The Tradwife's Lie

by Bella Ellwood-Clayton

A BRAND-NEW totally addictive psychological thriller with a shocking final twist.

In Hudson Valley's Westbrook, wives are currency. Belonging has a price. By the time the Homemaker’s Fair ends, two women will be dead.

And the most dangerous thing a woman can do is change her mind.

MARNI

I came to Westbrook to disappear. After New York, after the firm, after everything that broke me, this tradwife community felt safe. Predictable.

Elke chose me. She matched me with the perfect husband. That meant everything.

I learned how this town works—the rankings, the favors, the mandatory midnight check-ins.

Now I’m pregnant with Elke’s stepson’s baby—a secret that could destroy everything. Now I know what happened to the women who stepped out of line. And now I understand: Westbrook isn’t about tradition. It’s about control.

ELKE

I built Westbrook from nothing. Not everyone could have done it. Most women lack the vision. A town of order, tradition, women who want to be told who they are.

They see cherry orchards and smiling wives. I see loyalty, hierarchy, power that works because it looks beautiful.

The Cherries follow my rules. They don’t ask questions.

When someone threatens what I’ve built, I don’t hesitate.

Perfection only survives if you protect it.

AN INTOXICATING BLEND OF TENSION AND SUSPENSE WITH AN ENDING YOU WON'T SEE COMING.

Culty-whodunit. Everyone is a suspect.

For readers who devoured Big Little Lies and The Guest List.

REVIEWS

Bella Ellwood-Clayton is destined to be the next big thing in psychological thrillers. She uses one of today’s hottest influencer trends to weave sharp social commentary within a twisty, relentlessly paced thriller, as compelling as any from Shari Lapena or JP Delaney. My plans for sleep were no match for every addictive chapter.—Korina Moss, Agatha Award-winning author

A gripping blend of social commentary and psychological suspense that will keep you reading until the wee hours. Ellwood-Clayton knows how to craft a mystery, hitting all the right beats with red herrings, twists, complex characters, and an ending that will leave you breathless. —Andrea Barton, author of the Jade Riley Mysteries

Paperback

Expected publication March 26, 2026

About the author

Dr. Bella Ellwood-Clayton writes twisty domestic suspense about the secrets we hide from those closest to us. Her novels include The Tradwife's Lie, The Swimming Group, and Weekend Friends, praised as “unputdownable” by bestselling author Nicola Moriarty.

Born in Canada, Bella now lives in Melbourne with her family and a small dog who has delusions of grandeur.

Get a free short story when you join her newsletter at www.drbella.com.au
Instagram: @BellaEllwoodClayton

Reviews

[aanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Bella Ellwood-Clayton, Joffe Books, and NetGalley for this arc!

“What compels educated women to abandon their careers for domestic submission?”

A riveting and addictive thriller, The Tradwife’s Lie by Bella Ellwood-Clayton, combines the idyllic charm of small-town life with an eerie, almost psychologically disturbing undercurrent. Set in the traditional, value-centric town of Westbrook, we follow our main characters: Simone, a nosy outsider and sociology podcaster from out of town; Marni, the seemingly flawless woman embedded in the town’s elite inner circles; and Elke, the architect behind the operation, where devotion to homemaking, obedience, and above all, image masks something far deeper.

Beyond its chilling premise, the book delivers immaculate execution through its compelling cast of characters. As a reader, I was especially drawn to Diwa and Elke, who were by far the most intriguing of the bunch. Shrouded in mystery, the two women bring a pervasive sense of eeriness and curiosity to the story. I found myself taking mental notes of their every action, hungry to know more. Marni’s arc, on the other hand, unfolds slowly but proves to be deeply satisfying, tracing a complex journey with love, abuse, healing, and family.

One character I struggled to connect with was Simone. As the only character grounded in modern-world ideas, one who quoted the literary greats and possessed an inviting determination, she seemed, in theory, like the character that I would have resonated the most with. However, her function as a plot device, primarily as an informant to the audience, overshadowed her more interesting attributes and relationships. As a result, Simone was effectively reduced to just a narrative conduit, rather than a compelling, fully realized character.

Although the plot kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end, it ultimately fell flat. Throughout the novel, I found myself searching for seemingly irrelevant details that would later prove crucial towards the reveal, morsels of information I fully expected to revisit and understand in retrospect. That sense of narrative payoff never fully materialized. In comparison to all the other secrets uncovered throughout the book, the central motive reads as shallow and not completely thought out.

The pacing was well executed until the final ten percent of the book, where events begin to feel rushed, and little time is reserved for explanation, resulting in noticeable plot holes. For example, it is implied that Bruna faked the text exchange between Simone and Diwa; however, the mechanics of this feat are still unknown.

One aspect I did enjoy from the final parts of the book, however, was the use of mixed media, such as text messages, Instagram posts, and news articles, as a narrative tool, adding a layer of complexity and intrigue, enhancing the novel's exploration of how image and control play out in the digital age.

One of the novel’s final lines—“I’m not really running Westbrook at all. I’m just the face they need — young, sympathetic, relatable.”—lingers long after the book’s ending, leaving enough intrigue and room for a sequel, particularly one that delves into the inner workings of the “system”, which I would be open to reading if ever published. With its shifting timelines, eerie atmosphere, multiple points of view, and a cast of characters harbouring deeply troubling secrets, The Tradwife’s Lie would appeal to readers who enjoy the works of Lucy Foley or Karen McManus, like myself.

Review also posted on Substack - https://substack.com/home/post/p-1860...

[Nanasbookreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

The Tradwife’s Lie by Bella Ellwood-Clayton is a chilling psychological thriller that explores how perfection can rot from the inside.

Marni flees New York for the quiet town of Westbrook, desperate for a fresh start. With the help of Elke Thorton, the influencer who essentially built the community’s image and power, Marni manages to blend in, marry her husband Xiang, and adopt the town’s idealized 1950s “traditional wife” lifestyle. From the outside, Westbrook looks like a dream. In reality, it is a carefully controlled nightmare. Anyone who dares to question the rules is swiftly silenced.

When Simone, a podcaster, learns about Westbrook, she decides to investigate the town for her show. Her motives are personal too. Marni is her friend, and something about her sudden change feels deeply wrong. As Simone digs deeper, secrets unravel, tensions rise, and the consequences turn deadly. How far will the people in power go to protect their perfect image?

I couldn’t put this book down. It pulls you in from the very first page and never loosens its grip. The story unfolds through multiple POVs, which adds depth and keeps the suspense simmering throughout. I loved how the author weaves in modern elements like influencer culture and podcast journalism, making the story feel disturbingly relevant.

There’s an underlying sense of dread from early on, with Marni’s strange behavior and palpable fear hinting at a hidden truth. As Simone’s investigation progresses and deaths begin to occur, the tension escalates beautifully. I had a strong feeling about what was going to happen, but not who was responsible, which made the twists even more satisfying.

Each character felt distinct and purposeful, and the ending genuinely caught me off guard. I closed the book with lingering questions and that unsettled feeling only a great thriller leaves behind.

This is a gripping, thought-provoking psychological thriller that I highly recommend.

[Amy Tarren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book up until the final pages. The concept - a commune created by Elke, Anthony and Rebecca - was really interesting, and I loved how much time the author spent exploring why it was set up and the characters who lived there from an outside (Simone’s) point of view. The social commentary and the character work was compelling and interesting throughout.

Unfortunately, the reveal of the murderer fell flat for me. Not because I objected to who it was, but because we were given so little insight into the character or their marriage throughout the book. It felt as though this was deliberately withheld to preserve the twist. However, the result was I didn’t feel much of anything when the reveal came. I found myself shrugging rather than being shocked or emotionally affected simply because I did not feel invested in them.

That was a real shame as the rest of the novel was excellent and thoughtfully written.

Despite my disappointment with the ending I would still happily read more by the author as their writing and ideas are clearly very strong

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simone is a podcaster who is investigating a community with a group of housewives called the "Cherries."

Elke, the leader of the Cherries, is an uptight and overbearing tradwife who expects perfection from her Cherries. Perfect hair. Perfect bodies. Perfect pies.

Marni is hiding from her past and has landed herself in quite a pickle with some of the choices she's made.

Murder and adultery. Snotty women and social media.

I did enjoy reading about Elke. She was by far the most intriguing character.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the advanced copy.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE TRADWIFE'S LIE BY BELLA ELLWOOD- CLAYTON.
Release day set for the 26th of March 2026.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
The cover for this book is stunning.
The title for this book is amazing.
Alot of you book lovers know that I am in my Tradwife Era and this one I've been dying to read.
The prologue had me buzzing and I just knew this book was going to be amazing.
The characters and there drama is stop on 👌

[Ronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to branch out a bit this year in my reading choices. I enjoyed this one a lot more than I thought I would, with the exception of the epilogue. That is where my interest fizzled, good thing it was the end! Thank you NetGalley, Joffe Books, and Bella Elwood-Clayton for the advanced reader copy.

[Andrea Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping blend of social commentary and psychological suspense that will keep you reading until the wee hours. Ellwood-Clayton knows how to craft a mystery, hitting all the right beats with red herrings, twists, complex characters, and an ending that will leave you breathless.