A Husband Never Lies: A Psychological Thriller

by James Caine

The words on the mysterious letter were simple.
Read Me, Now.

Josie thought she married the perfect man. But as their love grows cold, she can’t shake the feeling that he’s hiding something‒or someone.

Then the first letter arrives at her door. It demands that she read it immediately.
He’s lying to you.

Josie investigates on her own, haunted by two
Was her marriage a lie?
Or is someone using the letters to destroy it‒one secret at a time?

The letters keep coming, each carrying the same chilling
Tell no one of this letter, or there will be consequences.

All Josie wants is to know the truth.
But the truth isn’t just dangerous,
It’s deadly.

If you’re a fan of Freida McFadden or Kiersten Modglin, brace yourself for James Caine’s latest thriller. Dive into this suspense-filled, masterfully paced story from the acclaimed author of The Cheating Husband. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Genres: Psychological Thriller, Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller

262 pages, Paperback

Published July 31, 2025

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Husband Never Lies, James Caine’s latest addictive thriller immediately pulled me in! It's fast-paced and can easily be consumed in a single sitting. I was completely drawn to the mystery of the mysterious letters and dark hidden secrets. Deciding who was lying was challenging because of the cleverly crafted plot that had a constant sense of foreboding and high intensity. This is the perfect suspenseful, gripping summer read! Thank you to the author, and Twisted Thriller Books for my ARC.

[Barbara Behring · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an enjoyable story, though it was a little slower than his other thrillers.

[Heather Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply brilliant! James has done it again. I loved everything about this book; the insecurity, the curiosity and the secret letters that are left for her about her husband. Josie is married to Kevin, who is perfect in every way. But lately Josie is suspicious of how he is acting and these little letters being left for her saying that he is cheating. So she starts questioning and following him because of the letters. She knows she has let herself go, but would he really do this to her? What she finds is simply mind blowing. So much love for this book!!!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ | Enjoyable read with some likable and dislikable characters. Josie, the FMC in the story will have you wanting to protect her and yell at her at the same time. Her self-doubt and insecurities make her literally question what her eyes were seeing. Nevertheless, I was team Josie the entire book. Kevin on the other hand was a different story. James Caine did a really good job at disguising the true magnitude of what was happening in this story. He reveals enough to let us know there is something sinister taking place, but not in the way that is easy to guess. Overall, a good read that I would recommend for fans of domestic thrillers. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tina Lincoln · Rating 5 out of 5]

Till death do us part..
That is part of the vow, well, by some anyway.
I had a feeling that this story would be about infidelity, but you never really know about a story until you read it.
Kevin is a very handsome husband who works a lot and is attentive to his wife, Josie/Jo as they sometimes call her. Things are great, other than her job; Jo is just tired of people calling and being so mean.
Then, one day, she receives a note, which leads her to suspect other things about her husband. And then another note... and things get crazy after that!
You must read this great story to find out what happens to Kevin and Jo; it will surprise you!
Thank you, James Caine, for another great story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Going Nowhere Slowly

The premise promised intrigue, a mysterious letter, a husband with secrets, and the threat of deadly consequences. Unfortunately, the delivery didn’t live up to the setup.

The pacing dragged, weighed down by Josie’s endless self-reflection, which made the narrative feel repetitive and, at times, frustrating. I found myself skimming several pages just to push through, and it was difficult to connect with Josie as a character, her portrayal leaned too far into pathetic, which ultimately undermined the story’s impact.

The author attempted a curveball twist, but it landed more like a slowball. The climax felt rushed and messy, after pages of slow, drawn-out buildup, it was like walking on flat ground only to suddenly face a sheer cliff with no warning. Which didn't really work with this.

I generally enjoy this author, but he didn’t live up to expectations with this book. What could have been a chilling psychological thriller ended up feeling flat and forgettable.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amber Lincoln · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story had potential but the writing was awful. Felt like I was reading a book meant for a middle schooler. Not much description and many simple sentences. The main character was also lacking common sense.

[Salina. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format: E-Book
Genre: Psychological Thriller

*Thank you to James Caine and BookSirens for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoy James Caine’s thrillers. He has a way of writing fast paced and exciting novels.

I finished this one in a couple days and the ending threw me for a loop. Besides the FMC every other character had a shadiness to them, if I was reading this book with the intention of guessing whodunnit - it would have been a struggle. Every character was written in such a way that they would all do at least one thing that would make me feel like they were very suspicious. I thought it was awesome that the book comes full circle at the very end.

Depending on the type of reader you are when you pick this up and what your intention is when reading it, you might notice that there were moments that were heavily repeated, especially in Josie’s inner dialogue. I wasn’t really reading it with the idea that I wanted to theorize what was going to happen or guess exactly who the mysterious letters were coming from. I was honestly just reading it to enjoy the ride, and I got exactly what I wanted out of the storytelling.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens for the advanced readers copy. The book’s publication date is August 8,2025. I leave this review voluntarily.

Josie is married to a beautiful man named Kevin and they are very much in love. But, Josie feels a shift in their relationship.

First, there’s an unexplained text and then a letter saying “read me immediately”. Josie doesn’t know what to believe and fears she is losing her mind.

It is well written and fast paced. I’m starting to think I’m just a sceptic at heart because I wasn’t overly shocked by the twist. However, I still enjoyed the reveal.

I would recommend this to Freida McFadden fans as it has a similar flavour to it.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quick read from an author whose books I read as soon as they come out. Maybe some of it is predictable, but his easy writing style is a joy to read! Finished in an afternoon!

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

very repetitive

Main character says the same thing over and over. This book was very boring and a pretty bad story, I wouldn’t call it a thriller.

[Karen Brooks - TheTxLitChic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Husband Never Lies

~James Caine

 

Josie McNeil (FMC) thought she had married the love of her life – the handsome and gorgeous, Kevin McNeil (MMC). After the devastating loss of their child late during her pregnancy, Josie has struggled – feeling disconnected from herself and Kevin. Being a hard worker, Kevin seems to be spending more and more late nights at the office alongside his beautiful co-worker – stirring jealousy inside Josie. As their second anniversary approaches, the distance between the two feels almost impossible to ignore.

 

When the first, in a string, of mysterious letters arrive, Josie's worst fears appear to be confirmed – Kevin is cheating. As subsequent letters pour in, poor Josie feels she is losing her grip on reality. Is she truly losing her mind – or is there a darker truth lurking beneath the surface?

 

Caine excels at creating flawed, human characters you can connect with. He makes their fears, insecurities, and choices feel authentic. His use of misdirection is sharp, luring you into believing you've solved the mystery, only to flip the script into a twist you don't see coming.

 

With measured pacing, this is a slow burn instead of a high-adrenaline thrill ride – yet steady enough to keep you turning pages. Personally, the atmosphere wasn't as immersive as I had hoped – lacking that fully “pulled into the scene" sensation – the story still kept me engaged.

 

Overall, A Husband Never Lies is a solid, character-driven psychological thriller with a gentler approach to unpredictability than what I've typically read. While it wasn't as exciting as I had hoped, it was still engaging and kept me interested enough to explore more of Caine's work – especially given the strong praise surrounding his other work.

 

Thank you to James Caine for allowing me to Alpha/Beta/ARC a copy of A Husband Never Lies. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for leaving a fair and honest review of the book.

 

If you enjoyed this review, or any content on my page, please follow me on all social media as thetxlitchic – links can be found here on my  LinkTree 🙂

 

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[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Husband Never Lies by James Caine, Josie has been married to Kevin for two years and she feels as if he’s growing apart from her and thinks it is because of the child they lost. Soon however she starts receiving letters that say read me now with messages that all allude to the fact he is cheating. all that on top of the fact she recently saw a text on her husband‘s phone that said I had such a good time with you last night, she is so upset it’s even affecting her work at the energy company. The messages or warnings however on the notes have all came true but that doesn’t make the anonymous note sender trustworthy that’s why after seeing a red car leaving her home in the middle of the night after hearing someone in her backyard she seems to always be on alert for the same red car. when she finally tells her close friend Amber about the notes she’s been getting and everything between her and Kevin despite the fact the note said not to tell anyone it only makes her problems worse because her friend Amber is then attacked. all Josie wants to know is who is sending these notes is her marriage over and will she live long enough to answer those questions. Like all of the authors books I find them hard to put down and although some things in the narrative can be dubious I still love this books so so much this one included. They’re always sitting in Canada and there’s always lol moments to alleviate the dark themes in his books. I cannot recommend this book enough I love it and like always I cannot wait for the next one. #BooksSprout, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #JamesCaine, #AHusbandNeverLies,

[Mickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC REVIEW*
Josie and Kevin have been married for almost 2 years. After suffering a second trimester loss, Jo starts to think Kevin is no longer attracted to her and is meeting his needs elsewhere. When a letter comes through for her, telling her that Kevin is cheating on her, she thinks she's finally going to find the truth. But the truth isn't always what you think.

3.5* rounded up.
I usually love this authors books, but this was not a favourite of mine. First off, we have a trope that is a little overdone in the thriller world. Wife thinks husband is cheating, husband continuously gaslights wife, wife slowly ruins her life and eventually has a mental break. We've all read at least a dozen of those, right? Sometimes, it doesn't feel like an overdone storyline because the writing is so good. Unfortunately, this one didn't feel like that. We are supposed to have empathy for Jo, but honestly, I was a little fed up with her. She was whiny, treated her friends like crap and wasn't very kind to her customers. Plus, she was just dumb. Says her favourite genre is thriller, but compleltely ignores all her husbands red flags even when there are giant flashing arrows pointing to them.
Another thing that was frustrating, was that there was so much build up, and then the reveal was just suddenly there and gone within a couple pages. It felt anticlimactic.
Despite all of that, the book wasn't a bad book. There were parts that had me flipping the pages quickly, it was fast paced and easily read in one sitting, and the twist was unexpected.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


A dark, addictive psychological thriller filled with shocking twists and brilliant writing I couldn’t put it down!


This was my first time reading James Caine, and I was absolutely hooked. From the very beginning, the story grabbed me and refused to let go. The setup was chilling what should have been a picture-perfect marriage slowly unravels when mysterious letters appear, each one exposing secrets that threaten everything.

The writing was sharp, fast-paced, and so easy to sink into. Every chapter built the suspense higher, keeping me glued to the pages and desperate to find out what would happen next. I loved the way the tension never let up; it felt like every answer only led to more questions, making the final reveals hit even harder.

The twists were clever, shocking, and brilliantly executed just when I thought I had figured it out, the story shifted in a new, unexpected direction. The emotional depth was another highlight; the characters felt real, flawed, and caught in situations that made me question what I would do in their place.

Overall, A Husband Never Lies is a brilliant thriller—fast, addictive, and unforgettable. I’m so glad I discovered James Caine, and I’ll definitely be picking up more of his books in the future.

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a gripping thriller that delves deep into the human psyche, pick up James Caine's latest novel.
We have the story of Josie, a young wife plagued by insecurity in her marriage to Kev.
Her fears of infidelity are ignited by a suspicious text message, sending her spiraling into a world of paranoia intensified by strange, unsettling letters.
The brilliance of this book lies in its raw, authentic portrayal of Josie's deteriorating mental state. You'll find yourself not only empathising with her but actively rooting for her as she tries to work out who she can trust.
This is an excellent portrayal of emotional turmoil, with plenty of twists and turns, making Josie's journey incredibly relatable.
With a neatly tied-up ending, this thriller is a must-read.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

[Susan Blissett · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story, Jo thinks her husband maybe cheating on her, but is he, and is he gaslighting her, or is something else going on? Jo then receives some threatening notes from a stranger claiming her husband is cheating on her and giving her clues as to what is happening. Who are these from and what to they want? Most of the story was engaging; however, some parts felt a little repetitive, particularly with Jo’s thoughts and feelings. I enjoyed the humour dotted throughout, as well as the personalities of the main characters which felt realistic. I particularly empathised with Jo’s worries about her weight and health, and these flaws made her feel more authentic. The ending felt a little rushed and I had guessed who may be behind the notes and the other twist that happened, but this didn’t spoil the story. Overall, an interesting and fun, quick thriller to read!

I received an advance review copy from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

With many thanks, as always, to James Caine for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily
Clever, Mr Caine, very clever. An addictive read that will keep you guessing until the very end. All is not as it seems as chapter by chapter we follow Josie as she starts to unravel. The writing is on point, well plotted and well paced and although Josie frustrated me at times it all added to the intrigue. A compelling read that had me hooked from the first chapter and culminates in a killer ending. The Master of the one sit read is getting 5 fabulous stars for this one

[Madison Beardslee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher/author for this ARC in return for honest feedback! I really enjoyed this fast-paced thriller. It kept me engaged from start to finish. The suspense and tension were well executed, making it a compelling read that’s easy to fly through in one sitting. However, I did feel like some plot points were introduced a bit abruptly or could’ve used more development to fully land their impact. A bit more depth in certain characters’ storylines would have also helped to elevate the emotional stakes. That said, the twists and pacing kept me hooked, and I’m looking forward to seeing what this author does next. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really felt for Josie, and the plot and the letters created a lot of suspense.

I always look forward to James Caine's books, and have enjoyed the ones
have reviewed so far.

It's great that this is a start to a new series, and what a brilliant start it is. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Thanks to James Caine.

4 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Krystal Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild ride this book was! Holy moly! I loved every minute of this rollercoaster of a story. It definitely had twists that I didn't see coming, and they were phenomenal! Every time James releases a new book, I'm like a kid on Christmas morning. He definitely has a gift for writing amazing storylines, and to me, he is the King of Twists! I highly recommend this book, and every other book by James!

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this didn’t do it for me. I think the idea is there - but it was a tad messy. I loathed that “gestational diabetes” being a huge detail in the story - because 1. Generally speaking, it goes away when the pregnancy ends 2. IF it does eventually turn into Type 2 Diabetes, it wouldn’t happen right away like the book is implying.

Specifically that parts I found to be messy or inconsistent were whether she actually has diabetes or if she was “heading that way”. Both are said & both cannot be true at the same time. You have it or you don’t queen. Another detail that bugged me was the fact that what occurred happened “a long time ago”, but that incident being referred to was only a few months prior?

If the kinks in those minor details were corrected, I think I would have enjoyed the book more. But because I read the book in less than 24 hours - the information is all fresh in my mind & annoys me when the ending isn’t accurate to what was earlier in the book. I will say I was slightly surprised by the ending, I expected someone else to ultimately be the culprit!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is challenging to “Star”. I did not like the writing style. The plot was interesting- but, the sentence structure and repetition of certain things drove me crazy. I would have not finished, but I really wanted to know the ending. I wanted to scream at times because it drug out. I kept telling myself that - she is crazy and we are seeing how her mind works - then, the author wants us to see how someone can be gaslighted -
I just couldn’t figure it out. I probably would have given it one Star if I had not finished the book. But, the ending changed my mind. I liked the ending. I like how the ending helped put her crazy ramblings in perspective. So- the average of 1 and 5 will be a 3. This is my first book by this author. I think I will try a few more after reading what others said in their reviews about his other books.

[Bowen Isaacs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing was so good that it kept pulling you back in. The twists and suspense helped keep the story alive and the ending was just poetic. Definitely recommend reading this one

[Gi Lucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, enjoyable read.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was enjoyable to read and I liked the twist at the end. I just didn’t like the whinny female character.

[Sanri Du · Rating 4 out of 5]

This psychological thriller blew me away and I finished reading it in one second. Was my first book by this author and for sure not the last.

It kept me on the edge if my seat, never being able to guess what would happen next.

And the twists in this one truly is something else…

[Lynseygibs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens, publishers and author for an ARC of The Husband Never Lies.

True rating 2.5

I'm not sure about this book, I didn't really click with it. I found the main character annoying, and I had no love for any of the other characters in the book either. The story could have been a brilliant book but just failed in the execution.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book.
it started out strong, but the writing became repetitive, and it felt more like a YA book than a psychological thriller. I've loved some of this other books, but this one was predictable and fell flat (imo).

[Gwen Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book have a big surprise just for you! This book is great and I enjoyed reading it. We have lots of twists and turns and excitement to keep you on the edge of your seat. The big ending is one that you will never forget, it is just that big. I highly recommend this book to all of the mystery/suspense readers out there.

You know they say opposites attract well Kevin is an outdoors person and loves any sport or outdoor activity. Camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, baseball, football you name it and he loves it. Where his wife Josie likes some outdoor activities but not all. She is the type to go on a long walk or hike and then come home and eat some sinful dessert because she deserves it, after all she did go on that hike. Kevin is very health conscious, Josie not so much especially after she had the miscarriage.

Josie thinks she married the perfect man and then a few years into their marriage when the newness wears off and the marriage grows cold she has other ideas. Kevin is working late a lot and going out with his office friends for drinks after work. She can not shake the feeling that Kevin is hiding something or someone from her. So Josie starts an investigation of her own. She got all of his phone records and spends many hours checking out each number she does not recognize. She makes sure to use star-sixty-nine so that no one will know it was her calling. And then she makes one mistake, she confesses to Kevin and they get into an argument.

And then the letters start arriving and each one contains the warning--Tell no one of this letter, or there will be consequences. The first one insists that she read the letter right away. It tells her he is lying to you and provides her with a phone number to call. This number is to a secret cell phone that Kevin has and she knew nothing about it. What will come next and what is Kevin hiding? Is he having an affair?