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THE DELETED HUSBAND: A Gripping, Mind-Bending Psychological Thriller of Domestic Suspense: Dark Gaslighting, a Wife's Secret, and a Shocking Twisted Marriage with an Impostor Husband

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Book overview

On the night I killed my husband, I learned that love is heavier than bronze.

***

I killed my husband with a bronze shoe.

But the worst part? I’m not sure I killed the right man.

It started with something tiny.

Marcus stopped snoring.

The man sleeping beside me looked exactly like my husband—same eyes, same smile, same voice.

But he was… perfect.

He cooked restaurant-quality meals without a recipe.

He remembered every date.

He folded towels into flawless squares.

He didn’t lose his keys.

He didn’t raise his voice.

And at night—he didn’t make a single sound.

The real Marcus burned toast, left his socks everywhere,

and loved me with a messy, warm honesty no one could ever imitate.

So when I finally confronted the stranger wearing his face,

I grabbed the bronze shoe… and swung.

But killing the impostor didn’t bring Marcus back.

Because the real Marcus wasn’t missing—

he was stolen.

And the people who took him?

They’re coming to make sure I never learn the truth.

Some marriages end in divorce.

Mine is about to end in war.

A gripping psychological thriller driven by three unforgettable women—

and Eleanor is the kind of character readers talk about long after the last page…

and long after the lights go out.

Perfect for fans of Gone Girl, The Housemaid, and mind-bending psychological twists that hit like Shutter Island.

471 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2026

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About the author

Kade Vale

5 books16 followers
Decades ago, a European newspaper hailed Kade Vale as a rare literary talent after he won two consecutive youth awards. Critics predicted a brilliant future.

Instead, he vanished.

For twenty-five years, he chose silence—watching life, love, and the darker edges of the human heart from the shadows.

That silence ends now.

*The Deleted Husband* marks the return of a voice that never faded.
It simply waited.

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5 stars
14 (32%)
4 stars
22 (51%)
3 stars
4 (9%)
2 stars
2 (4%)
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1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Neapolitan670 📚🖤.
866 reviews58 followers
May 11, 2026
If you like a psychological mind twisting thriller this book is for you.

When your husband comes back a changed man, is it for the better or worse? Sarah finds herself within the mix of a community that she knows is wrong but how does she explain her thoughts to others, what if she’s the one who has changed? Marcus, is left on the streets, no ID, No wife, nothing it’s gone all of it; where will he go, what will he do?

𝕊𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕤𝕖 𝕡𝕒𝕘𝕖𝕤 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕒 𝕕𝕠𝕠𝕣.

Within its pages you will find twists, turns, dead ends and a plot that feels like you are on a helter skelter at times. It’s a fast paced storyline that takes you on a journey with a wife and husband at the centre but with side plots happening all around you. This story keeps you gripped to its pages, your head at times is 🤯 and a need to seek the truth. It’s definitely a book you have to keep your wits about you!
Profile Image for Chelsea.
37 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My first ARC Read//Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Going into my very first ARC read, I wasn’t sure what to expect—but The Deleted Husband completely pulled me in from the very first page.

Kade Vale delivers a gripping, emotionally charged story that kept me questioning everything I thought I knew about love, trust, and identity. The tension is layered, the twists are sharp, and just when you think you have the story figured out, another revelation hits. I found myself racing through chapters because I had to know what was real and what had been erased.

The characters feel raw and real, with emotions that linger long after you close the book. The author does an incredible job balancing suspense with heartfelt moments, making this more than just a page-turner—it’s a story that sticks with you.

If you enjoy psychological suspense with emotional depth and unexpected turns, The Deleted Husband is a must-read. I’m so grateful this was my first ARC experience, and I’ll absolutely be reading more from Kade Vale in the future.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC—this one won’t be forgotten anytime soon. 📖✨
Profile Image for Tiffany.
7 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! What i liked most i think was the way the book made you think. It does jump around in the timeliness and if you're not paying attention, you might get a little lost. Even though she wasn't the main FMC, Eleanor was my favorite character. She may have been the mother in law, but she had all the granny vibes!
Profile Image for Twinkle.butt.reads.
442 reviews27 followers
January 20, 2026
“What if the person you love was replaced by a ‘better’ version? Would you choose perfection… or the messy, human truth?” — forgive me while I steal Kade Vale’s words for a second, because they perfectly frame this experience.

Now let me tell you: this book will make you think…hard.
Deleted Husband isn’t just a story you read; it’s a moral and emotional rollercoaster that grabs you by the shoulders and asks uncomfortable questions about love, identity, grief, and what we’re actually willing to accept when something or someone comes back almost right.

From the start, I was hooked. The premise alone is chilling in a quiet, creeping way, and Vale wastes no time pushing the reader into ethical gray areas where there are no easy answers. Every chapter adds another layer of tension, making you question not only the characters’ choices but your own. I found myself pausing more than once, thinking, Okay… but what would I do?

The writing is sharp and intentional, balancing emotional depth with a steady sense of unease. The characters feel painfully human, especially when faced with something that looks perfect on the surface but feels wrong in the gut. And that’s where this book really shines, it understands that love is messy, flawed, and deeply personal, and that “better” doesn’t always mean right.

By the end, I wasn’t just satisfied, I was unsettled in the best way. This is the kind of book that lingers after the final page, sparking conversations and inner debates long after it’s over.
Profile Image for Michelle Martinez.
7 reviews
January 27, 2026
The beginning of the story had been very confusing at first, with me struggling to figure out what was happening, however as we progressed further, I was hooked. Our story hovers around Sarah, as she tries to figure out who replaced her husband, and Marcus, as he tries to get back to Sarah after being “deleted”. Without too many spoilers, Deletion happens when you begin to ask too many questions and those in charge need you to be “improved”. Marcus was a journalist who started to uncover what was going on and asked too many questions. He was essentially kidnapped while he was meant to go on a work trip, and the “Marcus” that returned to Sarah was just… too perfect. Sarah started to feel as if she was going insane with Marcus, who wants to be called Mark, is just taking care of everything without her asking. Sarah is not the only one that notices the changes in Mark, which leads Sarah, Elenor, and Chloe down a path they may not be able to come back to the same life.

Possible Spoilers Below!!

I 100% thought Marcus was brainwashed at first and and not fully replaced by a completely different person. I wish we got more information on how they give the replacement all the memories but obviously it seems that how ever they are given the memories is not perfect. With the interaction when their friends came to dinner I was very happy that even the friends mentioned the weird way "Mark" was acting. I feel like it gave a perfect mix of is Sarah crazy but also that Marcus was not who he seemed.
Finding out that Sarah was more connected to Prometheus was just a jaw drop moment. She did not give it away at all that this could have been why she knew something was wrong on top of his behaviors. If there is ever a follow up I would love a deeper dive on how they were replacing people and what the world became as more people were deleted.
Excited to read any future books from Kade Vale!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
23 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2026
Oh my God! Def one of the best psyco-thriller , with lost of suspense !! Reading this book reminded me a lot of Black Mirror serie from Netflix 🤌🏻👌🏻 the story setting is on the future 😳 ! Oh my the storyline of this books is amazing ! (just imagine the main character Sarah having to live with the fear of knowing her husband Marcus came back from a work trip and all the sudden he is this perfect husband . Now all the sudden he wants this best perfect life and lets not leave the (cherry on the top) he nows wants to be called by Mark! ) Sarah and others start noticing strange things with “Mark” .. Sarah now is being evaluated is it because they know she started to notice that the man she claims is her husband is not or is there something she is HIDING????? OKAY OKAY not going to spoil anything but for sures theres 3 twists that had me literally with my jaw to the floor … wasnt expecting it..
Profile Image for Diana Brennan.
118 reviews3 followers
January 7, 2026
"I don't want perfect anymore"
"They Deleted your names. But memory remains "
Wow... what can I say. Kade Vale thank you for the arc!
From just first few pages I was gripped , its so well written that you are reading whole way trough with ?????? questions in your mind with information and puzzle pieces trickling slowly sentence by sentence page by page and whole time the suspense and fear for the main characters is palpable,but also emotional moments Marcus and Sarah, Marcus and his mom Eleanor moment ❤️, Rebecca....
its a complex book its a 5 star read WELL DONE KADE VALE!
Profile Image for Tonya.
91 reviews3 followers
January 23, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I don’t usually pick up thrillers, but The Deleted Husband absolutely kept me locked in for most of the book. The suspense had me side-eyeing characters, second-guessing everything, and pushing through “just one more chapter.” The pacing stayed tight, the twists kept coming, and I was genuinely invested in seeing how it would all blow up. While thrillers aren’t normally my go-to genre, this one proved it can still hook me when done right. This read came as a recommendation from the author, and I’m glad I took the leap—it was a tense, engaging ride that kept me guessing.
Profile Image for Heather Greer.
124 reviews10 followers
January 23, 2026
Twists and Turns

Wow, this story had me engaged right from the start and second guessing myself along the way. This a wonderful Psychological thriller that you won’t be able to put down. It has twists and turns and raw emotion.
We all believe we want perfection in life until something happens that teaches us humility. We all take life for granted until we are faced with dilemma. This is what this story will have you questioning.
This was a very gripping, amazingly written story that will keep you on your seat!
Profile Image for Kyle Stepp.
17 reviews
January 20, 2026
Deleted Husband is driven by a genuinely strong and intriguing premise that pulled me in right away. The concept is clever, unsettling, and well thought out, and the story itself unfolds with clear momentum and purpose.

The author does a solid job building tension and carrying the plot through to its conclusion. The structure is sound, the stakes are clear, and the execution of the story works well, which is often the hardest part to get right.
118 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2026
Definitely an interesting read, complex. I was confused a few times, when it jumped around and different characters appeared. I would’ve liked a bit more backstory or introductions into some characters. However it was enjoyable and a good plot, worth a read
Profile Image for Starlet.
45 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 27, 2025
Gripping from the start. Kade Vale sent me an ARC through email and I'm so happy. Most of us have read and watched stories unfold with similar trends. Consider this read another warning for humanity vs rich and AI. Emotional for sure. Frustrating, at times, but humanity can prevail. Believe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cheny Sandoval.
28 reviews2 followers
February 13, 2026
A believable (and slightly terrifying) futuristic premise + constant guessing = The Deleted Husband. This one had likable characters, plenty of tension, and an emotional core that made it more than just a twisty thriller.
Profile Image for Charlotte.
170 reviews22 followers
Read
December 13, 2025
I was hooked from the first page! Eleanor is a compelling, unforgettable protagonist, and her story is a masterclass in psychological suspense. The twist of killing a man who looks exactly like her husband had me on edge, and the tension never let up. The mystery, the danger, and the unraveling secrets kept me guessing until the very end. The book brilliantly balances messy, real emotions with heart-pounding thrills, making it impossible to put down. Fans of Gone Girl and Shutter Island will love this gripping, twist-filled thriller that lingers long after the last page.
Profile Image for Peter Turner.
16 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2026
I really hated the excruciating writing style of this book; it’s full of short non-sentences and bad metaphors.
Recommended?: No, don’t waste your time.
Profile Image for Gina.
136 reviews11 followers
April 24, 2026
Deleted Husband really had me thinking… could this actually happen?
With how advanced technology is now, it honestly doesn’t feel that far-fetched. The whole time I was questioning what was real and what wasn’t and that’s exactly what Marcus and Eleanor are trying to figure out too.
If you like a psychological thriller that makes you second guess everything, this one will definitely mess with your mind a little.
35 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2026
Great read kept me on my toes
Profile Image for skia_reads.
261 reviews14 followers
May 29, 2026
The Deleted Husband took one of the most terrifying concepts imaginable .. what happens when the entire world insists your reality is wrong ...and executed it in a way that felt disturbingly believable.

What starts as a domestic psychological thriller slowly shifts into something far darker.

Sarah’s unraveling was honestly painful to witness. Watching her question her own sanity while a man wearing her husband’s face perfectly replicated his habits, memories, and rhythms created this suffocating sense of paranoia that never let up. The horror here isn’t built on monsters or gore. It’s built on consensus. On records. On everyone around you agreeing that you are the problem.

There’s nothing clean or inspiring about the resistance in this story. There are no easy victories here. Just people desperately clinging to the truth while the world systematically edits it away.

This was deeply unsettling. Every interaction carries tension because you never fully know who is real, who has been replaced, or whether reality itself can still be trusted.

“They’re telling us they can reach us whenever they want.”...“And they expect you to stop.”

By the end, The Deleted Husband stopped feeling like fiction and started feeling like a warning.

This is the third book I've read by three different authors... that feel like they know more than they're saying...

5 ⭐
Profile Image for Amanda Joseph.
31 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publishers Weekly
December 11, 2025
A haunting, unforgettable psychological thriller

The Deleted Husband gripped me from its very first, unnerving moment. The instant Sarah realizes the man beside her is too perfect, the story shifts into a chilling exploration of love, identity, and the fragile rituals that make a marriage real. Kade Vale writes with a quiet intensity that seeps under the skin; I found myself aching for Sarah as she fights not just for her husband, but for the life that was stolen from her.

What makes this book so striking, especially as it approaches its January 6th, 2026 release, is the way it balances suspense with emotional truth. The twists shocked me, but it was the tenderness threaded through the terror that stayed with me. It’s rare to find a thriller that rattles your nerves and touches your heart at the same time, yet this one does it effortlessly.

A remarkable, resonant read. I’ll be first in line for whatever Kade Vale writes next.
Profile Image for Jen Lee.
181 reviews9 followers
February 19, 2026
Truly a mind-bending psychological thriller! This novel takes us on a sci-fi-ish journey through what we would otherwise expect to be normal life. Be prepared for the unexpected, especially just when you think you think you've figured something out. The gaslighting was CRAZY. I found myself having to question and re-read a few sections just to make sure I was still following along. Other key elements I enjoyed and felt were well executed are the suspense and complexity of the characters. The writing itself felt almost gothic or noir-like. It felt suitable to the content and added to the experience of the story.

I wasn't sure what to expect coming into this book, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. It was an enjoyable read and I could easily see this as a series. As the author noted, this is perfect for fans of Gone Girl, The Housemaid, and mind-bending psychological twists that hit like Shutter Island.
Profile Image for Dyna00x.
34 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2026
This psychological thriller jumps right into it from chapter one.
Imagine your husband goes on a work trip and comes back... perfect. Too perfect. He’s doing the dishes, cooking, he’s too helpful, presentable and every annoying habit he had is just... gone. Would you be happy? Or would you be terrified? This story about the lengths people will go to for the ones they love and the fight to reclaim what is real. It jumps right into the action and doesn't let go. It’s packed with twists and turns that leave you genuinely confused about what is happening, in the best way possible. I loved Sarah’s reflections on Marcus’s "unperfect" traits. It serves as a powerful reminder that we often fall in love with people’s quirks and flaws, and that a "perfect" version of someone can feel like a stranger. This is a third person POV, which I’m not always a fan of but Vales writing is so immersive that it had me sucked in from the beginning. Highly recommend adding this to your TBR.
3 reviews
May 14, 2026
The Deleted Husband by Kade Vale was one of my first psychological thrillers and definitely outside of my comfort zone. At the beginning, I struggled a bit to follow the story, but once I got into it, everything started to make sense and I was completely hooked. The book was very intriguing, well written, and full of suspense. In the end, it turned out to be a really beautiful and gripping story. I would definitely recommend this book to people who enjoy psychological thrillers, and overall I had a very enjoyable reading experience.

Profile Image for Heather Shower.
341 reviews23 followers
January 8, 2026
The Deleted Husband grabbed my attention immediately and held it tight until the end. Kade Vale crafts a taut, psychologically charged thriller filled with unease, sharp twists, and relentless tension. Beneath the suspense lies a powerful emotional core, exploring love, identity, and what it truly means to belong. Disturbing, addictive, and expertly paced, this is a thriller that stays with you well after the last page.
Profile Image for Melinda McCormick.
11 reviews2 followers
January 24, 2026
This was a fast paced, gripping, chaotic psychological thriller with sci fi elements. The plot is very plot driven, and it jumps around time a lot. So pay close attention to avoid getting lost! It will have you questioning everything nonstop. Enjoyable read that thriller and scifi lovers would get a kick out of it!
Profile Image for Cindy Marie.
46 reviews
February 17, 2026
4.5⭐

This book messed with my head in the best way. It’s not just a thriller it’s straight up paranoia about identity and being erased from existence. It gave me anxiety… and I loved it. Definitely recommend.
10 reviews
April 5, 2026
the unnecessary back and forth during sentences was so exhausting, I didn't get through 20% of the book. it was very AI-sounding, with its "he smiled - not because of A or B, but because of C" type sentences multiple times in a single page was not a fun read at all
45 reviews2 followers
January 28, 2026
Parts were intriguing, parts were frustrating, and some twists left me scratching my head. Entertaining but a very confusing read. Unreliable narrator with a dystopian feel…
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews