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The Pastor's Wife
“Welcome to Church!” Pastor Tim flashes his brilliant white teeth around the congregation. He doesn’t notice me, but I can see that every woman is hypnotized. Except one. His wife. I watch as worry clouds her violet eyes. She’s hiding something. And I’m going to find out what…
Whitney Falls was supposed to be the perfect place for me to disappear, with its quiet leafy streets and tulip-lined gardens. I didn’t intend to make any new friends. But when the pastor’s wife saves me from an accident, I can’t help but fall into her orbit.
Soon enough, I become a regular at church, and the pastor and his wife welcome me into their home with open arms. But the more time I spend with them, the more I begin to feel something isn’t right. It’s not just that Mary looks uncomfortable when Tim kisses her and that he controls what she eats. It’s more than that. It’s the strange black car that I’ve seen watching me each time I visit. The fact that Mary and Tim won’t talk about where they came from before they moved to this small town.
And when I creep through their house in the small hours of a late October morning to see what I can find, I discover something that sends a shiver down my spine… something that makes me wonder whether our first meeting was an accident at all.
Everyone thinks the pastor and his wife are saints. Now, I’m sure that they’re the worst kind of sinners. But they don’t know who I really am. Or what I could do with the terrible secret they want to keep safe…
A completely gripping and unputdownable read that will have you turning pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose and Gone Girl.
Whitney Falls was supposed to be the perfect place for me to disappear, with its quiet leafy streets and tulip-lined gardens. I didn’t intend to make any new friends. But when the pastor’s wife saves me from an accident, I can’t help but fall into her orbit.
Soon enough, I become a regular at church, and the pastor and his wife welcome me into their home with open arms. But the more time I spend with them, the more I begin to feel something isn’t right. It’s not just that Mary looks uncomfortable when Tim kisses her and that he controls what she eats. It’s more than that. It’s the strange black car that I’ve seen watching me each time I visit. The fact that Mary and Tim won’t talk about where they came from before they moved to this small town.
And when I creep through their house in the small hours of a late October morning to see what I can find, I discover something that sends a shiver down my spine… something that makes me wonder whether our first meeting was an accident at all.
Everyone thinks the pastor and his wife are saints. Now, I’m sure that they’re the worst kind of sinners. But they don’t know who I really am. Or what I could do with the terrible secret they want to keep safe…
A completely gripping and unputdownable read that will have you turning pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose and Gone Girl.
382 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2025
1124 people are currently reading
788 people want to read
About the author
LynDee Walker
37 books649 followersLynDee Walker writes about strong women who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Her books have appeared on finalist lists for the Agatha and International Thriller awards—and once, on the weekly Amazon Charts US national bestsellers list smack in between two of her writing heroes.
LynDee is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Before she started writing fiction, LynDee was an award-winning journalist who covered everything from ribbon cuttings and high school football to capital murder trials and high level police corruption. Her work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the United States. She has written more than 20 novels and feels lucky every day to get to play with her imaginary friends for a living.
LynDee's favorite things are family, hydrangeas, porches, beaches, and books. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she is working on her next novel when she's not juggling laundry, children's sports schedules, and two very happily spoiled rescue dogs.
LynDee is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Before she started writing fiction, LynDee was an award-winning journalist who covered everything from ribbon cuttings and high school football to capital murder trials and high level police corruption. Her work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the United States. She has written more than 20 novels and feels lucky every day to get to play with her imaginary friends for a living.
LynDee's favorite things are family, hydrangeas, porches, beaches, and books. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she is working on her next novel when she's not juggling laundry, children's sports schedules, and two very happily spoiled rescue dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
June 11, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my audiobook. The narration expertly brought the story to life. The beginning was strong with a unique premise and well-developed characters. I was intrigued and interested in discovering the secrets as the story unfolded. The plot did slightly drag in the last half and some of the twists were somewhat predictable. All in all, it was an enjoyable quick listen.
June 6, 2025
OMG, OMG, OMG!
I wanted to love "The Pastor's Wife," but I didn't.
WHY?
At times, the book's folksy small-town dialogue was cringeworthy.
Many of the book's twists were contrived and eye-rolling.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Stephanie Cannon and Pat Rodriguez.
I always enjoy full-cast narrations, and both narrators gave outstanding performances.
Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2025
If you like a book with different twists, then this is for you. Told from two different perspectives, you have to love the names of Mary and Martha, the story unfolds as you learn more about each character. There were definitely some shocking scenes in the book, which I enjoyed. I enjoyed the first 25% and the last 25% of the book. It dragged on a little too much for me in the middle of the book.
The reason that I gave it three stars is because I didn't enjoy any of the characters. I usually like to cheer on at least one character, but I didn't connect with any of them. I kept picturing Mary like Georgia in Ginny & Georgia. I also felt like the story skipped around a little too much, so I was confused at times. I enjoyed the ending, but I felt it was a little rushed.
I did enjoy reading the book, though. I will never look at a pastor and his wife the same. I'm not sure that is a good thing.
The reason that I gave it three stars is because I didn't enjoy any of the characters. I usually like to cheer on at least one character, but I didn't connect with any of them. I kept picturing Mary like Georgia in Ginny & Georgia. I also felt like the story skipped around a little too much, so I was confused at times. I enjoyed the ending, but I felt it was a little rushed.
I did enjoy reading the book, though. I will never look at a pastor and his wife the same. I'm not sure that is a good thing.
June 10, 2025
Unputdownable right up to its twisted end.
Let me preface my review by saying that the book’s blurb feels almost like it’s describing a completely different story - which works well, oddly enough, because going in with minimal expectations and knowledge about the plot enhanced the suspense and surprises in this psychological thriller.
LynDee Walker has been a must-read for me for years, thanks to her Nichelle Clarke crime thrillers and especially her Faith McLellan series. "The Pastor's Wife" marks the author's first foray into psychological thrillers, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.
Set in the fictional small town of Whitney Fall, AK, the story alternates between two women who are both outsiders: Mary, the new pastor’s wife, and Martha, a struggling young cashier. From early on, it’s clear both have secrets they’re desperate to keep hidden.
LynDee Walker’s signature gripping prose kept me turning pages at a breakneck pace. She masterfully builds tension and atmosphere, making the story utterly compelling, with the suspense even more enhanced by the alternating viewpoints of the two women. While the sheer volume of dark secrets packed into one small town may feel a bit over the top, it adds to the novel’s addictive quality.
"The Pastor's Wife" kept me hooked right up until its twisted, completely implausible but nevertheless gripping ending, making this an unputdownable read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
"The Pastor's Wife" is slated to be released on Jun 16, 2025.
Let me preface my review by saying that the book’s blurb feels almost like it’s describing a completely different story - which works well, oddly enough, because going in with minimal expectations and knowledge about the plot enhanced the suspense and surprises in this psychological thriller.
LynDee Walker has been a must-read for me for years, thanks to her Nichelle Clarke crime thrillers and especially her Faith McLellan series. "The Pastor's Wife" marks the author's first foray into psychological thrillers, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.
Set in the fictional small town of Whitney Fall, AK, the story alternates between two women who are both outsiders: Mary, the new pastor’s wife, and Martha, a struggling young cashier. From early on, it’s clear both have secrets they’re desperate to keep hidden.
LynDee Walker’s signature gripping prose kept me turning pages at a breakneck pace. She masterfully builds tension and atmosphere, making the story utterly compelling, with the suspense even more enhanced by the alternating viewpoints of the two women. While the sheer volume of dark secrets packed into one small town may feel a bit over the top, it adds to the novel’s addictive quality.
"The Pastor's Wife" kept me hooked right up until its twisted, completely implausible but nevertheless gripping ending, making this an unputdownable read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
"The Pastor's Wife" is slated to be released on Jun 16, 2025.
November 19, 2025
Wow. This book is crazy, in the best way possible! There are so many secrets and twists that I can’t say much outside of the synopsis, but we have two very interesting main characters…
Martha has had a hard life, and she has moved to the Ozarks from Appalachia to escape her past. She’s barely scraping by working as a cashier and living in a seedy motel when she goes to make a grocery delivery to the town’s pastor and his wife, Mary. After a series of unfortunate events, this leaves her bloody and broken in their driveway. Mary comes out to help her, and an unlikely friendship is born.
Mary was able to help with the medical aid that Martha needed because she was once a nurse. Now, she’s the wife of Pastor Tim, a charming man in person, but after Mary asks Martha to leave the horrible motel she’s at and live in their garage apartment, Martha soon starts seeing a very dark side to this man. Mary seems scared of him, and as the book goes on, you’ll see why…
The suspense increases throughout the story, and then you get to the first big shock. I was so surprised and happy with that twist, but for the last third of the book, the twists just keep coming. I had figured out one, but the rest…I was clueless about so many of them, and I love that. This whole book was a very entertaining read from the start, but that last third of the book was GOLDEN. 4.5 stars, rounded up for being a stand-alone debut!
(Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me on this book tour! “The Pastor’s Wife” is slated to be released on June 16, 2025.)
Martha has had a hard life, and she has moved to the Ozarks from Appalachia to escape her past. She’s barely scraping by working as a cashier and living in a seedy motel when she goes to make a grocery delivery to the town’s pastor and his wife, Mary. After a series of unfortunate events, this leaves her bloody and broken in their driveway. Mary comes out to help her, and an unlikely friendship is born.
Mary was able to help with the medical aid that Martha needed because she was once a nurse. Now, she’s the wife of Pastor Tim, a charming man in person, but after Mary asks Martha to leave the horrible motel she’s at and live in their garage apartment, Martha soon starts seeing a very dark side to this man. Mary seems scared of him, and as the book goes on, you’ll see why…
The suspense increases throughout the story, and then you get to the first big shock. I was so surprised and happy with that twist, but for the last third of the book, the twists just keep coming. I had figured out one, but the rest…I was clueless about so many of them, and I love that. This whole book was a very entertaining read from the start, but that last third of the book was GOLDEN. 4.5 stars, rounded up for being a stand-alone debut!
(Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me on this book tour! “The Pastor’s Wife” is slated to be released on June 16, 2025.)
June 15, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ | What perfect names for the 2 FMCs with this book title. Mary & Martha’s story intertwined in ways that readers will certainly enjoy, as the twists were revealed & the plot unfolded.
Mary & Tim have recently moved to Whitney Falls, as Tim is the new pastor of a church in the area. Soon comes Martha, also new in town with a somewhat checkered past that she is trying to escape. However, Mary soon realizes that this power couple she has grown to admire is also very secretive about their past. Suspicions grow, loyalties are tested & secrets are revealed.
I absolutely loved the dual narration & individual first person POVs from Mary & Martha. Both narrators did a phenomenal job bringing life to these characters. I enjoyed the writing style, there were just a couple of incidents in the book that I would have liked a little more content on, or maybe an epilogue that concluded these questions. Overall, It was an enjoyable story that fans of domestic thriller could enjoy & worth the read! Thank you Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Publication 🗓️ : 06.16.25
Mary & Tim have recently moved to Whitney Falls, as Tim is the new pastor of a church in the area. Soon comes Martha, also new in town with a somewhat checkered past that she is trying to escape. However, Mary soon realizes that this power couple she has grown to admire is also very secretive about their past. Suspicions grow, loyalties are tested & secrets are revealed.
I absolutely loved the dual narration & individual first person POVs from Mary & Martha. Both narrators did a phenomenal job bringing life to these characters. I enjoyed the writing style, there were just a couple of incidents in the book that I would have liked a little more content on, or maybe an epilogue that concluded these questions. Overall, It was an enjoyable story that fans of domestic thriller could enjoy & worth the read! Thank you Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Publication 🗓️ : 06.16.25
August 4, 2025
Big thanks to Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Pastor’s Wife is my first book by this author.
Welcome to the town of Whitney Falls.
Meet Mary, the new pastor’s wife.
And Martha, a cash strapped supermarket worker.
When an unfortunate incident brings the two together, the secrets they have become harder to keep hidden.
I found this to be unnecessarily convoluted.
It started off strong but got a bit messy in the middle and the ending was so so.
A unique premise and a bunch of interesting characters couldn’t save it unfortunately.
Not bad but not good.
The Pastor’s Wife is my first book by this author.
Welcome to the town of Whitney Falls.
Meet Mary, the new pastor’s wife.
And Martha, a cash strapped supermarket worker.
When an unfortunate incident brings the two together, the secrets they have become harder to keep hidden.
I found this to be unnecessarily convoluted.
It started off strong but got a bit messy in the middle and the ending was so so.
A unique premise and a bunch of interesting characters couldn’t save it unfortunately.
Not bad but not good.
June 21, 2025
Rewind that—because wait, how can that be?! That was me, not once but three times, while listening to this twisty, expertly crafted audiobook.
It starts off a bit slow, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. As the plot unfolds, you’ll find yourself rethinking everything you heard earlier. No spoilers, but… hogs will never mean the same thing again.
The narration is top-notch—every emotion, every twist, every gasp-worthy moment is delivered with such precision that I had to pause and give it my full attention more than once. Perfect for audio thriller fans who love smart, layered storytelling. Highly recommend.
It starts off a bit slow, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. As the plot unfolds, you’ll find yourself rethinking everything you heard earlier. No spoilers, but… hogs will never mean the same thing again.
The narration is top-notch—every emotion, every twist, every gasp-worthy moment is delivered with such precision that I had to pause and give it my full attention more than once. Perfect for audio thriller fans who love smart, layered storytelling. Highly recommend.
November 10, 2025
A dark and twisted story of secret motives, what hides behind the facade of perfection, and the blurred boundaries between saint and sinner. Set in the fictional town of Whitney Falls, told through dual POV.
The narration by Stephanie Cannon and Patricia Rodriguez really had me hooked and depicted the separate characters so that I was never confused by which perspective I was hearing. Filled with psychological tension, this thrilling story kept me captivated right to the dramatic conclusion.
This is the first story I have read by LynDee Walker, and has me intrigued to read her previous books.
The narration by Stephanie Cannon and Patricia Rodriguez really had me hooked and depicted the separate characters so that I was never confused by which perspective I was hearing. Filled with psychological tension, this thrilling story kept me captivated right to the dramatic conclusion.
This is the first story I have read by LynDee Walker, and has me intrigued to read her previous books.
August 2, 2025
Full of twists and turns! It took a minute to pick up speed, but once it did; you couldn't stop reading.
June 12, 2025
Martha is new to Whitney Falls. But so are the smooth and charming Pastor Tim and his wife Mary. Mary and Tim had moved from town to town, but had finally found a home in Whitney Falls. From the outside looking in Tim and Mary’s marriage seemed idyllic, but it wouldn’t take long for Martha to see the cracks in their marriage.
The rapid friendship that developed between Martha and Mary was about to face significant challenges. With each of them harboring pasts they’d rather keep hidden, the narrative takes on a sinister tone. This book might have been a tale of secrets and lies, but it turned out to be far more intricate, making it an enthralling read from beginning to end.
As an avid audiobook listener, Stephanie Cannon and Pat Rodriguez were unfamiliar to me as narrators. However, I believe they both delivered exceptional performances in capturing the captivating voices of Martha and Mary. This added an extra layer of intrigue to the unfolding narrative. LynDee Walker was also a new name to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed my first encounter with what I hope will be a series of captivating books in the future.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
The rapid friendship that developed between Martha and Mary was about to face significant challenges. With each of them harboring pasts they’d rather keep hidden, the narrative takes on a sinister tone. This book might have been a tale of secrets and lies, but it turned out to be far more intricate, making it an enthralling read from beginning to end.
As an avid audiobook listener, Stephanie Cannon and Pat Rodriguez were unfamiliar to me as narrators. However, I believe they both delivered exceptional performances in capturing the captivating voices of Martha and Mary. This added an extra layer of intrigue to the unfolding narrative. LynDee Walker was also a new name to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed my first encounter with what I hope will be a series of captivating books in the future.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
July 21, 2025
Book: The Pastor’s Wife
Author: Lyndee Walker
Location: Whitney Falls, Arkansas ( Whitney Falls is a real place, but it's not in Arkansas. It's a waterfall located in the Cascade Range in Northern California)
POV: Mary and Martha
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Main Characters: Mary, Martha, Pastor Tim
What a CRAZY read! But a good one! This book was some weird reading and I don’t think you will be able to guess at all what is going on. I didn’t. I almost thought I was going to give it a 3 star rating because it was so random about some things that I thought I wasn’t able to get what was going on but I kept reading because I couldn’t help being interested lol and boy, it was twisted. This is about a church family and town so I want to let you know that before you read in case that might bother you but you just won’t believe what is going on in this psychological thriller. If you like psychological thriller and crime suspense, you will like this read.
Author: Lyndee Walker
Location: Whitney Falls, Arkansas ( Whitney Falls is a real place, but it's not in Arkansas. It's a waterfall located in the Cascade Range in Northern California)
POV: Mary and Martha
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Main Characters: Mary, Martha, Pastor Tim
What a CRAZY read! But a good one! This book was some weird reading and I don’t think you will be able to guess at all what is going on. I didn’t. I almost thought I was going to give it a 3 star rating because it was so random about some things that I thought I wasn’t able to get what was going on but I kept reading because I couldn’t help being interested lol and boy, it was twisted. This is about a church family and town so I want to let you know that before you read in case that might bother you but you just won’t believe what is going on in this psychological thriller. If you like psychological thriller and crime suspense, you will like this read.
June 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an ARC of The Pastor's Wife by LynDee Walker in exchange for honest feedback.
The story kicks off with all the markings of a gripping thriller - an intriguing setup, well-drawn characters, and an undercurrent of secrets that promises big reveals. The first half had me genuinely hooked, with the pacing and suspense keeping the pages turning.
Unfortunately, as the story moved in the second half, things slowed down and the twists felt more forced than clever. Rather than deepening the mystery or delivering jaw-dropping moments, the plot developments missed the mark and undermined some of the strong groundwork laid early on. It wasn’t that the ideas weren’t interesting - it was the execution that let me down.
Overall, the writing was solid and I appreciated the unique premise and strong start, but the payoff just didn’t quite deliver for me. If you’re in it for the atmosphere and setup then it is worth the read, just don’t expect the ending to pop.
The story kicks off with all the markings of a gripping thriller - an intriguing setup, well-drawn characters, and an undercurrent of secrets that promises big reveals. The first half had me genuinely hooked, with the pacing and suspense keeping the pages turning.
Unfortunately, as the story moved in the second half, things slowed down and the twists felt more forced than clever. Rather than deepening the mystery or delivering jaw-dropping moments, the plot developments missed the mark and undermined some of the strong groundwork laid early on. It wasn’t that the ideas weren’t interesting - it was the execution that let me down.
Overall, the writing was solid and I appreciated the unique premise and strong start, but the payoff just didn’t quite deliver for me. If you’re in it for the atmosphere and setup then it is worth the read, just don’t expect the ending to pop.
June 19, 2025
3.5 stars
This was a dark read. The subject matter is not light. There were twists - some that were more predictable than others.
The characters are not particularly likable and you had no idea who to cheer for. There are lots of religious overtones.
Though there were a few parts that dragged a bit and the book felt longer than it needed to be. Overall, this was a dark, interesting thriller.
This is my first book by this author but I would definitely read more of her work.
This was a dark read. The subject matter is not light. There were twists - some that were more predictable than others.
The characters are not particularly likable and you had no idea who to cheer for. There are lots of religious overtones.
Though there were a few parts that dragged a bit and the book felt longer than it needed to be. Overall, this was a dark, interesting thriller.
This is my first book by this author but I would definitely read more of her work.
July 12, 2025
Book Review: The Pastor's Wife by LynDee Walker – 1/5 Stars
I was truly hoping for a gripping, mysterious read when I picked up The Pastor’s Wife by LynDee Walker, but unfortunately, it fell incredibly short of expectations. Despite the promising premise, this book didn’t live up to its potential in any meaningful way, and I found myself increasingly disappointed as I trudged through it.
First off, I expected a thriller or mystery, something that would keep me on the edge of my seat. Instead, I was met with a slow-moving, lackluster narrative that didn’t seem to know what it wanted to be. The "thrills" were few and far between, and the so-called "mystery" was neither compelling nor intriguing. In fact, I found myself bored more often than not. The characters, particularly the pastor's wife, lacked depth and didn’t evoke any kind of emotional engagement. I never felt a connection to any of them, and that made it difficult to care about the story's outcome.
The pacing was another issue—there were long stretches where nothing of significance happened, and I kept pushing through, hoping for some kind of payoff. Sadly, it never arrived. By the time I reached the end, I was just eager to be done with it. There wasn’t anything special about the plot or the writing; it felt formulaic, uninspired, and forgettable.
The Pastor’s Wife simply didn’t deliver. It’s a book that fell flat, not one I’d recommend to anyone looking for a gripping read. 1 out of 5 stars – it just didn’t stand out, and frankly, I couldn’t wait to be done with it.
I was truly hoping for a gripping, mysterious read when I picked up The Pastor’s Wife by LynDee Walker, but unfortunately, it fell incredibly short of expectations. Despite the promising premise, this book didn’t live up to its potential in any meaningful way, and I found myself increasingly disappointed as I trudged through it.
First off, I expected a thriller or mystery, something that would keep me on the edge of my seat. Instead, I was met with a slow-moving, lackluster narrative that didn’t seem to know what it wanted to be. The "thrills" were few and far between, and the so-called "mystery" was neither compelling nor intriguing. In fact, I found myself bored more often than not. The characters, particularly the pastor's wife, lacked depth and didn’t evoke any kind of emotional engagement. I never felt a connection to any of them, and that made it difficult to care about the story's outcome.
The pacing was another issue—there were long stretches where nothing of significance happened, and I kept pushing through, hoping for some kind of payoff. Sadly, it never arrived. By the time I reached the end, I was just eager to be done with it. There wasn’t anything special about the plot or the writing; it felt formulaic, uninspired, and forgettable.
The Pastor’s Wife simply didn’t deliver. It’s a book that fell flat, not one I’d recommend to anyone looking for a gripping read. 1 out of 5 stars – it just didn’t stand out, and frankly, I couldn’t wait to be done with it.
October 19, 2025
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Whitney Falls, Arkansas, is a town where everyone thinks they know everything about everybody, but truthfully, it is a town full of secrets. Pastor Tim and his wife come to town hoping to put down roots. Martha thought it was a place where she could disappear. When Martha meets Mary, they surprisingly become fast friends, spending a lot of time together. Soon, Martha sees that all isn’t as happy as it appears in the pastor’s home. A little snooping reveals chilling details about Pastor Tim and his wife. Will they learn her secret, too?
Ms. Walker tells this story from two points of view, Martha’s and Mary’s. As expected from this author, these characters have layers that are peeled back to reveal unexpected, tragic, and alarming truths. The story begins slowly, with Martha working as a grocery cashier —a job that doesn’t come close to making ends meet —and Mary settling into a new town, unpacking, and getting to know the people in her husband’s new congregation. As the story continues, there is twist after twist after twist, but told in a way that seemed to always hold something back, which pulled me even deeper into the story. I do hesitate to say anymore because this book packs more punch when you read it cold, skim the synopsis, and dive in.
The Pastor’s Wife is a compelling page-turner, filled with drama, surprises, and suspense. A dark and twisty read, with an ending that may leave you stunned and breathless. It’s hard to put this one down, so plan accordingly.
*This book is from my private collection. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Whitney Falls, Arkansas, is a town where everyone thinks they know everything about everybody, but truthfully, it is a town full of secrets. Pastor Tim and his wife come to town hoping to put down roots. Martha thought it was a place where she could disappear. When Martha meets Mary, they surprisingly become fast friends, spending a lot of time together. Soon, Martha sees that all isn’t as happy as it appears in the pastor’s home. A little snooping reveals chilling details about Pastor Tim and his wife. Will they learn her secret, too?
Ms. Walker tells this story from two points of view, Martha’s and Mary’s. As expected from this author, these characters have layers that are peeled back to reveal unexpected, tragic, and alarming truths. The story begins slowly, with Martha working as a grocery cashier —a job that doesn’t come close to making ends meet —and Mary settling into a new town, unpacking, and getting to know the people in her husband’s new congregation. As the story continues, there is twist after twist after twist, but told in a way that seemed to always hold something back, which pulled me even deeper into the story. I do hesitate to say anymore because this book packs more punch when you read it cold, skim the synopsis, and dive in.
The Pastor’s Wife is a compelling page-turner, filled with drama, surprises, and suspense. A dark and twisty read, with an ending that may leave you stunned and breathless. It’s hard to put this one down, so plan accordingly.
*This book is from my private collection. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
June 7, 2025
Audiobook: Narrators - Stephanie Cannon and Patricia Rodriguez
These narrators both have engaging voices that brought an atmospheric southern tone to the story. That said, I didn’t realize there were two narrators at first, partly because of similar accents and delivery styles. It occasionally made it hard to tell whose perspective we were in, especially before character specific dialogue kicked in to clarify. Still, once the rhythm settled, I appreciated their performances and how they captured the tension beneath the surface.
This story had me questioning everything and everyone from the beginning. I usually try to get ahead of a plot, guessing where the author is leading me, but not this time. The use of time jumps kept me constantly on my toes, unable to predict motivations, relationships, or outcomes. While they added a fascinating layer to the suspense, I’ll admit that following along via audiobook made those transitions a bit tricky to track.
That said, the story is anything but confusing. It’s sharp, clever, and full of tension, with character development that’s as central as the mystery itself. Each reveal pulled me deeper, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was always just slightly off…in the best way. The unease, the secrets, the subtle dread, it was all woven together beautifully.
If you're looking for a thriller that grips you tight and keeps you guessing, this one delivers.
Double POV
This book includes content that might be triggering for some readers.
These narrators both have engaging voices that brought an atmospheric southern tone to the story. That said, I didn’t realize there were two narrators at first, partly because of similar accents and delivery styles. It occasionally made it hard to tell whose perspective we were in, especially before character specific dialogue kicked in to clarify. Still, once the rhythm settled, I appreciated their performances and how they captured the tension beneath the surface.
This story had me questioning everything and everyone from the beginning. I usually try to get ahead of a plot, guessing where the author is leading me, but not this time. The use of time jumps kept me constantly on my toes, unable to predict motivations, relationships, or outcomes. While they added a fascinating layer to the suspense, I’ll admit that following along via audiobook made those transitions a bit tricky to track.
That said, the story is anything but confusing. It’s sharp, clever, and full of tension, with character development that’s as central as the mystery itself. Each reveal pulled me deeper, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was always just slightly off…in the best way. The unease, the secrets, the subtle dread, it was all woven together beautifully.
If you're looking for a thriller that grips you tight and keeps you guessing, this one delivers.
Double POV
This book includes content that might be triggering for some readers.
June 11, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC audiobook.
Holy moly! What a wild book,!
I listened in one day because I literally could not stop!
Just when you think you know what's going on, a new surprise pops up.
No one is as they seem. NO ONE!
The narration is very good!
I highly recommend this to everyone!
Holy moly! What a wild book,!
I listened in one day because I literally could not stop!
Just when you think you know what's going on, a new surprise pops up.
No one is as they seem. NO ONE!
The narration is very good!
I highly recommend this to everyone!
May 4, 2025
In a small village, it seems like the walls have ears. Everyone knows everyone and thinks they know everything about everyone. But on the other hand, such a small village is also ideal if you want to build a new life, far from your past and the hustle and bustle of big cities.
This is also the case for Martha. She tries to stay under the radar as much as possible, but that actually has the opposite effect. She especially becomes a thorn in the side of a certain person who does everything possible to make her life miserable. However, there is a guardian angel involved, and who else could that be but Mary, the pastor's wife?
It becomes clear fairly quickly that Martha is carrying a secret, and that Mary has a warm personality that takes her under her wing. But soon it also becomes clear that the Mary at home and the Mary in public are not the same person. What’s really going on?
Another important character is Pastor Tim. He immediately wins the hearts of the female community. He has charm in abundance—but is he using it in the right way?
The story is smoothly written and paints a perfect picture of all the main characters. This makes it easy to take sides. More and more, I began to realize that the author was pulling the wool over my eyes, with the result that I kept falling from one surprise into another.
Suddenly, I started seeing red flags everywhere and began to understand certain things.
For me, this is an incredibly good book. Personally, I think the ending could have been a bit more developed. Other than that, I really enjoyed it. 4.5 stars.
Thank you
This is also the case for Martha. She tries to stay under the radar as much as possible, but that actually has the opposite effect. She especially becomes a thorn in the side of a certain person who does everything possible to make her life miserable. However, there is a guardian angel involved, and who else could that be but Mary, the pastor's wife?
It becomes clear fairly quickly that Martha is carrying a secret, and that Mary has a warm personality that takes her under her wing. But soon it also becomes clear that the Mary at home and the Mary in public are not the same person. What’s really going on?
Another important character is Pastor Tim. He immediately wins the hearts of the female community. He has charm in abundance—but is he using it in the right way?
The story is smoothly written and paints a perfect picture of all the main characters. This makes it easy to take sides. More and more, I began to realize that the author was pulling the wool over my eyes, with the result that I kept falling from one surprise into another.
Suddenly, I started seeing red flags everywhere and began to understand certain things.
For me, this is an incredibly good book. Personally, I think the ending could have been a bit more developed. Other than that, I really enjoyed it. 4.5 stars.
Thank you
June 16, 2025
🎉✍🏼 All the best for publication today 📚⭐️
I thoroughly enjoyed this psychological dramatic thriller by Lyndee Walker. The way this was written went extremely well with the narration both flowed well together Stephanie Cannon and Patricia Rodriguez both done an absolutely outstanding job together in delivery of this audiobook. They were able to capture the audience from beginning to end bringing all characters to life enabling you to envision exactly the words that were being described; a fantastic piece of work all round. The storyline also had a few twists and turns itself which added to the overall experience!
Mary who is married to Pastor Tim moves to a new town seems to be a delightful pastors wife with no fiends of her own moving to a new town she has to make some and of course she has a reputation to uphold being the pastors wife. It isn’t long before she meets Martha the local checkout girl and they become friends in amongst this storyline we meet various other characters with a lot of fast paced plot and without spoilers its difficult to really say much more than these 2 women begin a journey together that leads them on self discovery and learning of others and each other in ways they don’t quite anticipate!
With much gratitude and thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ELC I return for an open honest review 🙏🏽📚🎧❤️ With Best Wishes for publication on June 16th 2025!
I thoroughly enjoyed this psychological dramatic thriller by Lyndee Walker. The way this was written went extremely well with the narration both flowed well together Stephanie Cannon and Patricia Rodriguez both done an absolutely outstanding job together in delivery of this audiobook. They were able to capture the audience from beginning to end bringing all characters to life enabling you to envision exactly the words that were being described; a fantastic piece of work all round. The storyline also had a few twists and turns itself which added to the overall experience!
Mary who is married to Pastor Tim moves to a new town seems to be a delightful pastors wife with no fiends of her own moving to a new town she has to make some and of course she has a reputation to uphold being the pastors wife. It isn’t long before she meets Martha the local checkout girl and they become friends in amongst this storyline we meet various other characters with a lot of fast paced plot and without spoilers its difficult to really say much more than these 2 women begin a journey together that leads them on self discovery and learning of others and each other in ways they don’t quite anticipate!
With much gratitude and thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ELC I return for an open honest review 🙏🏽📚🎧❤️ With Best Wishes for publication on June 16th 2025!
June 15, 2025
This is a highly engaging top quality quick listen. Told from dual pov mainly this makes you question the idea of perfection and can your eyes see the truth hiding in plain site. The narration was spot on and the characters were well developed. Then plot was full of twists and turns the one towards the end are a tad predictable which did make me chuckle but did make me feel disappointed as there was such a good build up to the reveal and ending and then it was over quickly and predictable. However that is the only thing that lets this story down. I love the way the story line and character interactions are dripped into and just when you think youve got it all a curve ball appears. I cant recommend this enough full of strong women and a somewhat predictable story this perfect for readers and listeners who enjoy multiple pov and slow burners. Be warned you might be sad its over too soon. Thank you netgallery, publisher, author and narrator for this 5 star (rounded up) listen.
July 12, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Bookouture, for the ARC!
Martha is an 18 year old girl with a secret. She’s new to Whitney Falls and you quickly learn that she is running from something. The new pastor’s wife reaches out to befriend her and Martha is stunned by this. She calls Mary “an actual angel” and wants to make her and her husband, Pastor Tim, happy. As she gets to know them better, things become less and less perfect in their home. Martha is hesitant to question their intentions, actions, and behaviors because she has a job and place to live because of them. But, truth always comes out!
When the book started to pick up, I did think that the plot was interesting and kept you guessing. It always seemed the both narratives were unreliable - both Mary and Martha’s. There was always either truth missing or perspective missing. At the end, I really enjoyed the ending and could see it just as a movie in my head…
But, that movie may have been on Lifetime and on during the middle of the day. While I did solidly enjoy this book at a 3 star, it didn’t seem to pick up until about 40% of the way in, in my opinion. I may have DNF’d before then if I hadn’t been reading the ARC. Unfortunately, some of the dialogue made me cringe and seemed too simple or based on a Southern stereotype. With what Martha alludes to having endured, I don’t think she would have been as naive as she was portrayed.
I think this book would appeal to readers who want a medium paced read for a vacation or car ride. It will make the time pass more quickly and may provide some talking points to anyone else around when you reach some of the twists - whether you find them farcical or truly surprising.
Martha is an 18 year old girl with a secret. She’s new to Whitney Falls and you quickly learn that she is running from something. The new pastor’s wife reaches out to befriend her and Martha is stunned by this. She calls Mary “an actual angel” and wants to make her and her husband, Pastor Tim, happy. As she gets to know them better, things become less and less perfect in their home. Martha is hesitant to question their intentions, actions, and behaviors because she has a job and place to live because of them. But, truth always comes out!
When the book started to pick up, I did think that the plot was interesting and kept you guessing. It always seemed the both narratives were unreliable - both Mary and Martha’s. There was always either truth missing or perspective missing. At the end, I really enjoyed the ending and could see it just as a movie in my head…
But, that movie may have been on Lifetime and on during the middle of the day. While I did solidly enjoy this book at a 3 star, it didn’t seem to pick up until about 40% of the way in, in my opinion. I may have DNF’d before then if I hadn’t been reading the ARC. Unfortunately, some of the dialogue made me cringe and seemed too simple or based on a Southern stereotype. With what Martha alludes to having endured, I don’t think she would have been as naive as she was portrayed.
I think this book would appeal to readers who want a medium paced read for a vacation or car ride. It will make the time pass more quickly and may provide some talking points to anyone else around when you reach some of the twists - whether you find them farcical or truly surprising.
May 27, 2025
I didn't love this one.
The writing style really didn't hit for me and I thought the way that our MC spoke was odd.
The book is definitely twisty and what's really going on is absolutely horrible, but I also felt that quite a bit was illogical.
It's a popcorn read with a lot of ungodly people pretending to be godly - this should be fun, but these people weren't really fun to read.
Didn't hate it. Didn't love it.
* ARC via Publisher
The writing style really didn't hit for me and I thought the way that our MC spoke was odd.
The book is definitely twisty and what's really going on is absolutely horrible, but I also felt that quite a bit was illogical.
It's a popcorn read with a lot of ungodly people pretending to be godly - this should be fun, but these people weren't really fun to read.
Didn't hate it. Didn't love it.
* ARC via Publisher
June 26, 2025
This story wasn’t too hard to get into, it started off good and immediately had me wondering what exactly everyone’s secrets were. Halfway through I got a little antsy and was dying to find out what was going on. I was shocked to find out just what the pastor and his wife were really up to, and wow how sick!! I definitely would have liked to have more of an ending where the cop found the recording and the town finds out but it was good and I’m glad Martha got the ending she deserved 😉
June 9, 2025
THE PASTOR'S WIFE BY LYNDEE WALKER.
Release date set for the 16th of June 2025.
I'll round this book off to 4 ✨s.
Great twists, liked the premise and the storyline was good.
It took me a minute or two to get fully stuck into this book but glad I stuck with it.
This is my first book by this author and I'll deffo read more in the future.
Release date set for the 16th of June 2025.
I'll round this book off to 4 ✨s.
Great twists, liked the premise and the storyline was good.
It took me a minute or two to get fully stuck into this book but glad I stuck with it.
This is my first book by this author and I'll deffo read more in the future.
August 13, 2025
Omg! Srsly OMG, what a page turner! Didn’t really see “it” coming! I knew that there was some crazy crap going down, but didn’t realize it was that crazy! Really liked this book!!
May 17, 2025
So much going on.. easy to keep track, great premise great storyline. And such a great ending. I have never read anything from this author I definitely enjoyed it.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book
August 7, 2025
This was… not great. The plot was a mess—way too much going on, and I’m still not 100% clear on what EXACTLY happened. The author attempted to flesh out the characters, but it was largely unsuccessful—not one believable character, and if I have to read one more thing about Martha’s huge honkers or how she’s great at “blending into the background” … Wild twists with no red herrings. A laughable ending. This was a poor attempt at another Gone Girl.
*ARC audiobook via NetGalley*
*ARC audiobook via NetGalley*
June 6, 2025
ARC Review 🎧
The Pastor's Wife - Lyndee Walker
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Blurb
Whitney Falls was supposed to be the perfect place for me to disappear, with its quiet leafy streets and tulip-lined gardens. I didn’t intend to make any new friends. But when the pastor’s wife saves me from an accident, I can’t help but fall into her orbit.
Soon enough, I become a regular at church, and the pastor and his wife welcome me into their home with open arms. But the more time I spend with them, the more I begin to feel something isn’t right. It’s not just that Mary looks uncomfortable when Tim kisses her and that he controls what she eats. It’s more than that. It’s the strange black car that I’ve seen watching me each time I visit. The fact that Mary and Tim won’t talk about where they came from before they moved to this small town.
And when I creep through their house in the small hours of a late October morning to see what I can find, I discover something that sends a shiver down my spine… something that makes me wonder whether our first meeting was an accident at all.
Everyone thinks the pastor and his wife are saints. Now, I’m sure that they’re the worst kind of sinners. But they don’t know who I really am. Or what I could do with the terrible secret they want to keep safe…
This was a great book. I really loved the storyline and although it wasn't a fast-paced one but I really enjoyed this one. When I read the blurb, I was hooked and needed to read the book. I did make a mistake on Netgalley and declined it myself. Then I saw they put the audiobook on and requested again and got it. Just two days listening and finished it. Man, I love a story like this. A small-town thriller with a good story and a plot I didn't see coming. Loved the narrators. Some southern American voices.
The story is mainly about two women, Martha and Mary. They both have some hidden agenda, one some more than the other.
Also, the man in this book down have some things to hide for themselves...
If you want a good thriller with a great, didn't see it coming, plottwist, read this one...
The Pub Date is June 16!
Thank you, @netgalley and @bookouture for my gifted copy
The Pastor's Wife - Lyndee Walker
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Blurb
Whitney Falls was supposed to be the perfect place for me to disappear, with its quiet leafy streets and tulip-lined gardens. I didn’t intend to make any new friends. But when the pastor’s wife saves me from an accident, I can’t help but fall into her orbit.
Soon enough, I become a regular at church, and the pastor and his wife welcome me into their home with open arms. But the more time I spend with them, the more I begin to feel something isn’t right. It’s not just that Mary looks uncomfortable when Tim kisses her and that he controls what she eats. It’s more than that. It’s the strange black car that I’ve seen watching me each time I visit. The fact that Mary and Tim won’t talk about where they came from before they moved to this small town.
And when I creep through their house in the small hours of a late October morning to see what I can find, I discover something that sends a shiver down my spine… something that makes me wonder whether our first meeting was an accident at all.
Everyone thinks the pastor and his wife are saints. Now, I’m sure that they’re the worst kind of sinners. But they don’t know who I really am. Or what I could do with the terrible secret they want to keep safe…
This was a great book. I really loved the storyline and although it wasn't a fast-paced one but I really enjoyed this one. When I read the blurb, I was hooked and needed to read the book. I did make a mistake on Netgalley and declined it myself. Then I saw they put the audiobook on and requested again and got it. Just two days listening and finished it. Man, I love a story like this. A small-town thriller with a good story and a plot I didn't see coming. Loved the narrators. Some southern American voices.
The story is mainly about two women, Martha and Mary. They both have some hidden agenda, one some more than the other.
Also, the man in this book down have some things to hide for themselves...
If you want a good thriller with a great, didn't see it coming, plottwist, read this one...
The Pub Date is June 16!
Thank you, @netgalley and @bookouture for my gifted copy
May 19, 2025
From the beginning of the book the character of Pastor Tim instantly creeped me out. A man that rules over his congregation drawing them in by his charismatic personality, flashing white teeth and handsome looks.
In this small village of Whitney Falls, members of the community are immersed in their beliefs and pastor Tim is seen by many as the ultimate man of God. A man who has a way of engaging all, especially the women that are completely taken in by him. His wife Mary is portrayed as his devoted spouse who lives to support her husband and provide the impression of a life that is all encompassing but what are these two running from, this is the mystery that prevails and carries the reader throughout the book. Then there is Martha, a woman who moves to this small town to try to shake off her own demons. Mary and Martha develop a strong friendship, and Martha is accepted into a tight knit group of women who look down on her by her relationship with Mary.
This is a well-developed psychological thriller that will immediately take you and have you turning the pages quickly. The only negative I found was the ending, it just didn’t sit right for me and let down the rest of the book that was so well told. I felt the author could have thought a more complex resolution than what was presented.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
In this small village of Whitney Falls, members of the community are immersed in their beliefs and pastor Tim is seen by many as the ultimate man of God. A man who has a way of engaging all, especially the women that are completely taken in by him. His wife Mary is portrayed as his devoted spouse who lives to support her husband and provide the impression of a life that is all encompassing but what are these two running from, this is the mystery that prevails and carries the reader throughout the book. Then there is Martha, a woman who moves to this small town to try to shake off her own demons. Mary and Martha develop a strong friendship, and Martha is accepted into a tight knit group of women who look down on her by her relationship with Mary.
This is a well-developed psychological thriller that will immediately take you and have you turning the pages quickly. The only negative I found was the ending, it just didn’t sit right for me and let down the rest of the book that was so well told. I felt the author could have thought a more complex resolution than what was presented.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
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