Your Husband's Fault

by Kerry Wilkinson

A girl went missing. Was it your husband’s fault?

Sarah is so happy to have moved from the city to her husband’s small hometown. James was strangely reluctant at first – but she convinced him their little cottage is the perfect place to settle down. The perfect place to give their six-year-old son a new life.

But then a woman at the school gates asks Sarah if she is really married to ‘that man’. ‘Which man?’ Sarah asks. The woman replies…

‘Don’t you know what your husband did?’

Because Sarah and James moving back has caused old wounds to surface. James’ best friend, Lucy, went missing 20 years ago. Everyone thinks he was responsible.

Sarah is reeling. Why did James never tell her about Lucy? What really happened to the missing girl?

And can Sarah ever trust the man she married again?

An utterly addictive psychological thriller that will keep you up reading late into the night. Perfect for fans of Shari Lapena, Lisa Jewell and T.M. Logan.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 12, 2025

About the author

Recent and upcoming UK releases:
24 October 2023: The Night Of The Sleepover
15 December 2023: After The Sleepover
2024: The Girl On The Side Of The Road
2024: The Missing Body

Kerry Wilkinson has sold more than two million books - and had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.

As well as his Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written a trilogy featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, the Whitecliff series, the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.

Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.

When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.

Find out more at: http://kerrywilkinson.com or http://facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks

Find out more at: his website or Facebook

Reviews

[Hannah Bugey]

Dnf at page 100. Nothing bad about this book just wasn’t grabbing my attention. I just wasn’t feeling it.

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah and James have left London to move to the small village of Carnington, where James grew up. Sarah fell in love with the area after a trip there, and now they have a quaint cottage with room for their son Oliver to run around and have more room. Everything is great, until Oliver’s first day at school.

While chatting with a woman in the drop off area, Sarah mentions her husband grew up in the village. The woman asked his name, and soon Sarah realized her husband’s real name is Abraham, and that something horrible happened decades ago. The woman walks away with the words “Don’t you know what your husband did?”.

Now nobody in town will speak with the family, and eventually James tells his wife that yes, 30 years ago, his best friend Lucy went missing. He was the last person to see her and was cleared of wrongdoing, but the entire village still believes that he killed her. James assures his wife that he didn’t kill anyone, but Sarah now has doubt - especially after Lucy’s father showed up at their door to tell Sarah that her husband is a murderer. Who is this man that she married?!

Then events start happening that make Sarah think this whole town is crazy…and she’s not wrong. The mystery is not only who her husband really is, but what is happening in this sleepy village, and I’ll tell you right now, the ending was a shock. I never considered it, and was pleasantly surprised by the way everything turned out. Four stars!

(Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me on this book’s tour! “Your Husband’s Fault” is slated to be released on May 12, 2025.)

[Danielle-Gemma💜 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of an odd book and I feel dragged on a little too long but there was a good twist which saved it!

[Kelly Mannion · Rating 5 out of 5]

no spoilers . . . . but what do you think happened in the end? Someone needs to discuss this with me

So many twists and turns in this I felt like I needed a seat belt! There was no building up to the main jist of the story (your husband is a killer) and sometimes this puts me off because I worry that the momentum will die out but in this case it definitely didn't. I was gripped from beginning to end. I always like to guess what happens and always think I've solved it but there was so many surprises in this it completely kept me on my toes!

5 stars from me and I now need to check out what else the author has done!

Thanks netgalley and publisher for my ARC

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

YOUR HUSBANDS FAULT BY KERRY WILKINSON.
Release date set for the 12th of May 2025.
This is my 3rd or 4th book by this brilliant author. I love his writing style and his stories.
This book has it all from Small town gossip, rumours, mystery and suspense.
Slow burn.
Looking forward to the next one by Kerry Wilkinson

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

After moving to her husband's small hometown, Sarah is shocked to discover rumors about her husband's involvement in the disappearance of his best friend, Lucy, 20 years ago. As Sarah tries to uncover the truth, she questions her husband's past and the secrets he has been keeping from her.

This read had me on the edge of my seat from the get-go! I've delved into Kerry's work before, and let me tell you, it's always a wild ride. There are so many hidden gems waiting to be discovered among lesser-known authors.

Sarah, the leading lady in this tale, is a total boss. She's relatable, likable, and has a backbone of steel. I found myself eagerly flipping through the pages, trying to unravel the mystery that kept me guessing at every turn. Trust me, your curiosity will be piqued in all sorts of directions, but fear not - everything will fall into place perfectly. I even suspected a touch of the paranormal, but boy, was I off the mark. Keep reading, and all will be revealed.

With plenty of twists and turns, we bounce back and forth between past and present. Understanding the backstory is crucial for the story to flow seamlessly. By the end, everything clicked into place, but I couldn't tear myself away for a second. The ending? A total mind-bender that left me reeling. I live for those kinds of surprises!

If you're into fast-paced reads packed with suspense, buried secrets, and a past that just won't stay buried, this one's for you. I'm practically bursting with excitement for you to dive into this gem because, trust me, it's a winner!

Thank you, Bookouture, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the first book I’ve read by this author, and it will not be the last. Wilkinson writes such engaging, fast paced, thrilling, keep you guessing types of books. They are thoroughly enjoying.

We all know that small towns are a breeding ground for rumors and everyone in everyone else’s business and this small town is no different. Sarah didn’t expect it when moving here as she didn’t really know about her husband’s past! Throw in some secrets, a fire, a death, and you just don’t know what you’ll get, and where the story is going to end up! I cannot even imagine how Sarah felt showing up to bring her child to school only for someone to hint that her husband did something bad a long time ago. I really appreciated that the author didn’t make us wait to long for us to find out what that was.

As the book progresses, not only do we find out what that was, but we find out that there’s more secrets that this small town holds. Throw in a twist here and a twist there, and WOW, we get an ending that gives us whiplash! I will say that I predicated one thing happening for the end, but how it happened was not the way that I thought it was going to happen. I also never guessed that a particular character was involved. The ending was really, really good! So go check this one out!

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew! What a week!! If I were Sarah I’d hightail it out of town after everything she endures.
But that isn’t an option for her. However, she’s learning a lot about her husband’s past that she never had an inkling about.
My sleuthing skills were on vacation because I couldn’t figure out how this all came together until the author was ready for me to know.
And wow, know I did!! Until the end!!! It’s like the choose your own adventures except it’s the ending. I know what I think Sarah’s choice was. My next decision would be to move!
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance read.

[Krista (Mrs K Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this book had me captivated from the very first page right up to the last page.

Lots of twists and I was surprised by the last twist. A definite recommend

[Namita · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Sarah and James move to the peaceful village of Carnington, she thinks they’re building a perfect life for their son—until a chilling revelation shatters everything. James, whose real name is Abraham, was once suspected in the disappearance of his best friend. Though cleared, the town hasn’t forgotten.

This fast-paced thriller had me hooked from the start. Sarah is a strong, relatable lead, and the suspense kept me second-guessing everyone. Twists, secrets, and a jaw-dropping ending make this a must-read. I never saw the final reveal coming and loved every minute of the ride!

I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review

[Helena Williamson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't believe alk the posts about this book!

Omgosh i read all the reviews about how good this book was, how they couldn't put it down, or they stayed up all night reading it. Pure nonsense! This is one of the worst books I've ever read! So slow and not really interesting. They have these friends that come visit them and it is useless pages cuz they have no bearing on the story. Then the end was just "plop" here it is! It took me a week to get thru it. Don't waste your time!

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

ohhh man remind me never to move to a small village no matter how lovely it looks.....

sarah hadnt even been in the village a week before she felt the wrath of the villagers....

when they found out who she was married to she was instantly told "dont you know what your husband did....?"

and nothing was getting better... she realised that the friendships she was hoping to cultivate just werent happening until one woman bonnie took her in and invited her to her bookshop for a coffee

but things were going to get worse when someone was murdered... and all eyes and fingers were pointing towards her husband....

ohhh man this book is frightening and would put anyone off ever living in a quiet village....

but what a read.... looking forward to the next book from this author

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah lives in the city with her husband, James, and their son, Oliver, but she longs for a quieter life in the countryside and wants to move as soon as possible. After much persuasion, James finally takes her to his hometown, and Sarah immediately falls in love with the place—this is where she wants to live.

However, it doesn’t take long for Sarah to realize she has walked straight into a hornet’s nest, and she soon regrets the move. The James she thought she knew now seems unrecognizable, and she is determined to dig deep until she uncovers the truth. But that pursuit is not without danger—can she leave everything behind and move forward with him?

This book immediately pulls you in and keeps you intrigued. The more you learn, the less you trust James. He clearly has a lot of explaining to do, but he doesn’t seem very willing to do so, which only deepens the suspicion.

As Sarah continues her search for the truth, she not only uncovers what happened years ago but also stumbles upon some shocking revelations.

I thought this book was excellent, but I expected nothing less from this author. He has a knack for spoiling the reader with a fantastic story full of twists that keep you turning the pages. 5 stars!

Thank you.

[LoveBooks2119 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story centers on Sarah as she navigates the aftermath of a tragic incident, which forces her to confront her life and relationships. As secrets begin to emerge, the characters start to question each other’s motivations and actions, revealing how far they are willing to go to protect themselves and their loved ones.
While some plot twists felt predictable, there were enough surprises throughout the narrative to keep me engaged.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to read this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting story. I felt it slow at times, but it’s still a worthy read. It was so similar to another book I’ve read. I just wish this author knew the difference between “farther “ and “further “!

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book!! Exciting and twisty. A great story with great characters that I would highly recommend.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly good, a real sneaky read. I had never read anything by this author before and knew nothing about the book going except that it was a suspense/mystery book.

It starts with a family that has recently moved to the countryside after living in the city. The husband, James, grew up here and didn't love the idea of moving home. Once there his wife Sara finds out that he is remembered and pretty much hated by almost the whole town because of something that happened when he was a teenager.

The plot moved quickly in this book and I read it in a single day. I also did not pick the culprit at the end which was a huge win for me, nor did I have any clue the side ,mystery was coming. I love a book that surprises me.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.
This is definitely worth a read if you like fast paced mysteries that keep you guessing.

[Sam Breaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, but I figured out what happened pretty early on

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★ 3.5 stars (rounded up)

A girl went missing...is it your husband's fault...?

A small town, small minded gossip and plenty of secrets is what fills this tale of tangled webs. Like the main character, it's hard to know who the reader can trust with all the allegations and stories flying about. But what exactly is going on?

This one is a bit of a slow burn and takes a while to ramp up a bit but my interest held enough to keep me turning that pages, at least. I was certainly left guessing that's for sure and the visit to Carnington in this tale of woe was tinged with a bit of mystery that is enough to keep the reader ploughing on. The pace is slow to steady so don't expect any fast paced adrenaline-fuelled thrill rides here. It's more a walking pace through the village.

We meet Sarah who has recently moved to the village from the fast paced London with her husband James and young son Oliver. But with James currently working in New York, the move was left to Sarah and her father, whilst introductions at the school gate were made in his absence. It's there, after dropping Oliver off one day, that Sarah meets Pamela who is full of questions of the new mum in their midst. But the moment Sarah discloses her husband grew up there and mentions his name, Pamela's face pales.

"I just don't understand how you can be married to that man," she says. "Don't you know what your husband did?"

Sarah is speechless and at a loss as to what to say. What is she talking about? What is he supposed to have done? But before she could elicit any kind of answer, Pamela moves away to the huddle of other mums christened "the coven". Their whispers and sidelong glances her way spoke volumes. Sarah hurries home and wishes James was there for her to question. This is not something she could drop via a text or even FaceTime. No, it has to be in person. James will be home in two days at the most; she'll ask him then. But then so much happens in between. Their garden wall is vandalised, threats are made and Sarah is sure everyone is whispering about her and what her husband is supposed to have done.

Since no one is forthcoming with answers, she decides to dig for them herself. Especially after a visit by the man who claimed her husband killed his daughter over thirty years before. She refused to believe it. She knew her husband; they'd been together twelves years - she'd know. Wouldn't she? But at least now she had a name and a few pieces of information to do some digging herself.

But the more she uncovers, the more she wonders how much she really knows her husband? And when James returns from New York, things only serve to get weirder. There's a murder and a fire and a whole host of secrets that lay buried in midst of Carnington that are just bubbling beneath the surface. And all eyes and fingers are pointing to James.

There was a lot to unpack in this one but at the end it still ended up a ball of tangled mess. I didn't like the ending as it was too open-ended and not clear-cut. What are we supposed to think? There were also a few questions that were left unanswered and to me that is an unsatisfactory end. However, it was an interesting tale that had the potential to be better but it was still a good read that I largely enjoyed.

It is a slow burn, so don't expect the pace to be anything but a walking pace till it starts to get a little more interesting. The main mystery in the story was very easily solved and I even I had that pegged early on. But the biggest twist was a good one though I felt it could have packed a bit more of a punch that it did.

Overall, not an excellent read but a good solid one that keeps the reader engaged and interested throughout. The ending and the pace throughout does let it down a little.

I would like to thank #KerryWilkinson, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #YourHusbandsFault in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Cc Readsss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release: May 12, 2025
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Publisher: Bookoture

Rating: 4 ★ 

This book had me hooked from the very beginning—I honestly couldn’t put it down. The story follows Sarah, who moves with her husband James and their son Oliver to his childhood hometown, only to discover that the town hasn’t forgotten—or forgiven—a mysterious disappearance from decades ago. Right away, you feel Sarah’s unease as strangers start making chilling comments and strange things begin to happen.
I really connected with Sarah as a character. She’s torn between wanting to believe the man she married and the unsettling clues that keep piling up around her. Her love for her son and the way she tries to protect him, even while her own world is spinning out of control, made her even more relatable. I could really feel her confusion, fear, and determination to find out the truth—no matter how hard it might be.
James was written in such a way that I was constantly second-guessing him. One moment I was convinced he was innocent, the next I was certain he was hiding something huge. That tension kept me turning the pages. And the mystery surrounding Lucy’s disappearance? Just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist would knock me off track.
The book does a great job capturing the vibe of a small town—how everyone seems to know your business, and how that kind of environment can feel both isolating and claustrophobic, especially when you’re the outsider. It added an extra layer of tension to Sarah’s experience.
There were a few minor issues—some pacing could have been tighter in places and a few small continuity errors—but nothing that took away from the overall story. The ending completely blew me away. I thought I had it all figured out and was so wrong. It’s the kind of twist that sticks with you after you finish the last page.
If you’re into psychological thrillers with strong characters, lots of suspense, and a storyline that keeps you guessing until the very end, this one is definitely worth picking up. Kerry Wilkinson really knows how to keep readers on their toes!
Sarah thought moving to her husband James’ quiet hometown would be the fresh start their little family needed. Their cozy cottage felt like the perfect place to raise their young son and leave behind the chaos of city life. But soon after settling in, things take a disturbing turn.
At the school gates, a woman confronts Sarah with a chilling question—does she really know who her husband is? That’s when Sarah learns about Lucy, James’ childhood best friend who vanished twenty years ago. The town hasn’t forgotten, and many believe James had something to do with it.
Shocked and full of doubt, Sarah starts to question everything she thought she knew about her husband. Why did he never tell her about Lucy? And if he’s been hiding this, what else isn’t he saying?
This gripping psychological thriller explores trust, secrets, and how well we really know the people closest to us. It's a tense, twisty read that keeps you guessing right up until the end.

Favorite Quote:
"once you've crossed the line, there's no going back. The truth becomes a weight you can't escape."

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Your Husband’s Fault
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 12, 2025
My Rating: 4.3 Stars
Pages: 336

Sarah and James leave London to move to the small village of Carnington, where James grew up. Sarah fell in love with the area after a trip there. They have a son now and their new home has far more room for seven year old Oliver to run around.

On Oliver’s first day at school, a woman names Pamela who looks like a grandmother greets Sarah as asks if she just moved in. Sarah tells her yes that her husband grew up here. The woman states she lived there nearly seventy years so surely knew him. Sarah states His name is James Parkinson. Pamela’s expression changes and states she knew Abraham Parkinson and something horrible happened years ago.
Next a man named Martin stops by asking for James. Sarah states he isn’t home. He asks if she is his wife. She says Yes. He nods and says “Your husband killed my daughter”.

Then someone paints ‘Go Hone’ on their wall.
Oliver is afraid to sleep in his bed because there is woman under his bed who keeps talking to him.

Yikes! Sarah cannot wait for James to get home from New York.
When he does the first thing she asks is “Who is Lucy?”
James tells her Sarah that thirty years ago, he and Lucy were friends. She went missing and since he was the last person to see her he was questioned. Lucy was never found and presumed dead.
He was cleared but the villagers still believes that he killed her. James assures his wife that he didn’t kill anyone, but Sarah is worried and wonders.

Sarah starts to wonder if she truly knows the man she married. At every turn, something terrible seems to happen, Martin is found dead and two others connected to James are dead.
Hmmm seem rather clear who is guilty.
WAIT a minute!!! This is Kerry Wilkinson story. Hang in there as Mr. Wilkinson usually has a surprise or two for readers!
Secrets start to unfold, and Sarah starts to wonder if she truly knows the man she married. At every turn, something terrible seems to happen, making it difficult for Sarah to make friends and know who she can trust.
I am a big psychological thriller fan and this is my eighth Kerry Wilkinson novel – Party at No. 12 was my first – which was great- and is still at the top of my favorites !
A comment I made in my reviews after my first story was ~ I have a new fav author and am now looking forward to another of his stories! Yes I still feel that way

Kerry Wilkinson doesn’t disappoint!!!
Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for granting me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 12, 2025.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read "Your Husband's Fault" in exchange for my opinion.

It's always exciting to read a Kerry Wilkinson story because you know you are embarking on a thrill-ride from the first sentence until the last one. This book is no different it grabbed me on the first page and didn't let go until the shocking conclusion. Definitely needed to read this book in one sitting because it was just too good to put down.

The story is told over one week - from Tuesday until Sunday, with a conclusion4 days later. So many things are packed into that one week, so many secrets and cover-ups for what seems to be a sleepy little town.

Sarah Parkinson convinced her husband James to move back to his hometown - where everyone seems to know him as Abraham. She was sure that it would be better for their 7 year old son Oliver to be out of the city and in a better school district. Things go wrong from the very beginning. James is away on a business trip in New York and she's left to deal with accusations that her husband murdered someone when he was a teenager. People start talking, pointing at her and generally avoiding her, except for the ones that feel they need to confront her. There seems to be an entire coven of whispering agitators in the town. Then she gets a visit from Martin Shearer who claims that "Abraham" killed his daughter Lucy.

Someone leaves graffiti, Sarah swears she hears someone in the house at 3am but finds no one. Oliver hears a woman talking under his bed. Sarah is wondering why her husband never thought to mention Lucy in all the years that she's known him.

When a body is found Sarah starts to get suspicious because at the same time that James claimed to have been working from home a parcel was attempted to be delivered and he said he didn't hear the doorbell. He claims not to know things and Sarah finds photos that prove that he should.

Sarah through her investigating puts her life in danger several times but she finally puts all the pieces together. There are several shocking revelations in the story and the reader is left thinking about the ending long after that last page is read.

Mr. Wilkinson always deserves more than 5 stars and this book is proof of that.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
Firstly, as per previous warnings, this publisher is infamous for backstuffing books with bumpf. Advertising and the like. My suggestion is that you, carefully, have a look where the story actually ends before you start. Mine was around the 90% mark... It might save you some angst, forewarned is forearmed and all that!
Anyway... In this book we follow Sarah who has just moved her family to the village where her husband James grew up, escaping the big city and all its dangers. He was a bit reluctant at first but eventually agreed. When we first meet her, she is with six year old son Oliver only as James is away for work - something he does regularly. Her father is helping with the move instead as well as doing a spot of decorating/DIY.
But things get weird quite quickly as, on Oliver's first day at school, Sarah is accosted by someone who asks her if she knows what her husband did? And then a man bangs on her door claiming her husband is responsible for something I will leave you to discover... Suffice to say, these accusations mount up. James' flight home is also delayed by the weather, leaving Sarah to work out what the heck is going on... And then things really escalate...
I will leave you discover what on earth James is accused of and whether he did it or not, suffice to say it's all things gripping and held my attention all the way through. All the way til the end that is, which I did find was a little too much... Spoilers prevent me from qualifying this but basically, it didn't leave me as satisfied as I would have liked to be. But I also appreciate that it's probably a me thing...
Apart from that, all the things I have learned to love and now expect from this author are front and centre. His characters are always brilliant, even if they don't always act as they should! His situation comedy, and people watching skills once again shines, and his absence of any superfluous waffle or padding means that the story gets on with itself rather well.
All in all, a good solid read that I would recommend to fans of both the author and genre. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[NYCityGirlReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Your Husband’s Fault begins in the first chapter by drawing readers into Sarah’s reality, which initially feels normal before everything starts to break down.

Sarah becomes the kind of character that I immediately supported because she embodies the struggles of many women who aim to build a stable family life while facing potential deception from their closest loved ones. Sarah expects a new beginning with her family when she manages to persuade James to relocate them to the quiet town of his childhood. The family finds themselves trapped in a complex network of doubts and concealed information that accompanies them no matter where they go.

The emotional turmoil Sarah faces throughout the book becomes so vividly realistic because Wilkinson masterfully portrays her experiences. The close-knit community forces her into a position where she must endure its residents' knowledge of secrets that they refuse to reveal. Sarah discovers the truth about Lucy who vanished many years ago which leads her to suspect James' involvement and reveals her family's existence as a facade of safety.

The process of Sarah's reality breaking down produces an unsettling feeling. Every foundation she builds ends in being destroyed by emerging truths. Every page reveals her growing sense of loneliness and Wilkinson maintains such high tension that you doubt every character's intentions just like Sarah does.

Sarah demonstrates resilience while questioning her circumstances because she will do whatever it takes to protect her son from the collapsing marriage foundation. By the time she reaches the end of the book her complete change becomes unmistakable. Her journey begins with a desperate grip on trust until she becomes someone who must surrender everything she ever believed to survive.

Your Husband’s Fault presents beyond basic thriller elements since it examines the dramatic consequences of when love conflicts with trust and truth. Sarah’s adventure through life will remain deeply embedded in my mind. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this opportunity.

[Caroline D’cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by Author Wilkinson, and I was totally drawn in from the opening line.

Your Husband’s Fault revolves around the Parkinson family, who move from the city to a small countryside village. Sarah convinces her husband, James, to relocate to the village where he grew up, hoping to give their son, Oliver, a better life and education. James is initially reluctant, but after an accident in the city nearly kills Oliver, he agrees to make the big move.

Sarah is thrilled to finally be living the quiet life she always dreamed of—but her very first day in the village is turned upside down. At the school gates, a woman asks about her husband and raises questions that make Sarah wonder: does she really know the man she married? What follows is the unraveling of James’s past, layer by layer.

This book is fast-paced and atmospheric, keeping me on the edge of my seat and turning pages eagerly. The author dives straight into the action in the first chapter, without unnecessary buildup, which I really appreciated. The plot is progressive and twisty—every chapter delivers something new. Told in multiple POVs and alternating timelines between past and present, the narrative structure added depth and suspense. I’ve never read a book where every chapter ends on a cliffhanger! I was secretly hoping the entire book would end on one—and it did.

While I enjoyed much of the book, there were a few aspects that didn’t work as well for me. I would’ve liked to hear James’s point of view—more of his involvement in the story would have added extra dimension. Also, the last 30% of the book didn’t quite live up to the strong buildup; it felt a bit flat in comparison.

Overall, this was an engaging, twist-filled read that kept me hooked—and I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author!

[Komal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to @bookouture and @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

💭What would you do if you moved into a cozy little cottage in your husband’s idyllic hometown… only to discover the entire village looks at you like you married a murderer?
That’s the vibe in Your Husband’s Fault — a domestic thriller drenched in small-town secrets, old resentments, and some “what the actual hell” moments that kept me flipping pages till the very end.

Our main girl, Sarah, just moved into Puddlebrick Cottage with her son Oliver while her husband James is off doing mysterious financial things in New York. The move is meant to be a fresh start. Instead? It turns into a full-blown psychological spiral after she meets the locals — starting with a sweet old woman named Pamela who instantly recoils at the mention of James and hits Sarah with "Don’t you know what your husband did?"

Ma’am. What.

From that moment, Sarah’s peaceful new life unravels one unnerving thread at a time:
— Raina, the sweet casserole-bearing neighbor from yesterday, is suddenly as frosty as the English weather overnight.
— Martin Shearer shows up at Sarah’s door accusing her husband of murdering his daughter, Lucy. Casual small-town greeting, right?
— Graffiti appears on their wall.
— Her son hears voices at night and claims a woman talks to him.
— Add in an unreliable husband stuck in New York due to storms.
— Her husband James, has a whole hometown history he’s conveniently never mentioned.
— And, oh yeah, a small town where literally no one tells the whole truth—and you’ve got a recipe for spiraling paranoia.

The tension in this book builds like a classic slow-burn mystery — small-town gossip, buried trauma, unreliable narrators, and a past that refuses to stay buried. The book is told entirely from Sarah’s perspective, so you’re neck-deep in her confusion, suspicions, and fears. Sarah’s POV is engaging and relatable. You’ll want to scream with her, run with her, and absolutely demand answers with her.

James? Yeah, I had him on suspect watch since Chapter 2. He’s one of those characters who’s so polished and put-together, you know he’s hiding something. But what exactly? That’s the million-dollar mystery. And it’s juicy, trust me.
Sarah starts questioning the James she’s known for twelve years—has he always been hiding something? The townsfolk think so. Lucy went missing years ago, legally declared dead. James was the last to see her. Blood-stained trousers. A buried fight with Martin. A video of teen-James beating Martin up. Even his best friend Dean is vague, and don’t even get me started on Dean’s conveniently public Facebook upload.

Now, let’s talk structure:
— The chapters are short and punchy — a.k.a. “just one more” syndrome in full effect.
— The pacing starts off a little slow but once it hits the 30% mark, things escalate fast.
— The writing is easy to get into and perfect for a weekend binge and "the final paragraph?" Chef’s kiss. Solid ending that makes the journey worth it.

But I did knock off a bit for a few things:
1. Some twists were predictable (I had a few “knew it!” moments).
2. There were repetitive parts about not having internet back then and a few plot threads that left me scratching my head like there’s a point where Richard(James's London friend) says James once claimed, “This won’t be the first time I’ve killed someone.” Excuse me?? Was that brushed over or left for us to stew on? I need answers.
3. Sarah solved the three-decade-old mystery in less than a week! That's not practical, but still, it was fun to read.
4. A few things felt underdeveloped—like the doll speech module mystery, which was so eerie at first but resolved a little too fast.

Still, I read it in a day — which says a lot. This is a small-town mystery where everyone has secrets. It’s giving “everyone-is-suspicious-and-I-love-it” vibes. And I totally get Sarah's spiral—if your husband kept dodging answers, wouldn’t you go a little detective too?

𝐏.𝐒 This was my first Kerry Wilkinson novel, but not my last. Love the simple prose, the atmosphere, and the unreliable characters.

𝐏.𝐏.𝐒 I swear, if my husband/boyfriend ever says “I didn’t want to worry you” again, I’m putting this book in his hands and making him rethink his life choices.

🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐.75
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Mystery & Thriller
🔸I’d 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 this to - Who like thrillers where everyone has a secret and you’re never quite sure who to trust (not even your own husband), and have That feeling when everyone knows something except you, Your Husband’s Fault needs to be on your radar.
And also for those who love a single POV with a strong female lead. And also for anyone who secretly loves drama in fictional towns but avoids it IRL😉

[Flutter By Night · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when you can’t trust the man you’ve married?

Good pacing with short chapters, reading this one flew by, a plus. Twenty years ago Lucy went missing and in a series of pretty well-paced reveals, Sarah quickly learns of her husband’s dubious past and begins to seriously question if he’s the man she once thought he was, as anyone sensible would do, another plus.

The move to James’ small hometown Carnington is not the idyllic, friendly community, and safe haven she had envisioned for their son Oliver. Dark secrets come spilling out almost instantly, throwing Sarah’s life into upheaval.

Danger lurks, danger Sarah can’t even begin to suspect or imagine—did James kill his best friend Lucy all those years ago? Most in town seems to think so, but what is the truth?

I will admit, I’m incredibly conflicted reviewing “Your Husband’s Fault.” On one hand, this story hits some crucial marks: a suspenseful well-developed plot, well-written, multiple subplots with backstory for depth, and it tied up almost everything. On the other hand, some clunky repetitions paired with how certain threads of the story resolve, is much too convenient, and detracted from the reading experience.

What is not tied up is where I was left feeling conflicted, annoyed, and unsatisfied. Ambiguous conclusions don’t settle the best for me in most cases, and this was one of those cases.

3.25/5

[Ashley Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Your Husband's Fault by Kerry Wilkinson is a twisty and engrossing domestic suspense thriller that will keep you second guessing until the final reveal!!

When Sarah, her husband James and their six year old son move back to James's hometown, Sarah is thrilled at the chance to live a more peaceful and quiet life away from the city. Their little cottage is the perfect place to finally settle down and despite James's reluctance to be back in his hometown, Sarah is hopeful for their fresh start. But when one of the moms at the school gates starts chatting with Sarah, she is shocked by what she reveals. James's best friend Lucy disappeared twenty years ago, and the small town seems to think James is responsible for Lucy's death. How well does Sarah really know her husband?

This is the second book by Kerry Wilkinson that I have read and he is becoming an auto read author for me!! This story is taut, twisty, and full of secrets, and the more I read the more I doubted who I could trust! The pacing was a bit of a slow burn at the beginning, but I liked how this set up the tension for the rest of the book. Overall, another great read that is perfect for fans of small town secrets, domestic suspense, and clever reveals!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kerry Wilkinson, and Bookouture for this ARC!! Publication date is May 12th 2025.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quiet little village appears so innocent, but there are some deep, buried secrets and monsters in the closet. Sarah was happy to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life with its noises and everything that goes along with that. What she does not count on is that her husband is infamous in his old hometown. James was the lead suspect in the disappearance of his best friend, Lucy, 20 years ago. They never found her body, but that does not keep her dad (and everyone else in this community) from thinking that James killed her. So the shunning begins. Sarah does not want to believe her husband could possibly be capable of killing anyone, but she also cannot figure out why he never shared this part of his past. The whispers of the neighbors and the clique of moms at the school are whispering and finger pointing, which causes more distress and doubt for Sarah. Sarah starts wondering if she really knows the man she married.

Wowzer! This book was slam full of secrets, mystery and twists that you will never see coming until they slap you in the head with its disturbing reveal. It was the perfect blend of mystery and a little bit of psychological thriller that will have you doubting everyone and suspecting everyone.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begins with the soft promise of a fresh start, but it quickly unravels into something darker. Sarah and her husband James move to his childhood village hoping for peace and a quiet life for their son, but the moment she mentions his name to a stranger, something shifts. The air changes. People grow distant. Whispers begin.

The village of Carnington is beautifully written. It feels quiet and safe, but there’s this constant sense that something is lurking beneath it all. That contrast pulled me in. Sarah’s emotional journey is one of my favorite parts of the book. Her growing unease, her fierce protectiveness, and her determination to uncover the truth made her feel so real to me.

The pacing is slow at first, but don’t let that put you off. It builds for a reason. The tension slowly tightens, and when it picks up, it really delivers. I stayed up to finish the final chapters because I needed to know everything.

This isn’t a thriller built on jump scares or wild twists. It’s quieter than that. But it lingers because of the way it explores fear, trust, and how terrifying it is to feel like you’re living with a stranger. If you enjoy character-driven suspense with emotional weight and a slow, rewarding unraveling, I think you’ll love this one.

A special shoutout to NetGalley and Bookouture for this digital arc copy. I enjoyed every bit of this read.