing style. There were redundant lines that made me want to make it a drinking game - ‘the outfit that looked decades old’ and several others.

[Sharon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Natasha and Andrew have a good life until his ex wife moves in across the street. She drops a secret in public because Andrew won't take her calls. Great characters great story no sex no language.

[Mark Lukas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My Gosh!

There was a point, when I started reading this book, that I thought I made a mistake. That couldn't be further from the truth. All thrillers claim to have a shocking twist. Believe me, you won't see this one coming. Great read.

[Sheri Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother, daughter.....father????

This book still has me shocked. I've just found this author, but if this book is any indication of what his other books hold then, he has a new fan. Absolutely Amazing. Highly Recommended. Sheri Peters

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

good read but many errors

I’ve read books from this author and although I enjoy the trillers, and a major plot hole!there are so many errors
Maybe authors that write many novels start getting a bit lax, I don’t know how so many errors get past editing.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one needs a better editor!

So many mistakes throughout that should have been caught, plus a weak story line. Just not a very good book. Thank goodness it was free on kindle unlimited!

[Elizabeth M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent book that kept me reading…. I wished the person at the end didn’t die. Or do I? Feeling kind of depressed that they did, but maybe it makes for a better ending this way..? Will see how I feel about it tomorrow but for now it’s 4 stars from me….

[Samantha Pilat · Rating 4 out of 5]

So we have a story from 2 perspectives, Becca & Natasha. Natasha and Andrew are living a seemingly perfect life until their neighbors across the street move in.

It did drag a bit in the middle for me but this books ending had twists and turns I didn't see coming!