The Fourth Wife

by Linda Hamilton

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas meets “Sister Wives” in a deliciously chilling, darkly romantic, historical gothic horror with a feminist slant, as a young Mormon woman is haunted by a malevolent presence in the decrepit Salt Lake City mansion she shares with her new husband and his other wives…

Hazel Russon’s life in 1882 Utah territory is defined by three the Mormon church, polygamy, and the men who control both. She knows she’s supposed to suppress her sinful dreams of a monogamous life with her sweetheart, and her desire for the freedom to play her beloved piano. Every Mormon woman’s duty is to live obediently and meekly, devoted to her husband and her calling as a sister wife. Her eternal salvation depends upon it.

Commanded to become the fourth wife of a man she’s never met, Hazel is relieved that Jacob Manwaring is attentive and handsome. However, she is shocked to discover that instead of living separately as is custom, all of Jacob’s wives and children live in the same house—a large, dilapidated manor that inexplicably fills Hazel with dread. 

Despite Jacob’s tenderness, Hazel senses dark secrets and resentments among her sister wives. She hears strange music, sees blood oozing from the very walls, and glimpses apparitions that grow more terrifying every day. And as her nightmares worsen, Hazel can’t be sure if she has more to fear from the living—including her mysterious husband—or from a sinister presence that seems to animate the house itself . . .

Drawing on little-known Mormon folklore and the author’s own polygamous ancestors, this fascinating, suspense-filled historical novel debut is by turns darkly romantic, spine-tingling, and wholly unforgettable.

Genres: Horror, Historical Fiction, Gothic, Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Adult

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 31, 2026

Reviews

[kiki’s delivery witch ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

If Sister Wives had a mid-life crisis and decided to move into the Murder House from American Horror Story, this would be the result. And honestly, I’m not entirely mad about it.

Linda Hamilton serves up a gothic horror set in 1882 Utah, and the true horror isn't the ghost, it's Jacob Manwaring, the husband. Our main gal, Hazel Russon, is wife number four, which is already a nightmare scenario before she even steps inside the dilapidated mansion where she has to live with three other women and a man who thinks having four wives is a personality trait. Hazel’s dreams of playing the piano are considered sinful and her new home? It's basically a monument to patriarchal repression, and it's understandably ticked off.

The vibe here is fantastic. The historical context of polygamy provides a genuinely unsettling backdrop, and the atmosphere of the crumbling manor is oppressive. You can practically smell the dust, the resentment, and the spiritual dread coming off the pages. The sister wives themselves were my favorite element, all side-eye and simmering resentment, making me wish the ghost would just skip the theatrics and start hosting mandatory, brutally honest group therapy sessions.

However the book struggles a bit to balance the jump-scare-worthy paranormal activity with the dense exploration of 19th-century religious trauma and sometimes the pacing drags like a tired funeral procession, which is the main reason I docked it some. When the house is being actively malicious, it's brilliant, but sometimes the plot pauses for a very long lecture on duty, and I found myself wishing Jacob would accidentally trip down the massive, spooky staircase just to move things along.

Overall it’s a decent concept, wonderfully creepy atmosphere, but the horror and the historical fiction felt like they were arguing over who got the biggest slice of the plot pie. Recommended if you like your period dramas with a side of "maybe this mansion needs an exorcist, or maybe just a competent marriage counselor."

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 🌟

Thank you, Netgalley and Kensington Publishing, for the ARC of The Fourth Wife!

When I read the summary, I was immediately sold! (Little fact about me, I'm very intrigued about everything Mormon/LDS). So when I read that this was a little horror book with polygamy at the forefront, I was instantly down. I let out a little yelp when I received the approving email from Netgalley 😅

So yeah, as you can see by my rating, I was a little bit disappointed. The story wasn't bad at all! Don't get me wrong. I just think that I understood a lot about the reference because of all the documentaries I have seen about LDS. I felt like the descriptions about the faith were lacking, and there could be a little more information about the faith in that time period. There is one scene where they touch the subjects about the sacred garments, but just by name. There's no discrip, no back story, and no information.

I felt like there could be a lot more depth to it.

The horror elements were so fun! I'm very glad I read this story during the Halloween season 🖤

The plot was okay. After a few chapters, I guessed the ending at about 95% accuracy.

The writing is very easy to follow! The suspense was just right!

So, overall, it was a fun story, but I also felt a little letdown.

[Alyson Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Utah in the 1870's, we meet Hazel. Newly married to Jacob in the Morman faith, she comes to a new home as the Fourth Wife. A house that likes silence and calm, even moods. A house with ghosts and an oppressive mood.

Firstly, the 'gothic' tension in this house is perfect. Not really terrifying, more subtle than that? This house feels heavy and unsatisfied in its nature.

As the tale unfolds, we learn why the house has its unsettling feel.

Add onto that the tension within the house placed upon it by the four wives, who all have their own problems with their faith in the Mormon church.

Based upon quasi facts concerning polygamy, this author weaves a tale that feels like it portrays the reality of poly marriage along side the ficticious thoughts of the women involved. This was a really interesting read.

Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this.

[Mai H.]

Halloween TBR

📖 Thank you to Goodreads and Kensington

[Vonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one pulled me right in. The atmosphere was haunting, the writing beautiful, and the gothic tension built perfectly from start to finish. I loved the mix of historical detail and horror, and the author did an incredible job capturing the eerie mood of the house and the unease between the sister wives. Hazel’s story was heartbreaking and powerful, and I couldn’t look away as everything slowly unraveled. Dark, haunting, and beautifully written. This one completely delivered.

[Vavo ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a thing about me: I'm very interested in Mormonism. Through the years I have consumed a tone of ex-mormon content online so when I read the blurb for this book I immediately requested it.

I was, in fact, not disappointed. Even without my knowledge of the Mormon church, the book did a great job explaining it without actually info dumbing and I generally found the writing extremely good. Add some classic gothic horror and three women united and you have a story entirely tailored to my tastes.

Hazel, the main character, is going through some shit in this book and I really enjoyed both her voice and her journey to finding agency. The other wives are also distinct and compelling characters.
My favorite part was how irrelevant Hazel's romance with Elijah actually was. I'm all for women saving themselves.

[Steph's_Creepy _Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow burning but a beautiful reflection of women having to bend at the will of man in order to survive, please him and a god they believed in.
I'm never much of a fan of religion in horror but this one paints a melancholy story of one woman being forced into a life that she never wanted in order to obey the way of life and religion she believed in.
This is a subtle and spooky fight for survival. Paranormal or psychological? You'll have to read it to see.

[Lotta Z (Not active due to sickness) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC! All thoughts are my own!

🎉 Publication Date: 31st of March 2026 🎉

🤍 Tropes 🤍

✞ Faith - Mormonism
♀♂♀ Polygamy
🫂 'Wife/Sisterhood'
💚 Jealousy/Possessiveness
🖤Dysfunction Family
🤥 All the Secrets and Lies!
🩷 Romance
💔Lost Love
🦇 Haunted House
🕯️Gothic House Vibes
👻Ghost
🗡️Revenge

⚠️ Warnings ⚠️ 
╰➤ Polygamy
╰➤ Mormonism
╰➤ Anxiety/Panic Attacks
╰➤ Abuses of Power
╰➤ Loss of a Family Member - including Stillbirth
╰➤ Indoctrination
╰➤ Arranged Marriage
╰➤ Explicit Sexual Content
╰➤ Death
╰➤ Domestic Violence
╰➤ Emotional Abuse and Manipulation
╰➤ Swearing
╰➤ Murder
╰➤ Thoughts of Suicide

This books had great vibes. I love a haunted, Gothic house and the new element of a big polygamous family living there was a really good mix I thought. Ever since I watched the series Big Love years ago I have had an interest in Mormons and how an earth their families function/don’t function! This book is written from a Mormon woman’s perspective who is in a polygamous marriage, so just to make you aware of that going into the text. Hazel (FMC) is heavily indoctrinated with this world view, which I personally found fascinating, if not at times deeply disturbing. The writing is really great with regard to how the FMC is thinking.

The FMC comes from a polygamous home but she doesn't seem that interested in getting into a polygamous marriage herself. I really felt a lot of sympathy for Hazel. She suffers with anxiety attacks and constant fear. She feels out of place within her society and is worried that she is unlovable and a failure. Her panic attacks are described as the devil attacking her. She is ashamed of her struggles with this and I think the writer did such a great job with her.

There are some truly tragic things that happen to Hazel but if you are interested in Mormon society this would be a great book to try out. I know I will definitely be keeping a look out for further books from this author.

Can only recommend!

Thanks all for reading!

🤍🤍🤍

[Miss Murder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real rating: 4.5 stars, rounded down

As you’ve probably guessed from my frantic additions to my TBR that all include Mormon polygamy - no, I am not reconsidering my relationship structure, I am simply academically curious.

So, what is The Fourth Wife? It is the telling of one young woman’s short marriage to Jacob, a Mormon polygamist in the 1870s, in the advent of the Mormon faith and polygamous practice. Young Hazel is whisked away to be with Jacob after hearing terrible news about her lifelong crush on his mission. While Jacob isn’t what she pictured her husband would be, he’s still charming, kind, and loving - with a large house and plenty of money for her to feel at home. That is, until the day of her marriage when she finally visits Jacob’s house for the first time, and discovers that things are not what they seem…

I loved the supernatural element to this story. I usually roll my eyes a bit when they’re incorporated into these types of historical fiction novels (ever the realist I guess), but it was incorporated slowly and hauntingly that I first wondered if it was simply one way of the novel showing Hazel’s inner thoughts and feelings. Not quite! I also appreciated that the story was not very predictable. Yes, Hazel is obviously struggling and so are the other wives and something has to give, but you’re not quite sure where this tension is going to become untenable.

The only negative for me was Hazel’s anxiety at points in the novel. The author herself states that she characterized her as overly anxious about her piety, worthiness, and spirituality to demonstrate her own feelings in the LDS church, but sometimes it just really ground my gears. This is coming from someone who is overly anxious as well. I’m sure my inner thoughts would probably also read terribly in a novel, but the reactions to certain situations infantilized Hazel a little bit and I wanted to be on her side. Thankfully, much of that disappears when the going gets good in the story.

A unique spin to a unique culture that I will probably read again at some point, or at least, read all the other Mormonism-adjacent novels that are on my TBR list now.

[emma goeser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I requested this book purely out of curiosity and let me tell you it did not disappoint at all. What’s scarier than being married to a man? Being married to a man with multiple wife’s, one of which has gone missing.

This book was an interesting spin on a thriller while also talking about the horrors of plural marriages and Mormon culture. It gives you insight to how little women got to choose in heavily religious cultures which would be scary enough on its own without the ghosts and creepy old house to add to the story.

This story definitely gives off mormon Monster House vibes in the best way possible. I was entertained throughout the story and absolutely loved our main character getting her happy ending because wow. All but one man really sucks in this story and it adds to the spook factor of you never really know what people are hiding until it’s too late.

[kimaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐
This was gripping from the very first page. I loved the atmosphere and the author did a fantastic job at describing just how eerie the house was. The pacing was done just right, i was literally flowing through this. A great look at polygamous marriages for someone like me who has not read much about that. I cared for all the characters (not that #loser obviously) was engrossed throughout. Overall , a really great read.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for this ARC !!

[Ashy Khaira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an unsettling but addictive read, especially in the way it explores how the Mormons twisted things to fit their own narratives for polygamy and how much the women were forced to endure under the weight of it. Hazel was a surprisingly compelling character to follow, because she starts off so unsure of herself, so easily guided into doing what others expect, and watching her slowly grow into someone stronger by the end was honestly the most satisfying part of the book. I don’t even usually read horror because most of it just leans too far into being terrifying, but this one hit the perfect balance, keeping me hooked the entire time with tension that never really let up. I also loved how the sisterhood within a plural marriage was explained, that strange mix of closeness and survival, and while I do wish some scenes outside the house had been a little more detailed or drawn out, overall this was such a gripping read.

[Cana · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone fascinated by early Mormonism and for fans of Gothic tales, this debut combines haunted houses with polygamy and absolutely nails it!

[paula a · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5 🌟

First of all, thank you netgalley and Kensington Publishing for this eARC!

The book itself was good. I really enjoyed it, you could clearly understand and know where Hazel stood and how she understood the world. Throughout the book, you can see and feel her worldview and her relationship with all her sister-wives changing. I liked that aspect the most. Horror and mystery could hold on through the book, very interesting and it did made me shiver once or twice. I did miss the children being more involved.

The thing is I don't know how comfortable I am knowing the stance of the author – it is a good representation of the history of certain groups and I did enjoy its realism. It is a good book.

Overall, the book holds up to its gothic idea and it is a good book. If you like terror and gothic novels, it is a good one! Take into account the religion it is based to check if you're comfortable with it or not!

[She’s Stranger Than Fiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linda Hamilton’s The Fourth Wife is the gothic tale of Hazel, a young woman compelled by the strictures of her society and her faith to marry Jacob, an up-and-comer in the Mormon church. Hazel loves another man and had hoped to become his only wife but finds herself in a crumbling manor in the wilds of Utah, the youngest of Jacob’s plural wives. As Hazel comes to know the unsettling house and its denizens better, she begins to question the obedience that has been demanded of her and all women in their society and to realize that she might be worthy by her own merits. At the same time, she begins to see that nothing around her is what it seems, including the man she married.
This novel is original in its treatment of sister wives as a part of LDS history and doctrine, especially as it comes from an LDS woman’s exploration of her own family history. I was fascinated by this aspect of the story. I was disappointed, however, by the predictability of the plot. The writing was good and never encroached on florid. I’m impressed by that because many writers of gothic literature are tempted into that trap. Hamilton kept a firm control of the story and created some growing tension that would have been more enjoyable had I not already sussed the plot twist and ending. My other critiques boil down to matters of personal taste, for example, this felt - above all - like a historical romance plus a haunted house rather than a piece of gothic horror. That’s not a bad thing; it’s just not my preference.

I want to thank Goodreads, Linda Hamilton, Between the Chapters, and Kensington Press for this advance readers edition. I truly appreciate this opportunity. All of the opinions in this review are my own.

[Nouf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley.



I didn't know anything about the Mormon faith so this was really new for me.

The house itself felt like another character in this story and I really liked that. The atmosphere was creepy I got scared a few times.

I knew Elder was lying about his son not wanting to be with her anymore! I felt so bad for Elijah when he showed up to talk with her!

Her husband is a psychopath. I really felt bad for the wives and how he treated them !! And when he went into hiding he manipulated Hazel to control her movements. Jacob and Elder are the worst !!

I knew he wouldn't give her family her letters so he could isolate and control her! Also I was so scared when he showed up again.

I loved the plot with sister Abigail !!! I was shocked I didn't expect that at all !!

Honestly Flora was so annoying like just stop talking for a minute. And I was so mad with Prudence when she brought Jacob backkk but at the same time I feel bad for her cause she lost her baby.

I liked the ending with Abigail and her sister. And I almost cried when she was gonna stay in the house with her while it burned down.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Amanda]

review to come

[BansheeBibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am extremely grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the privilege of reviewing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

The Fourth Wife is set in 1879 Utah Territory - a land ruled by the patriarchal Mormon church. Polygamy, despite being a divine decree of the church, is that last thing that 20-year-old Hazel Russon wants for her life. She dreams of marrying her childhood sweetheard, Elijah, and fulfilling her dream of living in monogamy with him. While Elijah is away on a mission in London, Hazel is commanded to become the fourth wife of a man she's never even met. She has little choice but to accept the betrothal because her mortal soul depends on her following the divine revelation she has been given...by a man.

Thus follows the story of Hazel and her new sister wives and the mysterious new husband who isn't quite everything he was promised to be. There is a spooky house in disrepair, a piano that plays itself, a study full of old books and forbidden liqour and furniture that seems to move of its own accord. Sadly, the haunted house aspect wasn't really played up until the very end. I wanted so badly to explore things that were mentioned once and then never brought up again - specific rooms, items, people. I wanted more of the history and places and wish the tie in of goverment interference into the practive of polygamy had been given more than just a tease.

The things that were addressed at length were the dreams of Hazel, particularly regarding her lost love. I think some of the dreams were meant to illustrate her struggles with mental illness but they got repetitive for me.

While some of the myriad abuses of polygamy were examined, I couldn't help but feel that the depiction was quite sanitized. In her author's note, the writer explains that she wanted to use her novel to dispel the "whitewashed" version of polygamy that she was taught as a sixth generation Mormon. Some of the abuses of a high-control, high-demand religion were addressed, such as neglect, power struggles, poverty and emotional and physical abuse. However, the plural family in The Fourth Wife seem to have only very surface problems with those things, even when being abandoned by their husband and father. The children - only six between four wives? - are very conveniently absent for almost all of the narrative. The women seem to do as they please most of the time, which I highly doubt would have been allowed. They curse and keep house somewhat lackadaisically and some dress immodestly.

The villains of the book were clear from the start so I never felt a real sense of tension. I think it would have been very realistic to have the wives be far more contentious but I can also see that they would have been fully indoctrinated in their subservient roles and the requirement to keep sweet.

One thing I do think the author does very well is illustrate the painful struggle of a woman who has been taught to equate her perceived shortcomings with sin. Hazel is suffering from symptoms of anxiety, depression and obsessive, intrusive thoughts. Of course, mental illness would not have been understood during this time and especially in the case of a woman - this all would have been chalked up to demons or hysteria. Hazel even chastises herself for allowing the devil such control over her thoughts. It is inspiring when Hazel is finally able to have a bit of a reckoning with how her shortcomings might actually be lies that have been fed to her by the leaders of her faith.

I was expecting more of a feminist take and a harsher look at the reality of the terrible damange done to women in plural marriage. The Fourth Wife was mostly a romance with some mild level of spice, probably tame enough even for the women in the book. There was some lip service paid to women's suffrage and standing up to the patriarchy but in the end, everyone still wants a man and there is no mention of anyone abandoning the faith.

If you enjoy period romance and mild gothic horror, this would be an easy read. It wasn't a bad book but I was left wanting more. 3 stars

[saheefa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Kensington publishing via NetGalley for the EBook ARC of this book.

Set in 1882 Utah territory, The Fourth Wife follows Hazel Russon. Her life is defined by Mormonism, and her very existence has led up to the knowledge that one day, she will become a sister wife for a polygamist man. Hazel, however, has doubts, she has a passion for music, a childhood sweetheart and crippling anxiety, these three facts jeopardize her chance at being a pliant, devoted woman of God. Hazel’s life spins out of control when she is commanded by an Elder to marry a man she has never met, she is promised that Jacob Manwaring is wealthy, attentive, and a man of God. Quickly, Hazel’s life is uprooted, she gets married to Jacob and moves into his rotting, decrepit home alongside his three other wives. The manor is not the only source of Hazel’s discomfort, she was promised her own home as it is not custom for a polygamist man to keep all his wives in one home, still, these warnings are just the beginning.
Though she is fond of Jacob, Hazel cannot shake the knowing that something is not quite right, her sister wives resent her, she hears music that seemingly no one else can hear, and her nightmares refuse to cease. Teetering on the edge of insanity, Hazel realises her husband is more mysterious than she thought, and his manor holds more secrets than she knows.

This novel threatened to lose me at many points. The beginning was fast-paced, however I found the entire middle section began to lull and slow down to a point where it felt as though nothing was happening. Some phrases were repeated far too often, for a debut I can usually look past this but in this instance it was just too much. As a character, I found Hazel entirely confusing. She is naive, which is not a flaw in itself but when paired with her thoughts that veered on blasphemous and her love for her ex-lover, Elijah, her ignorance seemed disingenuous. I realise that Hazel was supposed to be quite clueless, given that she has been trapped under religious values and men that control her entire life, but she was not entirely sheltered to her own feelings and thoughts. Her lack of self preservation skills at times seemed too convenient for the plot, particularly when she would unravel a whole list of lies and yet still not question other things she has been told. Although I did enjoy the change she took on in the direction of anger toward the latter half of the novel, her behaviour towards Abigail post-reveal-that-I will-not-spoil bothered me to no end. In the vaguest terms, her hypocrisy at such a crucial point entirely threw me off. Aside from Abigail herself (who I am enchanted by), the characters fell quite flat in my view.

One of my largest gripes was with Elijah and Hazel’s relationship. There was an overarching element of show and not tell that left the two feeling quite unbelievable to me. Their interactions are written beautifully, like much of the book, however I could not get behind them when Hazel was so easily swayed against him and his love for her at the beginning. Thematically, I appreciate the dichotomy of Jacob versus Elijah, religious oppression versus freedom. As symbolism for the cycle of abuse the two characters represent a far greater philosophical idea than simply man versus man, but I do not think the two were fleshed out enough as they could have been.

The last 50 pages and the author’s note bumped this rating from a 2.5 to a 3. Throughout the book, the atmosphere is incredible, dark, gothic, full of lush descriptions and very fascinating points surrounding Feminism in spaces where women are not allowed to thrive. The plot-twists in this book were fairly easy to predict until the last stretch, where the revelations gripped me. When the final truths came to light I was unable to put the book down, I, obviously, cannot spoil but that specific turn of events strengthened my enjoyment of the story. The true story behind this was intriguing and I am overall glad to have read a book on the hidden Mormon folklore regarding polygamy. Certainly not my favourite horror read, but worth my time, nonetheless.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 Stars ⭐️

First off, thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Fourth Wife by Linda Hamilton ahead of its March 2026 release!

The premise here is incredibly original. If you know me, you know I find Mormon history fascinating because it is nothing short of TRULY WILD. So when I saw this book was a horror-lite tale about an 1800s Mormon woman forced into plural marriage and sent to live in a Gothic-style haunted house? I was immediately in.

What I liked:
The concept felt fresh. The length was just right, fast-paced without feeling rushed, and long enough to actually connect with the characters. The protagonist was not a child bride, which made the subject matter heavy but not unbearable, though she was young enough to grow into her defiance against her faith. I appreciated that the sister wives were distinct personalities, even though the story stuck to a single POV.

What I didn’t like:
In the author’s note, it was not clear whether she is still LDS, but either way, I wish the book had more explicit criticism of the church’s history, especially around plural marriage. There were hints of discomfort with LDS teachings, and the very premise goes against a lot of what the church would endorse (ghosts and murder are not exactly standard doctrine). And while our heroine does rebel, I never felt the story went deep enough into condemning those darker elements. I also did not love how little the children of the sister wives factored into the plot. They felt like an afterthought, which made the household feel less layered and real. My biggest issue, though, was the ghost story itself. The final quarter, especially the reveal of how the ghost came to be, fell flat. Without spoiling, I will just say I expected Jacob, our villain, to play a much bigger role in the haunting.

Final thoughts:
If you like horror-lite, this is worth picking up. It reminded me of Simone St. James, atmospheric and eerie without being too scary, gory, or disturbing for more sensitive readers. The Fourth Wife lands in that sweet spot: spooky without nightmares. Also, I love the cover of this one. Add it to your list for March 2026!

[Krystelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Mormonism and plural wives are something that clearly hold a level of appeal from the side of academic curiosity for many. The idea of polygamy where there are parties who are less than willing or, at least, more than a little repressed are justifiably appalling to many, and I appreciate that this book was intended to make a statement around those issues.

First, the good. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the house, and I found the glimpses we got at the reality of the situation quite sobering. There’s a definite creepiness about this book that hard to pin down, and it works in favour of the story. There’s also a certain horror in how easily the protagonist and her sister wives are manipulated, which I appreciated was stark and realistic.

On the less good side, I did find the narrative a bit repetitive, and there was a lot of stuff in here that read as more romance than horror. That’s okay, but for the subject matter I felt the latter was more critical. I didn’t think it suited the book overly well to involve the lost love storyline as heavily as it did, and I felt it would have been a little better without it. I did think the writing could have been edited a little heavier too to prevent repetitions.

This is an interesting introduction to a very scary world, but it’s definitely not quite as much in the realistic horror genre as I would have enjoyed!

[Lauren K · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fourth Wife is everything I expected in a gothic horror novel, but add in that fiery feminism that I love so much. The Mormon polygamist aspect was intriguing and emotionally compelling. It definitely added a refreshing take on a gothic novel and I extremely appreciated the author’s afterword sharing where her idea came from to write the book this way. In fact, I greatly applaud her for it as The Fourth Wife gives a voice to the women who have lived in abusive situations such as Mormon polygamy or other. Definitely a 2026 release that meets my expectations and one I hope many others love.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel which is set to release next year is truly an interesting work of art. Not only does it explore the topics of polygamy and the mormon faith but it also deals with some supernatural elements as well. I will admit I wasn't sure what I was going to expect when going into this novel but I really enjoyed how it turned. The plot and the characters were truly on point.

In the nineteenth century we are introduced to Hazel who has grown up in the Mormon faith so she knows what is expected of her. However she is in love with Elijah who is also of the same faith but they believe that marriage should be between just the two of him. Soon after Elijah goes away a marriage is arranged for Hazel. She marries a man named Jacob who already has three wives and various children.

However, shortly after Hazel moves into the house strange things start to happen. She experiences horrible vivid nightmares. One of her sister wives displays some peculiar behavior and it seems like there is something evil in the house. Worse of all is a secret that her husband is keeping from her. Will Hazel be able to uncover the truth without losing herself in the process?

I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

[Rachaelbookhunter]

1879, Utah Territory. Hazel Russon, a memb3r of the Mormon church, is married to Jacob Manwaring. Hazel isn't happy to be his fourth wife, but it's her duty. And she needs to forget about the man she truly loves. Wanting to make rhe best of her situation Hazel looks forward to her new home, but that new home will be shared with three other women who are not happy to see her. That's not all. Strange sounds and sights in the rundown mansion reek of something else going on.

The Fourth Wife is well written. There are many beautiful passages. This historical horror gives the reader some insight into a not often talked about subject.

I wasn't scared by any of the creepy goings on, but there are great ghostly vibes. Hazel is easy to root for. The other wives are as well.

As the story nears its conclusion the sense of urgency and danger is greatly felt. There is a great twist I didn't figure out.

Read The Fourth Wife if you like horror, especially ghost stories.

Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the chance to read. All opinions are my own.

[Елена · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thought-provoking story drenched with spine-chilling claustrophobia, the Fourth Wife was just as disturbing as I imagined it would be. It wasn't the paranormal happenings that made it irksome, the monster in this novel was human, and those are the worst kind.

The book starts strong, I was immediately sucked in a deprived, but a very real world of a young girl who is brought up to believe that not only plural marriage was normal, but holy and necessary. But the tension deteriorates around 30% in as things unfold in the most predictable way.

[mas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

This book was so beautifully written and unputdownable. I was hooked the entire time, the characters were realistic and you could really feel for them and what they were going through, I think this was an important book to be written as the issue of polygamy is still widely in the world and this explores the dynamics and pain that the women in such marriages feel as well as the hopelessness from the fact they cannot freely live how they want. I love that the authors writing style reflects the era in which the book is set in as well.
5/5 stars from me.

[Michelle Kimber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great atmospheric read. I loved the Gothic horror vibes. I rooted for the FMC. The ending was fantastic. I was engrossed in the read from start to finish.

[Reading Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I wanted it to be and I really enjoyed it! I wanted a sister wife sort of ghost story and that's what I got. This is a full haunted house experience.

[Ladz · Rating 5 out of 5]

More words coming later, but wow I really enjoyed this

[Madeline Elsinga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5 stars rounded down

Slow start but I was intrigued by the premise and wanted answers. The book is definitely more historical than horror, which I do love historical fiction but when I pick up a horror novel I want horror! 😫

There was some great tension and horror scenes that I thought “finally it’s all coming together” but they didn’t last long and I wanted more of that!!

The writing is very cliche and almost preachy/in your face. We’re being told all these messages about patriarchy and organized religion (which I completely agreed with) in a way that doesn’t let you make those connections but rather being told what to think and feel (sort of like the exact criticisms of organized religion itself which is ironic).

The second half was starting to drag and sadly I was over it and just wanted the book to end. Not a great feeling when you can’t wait for the book to end.

Overall it was unique and still enjoyable to read for the most part. I did also like the concept of the true horror being organized religion with men abusing their power, but the execution fell flat for me. Definitely mismarketed and I think it fits better as a gothic historical mystery as opposed to horror!

Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for the eARC.