The Woman Who Wasn't There

by William Hussey

Bestselling crime author Marian Lane is surrounded by adoring readers when she learns that her husband Dane is dead.

Marian returns home in shock to discover a stranger on her doorstep. A woman who not only claims she's Marian's biggest fan but says that she comforted Dane in his final moments.

At first, this woman, Mary, is a source of comfort. Until she admits Dane confessed a secret. One she can't quite remember; one Marian is desperate to learn.

But Mary is a storyteller too. And though Marian knows every twist in the genre, she won't see this one coming . . .

Genres: Thriller, Adult, Psychological Thriller

357 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2026

About the author

William Hussey is the award-winning author of over a dozen novels, spanning almost every genre of fiction — from Young Adult thrillers to gripping whodunnits. His critically acclaimed books include the Crime Fest award-nominated Hideous Beauty, The Outrage, and Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts. Born the son of a travelling showman, he has spent a lifetime absorbing the history, folklore and culture of fairground people, knowledge he has put to work in his Scott Jericho thrillers.
With over a decade of experience in schools, William is passionate about reading and creative writing, regularly running events and workshops for young people.
William lives in the seaside town of Skegness with his dog Bucky and a vivid imagination.

Reviews

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know those books that you read and you think you have it all worked out? Yeah I thought that this was one of those, only to be completely blindsided by those final twists! well done to the author, you got me good.

There is a lot going on in this story, it is quite complex but never confusing or boring. I was hooked by the plot where a crime writer is on stage at a crime festival when she learns of her husbands death. I needed to know more.. and who is this Mary person, could I trust here? This is very cleverly written, plenty of red herrings along the way to make you think you know it all. Trust me you don’t.

A fun and entertaining read, I love being wrong!

Thanks to Bonnier Books UK for my early copy to read. Out on July 23rd.

[Bookread2day · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I must be the only one but sorry I didn’t get into it.

I loved the theme about Marian Lane a best seller writing her Dinner Lady Detective saga, but that’s it.

I think the main reason I didn’t enjoy this murder mystery book is because I’m not interested in reading a twisty murder mystery anymore.

My gene of books has shifted to a different category.

But as I can see from readers that enjoyed this murder mystery I would recommend this book to all readers that love a stand alone thriller.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the slow burn nature of this mystery that moved back and forth between the present and Maggie's past. The suspense was good and I loved the twists.
This was my first book by the author and as a fan of the mystery genre I enjoyed it.

[Pgchuis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* rounded down.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

Marian, a successful author, is appearing at a book festival when she hears that her husband Dane has died. Dane's death is ruled an accidental overdose, but then Mary Ann pops up and claims that Dane spoke to her as he was dying and told her secrets. There are plenty of flashbacks to Marian's childhood and to her years at university where she first met Dane and where Mina, a woman in her group of friends, was murdered. Marian soon discovers that Dane (a psychologist) has been meeting with Mina's murderer prior to his release from the psychiatric facility where he has been for the last 20 years.

In many ways this was very clever, and there were plenty of twists and turns, some of which were massively flagged and some of which I guessed. I enjoyed Mary Ann's character development and the sections from her perspective were genuinely creepy. I thought it started strong and then sagged a bit in the middle. I found the ending too much in a whole variety of ways, and unpleasant into the bargain. This wasn't really for me.

[Bookstarreviews_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

AD-PR PRODUCT

A slow-burn mystery thriller that cleverly unravelled. ☺️

I was excited to read this book as it was my first by Hussey and I liked the writing style. I enjoyed the flip between the past and the present and the POVs, but the book was far from what I expected.

Hussey cleverly builds suspense and intrigue with each turn of the page and a cast of characters who seem so untrustworthy. I thought Mary was so bizarre, but I actually really liked her character and how easily she wormed her way into Marian’s life.

Whilst this book was twisty and I didn’t guess some of the reveals, I did guess some of the bigger twists. I found this book to be more of a mystery than a psychological thriller. Hussey has delivered a very Agatha Christie style read, especially with the grand reveal at the end where the book was most twisty.

A huge thank you @zaffrebooks for this proof copy of The Woman Who Wasn’t There. I buddy read this with Susan @mynextreads and we both had similar opinions on this read.

Check out this book!

⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cracking read from William Hussey. He’s cracked YA fiction, and he’s definitely cracked writing thrillers. Infused throughout with Easter eggs for crime fans, a serious of twists and turns and deception right until the very end!

[Dogeared · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars rounded down. Ideal for those who love mysteries with twists and turns, where you spend all your time guessing who is good or bad, what they’re hiding, and how everything ties in together. Hussey has a talent for creating a good mystery here, and I think it would appeal to those who like to keep guessing - it certainly means you read this quickly. I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likeable, but I think this helped to keep me suspecting everyone!

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

[Mona Sami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Woman Who Wasn’t There before publication. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The Woman Who Wasn’t There is a clever, fast-paced psychological thriller about grief, obsession and the danger of allowing a stranger into your life at its most vulnerable moment. It also offers an entertaining look at the world of crime writing, using a bestselling thriller author as its central character while repeatedly playing with the reader’s expectations of the genre.

Marian Lane is a successful crime novelist who has built her career by creating intricate mysteries and shocking fictional twists. While attending an event surrounded by readers, she receives the devastating news that her husband, Dane, has died. Her carefully ordered life is immediately shattered, and she returns home struggling to understand how everything could have changed so suddenly.

Waiting for Marian is a stranger named Mary, who introduces herself as one of Marian’s greatest fans. More disturbingly, Mary claims that she was with Dane during his final moments and comforted him before he died. Although Marian is initially suspicious, Mary appears to offer something nobody else can: information about the final moments of the man Marian loved.

Mary soon reveals that Dane confessed a secret shortly before his death. However, she claims that she cannot remember exactly what he told her. Desperate to learn the truth, Marian finds herself drawn further into Mary’s story. What begins as an uncomfortable interaction between a grieving widow and an intrusive fan gradually develops into a disturbing psychological game in which memory, truth and storytelling become almost impossible to separate.

The premise immediately captured my attention. Marian has spent her professional life constructing mysteries and anticipating how readers will respond to deception, yet she is completely unprepared when she becomes the central character in a mystery of her own. Her knowledge of crime fiction should make her more cautious, but grief has left her vulnerable and desperate for answers. This contradiction makes her an engaging protagonist and adds a self-aware quality to the story.

Mary is an unsettling and unpredictable presence from the moment she appears. Her apparent devotion to Marian’s work initially seems like ordinary admiration, but her behaviour quickly begins to cross boundaries. She knows a great deal about Marian, while Marian knows almost nothing about her. The imbalance between them creates a constant sense of danger, particularly because Mary understands the fictional worlds Marian has created and appears capable of using that knowledge against her.

One of the strongest aspects of the novel is its exploration of the relationship between authors and readers. A successful writer may share stories, characters and personal details with thousands of strangers, creating a sense of intimacy that only exists in one direction. Mary feels that she knows Marian because she has read her books, followed her career and entered the private worlds Marian created. Marian, meanwhile, has no idea who Mary truly is or what she might want from her.

The novel also examines the power of storytelling. Both women understand how a convincing narrative can shape the way people interpret events. Marian makes a living by controlling what her readers know and deciding when to reveal the truth. Mary is also a storyteller, but Marian cannot tell whether her story is accurate, incomplete or deliberately invented. The book repeatedly asks whether the most believable account is necessarily the true one.

Marian’s grief adds emotional weight to the mystery. Her desire to discover Dane’s final secret is understandable, even when it causes her to make questionable decisions. The possibility that her husband may have concealed something from her begins to alter her memories of their marriage. As doubt takes hold, she starts examining their relationship as though it were one of her own plots, looking for clues she may previously have overlooked.

The pacing is strong, with short chapters and frequent revelations that continually change the direction of the story. The book does not remain focused solely on the circumstances of Dane’s death. As Marian begins investigating Mary’s claims, the mystery expands and becomes increasingly complicated. Each apparent answer creates another question, and the reader is encouraged to remain suspicious of almost everyone.

I particularly enjoyed the novel’s knowing use of thriller conventions. Marian understands the familiar patterns of crime fiction and frequently considers what would happen if she were writing the situation herself. This could easily have felt artificial, but it instead adds wit and originality. The book appears to acknowledge the reader’s attempts to predict the next twist and then deliberately challenges those assumptions.

The contrast between Marian and Mary is also effective. Marian is successful, respected and accustomed to being in control of her stories. Mary initially appears insignificant by comparison, dismissed as an overly enthusiastic fan. However, the balance of power gradually changes as Mary demonstrates that she may understand Marian far better than Marian understands her.

There are several large twists, and the novel becomes increasingly ambitious as the truth begins to emerge. Some developments require suspension of disbelief, and there were moments when the number of reversals risked becoming slightly excessive. The plot is clearly designed to surprise, and not every revelation carries the same emotional impact. However, the twists are generally well placed and kept me reconsidering what I thought I understood.

A few of Marian’s choices can also be frustrating. There are occasions when greater caution or clearer communication might have prevented the situation from escalating. Nevertheless, her behaviour is partly explained by shock, grief and her need to learn what Dane supposedly confessed. She is not acting as an objective investigator but as someone whose emotional foundations have suddenly disappeared.

The mystery becomes darker as Marian discovers that Mary’s presence may not be accidental. Questions arise about identity, motive and whether Dane’s death was truly as straightforward as it first appeared. The tension comes not only from the possibility of physical danger but from Marian’s growing fear that she has misunderstood both her marriage and the stranger who has entered her life.

The final section is particularly fast-paced, bringing together the different stories and hidden connections that have developed throughout the novel. The ending contains several changes of direction and is likely to divide readers depending on how much they enjoy elaborate, deliberately surprising conclusions. For me, the twists were entertaining and largely satisfying, even though a few elements were more dramatic than entirely realistic.

Overall, The Woman Who Wasn’t There is an inventive and absorbing psychological thriller with a distinctive crime-writing backdrop. Its strongest features are the unusual relationship between author and fan, the exploration of storytelling and the constant uncertainty surrounding Mary’s identity and intentions.

This was a clever, dark and highly entertaining read that kept me questioning which version of events could be trusted. Although some of the later developments required suspension of disbelief, the strong premise, quick pacing and numerous well-handled twists made it one of the more memorable psychological thrillers I have read recently.

It will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy stories about obsessive fans, unreliable narrators, mysterious strangers and writers who unexpectedly find themselves trapped inside a mystery worthy of one of their own novels.

[Mary Picken · Rating 4 out of 5]

There can’t be a better book to read as we head into the Theakston’s Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate this week. In this standalone twisty mystery, with echoes of Christie, bestselling crime writer Marian Lane is in the middle of a successful public appearance at the Deansgate Crime Festival, held in the grounds of The Golden Cygnet Hotel, when she learns that her husband, Dane, has died. With her niece, Ari, friend, Iris, and her agent and publisher on hand, Marian has plenty of concerned friends to assist her, but the shock of the news is enough to send her tumbling from the stage.

Grieving and struggling to process the loss, she returns home only to find an unexpected visitor waiting on her doorstep. Mary Anne Harrigan claims to be Marian’s biggest fan, but she also says she was with Dane during his final moments. Initially, Mary’s presence feels like a strange but welcome source of comfort. However, things take a darker turn when she reveals that Dane confided a secret before he died – a secret she can’t quite remember. From that moment onwards, the novel becomes an increasingly tense and addictive game of cat and mouse.

The book has a dual-timeline structure, which gradually peels back the layers of Marian’s past. The chapters set during her university years in Bristol and her childhood in Skegness add to both the mystery and Marian’s character. At first, these flashbacks offer little more than background detail, introducing us to a close-knit friendship group that includes Giles, now a successful politician on the cusp of grasping real power (did I mention the timing of this publication is so good?) Iris, now Giles wife, Dane and the outsider, Patrick, together with Dane’s girlfriend, the enigmatic Mina. However, as the novel progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that the events of the past are not just context but are fundamentally connected to the secrets driving the present-day narrative.

Hussey handles these relationships exceptionally well. The friendships have all the complicated dynamics, loyalties and rivalries that develop within a group of young people discovering who they are. Dane emerges as a far more layered figure through these chapters, while Peter, Giles and Iris each contribute important pieces to the puzzle. William Hussey allows readers to form assumptions about these characters before gradually dismantling them. As more details emerge, perceptions shift repeatedly, forcing us to reassess what we thought we knew about these characters and their shared history.

The mystery surrounding Mina is especially interesting. The gradual revelation of what happened to her provides some of the book’s most suspenseful moments. Hussey skilfully uses these flashbacks to build anticipation, revealing just enough information to keep us speculating while withholding the crucial details until the perfect moment.

The novel also explores aspects of Marian’s present-day life, particularly her professional relationships. The tension between Marian, her literary agent, Sadie, and her publisher, Edwin, adds another layer of uncertainty to the story. Her latest book is the last in the critically acclaimed, cosy crime, Maddie Malone, Dinner Lady Detective series. But her publisher wants re-writes which Marian point blank refuses to do. Her agent will support her, but only is she agrees to write a true crime story about Patrick, who confessed to murdering Mina all those years ago.

Hussey continually kept me off balance. Every time I thought I had worked out where the story was going, another revelation sent me in a completely different direction. As a crime writer, Marian is someone who understands plot twists and hidden motives, which makes it even more entertaining when she finds herself caught in a mystery she cannot control. The irony of that situation is brilliantly handled.

Mary is equally compelling. She is one of those characters who immediately raises questions. Is she genuine? Is she manipulative? Is she dangerous? The uncertainty surrounding her creates a constant undercurrent of tension that never really lets up.
As Marian struggles with grief, suspicion and the potential threat posed by Mary’s presence and Ari’s increasingly truculent behaviour, she must also navigate the pressures of a successful writing career. These relationships are often strained by competing interests, expectations and questions of trust, reinforcing one of the book’s central themes: how well can we ever truly know the people around us?

The book starts with a strong hook and steadily tightens the screws as the mystery deepens. Hussey knows exactly when to drop a clue, reveal a secret or introduce a new complication. The result is a novel that becomes increasingly difficult to put down. I read this book in a day because I had to know what was really going on.

Verdict: The Woman Who Wasn’t There is a tense, twist-filled and thoroughly entertaining read that keeps its secrets well hidden until the very last moment. Cleverly plotted, twisty and packed with suspense, it is a psychological thriller that gripped me and made me smile.

[Karen Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read The Woman Who Wasn't There around the time of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival this weekend and I loved the extra little details that William Hussey added to really give a flavour of crime writing events – including a brief cameo from a few well-known crime authors! Nevertheless, it isn't necessary to have attended a festival to appreciate the whiplash-inducing twists and turns or the perceptive exploration into societal injustice and the making of a murderer in this brilliantly compulsive psychological thriller.
Marian Lane is the author of the Maddie Malone Mysteries popular series of cosy crime novels about a dinner lady detective. She might not earn many literary plaudits but she has an army of loyal fans who eagerly look forward to each new book in the series. However, just before she is due on stage at Danesgate Crime Writing Festival, she hears disappointing news about what is planned to be the sixth and final instalment. Readers of The Woman Who Wasn't There know things are going to become even worse for Marian though, as she tells us so in her own words in a brief but ominous prologue. Marian states that if anyone is reading her statement, she may be either dead or missing; she muses where best to start her story and then realises it should begin at the aforementioned writing festival, where she was the headline guest as 150 miles away, her husband drew his last breath.
The propulsive plot soon finds Marian widowed following what appears to be a tragic accident and clearly still haunted by her dark past. As a young woman on the cusp of finishing university, she witnessed the murder of one of her friends, killed at the hands of a young man who had apparently been obsessed with her. He admitted the murder but has never been able to explain his motive. Now though, he has been released back into society.
Meanwhile, there are also diary entries written from the perspective of Mary Ann Katherine Hannigan, who turns up at Marian's house to tell her that she was with Dane when he died – and that he told her a secret. Mary is a fabulous character; there is definitely something unsettling about her and as the novel progresses, we learn more about what she is capable of. However, there are scenes which reveal her strong sense of moral fairness and throughout the book, she is delightfully complex. The characterisation is excellent throughout and Marian herself is fascinating too, particularly when she recalls the tragic events of her past.
Marian might have a beautiful home and financial security now but she grew up in poverty and William Hussey writes powerful, empathetic descriptions of her childhood. Mary also knew extreme poverty as a child but unlike Marian, hasn't been able to escape her past. Through her own words, it's obvious that she has gained a notorious local reputation and as she inveigles herself into Marian's life, the questions that are raised about her true intentions ensure this is a real page-turner of a read. As Marian and Mary join forces, there are some heartbreaking, harrowing revelations about their lives and The Woman Who Wasn't There is as thought-provoking as it is intriguing and exciting.
William Hussey's rich descriptions, particularly of Skegness and Amblethwaite, mean the sense of place is impeccable throughout; the juxtaposition between the scenes of Marian's challenging childhood and her comfortable life now is especially stark. There is also an unnerving feeling of foreboding as it becomes evident that the truth is far more twisted than it first appears and the tension builds steadily until the dramatic, unexpected denouement.
The Woman Who Wasn't There is a cleverly constructed, compelling mystery packed with dark secrets yet laced with wry humour and a penetrating social commentary. Very highly recommended.

[Aisha Faisal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for providing me with an ARC of The Woman Who Wasn’t There.

A dead husband, a woman in pearls, and a mystery that refuses to stay buried.

I’m going to be completely honest: it took me a little while to fully settle into the story at first. The switching between timelines, POVs, and the slow unravelling of the mystery had me easing into it rather than being instantly hooked. But once it got its claws into me, I was absolutely gripped. From that point on, I genuinely could not put it down.

The Premise.
Marian Lane is at the top of her game as the bestselling author of the Maddie Malone "dinner lady detective" series. While greeting fans at the Danesgate Crime Writing Festival, her world is shattered by news of her husband, Dane’s, death in a tragic house fire.

The tragedy quickly turns bizarre when Mary Anne Hannigan appears at Marian’s door. Adorned in pearls and bearing a striking resemblance to a young Miss Marple, Mary claims she was with Dane in his final moments. While she quickly becomes an indispensable source of comfort for Marian, it’s clear that Mary, and perhaps Marian herself, is harboring secrets that stretch back decades.

What Makes This a Standout Read.
A "Slow-Burn" Magic: I’ll be honest: it took a little while for the shifting POVs and time jumps to fully click for me. But once they did? I was gripped. I ended up flying through the final of the book in a single day. Stick with it, the payoff is immense.

The "Agatha Christie" Romp: This feels like a cozy crime thriller on a "thrilling roller coaster." There are numerous nods to the Queen of Crime, and Hussey captures that classic Christie essence with a clever, briskly-paced plot and a "whiplash" inducing series of twists.

Atmospheric & Local Flair: Being from the area, I loved the sections set in Skegness! Seeing familiar landmarks I grew up with added such a personal, exciting layer to the reading experience. Hussey’s ability to build a sense of place is, as always, top-notch.

Characters with Facades: Every character feels fleshed out and real, though many are "wolves in sheep's clothing." The dynamic between Marian and the mysterious Mary Anne Hannigan is a highlight. I spent the entire book asking myself what Mary’s "game" was.

The Twists & The Ending
William Hussey has always had a knack for keeping me guessing, but the ending of this one... wow. I actually dropped my Kindle in shock. Just when you think you’ve sieved through the clues and found the heart of the mystery, the story takes an unpredictable turn. It is an incredibly satisfying, well-wrapped-up conclusion that still leaves you wanting to go back to the beginning to find all the hidden breadcrumbs you missed.

Quick Breakdown.
Vibe: A "cozy-ish" psychological thriller with a Miss Marple twist.

Tropes: Secrets from the past, unreliable narrators, and a "story-within-a-story" feel.

Perfect for: Fans of classic mysteries who want a modern, twisty edge.

Final Verdict: The ending was so satisfying, too. Everything was wrapped up in a way that felt clever, shocking, and genuinely well thought out, with no loose ends left hanging. This is absolutely the kind of book I’d reread just to catch all the clues I missed the first time around, and for me, that’s always a sign of a truly great read.

If you love twisty cosy crime thrillers, layered characters, and endings that leave you staring at your Kindle in shock, this one is definitely for you. An absolute pleasure to read early. It’s atmospheric, clever, and features one of the best "jaw-drop" endings I’ve encountered this year. William Hussey has another bestseller on his hands!

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Zaffre for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I love William's books - I've read four, this makes five, and I own two others - and I was intrigued by this one as it felt like a real departure from his Jericho crime series.

I loved the nods to the Harrogate Crime Festival and the mentions of some of my favourite authors. It instantly catapulted me into this recognisable scene.

I love books about authors. I know it's fiction, but it almost feels like we're getting a sneak peak into an author's writing habits and thought processes.

It's mostly set in the present time, but we do get flashbacks of Marian's childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood. And we also get a mysterious second narrator and she adds the mystery element. This could have been confusing, but it works really well. It's enough for you to get excited about the story without it being overwhelming.

I was expecting something more full-on, more obviously thriller-y but this isn't that. That is not a negative by the way. It's different, it's quieter, more calculated, you're not sure who to trust, looking over your shoulder, holding your breath kind of thriller, rather than in-your-face scares and violence you might think of when you imagine a thriller.

There are a number of subplots going on and whilst there may be readers who struggle, I personally didn't think there were too many. They all had decent page time, you could see how they all linked, and they all helped ramp up the tension.

I can't say I found any of the characters likeable, but I don't think that really matters in terms of my overall enjoyment. If anything, they helped add a layer of suspicion over them all.

Someone asked me if it was as good as his Jericho books and I can't answer that. They might both be crime/thrillers at their heart, but they are so different that to compare them would do them both a disservice. They're both as enjoyable as each other.

I'm generally terrible at working out thrillers and whodunnits so I don't even try anymore. But I was determined to get this one so I spent the whole time with these clues in my head and I was so happy when I got it. Except...I'd managed to give myself a major plot hole and so had to accept that I wouldn't get it.

I read a review that said the reveal comes out of nowhere and it didn't feel like it worked with the whole story. I couldn't disagree more. Well no, that's not true. I agree that it does come out of nowhere and it does really surprise you, but I believe it was an epic twist that 100% worked and I could never have seen it coming.

It's very different to what I'm used to with his Jericho series but I think it's good for him to branch out (as fantastic as that series was and I'm still holding out hope for more). It shows his deft touch at writing interesting and thoughtful thrillers and ability to hold a reader's attention. He was already a standout author in my eyes and this has just cemented that and I look forward to the next one (and maybe another Jericho...?)

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marian Lane is a best selling crime author of the critically acclaimed Maddie Malone series, starring the dinner lady detective. Marian is currently meeting her fans at the Danesgate Crime Writing Festival (a thinly disguised Harrogate!) when she gets the terrible news of the death of her husband Dane in a house fire. His death becomes increasingly mysterious and could possibly link to incidents in their past. However, it gets a whole lot stranger when Mary Anne Hannigan turns up at her door, who, it has to be said, bears are passing resemblance to a young Miss Marple, pearls and all. Not only does Mary claim to be a big fan of Marian but she also says she comforts Dane as he lay dying. Initially, Marian finds solace in this strange stranger who becomes indispensable. However, Mary is withholding something from Marian, but is she the only one harbourIng secrets?

This novel doesn’t initially fully grab me but then it seems to work some sort of magic and I find myself immersed. I guess you could describe this as a cozy crime thriller as it’s an Agatha Christie style romp and so it’s very appealing. There are numerous references to the Queen of the cosy crime genre and just like her books, this has a clever plot which is full of twisty twists which keep on coming until the well thought out and unpredictable end. There’s tension, the pace is brisk and I enjoy how it goes back-and-forth in time, allowing the truth to peak through.

The characters are very well drawn, they have connected lives, most are not what they seem, in fact, there are a few wolves garbed in sheep’s clothing. Many have facades and it’s fun trying to sift out the clues to get to the heart of the real them. Mary Anne Hannigan is a real pearl of a mystery and many, many times I ask myself what her game is. The dynamics between characters are good, particularly those between Mary and Marian.

Overall, William Hussey is a very good writer, I like his Jericho series and I like this. As with those books, he creates a really good atmosphere throughout the novel. I hope he has another best seller on his hands.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bonnier Books for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

We start with a bit of a shock - a sort of "if you are reading this, then I am dead" kind of shock...
We then rewind and follow Marian Lane, author of the Maddie Malone "dinner lady detective" series, as she attends a Crime Writing Festival. But her world is shocked as she learns that her husband Dane has died in a fire at their home. She is just coming to terms with this, when a stranger appears at her door - Mary Anne Hannigan - who claims that she was present as her husband lay dying and that he spoke to her. She's a little neurodivergent and can't remember exactly what he said but is sure it will come back to her eventually. Although, that said, she does know she is Marian's biggest fan.
There's a lot to unpick in this book - we have addition characters in Marians agent and editor - Sadie and Edwn - who are both not happy with her final submission. We also have Billy who is the actress who plays Maddie in the TV adaptation. We also go back in time to follow Marian's childhood, teen, and young adult years. We also meet Grace, her sister, whose daughter Ari now works as Marian's assistant. Marians best friend Iris and her MP husband Giles who they met at university, where there was a tragedy and one of their number, Mina, was killed, another, Patrick, jailed for it. Quite how all these fit in to the big picture, I will have to leave it for you to discover. Suffice to say there's plenty of secrets, lies and dysfunctional behaviour to be found along with shock after surprise.
It's all interconnected and convoluted but also very easy to follow. I'm still kicking myself at all the clues I missed along the way and I am desperate to revisit it on audiobook as soon as it is available so I can "read with hindsight". But, apart from my frustration at myself, I just had to sit back at the end and applaud the author for a job very well done.
As well as recommending this book, I would also like to recommend the author's series featuring former cop Scott Jericho which, in my opinion is excellent, book four of which I am eagerly awaiting. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has stated that this book is an homage to the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, and this is clear from the start. The story starts in a very familiar place to crime readers and writers, a crime festival that takes place in Harrogate every July, and the place Christie mysteriously disappeared to in 1926. The book continues to drip feed Christie Easter eggs throughout and to grab me even more parts are set in my hometown of Bristol. Full disclosure it did take me a while to get into the book with shifting timelines, multiple POVs and a lot of characters but once I did it was a fast paced read.

Briefly, the main protagonist Marion Lane is an author who is at a book event when she learns that her husband Dane has died. Initially the police believe it’s accidental death but one officer has his doubts, and so does Marion, after meeting Mary Anne Hannigan. Mary soon befriends Marian and tells her that she was there when Dane died, talking to him through the letterbox. However, she said she can’t remember the full conversation and they decide not to tell the police. What they do is start looking at someone Marion met when she was at university, who was convicted of murdering one of her friendship group and has recently been released.

This book is full of red herrings, twists and secrets and if you think you know whodunnit then be prepared to be surprised. I was and that doesn’t happen a lot. I’ve got to be honest and say there aren’t a lot of likable characters in this book, in fact pretty much none other than Marion’s sister and mother. I did love the character of Mary even though she was quite scary and stalkerish, she was also clearly flawed by her experiences and I couldn’t help but feel sympathetic towards her. The suspense levels are high and just when you think it’s all over, it really isn’t! An entertaining and enjoyable psychological drama.
4,5⭐️

[Shona · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️💫 Bestselling crime author Marian Lane is surrounded by adoring readers when she learns that her husband Dane is dead. Marian returns home in shock to discover a stranger on her doorstep. A woman who not only claims she's Marian's biggest fan but says that she comforted Dane in his final moments. At first, this woman, Mary, is a source of comfort. Until she admits Dane confessed a secret. One she can't quite remember; one Marian is desperate to learn. But Mary is a storyteller too. And though Marian knows every twist in the genre, she won't see this one coming . . .

There is SO MUCH going on in this book, it is definitely one that you need to concentrate on and even then, you still won’t foresee what is coming!

The twists and turns are very prominent within this book and the suspense and tension is evident. As a reader you will dissect every conversation, every interaction & every mention, trying to decipher the clues as you journey through the pages. The skill that Hussey has in plotting every chapter and maintaining the intrigue cannot be questioned.

I really enjoyed the differing character POV’s from Marian and Mary, the two balancing the other out as the franticness of Dane’s death is revealed, this being the point at which the two women first meet. The unreliable narrator characteristic is definitely prominent and leaves the reader never quite knowing what to believe the whole way through.

Every time that I thought I had this figured out a twist came and threw me off that path, keeping me guessing until the final powerful conclusion. I must admit I was a little disappointed with the ending, whilst there is no denying it was a very clever twist, I just felt a lot of information was thrown about in this final part, potentially taking some of the reveal impact away.

Overall this is an interesting and captivating read and will keep you turning those pages until the very end.

[Balthazarinblue · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I've always been disappointed that William Hussey's books seem to fly under the radar. I've enjoyed several but I never hear anyone talking about them. So I was really excited to see a new book from him with such a marketable bookish angle to it: a tragic event from cozy crime writer Marion Lane's university days becomes headline news again when the perpetrator is released from prison.

Unfortunately, THE WOMAN WHO WASN'T THERE didn't click for me like Hussey's previous work. It over-relied on each of the POV characters withholding big 'secrets' from the reader. Secrets that would ruin them. Secrets that can never be found out. Secrets that they referenced constantly but never explained. To give credit, the final chapter was stacked with at least ten shocking twists, some of which I didn't see coming. By that point, though, I was so over the forced mystery that I wasn't particularly invested either way in what happened.

What rubbed salt in the wound is that because of all those cryptic reasons the characters can't talk about a lot of their actions didn't make sense. A large portion of this story read like a pair of muppets kicking the idiot ball about. In retrospect, some of their actions were more comprehensible but knowing why after I closed the book didn't make reading people acting like dummies anymore interesting at the time.

This format for a thriller is one of my least favourite. I don't want to be too hard on Hussey. His work shouldn't have to bear the brunt of my built up frustration with this type of narrative choice that builds artificial tension, but I wish he'd written this plot a different way. THE WOMAN WHO WASN'T THERE had some great characters and some clever twists, I just didn't enjoy how they were told.

[Andrea Hulme · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all love a thriller book with plenty of twists and turns and The Woman Who Wasn't There is one of those books that when the twists happen, you question everything you've read and have to re-read pages to see where you missed things. This was a cracking read.

I felt this was an ode to crime readers, especially at the beginning where we meet best selling cosy crime author, Marian Lane, who is attending the Danesgate Crime Writing Festival at The Golden Cygnet Hotel...sounds familiar, doesn't it? She in stage being interviewed when she learns that her husband, Dane, has died. We follow the story as Marian rushes home to find that the police have ruled out anything suspicious, but an unexpected visitor, Mary Anne Hannigan, turns up and claims that she was with Dane during his final moments and has information to pass on.

As with all great crime fiction we get a cast of characters and suspicion falls on all of them. You find yourself rooting for one only to be blindsided with the mystery unravels. My favourite character was Mary, she was bizarre, scary and so many secrets from her past. The book is told through the POVs for Mary and Marian, which I always like. We also get dual timelines as we go back and forward picking through the back stories of both characters, their families and friends. Who has the most secrets to tell? Were either of these reliable narrators? The stories were multi layered and fascinating to unpick. There were plenty of nods of Agatha Christie, which I enjoyed too.

There are plenty of red herrings. The pace is brisk and the twists shocking. The suspense is fantastic and pulls you right into the book. It is very cleverly written and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Thank you to Bonnier Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marian Lane is a famous crime author and she learns her husband Dane is dead during a literary event. She returns home and is shocked to meet a stranger who says she comforted Dane in his last moments. When the stranger says he told her a secret, Marian is desperate to know what it was. Even though Marian knows every twist in the genre, this is one she won’t see coming.

This was my first book by this author but I was really excited to read it from the synopsis, as it sounded like a fun read and the mention of a fictional crime author and unexpected twists especially had me. I enjoy books that have a literary theme running throughout, so knew this was one I would find intriguing. I did end up enjoying this part of the story, as well as the references that the author threw in cleverly. I will admit that this ended up not completely what I was expecting, in that it fitted more within the cosy crime genre, rather than a thriller, and although I enjoy some cosy crime books, I seem to enjoy these less than the traditional police procedural/psychological thriller.

This ended up being a well written story, with some witty moments and I liked trying to decipher the clues, whilst watching the twists play out. Saying that, I found the story felt convoluted and unbelievable at times, while also slower paced to what I would have liked. Even though not completely what I was expecting, I appreciate that this was an accomplished, decent read with a compelling concept. I still have this author’s Jericho books on my TBR pile, and having heard they are a different vibe, and have garnered a lot of positive feedback, I will certainly be interested to give these a go. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hearing about the death of her husband in the middle of a literary festival leaves cozy crime author Marian Lane nowhere to hide. When she returns home, she meets Mary Anne at her doorstep, something the security and house gates just shouldn’t allow. Mary Anne says she was there for the final moments of Marian’s husband’s life but struggles to remember exactly what was said or how to explain why she was there. Slowly, words are remembered, but are they accurate? As Mary Anne becomes further entwined in Marian’s social life and her friends start to question the new relationship, trust becomes a rare commodity.

William Hussey has recently found major success with his Scott Jericho novels, detective thrillers infused with circus lore and a dollop of the supernatural. Hussey also has multiple award-nominated and award-winning Young Adult novels to his name. The Woman Who Wasn’t There firmly cements his reputation as a leading UK crime writer. Not content with a single unreliable narrator, the entire novel is full of twists and turns with the reader constantly doubting who is telling the truth and where some of their stories are leading.

The characters are brilliantly drawn, allowing the reader to slowly get to know them as the plot unfolds. The reader gets a chance to doubt almost everyone at some stage and unfold multiple secrets along the way, leading to a conclusion that I did not see coming.

Would I recommend The Woman Who Wasn’t There? I would. Hussey’s writing is excellent, and this book will keep you guessing until the final pages. If you haven’t read the Scott Jericho series yet and you like your crime a little darker, then pick these up too! A great writer who delivers time and time again. Recommended.

[Becky Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @zaffrebooks and @thebookdealer for having me on this Book Tour. Today is my review stop 👇🏼

This was my first book by this author, and it certainly will not be my last.

This was a sharp, twisty, complex, and intricately executed story.

We follow Marion, an author catapulted to fame with her dinner lady detective book series. Growing up Marion didn’t have it easy, but now she has the perfect life, until her husband is found dead in their home. Let the murder mystery commence.

I loved how the FMC was an author, and her genre was cosy crime. It made the story interesting and, as a reader, it felt familiar and immersive in a topic I love.

Another positive for me was the dual timeline. Jumping from the present day and going back to Marion’s younger years in Skegness. This added a whole other dynamic to the story and Marion’s complex character, which definitely kept me turning the pages.

We meet a lot of different characters to pull apart and judge (🤭) and there were a lot of moving parts to this story. I did have to go over a few sections again just to make sure I had it right in my head (maybe this was my perimenopausal brain), but this didn’t detract from my reading experience at all. In fact I think it really highlighted how cleverly and expertly plotted this novel was.

I would describe this book as a slow burn psychological thriller. I love a fast-paced book (don’t we all?), but I can really appreciate a slower build-up, and this book is worth the steady pace.

That ending was a shocker ... I definitely didn’t see it coming.

Overall, a book I highly recommend. It kept me thinking, and on the edge of my seat.

[Bookshortie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Marian Lane's husband, Dane, has been found dead and she is approached by Mary who says she was the last person to speak to Dane and that he told her a secret. But what secret did Dane tell Mary?

This book was a rollercoaster of a read. The storyline included mystery, deception, obsession and misdirection.

The story is told in a dual timeline format and is narrated by Marian and Mary. In the past the reader learns more about Marian’s upbringing and the tragedy that took place in her friendship group at university when Patrick murdered Mina. In the present Marian is at a literary festival when she receives news about Dane. Marian returns home to find that Dane died from a drug overdose, that Patrick has been released from prison and finds a file in Dane’s office showing that Dane had been visiting Patrick in a psychiatric hospital while he was incarcerated. Through Mary’s narrative the reader learns that she was the last person to interact with Dane before he died, that he imparted a message to her and that she is a big fan of Marian’s.

The connection between Marian and Mary was interesting, unnerving and complex. Marian is keeping Mary around because she wants to know what Dane’s final words were and what secret he told Mary. Mary initially states that she can only recall bits of the conversation so Marian keeps her close in case Mary remembers something more. Mary is very much obsessed with Marian and very quickly infiltrates her life. She goes from a stranger to a friend to part of the family in a short space of time, dangling in front of Marian that she has important information. What I found interesting about Marian and Mary was that they were both unreliable narrators. They were both keeping secrets and at times it was difficult to know whose narrative was truthful and who was being deceitful.

There were many twists and turns in this story especially towards the end. It certainly wasn’t a predictable read. When the plot twist dropped, I had to read the last two chapters twice because I couldn't believe what I was reading. It was not only shocking but a complete work of genius.

A psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the last page.

[Ryan Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marian Lane is a best selling crime author of the Maddie Malone ‘dinner lady detective’ series.

Whilst on stage speaking at the Danesgate Writing Festival, Marian finds out her husband is dead.

His death becomes increasingly mysterious and could possibly be linked to incidents in the couple’s, and their friends’ past.

Things quickly escalate when Mary Anne Hannigan, a neighbour and big fan of Marian’s turns up at her door…

Mary has a coloured past of her own and ingratiates herself with the mystery surrounding Dane’s death and the twists and turns begin, and continue right throughout to the end of the book.

Each of the books characters are well developed and are all interesting in their own right and you get to know the backstories of these characters and you never know who you can trust!

When I thought the story was going one way, it would go another. I never knew what would happen next.

I was hooked from early on, and could not stop reading until I’d finished. I NEEDED to know how all the twists and turns came together.

There were points during the book where I had so many questions and was getting so confused but all become clear as I read on.

The ending did not disappoint and I did not see it coming!!

As a big fan of Hussey’s Jericho series, I was very excited to read this.

If you love twist crime thrillers, this is the book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for the ARC in return for an honest review.

[Jas Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for the ARC of The Woman Who Wasn't There by William Hussey.

This story follows multiple POVs and timelines with the primary protagonist being Marian Lane a famous crime author who seemingly rose from squalor to fame with a best selling series of books. The story starts with her at a convention promoting her books which is dramatically ended with her husband being found dead in their home. The story follows this arc where they try to discover who killed her husband as well as following her upbringing, her time at uni and the time of others. Many secrets come to light and you're left wondering if anyone isn't the bad guy.

This story was so well crafted. I sometimes find these sort of stories a bit formulaic but this one truly kept me on my toes. I thought that just about everyone was the killer at some point and was still surprised by how everything played out! The characters were believable and well developed adding context to the characters and also adding a different facet to the story. I also hated a lot of the characters you're meant to hate. The pacing was superb with nothing dragging too long and everything put in for a reason.

I loved this book and will add William to my list of authors to look out for in the future. He has managed to bring back to life a genre that is becoming regretful oversaturated with too similar stories and I'm glad to see it and will definitely check out some of his other works.

[Danielle R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marian Lane is a well-loved crime author who created a really admired fictional character, Maddie. Maddie is a fan-favorite and the fans are super excited about her last and final novel. While onstage at the Danesgate Crime Writing Festival, her agent approaches her discreetly about horrible news they just received; her husband was found at home dead.

Marian rushes back home to talk to detectives and figure out if it was foul play or not. One of her interesting neighbors, Mary, quickly befriends Marian during this tragedy saying that she was there when he died. Marian doesn’t know what to think while others are warning her to stay away from Mary.

There are so many layers to this mystery. Unexplained deaths. Decades old murders. Rich vs poor dynamics. Secrets & lies.

I did enjoy the beginning journey, however it started to lose steam around 70%. Some lines were used multiple times which made me think I was reading the same chapter again. I felt like it could have been shorten and had the same effect. It was difficult for me to build an emotional connection with the main characters because it always felt like the reader was on the outside. With so many secrets spilling at the end. Questions were definitely answered which I appreciated the most.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ryan (Empire of Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a huge fan of Wills since day one, devouring everything since the days of his debut YA book, WITCHFINDER: DAWN OF THE DEMONTIDE. I have thoroughly loved watching him go from strength to strength. From WITCHFINDER to HIDEOUS BEAUTY, to THE OUTRAGE, to JERICHO and now with THE WOMAN WHO WASN'T THERE I can confidently say he has well and truly done it again.

Right from the off I was hooked by the premise and desperate to find out what was actually going on. The fact that the book had sections set in Skegness (a mere 30-45 mins from my home) made it all the more exciting. There were landmarks I recognised, ones I have grown up on and I just loved the little details.

As for the twists, my god, the twists. Will has always had this knack with his crime novels of keeping me guessing to the very end and this one is no different. I didn't see the ending coming at all, so much so that when I read it I actually dropped my Kindle in shock before I grabbed it back up and had to check that I had actually just read what I thought I had.

It was an absolute pleasure to be able to read this so early ahead of publication and I cannot wait to see what Mr. Hussey has up his sleeve next. I just don't know how he does it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier books for my e-arc!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of ‘The Woman Who Wasn’t There’ by William Hussey, due to be published on 23 July 2026 by Bonnier Books UK, Zaffre.

Bestselling author Marian Lane is taking part in a presentation at a literary festival with her best friend Iris and niece Ari, when she receives the shocking news that her husband Dane has been found dead. 

Marian is approached a few days later by a local, Mary Hannigan, who says that she was with Dane when he took his last breath, speaking to him through the door - she hasn’t told the police as she has her own reasons for wishing to stay anonymous, giving reasons that are accepted by Marian.  But just what did happened, who has secrets they are wishing to protect and how far will they go to keep them hidden.

The characters are well written and developed giving you a tantalising glimpse across the pages of who they may, or may not, be. The storyline is both engaging and immersive. 

Wow! What a rollercoaster ride this book is. It’s dark, it’s tense, it has you spinning with all the twists and turns it delivers and holds you in its claws until the last word on the very last page.  The final explosive twist was exquisite.  An exceptional psychological thriller.

[James Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those thrillers that completely pulls you in and refuses to let go.

William Hussey keeps the tension high from the very first page, and every time I thought I’d figured things out, another twist proved me wrong. The story is brilliantly plotted, with clues hidden in plain sight that only really click into place as the mystery unfolds.

It gave me strong Agatha Christie vibes, with its clever plotting, red herrings and constant twists that kept me second-guessing myself. What makes this stand out, though, is that the twists never feel forced. They’re surprising, satisfying and genuinely well earned, making it almost impossible to put the book down. I found myself constantly saying, “Just one more chapter.”

Alongside the suspense, the characters feel layered and believable, giving the story real emotional depth rather than relying solely on shock value. By the time I reached the final chapters, I was completely invested and still didn’t see several of the reveals coming.

If you’re looking for a psychological thriller packed with suspense, mystery and twists that will keep you guessing until the very end, I’d highly recommend this one. It’s one of the most gripping thrillers I’ve read in a long time.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever slow-burning mystery. Marian Lane is a much-loved author, writer of a bestselling cosy crime series about a dinner-lady detective, who seems to be loosely based on her late mother (and possibly also on her late sister). She's attending a large literary festival, together with her best friend Iris, and her niece Ariadne (and dog, Beddoes) when she's told that her husband Dane has tragically died.
To say she's in a state at the news is an understatement! Flustered and devastated, she returns home and soon meets a woman by the name of Mary who tells her that she's a huge fan and also, that bizarrely, she was 'with' Dane as he was dying, well at least nearby and able to talk to him in his final moments.
The story is intriguing, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger and alternatimg between current events, Marian's dismal childhood, her time at university and her group of friends, which included Dane and Iris, and some rather traumatic events. And then there are chapters where we hear from Mary, who right from the start is quite obviously an unreliable narrator.
But then, is Marian as reliable as we're first led to believe?
It's all deliciously twisted and I loved it!
Thank you to Compulsive Readers and the publisher for my review copy!

[Lovetoread2023 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading anything by William Hussey, and it definitely won’t be my last. The Woman Who Wasn’t There completely pulled me in from the start. It’s packed with twists and turns that keep you on your toes throughout. I always enjoy trying to guess where a story is heading, but this one caught me out more than once. The characters are well written and really engaging, especially Marian. I loved the way the story moves backwards and forwards through her life, from her early years to her university days, slowly revealing pieces of the puzzle. It added an extra layer of intrigue and kept the tension building as the story unfolded. There are also little touches of humour peppered throughout, which give the story a nice balance and make the characters feel even more real. Just when I thought I might have worked things out, the ending completely surprised me. I really, really didn’t see it coming — William Hussey absolutely knocked it out of the park with that final twist. A gripping, twist-filled read with great characters, a clever plot, and an ending that will stay with you. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.