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Happy Woman
‘Perhaps all this time I was merely an origami of a happy woman. Complicated to put together, easy to rip to shreds.’
Gwynne Hogg is an enviable woman – until she discovers her beloved dad is a serial killer.
As her dad’s decades-old secrets finally catch up with him, Gwynne struggles to reconcile the man she trusted most with the crimes he’s accused of. She tries to process it all while keeping the wheels of her ‘normal’ life turning. That means caring for her depressed mum, enduring the stares of other parents on the nursery run, and showing up for clients at her PR firm, all under the relentless gaze of the media.
But as the court case unfolds, Gwynne can’t shake the fear that a murderous gene might live inside her too.
Her thoughts grow darker, her once-happy life unravels, and she begins to wonder what she herself might be capable of …
Gwynne Hogg is an enviable woman – until she discovers her beloved dad is a serial killer.
As her dad’s decades-old secrets finally catch up with him, Gwynne struggles to reconcile the man she trusted most with the crimes he’s accused of. She tries to process it all while keeping the wheels of her ‘normal’ life turning. That means caring for her depressed mum, enduring the stares of other parents on the nursery run, and showing up for clients at her PR firm, all under the relentless gaze of the media.
But as the court case unfolds, Gwynne can’t shake the fear that a murderous gene might live inside her too.
Her thoughts grow darker, her once-happy life unravels, and she begins to wonder what she herself might be capable of …
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2026
About the author
Abby Corson
2 books32 followersAbby Corson is the author of two novels including her internationally translated debut, The Concierge, and her most recent book, Happy Woman.
Abby was born in the UK where she studied a Bachelor of Arts in History with a particular focus on historical literature. This ignited her passion for storytelling and jumpstarted her career in writing for major magazines and newspapers.
Abby now lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband and two daughters.
Abby was born in the UK where she studied a Bachelor of Arts in History with a particular focus on historical literature. This ignited her passion for storytelling and jumpstarted her career in writing for major magazines and newspapers.
Abby now lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 17, 2026
‘What if the worst thing about him isn’t what he did—but what he might have left in you?’
This book lures you in with that bold, almost playful cover, hot pink, oversized sunnies, very “everything is fine” and then absolutely pulls the rug out from under you. Because spoiler free premise: everything is not fine.
We follow Gwynne, who’s juggling the usual life chaos, work, family, keeping it together in public, until she discovers her dad is, casually, a serial killer. Yes. That kind of bad day.
What I loved most is how this isn’t just about the shock factor. It’s messy, internal, and quietly unsettling. The real tension isn’t just what did he do, but what does that mean for me? Corson leans hard into that creeping, existential dread, nature vs nurture, identity, and the terrifying idea that maybe you don’t know yourself as well as you think.
The writing has this sharp, observational edge, almost wry at times, but it never undercuts the emotional weight. Gwynne feels real in that frustrating, human way: trying to keep up appearances while everything inside her is cracking (very on theme with that cover, honestly).
Also, the “normal life continuing while everything is falling apart” element? So well done. School runs, work pressures, social expectations, all happening under the shadow of something monstrous. It gives the story this constant, low hum of anxiety.
If you’re expecting a fast paced, twist every chapter thriller, this isn’t quite that. It’s slower, more psychological, but in a way that gets under your skin and stays there.
Dark, clever, and quietly disturbing. The kind of book that makes you side eye your own family a little on the drive home.
I Highly Recommend!
Thank you Ultimo Press for my advanced readers copy.
Available Now!
This book lures you in with that bold, almost playful cover, hot pink, oversized sunnies, very “everything is fine” and then absolutely pulls the rug out from under you. Because spoiler free premise: everything is not fine.
We follow Gwynne, who’s juggling the usual life chaos, work, family, keeping it together in public, until she discovers her dad is, casually, a serial killer. Yes. That kind of bad day.
What I loved most is how this isn’t just about the shock factor. It’s messy, internal, and quietly unsettling. The real tension isn’t just what did he do, but what does that mean for me? Corson leans hard into that creeping, existential dread, nature vs nurture, identity, and the terrifying idea that maybe you don’t know yourself as well as you think.
The writing has this sharp, observational edge, almost wry at times, but it never undercuts the emotional weight. Gwynne feels real in that frustrating, human way: trying to keep up appearances while everything inside her is cracking (very on theme with that cover, honestly).
Also, the “normal life continuing while everything is falling apart” element? So well done. School runs, work pressures, social expectations, all happening under the shadow of something monstrous. It gives the story this constant, low hum of anxiety.
If you’re expecting a fast paced, twist every chapter thriller, this isn’t quite that. It’s slower, more psychological, but in a way that gets under your skin and stays there.
Dark, clever, and quietly disturbing. The kind of book that makes you side eye your own family a little on the drive home.
I Highly Recommend!
Thank you Ultimo Press for my advanced readers copy.
Available Now!
June 8, 2026
•All this time I thought I was protecting you, but somewhere amid the constant battle to stay afloat, I lost myself. Everyone around me could see that I was not me anymore, even you. But I wonder if I have ever been me. Perhaps all this time I was merely an origami of a happy woman. Complicated to put together, easy to rip to shreds.•
I loved this, but not in an easy breezy beautiful covergirl kind of way, nowhere near. It was uncomfortable, unlikely, a bit jagged and shrill. Before all the drama, in a regular Suz world version, Gwynne needed to walk herself into a 12 step recovery meeting. This she did not.
What she did do was continue to drink into the glass of despair, falling deeper and deeper, while the insane family drama barreled onwards and upwards, gaining hefty speed.
I love a good quote, and of course the one that stood out to me was also the publisher’s choice. Literary minds think alike.
This is a story of unsettling rage which at first wasn’t loud, more simmering, reminding us it was there a little menacing. The kind that eventually carries the ability for the worst of violence, concurrently alongside the unfortunate droppings of family legacy, trickling slowly, following the next generation whether they want it or not.
It’s almost comical in the awful. The dark humour lets that morally grey area sit a little too comfortably, like we shouldn’t be okay with it but somehow are. Very stormy, internally churny, that feeling of where does that leave me as the offspring, as the one who inherits all of this mess.
Literary fiction at its bitey edgy best. Sharp, unlikely, deeply unstable.
Thank you to Ultimo Press and the author for my copy. I sit well with unwell female [heroines?] No judgement here.
❓What was your last unsettling read
I loved this, but not in an easy breezy beautiful covergirl kind of way, nowhere near. It was uncomfortable, unlikely, a bit jagged and shrill. Before all the drama, in a regular Suz world version, Gwynne needed to walk herself into a 12 step recovery meeting. This she did not.
What she did do was continue to drink into the glass of despair, falling deeper and deeper, while the insane family drama barreled onwards and upwards, gaining hefty speed.
I love a good quote, and of course the one that stood out to me was also the publisher’s choice. Literary minds think alike.
This is a story of unsettling rage which at first wasn’t loud, more simmering, reminding us it was there a little menacing. The kind that eventually carries the ability for the worst of violence, concurrently alongside the unfortunate droppings of family legacy, trickling slowly, following the next generation whether they want it or not.
It’s almost comical in the awful. The dark humour lets that morally grey area sit a little too comfortably, like we shouldn’t be okay with it but somehow are. Very stormy, internally churny, that feeling of where does that leave me as the offspring, as the one who inherits all of this mess.
Literary fiction at its bitey edgy best. Sharp, unlikely, deeply unstable.
Thank you to Ultimo Press and the author for my copy. I sit well with unwell female [heroines?] No judgement here.
❓What was your last unsettling read
May 10, 2026
Everyone in this book is pretty hateful: Gwynne refuses to recognise that her drinking is escalating her problems, Gwynne’s mother is in a perpetual state of denial, Gwynne’s brother is a ne’er-do-well, Gwynne’s uncle is a chain-smoking shirker, Gwynne’s husband is pretty self-centered, and Gwynne's father is a man who viciously murdered strangers instead of going to therapy. Not every story needs a lovable narrator, of course, but it was really hard to find anyone to root for.
What I do love is the question at the heart of Happy Woman: what are women capable of when the men in their lives let them down? It’s a fascinating question, and I hope Corson continues to explore it in her fiction.
My full review of Happy Woman is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
What I do love is the question at the heart of Happy Woman: what are women capable of when the men in their lives let them down? It’s a fascinating question, and I hope Corson continues to explore it in her fiction.
My full review of Happy Woman is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
March 25, 2026
Review of Advanced Readers Copy received from Publisher.
2.75 stars ⭐️
i think this would have been a solid 3 stars if not for the ending. everything was seemingly resolved and then all of a sudden the real explanation is revealed in one big go that felt very out of place. like the author couldn’t figure out how to reveal what actually happened and so it was easier to just blurt it all out in one go. it was a bit of a let down. also the characters were not angry enough at their father, which i felt was very unrealistic even with their being so similar to him.
2.75 stars ⭐️
i think this would have been a solid 3 stars if not for the ending. everything was seemingly resolved and then all of a sudden the real explanation is revealed in one big go that felt very out of place. like the author couldn’t figure out how to reveal what actually happened and so it was easier to just blurt it all out in one go. it was a bit of a let down. also the characters were not angry enough at their father, which i felt was very unrealistic even with their being so similar to him.
May 24, 2026
Happy Woman is one of those books that quietly hooks you, then absolutely mind‑fucks you when you least expect it. Abby Corson’s writing style is sharp and deceptively simple which is exactly the kind of voice that makes you think you’re safe before she pulls the rug out from under you. I genuinely enjoyed this one. The character development is where the book shines. Every character in this story feels layered, flawed, and painfully real. Corson doesn’t rush their arcs; she lets them breathe, unravel, and collide in ways that feel both intentional and unsettling. The twists are chaotic and very clever. The kind that make you stop,m before turning the page. The reveals are well thought of.
What I Loved:
* Writing style
* Character development
* Mind‑bending twists
What Might Not Work for Everyone:
* The emotional intensity spikes hard in certain truths.
* Some readers may find the psychological elements confronting.
* A couple of reveals rely on subtle hints which are easy to miss if you skim.
Breakdown:
• Setting: 3⭐️
• Characters: 4⭐️
• Writing: 4⭐️
• Message: 3⭐️
• Overall: 4⭐️
Final Thoughts
Happy Woman is a smart, unsettling, and deeply engaging psychological and women's fiction read. If you love stories about complex women and shifting realities, this one is absolutely worth picking up. Huge thanks to Ultimo Press and the author for the copy. My thoughts are, as always, entirely my own.
~JaNnA~
What I Loved:
* Writing style
* Character development
* Mind‑bending twists
What Might Not Work for Everyone:
* The emotional intensity spikes hard in certain truths.
* Some readers may find the psychological elements confronting.
* A couple of reveals rely on subtle hints which are easy to miss if you skim.
Breakdown:
• Setting: 3⭐️
• Characters: 4⭐️
• Writing: 4⭐️
• Message: 3⭐️
• Overall: 4⭐️
Final Thoughts
Happy Woman is a smart, unsettling, and deeply engaging psychological and women's fiction read. If you love stories about complex women and shifting realities, this one is absolutely worth picking up. Huge thanks to Ultimo Press and the author for the copy. My thoughts are, as always, entirely my own.
~JaNnA~
May 11, 2026
Abby Corson is back! Following on from her wonderful debut ‘The Concierge’ Abby has delivered a fabulous family domestic drama, packed with secrets
Gwynne Hogg has it all, a beautiful daughter and dotting husband, a successful business and she is the daughter of Huey Hogg who owns a super successful freight company. The Hogg family are the poster family for wealth and status
But Gwynne’s world is turned upside down when her father is charged with not one but five murders - spanning 20 years.
It’s a shock and so left field, Huey is a kind, patient and loving father and husband. Is there an angry and dangerous side of this man no one saw?
Gwynne moves straight into damage control, as her brother, mother and uncle appear incapable of making smart decisions. But as the pressure from home, business and the public start to mount, Gwynne spirals and feels like she is loosing control. An angry streak appears and she is soon gripped with the thought, could there be a darker side of Gwynne hiding behind her calm and loving nature?
I couldn’t put this down, it is so cleverly written
Perfectly paced with juicy rich family deception
I loved it! Highly recommend 🙌
Gwynne Hogg has it all, a beautiful daughter and dotting husband, a successful business and she is the daughter of Huey Hogg who owns a super successful freight company. The Hogg family are the poster family for wealth and status
But Gwynne’s world is turned upside down when her father is charged with not one but five murders - spanning 20 years.
It’s a shock and so left field, Huey is a kind, patient and loving father and husband. Is there an angry and dangerous side of this man no one saw?
Gwynne moves straight into damage control, as her brother, mother and uncle appear incapable of making smart decisions. But as the pressure from home, business and the public start to mount, Gwynne spirals and feels like she is loosing control. An angry streak appears and she is soon gripped with the thought, could there be a darker side of Gwynne hiding behind her calm and loving nature?
I couldn’t put this down, it is so cleverly written
Perfectly paced with juicy rich family deception
I loved it! Highly recommend 🙌
May 12, 2026
Big thanks to Ultimo Press for sending us a copy to read and review.
Happy Woman is the second release from up and coming author Abby Corson.
A domestic suburban thriller and a ripper of a read.
Gwynne Hogg comes from a wealthy family and has own PR firm.
She has an adoring husband and a beautiful little girl.
You could say she has it all.
Until her father, patriarch Huey Hogg is arrested for being a serial killer.
Her mother is shocked, her brother is stunned and her uncle is angry.
The media are having a field day with this admittance, the neighbours are turning their backs against them and her business is collapsing.
As Gwynne takes over family matters, things begin to spiral out of control and the rage heats up.
Could the same genes be inherited from her father….
This was such a surprise read, it’s very entertaining, interesting and lots of fun.
I enjoyed watching it all unravel and gift the reader with a good reading experience.
It has a hooking plot, a bunch of complex characters, some laughs, throw in a twist or two and an unforeseen ending, mix together and you have an excellent narrative.
Happy Woman is the second release from up and coming author Abby Corson.
A domestic suburban thriller and a ripper of a read.
Gwynne Hogg comes from a wealthy family and has own PR firm.
She has an adoring husband and a beautiful little girl.
You could say she has it all.
Until her father, patriarch Huey Hogg is arrested for being a serial killer.
Her mother is shocked, her brother is stunned and her uncle is angry.
The media are having a field day with this admittance, the neighbours are turning their backs against them and her business is collapsing.
As Gwynne takes over family matters, things begin to spiral out of control and the rage heats up.
Could the same genes be inherited from her father….
This was such a surprise read, it’s very entertaining, interesting and lots of fun.
I enjoyed watching it all unravel and gift the reader with a good reading experience.
It has a hooking plot, a bunch of complex characters, some laughs, throw in a twist or two and an unforeseen ending, mix together and you have an excellent narrative.
May 21, 2026
Business woman and philanthropist Gwynne Hogg is happy. Why wouldn't she be? Every part of her life is #blessed. An adoring husband, an adorable daughter. Successful with her career. A close knit family that has each other's backs.
There's no-one Gwynne loves more than her dad, self made millionaire Huey Hogg. If Gwynne is happy, Huey is jolly. The all round good guy that wouldn't hurt a fly.
Funny how that image can shatter in just one moment.
The Hogg dynasty has gathered for their usual Sunday lunch when the police arrived. They've come to arrest Huey for multiple counts of murder, something that can't possibly be correct. Surely, they've got the wrong man.
Sadly not. Huey has confessed and is now awaiting trial. With the massive media attention, his good name has been muddied, forcing the Hogg family to adapt to the scrutiny that follows.
No-one can cope. Gwynne's mother falls into a perpetual state of denial. Brother Thomas is a no-hoper. Uncle Grant is a chain smoking shirker. As for Gwynne, that whiskey decanter and wine bottle suddenly becomes her new best friend.
Needless to say, with all that pressure for Gwynne to step up and create harmony out of chaos will not turn out well. Soon, Gwynne doesn't recognise herself, paranoid and mistrustful about everyone and everything. Her marriage and business falls apart. The law catches up with her. Gwynne is fed up with the judgement that surrounds her simply because she's the daughter of a serial killer. Her only saving grace is daughter, Evelyn. The little girl is the only soul alive that is on Gwynne's side and she must be protected at all costs.
As it turns out, even happy women have breaking points,
That bold red cover of Happy Woman lures you in and before long, you're caught up in the bonkiness. It's best to hold onto something tight whilst you witness Gwynne spiral out of control. I simply can't believe most of the mad stuff that she's proven capable of!
I don't think I've ever came across a cast so unlikable! That's probably why it was so entertaining to read.
Are serial killers born or made? That's the question explored here and honestly, sometimes I even wondered if one of the Hogg's would step over the thin line. Those moments were especially knife edging.
Please don't go in thinking that this is a cosy mystery/family drama. Happy Woman is the exact opposite, a different direction from Abby's debut. Gripping and tense, you won't be able to put it down.
4.5 🌟
There's no-one Gwynne loves more than her dad, self made millionaire Huey Hogg. If Gwynne is happy, Huey is jolly. The all round good guy that wouldn't hurt a fly.
Funny how that image can shatter in just one moment.
The Hogg dynasty has gathered for their usual Sunday lunch when the police arrived. They've come to arrest Huey for multiple counts of murder, something that can't possibly be correct. Surely, they've got the wrong man.
Sadly not. Huey has confessed and is now awaiting trial. With the massive media attention, his good name has been muddied, forcing the Hogg family to adapt to the scrutiny that follows.
No-one can cope. Gwynne's mother falls into a perpetual state of denial. Brother Thomas is a no-hoper. Uncle Grant is a chain smoking shirker. As for Gwynne, that whiskey decanter and wine bottle suddenly becomes her new best friend.
Needless to say, with all that pressure for Gwynne to step up and create harmony out of chaos will not turn out well. Soon, Gwynne doesn't recognise herself, paranoid and mistrustful about everyone and everything. Her marriage and business falls apart. The law catches up with her. Gwynne is fed up with the judgement that surrounds her simply because she's the daughter of a serial killer. Her only saving grace is daughter, Evelyn. The little girl is the only soul alive that is on Gwynne's side and she must be protected at all costs.
As it turns out, even happy women have breaking points,
That bold red cover of Happy Woman lures you in and before long, you're caught up in the bonkiness. It's best to hold onto something tight whilst you witness Gwynne spiral out of control. I simply can't believe most of the mad stuff that she's proven capable of!
I don't think I've ever came across a cast so unlikable! That's probably why it was so entertaining to read.
Are serial killers born or made? That's the question explored here and honestly, sometimes I even wondered if one of the Hogg's would step over the thin line. Those moments were especially knife edging.
Please don't go in thinking that this is a cosy mystery/family drama. Happy Woman is the exact opposite, a different direction from Abby's debut. Gripping and tense, you won't be able to put it down.
4.5 🌟
May 9, 2026
Happy Woman by Abby Corson is an interesting and clever read. For much of the book it's a study in family relationships, personalities and whether a leopard can really change their proverbial spots. It also veers, towards the end of the novel, into one of suspense or mystery with Corson throwing in several twists... just when we think we know where this is heading.
We learn the Hogg family is close. Poor when young, Henry Hogg created a transport company and is now very wealthy. He's a kind and generous man, loved by his wife, two adult kids and brother, and all who know him. Until they find out he's a serial killer. Well... he was until he learned to control his anger.
Gwynne is very much like her father so she worries that she may have inherited a 'serial killer' gene... as she's prone to rage. The good ol' nature vs nurture question.
And then there is the issue of rehabilitation... Henry consciously deciding to change.
This would be a good bookclub read for the many reasons mentioned already. I should mention it's also set against a backdrop of wealthy families and Gwynne's prime position when it comes to Evelyn's nursery school's pecking order, and her fall from grace and the bitchiness that prevails after her father's arrested.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
We learn the Hogg family is close. Poor when young, Henry Hogg created a transport company and is now very wealthy. He's a kind and generous man, loved by his wife, two adult kids and brother, and all who know him. Until they find out he's a serial killer. Well... he was until he learned to control his anger.
Gwynne is very much like her father so she worries that she may have inherited a 'serial killer' gene... as she's prone to rage. The good ol' nature vs nurture question.
And then there is the issue of rehabilitation... Henry consciously deciding to change.
This would be a good bookclub read for the many reasons mentioned already. I should mention it's also set against a backdrop of wealthy families and Gwynne's prime position when it comes to Evelyn's nursery school's pecking order, and her fall from grace and the bitchiness that prevails after her father's arrested.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
May 3, 2026
Why have I not read an Abby Corson before now?
What a fantastic weekend read this was! I could not put this book down.
The storyline captivated me and I was totally hooked from the start. This book explores the closeness of a family while trying to overcome tragic news, and the unravelling of a once "Happy Woman". The writing is superb and the suspense had me turning the pages well into the night. It also had two plot twists I did not see coming.
I really enjoyed this one!
A big thank you to Ultimo Press for an ARC of Happy Woman. It's out now.
I'm off to read The Concierge now!
What a fantastic weekend read this was! I could not put this book down.
The storyline captivated me and I was totally hooked from the start. This book explores the closeness of a family while trying to overcome tragic news, and the unravelling of a once "Happy Woman". The writing is superb and the suspense had me turning the pages well into the night. It also had two plot twists I did not see coming.
I really enjoyed this one!
A big thank you to Ultimo Press for an ARC of Happy Woman. It's out now.
I'm off to read The Concierge now!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Really loved this! another total banger by Abby Corson, even to the last like 40 pages there was 2x twists i didnt see coming at all, I think what I really found interesting was the 1st person perspective as told like a story to the main characters daughter, not sure ive read this kind of perspective before!
May 18, 2026
⭐ARC Review⭐
A prestigious family is put to the test when the head of the household, Huey Hogg, is accused of some unfathomable crimes. Author Abby Corson did an impressive job of keeping the reader locked in and ready for the next reveal, and there are several twists I didn’t see coming. Happy Woman is written in a way that, for me, resembles a letter to our main character’s daughter. After the arrest of her father, Gwynne Hogg is left with trying to keep her family together, while also juggling a struggling marriage and motherhood.
The stress that we see Gwynne go through in this book could be relatable for anyone who takes on their family’s problems and tries to fix them solo. As a trigger warning for readers, the FMC does rely heavily on alcohol to try and fix her own issues, leading to even more problems for her. The representation is done well, but it could be triggering for some readers who might have or are struggling with alcohol abuse.
I think my only critique with this book is the overuse of the family name throughout it. I understand that they are, or were, a well respected family in the community, but the characters seem to make the name define them. If that was the purpose of including the family name that many times in a book, then the author did a great job, but I found it to almost be overkill. Overall, Happy Woman was a great mystery thriller with some great character building and representation of how far family can and will go for each other. If you’re a fan of Alice Feeney or Freida McFadden, I think you’ll really enjoy this book.
A prestigious family is put to the test when the head of the household, Huey Hogg, is accused of some unfathomable crimes. Author Abby Corson did an impressive job of keeping the reader locked in and ready for the next reveal, and there are several twists I didn’t see coming. Happy Woman is written in a way that, for me, resembles a letter to our main character’s daughter. After the arrest of her father, Gwynne Hogg is left with trying to keep her family together, while also juggling a struggling marriage and motherhood.
The stress that we see Gwynne go through in this book could be relatable for anyone who takes on their family’s problems and tries to fix them solo. As a trigger warning for readers, the FMC does rely heavily on alcohol to try and fix her own issues, leading to even more problems for her. The representation is done well, but it could be triggering for some readers who might have or are struggling with alcohol abuse.
I think my only critique with this book is the overuse of the family name throughout it. I understand that they are, or were, a well respected family in the community, but the characters seem to make the name define them. If that was the purpose of including the family name that many times in a book, then the author did a great job, but I found it to almost be overkill. Overall, Happy Woman was a great mystery thriller with some great character building and representation of how far family can and will go for each other. If you’re a fan of Alice Feeney or Freida McFadden, I think you’ll really enjoy this book.
May 17, 2026
4.5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Vibe check: Unconventional, Darkly Compelling
full review ⬇️
Okay can we talk about that intro. Wow!
Happy Woman hooked me from the start and also immediately threw me into a very unique narrative style written in direct address to the main character’s daughter. I’ll admit, it took me a little while to adjust to at first but once I found the rhythm of it, I ended up really appreciating how intimate and different it felt.
Likewise, the originality of this story is what really stood out for me.
Without any spoilers, I can say that the plot felt fresh and layered as it explored identity, motherhood, relationships and the expectations placed on people after a very big, very public life changing event.
There’s an emotional sharpness to the writing too, the kind where even smaller observations quietly land harder than expected.
This is one of those books that feels different from the standard contemporary crime fiction formula, which made it a really interesting reading experience overall.
If you enjoy a unique storytelling style, emotionally layered characters and crime fiction that steps outside the usual structure (but hold for that twist at the end!), this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to Ultimo Press for sharing this great read with me.
Vibe check: Unconventional, Darkly Compelling
full review ⬇️
Okay can we talk about that intro. Wow!
Happy Woman hooked me from the start and also immediately threw me into a very unique narrative style written in direct address to the main character’s daughter. I’ll admit, it took me a little while to adjust to at first but once I found the rhythm of it, I ended up really appreciating how intimate and different it felt.
Likewise, the originality of this story is what really stood out for me.
Without any spoilers, I can say that the plot felt fresh and layered as it explored identity, motherhood, relationships and the expectations placed on people after a very big, very public life changing event.
There’s an emotional sharpness to the writing too, the kind where even smaller observations quietly land harder than expected.
This is one of those books that feels different from the standard contemporary crime fiction formula, which made it a really interesting reading experience overall.
If you enjoy a unique storytelling style, emotionally layered characters and crime fiction that steps outside the usual structure (but hold for that twist at the end!), this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to Ultimo Press for sharing this great read with me.
May 24, 2026
I loved this book; it’s original, it’s pacey and the world in which the story unfolds is richly detailed. As soon as you get into it, the cosy safety of a family Sunday is juxtaposed with the brutality of the arrest, and that’s just the start of the action. The way the relationships unfolded felt well thought out, particularly how the mother-daughter dynamic flips with us seeing Gwynne effectively become carer for her mother (showering her and ‘washing away the hopelessness’). There were some great metaphors, like when Gwynne said she felt like a condiment bottle being slammed by other people with nothing left to come out. It tied up really nicely, with a good twist at the end too. I can easily see this translating to screen and I hope it gets picked up!
April 29, 2026
Unbelievably good! That’s what you need to know about #happy woman by Abby Corson Gwynne has just discovered her father is a serial killer when the police show up to arrest him and from here everything starts to fall apart & Gwynne is unraveling making her wonder is being a murderer a gene that can be passed down? I could not stop reading this book it consumed me & when I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about reading it. So well written, the storyline flowed and the thrills kept thrilling. 5 ⭐️
June 14, 2026
It’s controversial but I fell in love with the Hogg’s.
All of them. They are equal parts ruthless & loveable, full of drama and you can’t help but step into their world and ride their crazy journey with them. It’s a ride I didn’t want to get off. Such a page turner with a few unexpected turns along the way. Brilliant read 🖤
All of them. They are equal parts ruthless & loveable, full of drama and you can’t help but step into their world and ride their crazy journey with them. It’s a ride I didn’t want to get off. Such a page turner with a few unexpected turns along the way. Brilliant read 🖤
June 21, 2026
This was an unexpected gem from an Australian author I hadn't previously discovered. The premise is so interesting - lovely family man, great grandpa and successful businessman is unmasked as ... a serial killer. The family reactions, the deepseated loyalty to the family, the poor son-in-law on the periphery; alll made this a book I smashed in half a day!
May 27, 2026
A fresh take on crime told from the perspective of what happens when you find out your whole life is a lie…or is it?
I personally love an unreliable and problematic narrator and that’s the perspective this story is told from, an easy read and very hard to put down. I devoured it in 2 days!
I personally love an unreliable and problematic narrator and that’s the perspective this story is told from, an easy read and very hard to put down. I devoured it in 2 days!
June 21, 2026
Incredibly easy and captivating read. It's a different storyline to anything I've read before. There wasn't a massive twist at the end, but it was a very well written, engaging crime novel. I would absolutely read her other book/s.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5 stars a star and a half loss because I was so SICK of seeing the word Hogg in this book.
April 30, 2026
If you like a book with strong female characters, you will love this.
May 4, 2026
The suspense! I couldn't put this book down.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A tense and disturbing five-star binge read.
Written as a letter to her child, this book had me in an absolute chokehold from the beginning. I could not put it down.
Instead of a typical twist-heavy plot, this psychological slow burn challenged my moral compass and made me stop and think about what I would do in Gwynne's situation.
I loved the multidimensional characters. They kept me guessing until the very end. It was interesting to see the way they all dealt with the news of him being a serial k!ll3r. And Gwynne trying to keep everything together as her glamorous life starts falling apart around her.
I kept waiting for Gwynne's husband to step in and take Evelyn away when the red flags started showing, but that dread only made me want to read faster.
I like to read other reviews after I've written mine to see what other people think, and I came across one that said they saw the surname "Hogg" too often in the book. But not only did this not actually bother me (which is surprising because I'm normally frustrated with repetitive language) but I actually I felt like this solidified how important and strong their family bond was. And the pig puns literally made me LOL 🐷 I thought it was actually genius 😂 10/10 for comedic value.
Written as a letter to her child, this book had me in an absolute chokehold from the beginning. I could not put it down.
Instead of a typical twist-heavy plot, this psychological slow burn challenged my moral compass and made me stop and think about what I would do in Gwynne's situation.
I loved the multidimensional characters. They kept me guessing until the very end. It was interesting to see the way they all dealt with the news of him being a serial k!ll3r. And Gwynne trying to keep everything together as her glamorous life starts falling apart around her.
I kept waiting for Gwynne's husband to step in and take Evelyn away when the red flags started showing, but that dread only made me want to read faster.
I like to read other reviews after I've written mine to see what other people think, and I came across one that said they saw the surname "Hogg" too often in the book. But not only did this not actually bother me (which is surprising because I'm normally frustrated with repetitive language) but I actually I felt like this solidified how important and strong their family bond was. And the pig puns literally made me LOL 🐷 I thought it was actually genius 😂 10/10 for comedic value.
June 14, 2026
Happy Woman by @abbycorson.author surprised me in the most wonderful way. When I started reading this, I genuinely could not stop. I didn’t want to put it down.
Thankfully I was stuck in a car for 4 hours driving to Mudgee, so that was 4 hours or reading bliss.
There was so much happening to this family in the book, but it doesn’t take long to realise the Hoggs are a very wealth, loyal and tight knit family.
When spending an afternoon at her parent’s house, an unexpected knock is at the door. Gwynne’s dad is being arrested for being a prime suspect in 5 murders that happened 30 years ago!
Gwynne and her family are quick to prove the detectives wrong… but soon enough, we see even the strongest of families can still crumble, tensions will rise and secrets will eventually come out!
And the final plot twist! Did not expect that at all 🤯
Thank you to @ultimopress for the gifted copy ❤️
Thankfully I was stuck in a car for 4 hours driving to Mudgee, so that was 4 hours or reading bliss.
There was so much happening to this family in the book, but it doesn’t take long to realise the Hoggs are a very wealth, loyal and tight knit family.
When spending an afternoon at her parent’s house, an unexpected knock is at the door. Gwynne’s dad is being arrested for being a prime suspect in 5 murders that happened 30 years ago!
Gwynne and her family are quick to prove the detectives wrong… but soon enough, we see even the strongest of families can still crumble, tensions will rise and secrets will eventually come out!
And the final plot twist! Did not expect that at all 🤯
Thank you to @ultimopress for the gifted copy ❤️
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