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The Lawyer's Husband
The killer isn’t in the courtroom. He’s in your marriage.
I’m working the biggest case of my career. If I win, I’ll be the most successful lawyer in Michigan. If I lose, no woman is safe at home, least of all me...
Because, as our first and only witness gives her statement, my whole life begins to unravel.
Every detail she recalls about the killer we’re after is devastatingly his dark, unruly hair, his obsession with crisp shirts and sharp suits, even the restaurants he takes his victims to on dates. I shudder as she describes the red silk ribbon he asked her to wear as a symbol of her devotion.
We haven’t found the real killer. But I know exactly who he is.
The man who swore to cherish me until death do us part. Who tightly tied the crimson bow that I can now feel scratching at my wrist. My husband…
A must-read psychological thriller that will make you stay up all night. Fans of Gone Girl, The Housemaid and The Girl on the Train will be gasping out loud as they read the twists in this!
What readers are saying about Robin
“OMG, this book totally reeled me in and kept me hooked… will keep you on the edge of your seat and gripping it with your nails! Absolutely loved… You will literally feel like a tornado has gone through your mind when you read this… Unpredictable and soooooo good.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Omggggg. I read this book in less than 24 hours. I couldn’t put it down!… Will keep you reading on and on trying to figure everything out.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“AWESOME… I could not put it down. I read it all night. It really had me at the edge of my seat. The ending was a total surprise.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“At least a 10 star book… So riveting… I finished it around 1:15 AM… Will figuratively leave you gasping for air… I was sure I had this all figured out until I didn’t.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“It’s 2am and I couldn’t put it down… Phenomenal.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“5 stars is not enough for this book!!!!… I couldn’t stop… I had to know what happened and loved every nail biting, tear-filled, breath holding moment!!!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“My oh my, once I started reading, I could NOT put this book down… I finally turned off the TV, no more binge watching my show. I can’t wait to read her others and get hooked on one after another.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’m working the biggest case of my career. If I win, I’ll be the most successful lawyer in Michigan. If I lose, no woman is safe at home, least of all me...
Because, as our first and only witness gives her statement, my whole life begins to unravel.
Every detail she recalls about the killer we’re after is devastatingly his dark, unruly hair, his obsession with crisp shirts and sharp suits, even the restaurants he takes his victims to on dates. I shudder as she describes the red silk ribbon he asked her to wear as a symbol of her devotion.
We haven’t found the real killer. But I know exactly who he is.
The man who swore to cherish me until death do us part. Who tightly tied the crimson bow that I can now feel scratching at my wrist. My husband…
A must-read psychological thriller that will make you stay up all night. Fans of Gone Girl, The Housemaid and The Girl on the Train will be gasping out loud as they read the twists in this!
What readers are saying about Robin
“OMG, this book totally reeled me in and kept me hooked… will keep you on the edge of your seat and gripping it with your nails! Absolutely loved… You will literally feel like a tornado has gone through your mind when you read this… Unpredictable and soooooo good.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Omggggg. I read this book in less than 24 hours. I couldn’t put it down!… Will keep you reading on and on trying to figure everything out.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“AWESOME… I could not put it down. I read it all night. It really had me at the edge of my seat. The ending was a total surprise.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“At least a 10 star book… So riveting… I finished it around 1:15 AM… Will figuratively leave you gasping for air… I was sure I had this all figured out until I didn’t.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“It’s 2am and I couldn’t put it down… Phenomenal.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“5 stars is not enough for this book!!!!… I couldn’t stop… I had to know what happened and loved every nail biting, tear-filled, breath holding moment!!!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“My oh my, once I started reading, I could NOT put this book down… I finally turned off the TV, no more binge watching my show. I can’t wait to read her others and get hooked on one after another.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2026
About the author
Robin James
29 books483 followersRobin James is an attorney and former law professor. She's worked on a wide range of civil, criminal and family law cases in her twenty-year legal career. She also spent over a decade as supervising attorney for a Michigan legal clinic assisting thousands of people who could not otherwise afford access to justice.
Robin now lives on a lake in southern Michigan with her husband, two children, and one lazy dog. Her favorite, pure Michigan writing spot is stretched out on the back of a pontoon watching the faster boats go by.
Join Robin James's Legal Thriller Newsletter to get updates on her latest releases and author news. http://robinjamesbooks.com/newsletter
Robin now lives on a lake in southern Michigan with her husband, two children, and one lazy dog. Her favorite, pure Michigan writing spot is stretched out on the back of a pontoon watching the faster boats go by.
Join Robin James's Legal Thriller Newsletter to get updates on her latest releases and author news. http://robinjamesbooks.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Situated on the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan, Lasalle Harbor is a part of the scenic Michigan Riviera, attracting some of the wealthiest individuals in the state. Among these affluent residents is Lock Manning, a name that has been synonymous with prominence in the region, recognized for his family considerable wealth and influence. In contrast to this affluence, Lock distinguishes himself with his humble demeanor, making him both relatable and approachable, even within the elite circles of his community.
Mina Sobel/Manning has dedicated the past five years to her role as an Assistant Prosecutor, concentrating on violent felony offenses. However, her new assignment signifies a transition into unfamiliar territory. For the next two years, she will be part of a specialized team focused on finding missing persons, particularly women who have become victims of online predators. The prospect of this new position fills her with excitement, as it resonates with her long-standing ambitions. Nevertheless, she quickly discovers that her initial case will not be contested in a courtroom but rather among her peers, presenting an entirely different set of challenges.
This isn't your typical Robin James courtroom thriller. The real twist here is that the killer isn't hiding in the courtroom; he might be right in her bed. By the end of this book, you'll be left guessing, as the plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns.
Prepare for a wild ride where nothing is as it seems. With so many surprises along the way, you'll find yourself questioning everything until the very last page.
If you're looking for a psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and have you reading late into the night, this is the one to pick up. I wholeheartedly recommend it!
June 18, 2026
This book begins with one protagonist covered in someone else’s blood being taken away by the police. Naturally, I was hooked from the first page.
Robin James wastes no time dropping readers into the middle of a crisis before rewinding to reveal how everything unraveled. The story follows Mina, a successful assistant prosecutor whose latest case involves a dating app connected to a string of missing women.
Working alongside veteran detective Roy, she is determined to bring justice to the victims. The investigation initially unfolds much like an episode of Law & Order, comforting in its familiarity as investigators begin interviewing the lone woman who escaped the suspected killer.
That survivor is Corrine, a waitress who has spent the last five years trying to move forward after her terrifying encounter with the man known as the Whisper Match killer. Corrine’s chapters gradually reveal that she is carrying secrets of her own, and her perspective adds another layer of uncertainty to an already complex mystery.
Things take a disturbing turn when details from the investigation begin to mirror experiences Mina has had with her husband, Lock. Mina has built her career on identifying dangerous men and holding them accountable. Yet Lock does not fit the profile she expects.
Lock runs a sanctuary for troubled boys, devotes himself to helping vulnerable children, and appears genuinely heartbroken whenever he cannot save someone in need. The growing conflict between Mina’s professional instincts and her personal loyalties creates some of the novel’s strongest tension.
What I enjoyed most was how effectively the author plays with perception. Nearly every character seems to be hiding something, and each new revelation forces both Mina and the reader to reevaluate what they think they know. The alternating viewpoints keep the pace moving, and the short chapters make it easy to say “just one more chapter” long after bedtime.
While some twists require a bit of suspension of disbelief, the novel succeeds where it matters most: it keeps the reader guessing. With each new revelation in Mina’s investigation and relationship, the case becomes more tangled. We also get to know Corrine, who has secrets upon secrets of her own. This mystery is the kind you can’t put down, for better or worse.
Fans of domestic suspense, legal thrillers, and twist-heavy mysteries will likely find plenty to enjoy here. The Lawyer’s Husband delivers a fast-paced, addictive read. The audiobook narration by Elise Roth and Madeline Pell elevates the experience even further, with both performers bringing nuance, tension, and emotional depth to every chapter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Robin James wastes no time dropping readers into the middle of a crisis before rewinding to reveal how everything unraveled. The story follows Mina, a successful assistant prosecutor whose latest case involves a dating app connected to a string of missing women.
Working alongside veteran detective Roy, she is determined to bring justice to the victims. The investigation initially unfolds much like an episode of Law & Order, comforting in its familiarity as investigators begin interviewing the lone woman who escaped the suspected killer.
That survivor is Corrine, a waitress who has spent the last five years trying to move forward after her terrifying encounter with the man known as the Whisper Match killer. Corrine’s chapters gradually reveal that she is carrying secrets of her own, and her perspective adds another layer of uncertainty to an already complex mystery.
Things take a disturbing turn when details from the investigation begin to mirror experiences Mina has had with her husband, Lock. Mina has built her career on identifying dangerous men and holding them accountable. Yet Lock does not fit the profile she expects.
Lock runs a sanctuary for troubled boys, devotes himself to helping vulnerable children, and appears genuinely heartbroken whenever he cannot save someone in need. The growing conflict between Mina’s professional instincts and her personal loyalties creates some of the novel’s strongest tension.
What I enjoyed most was how effectively the author plays with perception. Nearly every character seems to be hiding something, and each new revelation forces both Mina and the reader to reevaluate what they think they know. The alternating viewpoints keep the pace moving, and the short chapters make it easy to say “just one more chapter” long after bedtime.
While some twists require a bit of suspension of disbelief, the novel succeeds where it matters most: it keeps the reader guessing. With each new revelation in Mina’s investigation and relationship, the case becomes more tangled. We also get to know Corrine, who has secrets upon secrets of her own. This mystery is the kind you can’t put down, for better or worse.
Fans of domestic suspense, legal thrillers, and twist-heavy mysteries will likely find plenty to enjoy here. The Lawyer’s Husband delivers a fast-paced, addictive read. The audiobook narration by Elise Roth and Madeline Pell elevates the experience even further, with both performers bringing nuance, tension, and emotional depth to every chapter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2026
Mina is a prosecuting attorney working on the biggest case of her career. For years, a serial killer has managed to evade justice, but that is about to change when the lone surviving victim comes forward. During a series of interviews, the witness recounts the terrifying details of her ordeal. As Mina listens, she is horrified to realize that every description matches her husband perfectly. One especially unique detail convinces Mina that her husband may actually be the killer.
The story then offers glimpses into Mina’s home life. Married for only two years, she begins to question how well she truly knows her husband. Although their relationship is passionate, cracks have started to appear, and Mina finds herself searching for clues within her own marriage that might prove the unthinkable.
Caught between her professional duty and her personal life, Mina walks a dangerous line. Does she trust the victim’s testimony and risk believing that the man she loves is a serial killer, or is there another explanation?
This cleverly crafted psychological thriller grabs hold from the very first page and never lets go. The tension is relentless, the suspense is palpable, and the twists keep coming. With compelling themes of betrayal, marriage, and obsession, this novel delivers an ending I never saw coming. That final twist was a genuine shocker. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators did an excellent job bringing the characters to life, adding even more intensity to an already gripping story.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
The story then offers glimpses into Mina’s home life. Married for only two years, she begins to question how well she truly knows her husband. Although their relationship is passionate, cracks have started to appear, and Mina finds herself searching for clues within her own marriage that might prove the unthinkable.
Caught between her professional duty and her personal life, Mina walks a dangerous line. Does she trust the victim’s testimony and risk believing that the man she loves is a serial killer, or is there another explanation?
This cleverly crafted psychological thriller grabs hold from the very first page and never lets go. The tension is relentless, the suspense is palpable, and the twists keep coming. With compelling themes of betrayal, marriage, and obsession, this novel delivers an ending I never saw coming. That final twist was a genuine shocker. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators did an excellent job bringing the characters to life, adding even more intensity to an already gripping story.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
July 6, 2026
4.5 rounded up!
Thrillers are maybe 2-5% of my reads (I shout count it someday) but I think this is called popcorn thriller?
I was hooked from the beginning and interested the whole time!
I was lucky enough to get ARC and ALC and I combined all forms of reading: just listened, read a bit, and then did immersive reading as well.
The storyline, writing and pacing - all of it was exactly how I like it! The suspense was there but not high enough to trigger my anxiety, and it left me in a mood for another thrillery read sooner than next month (*I usually read thrillers only once a month cause they give me anxiety that I need to recover from with reading 20 romances in between 😅)
I did figure out the plot twist (to some extent) but it didn’t make me like the book any less. You can say it was predictable but, like, in a good way. At least for me ;)
I really enjoyed the writing style and pacing. Some parts had very short sentences but it fit well. I feel like the plot was more evenly paced rather than slow and then packed in the last 10-15% (which imo is more usual pacing for this genre) and I really enjoyed it.
There were certain parts of the plot that could be more developed (Mina’s childhood, Lock’s childhood/family situation, Corinne’s father) BUT this would make the book longer. The length of this book was just perfect and while certain the reader *could* get more details about certain storylines, at the same time the way it was presented was enough.
🎧🎧🎧
Duration: 10h15min
Narrated by: Elise Roth and Madeline Pell
This should be quick: I simply loved the narration! It was easy to listen with my preferred speed (2.0x) and speed up for when I was immersive reading (to 2.5x)
The narration was very good and fit the characters and the story. No notes to the audio part!
🎧🎧🎧
It was my first read by Robin James but certainly not the last!
Thrillers are maybe 2-5% of my reads (I shout count it someday) but I think this is called popcorn thriller?
I was hooked from the beginning and interested the whole time!
I was lucky enough to get ARC and ALC and I combined all forms of reading: just listened, read a bit, and then did immersive reading as well.
The storyline, writing and pacing - all of it was exactly how I like it! The suspense was there but not high enough to trigger my anxiety, and it left me in a mood for another thrillery read sooner than next month (*I usually read thrillers only once a month cause they give me anxiety that I need to recover from with reading 20 romances in between 😅)
I did figure out the plot twist (to some extent) but it didn’t make me like the book any less. You can say it was predictable but, like, in a good way. At least for me ;)
I really enjoyed the writing style and pacing. Some parts had very short sentences but it fit well. I feel like the plot was more evenly paced rather than slow and then packed in the last 10-15% (which imo is more usual pacing for this genre) and I really enjoyed it.
There were certain parts of the plot that could be more developed (Mina’s childhood, Lock’s childhood/family situation, Corinne’s father) BUT this would make the book longer. The length of this book was just perfect and while certain the reader *could* get more details about certain storylines, at the same time the way it was presented was enough.
🎧🎧🎧
Duration: 10h15min
Narrated by: Elise Roth and Madeline Pell
This should be quick: I simply loved the narration! It was easy to listen with my preferred speed (2.0x) and speed up for when I was immersive reading (to 2.5x)
The narration was very good and fit the characters and the story. No notes to the audio part!
🎧🎧🎧
It was my first read by Robin James but certainly not the last!
July 5, 2026
The book opens with Mina being arrested, but what for? Mina Manning is a fierce assistant prosecutor in Michigan who has a great reputation. She has been asked to be part of a task force, investigating missing women. The team puts out a call for any women who had negative experiences with a dating app called WhisprMatch, as they think that is how the unsub is meeting women. A young woman by the name of Corinne comes forward and shares her story of the man she met through the app. She had filed a police report as he stalked her and frightened her. As she tells her story to the task force, Mina begins to feel sick. The idiosyncracies that this man had matched her husband, Lock. Is he the man they are looking for? She tells no one, but is worried, until she is with Lock and knows that he couldn't hurt anyone or could he?
Mina and Lock have an amazing relationship, helping each other when the stress and anxiety arrives, but so much in love. Mina is an amazing prosecutor, a strong woman who loved putting the bad guys away. Lock had a terrible childhood, he was abused by his father, and ignored by his mother. He now runs the family's foundation and company. His brother died when he was young, so he names his foundation after him, and his goal is to help boys who need a hand up, like he did. He loves Mina, but has a lot of issues that he is still dealing with. His best friend, Eli works with him, and Eli's wife is a piece of work. She treats Mina like an outsider and that she doesn't belong., but they play an important part in the story. I don't want to give away the story, so will just say that I was pulled into this story from the start. I had a good feeling about my guess for who was behind everything, but there were lots of twists and reveals that had me second guessing myself. I read long into the night to find out how this story was going to play out. The last part of the book moved quickly, so it was just one more chapter, until I was at the end. Yes, I was right, but I will say that I waffled a lot along the way. Some of the situations were a bit predictable, some were convenient, but overall, this was an excellent story with lots of twists, secrets, reveals and a story that kept me captivated. If you like a good old fashioned thriller, then I recommend you pick up The Lawyer's Husband.
Mina and Lock have an amazing relationship, helping each other when the stress and anxiety arrives, but so much in love. Mina is an amazing prosecutor, a strong woman who loved putting the bad guys away. Lock had a terrible childhood, he was abused by his father, and ignored by his mother. He now runs the family's foundation and company. His brother died when he was young, so he names his foundation after him, and his goal is to help boys who need a hand up, like he did. He loves Mina, but has a lot of issues that he is still dealing with. His best friend, Eli works with him, and Eli's wife is a piece of work. She treats Mina like an outsider and that she doesn't belong., but they play an important part in the story. I don't want to give away the story, so will just say that I was pulled into this story from the start. I had a good feeling about my guess for who was behind everything, but there were lots of twists and reveals that had me second guessing myself. I read long into the night to find out how this story was going to play out. The last part of the book moved quickly, so it was just one more chapter, until I was at the end. Yes, I was right, but I will say that I waffled a lot along the way. Some of the situations were a bit predictable, some were convenient, but overall, this was an excellent story with lots of twists, secrets, reveals and a story that kept me captivated. If you like a good old fashioned thriller, then I recommend you pick up The Lawyer's Husband.
July 4, 2026
The Lawyer’s Husband has a killer on the loose and holy cow, I didn’t want to put this book down. Poor Mina is arrested right away. I couldn’t wait to see how this played out. The ending I did not see coming with lots of twists and turns until the very end! A new to me author makes me want to read more of her books! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early advance copy.
June 6, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Robin James delivers a suspenseful, twist-filled thriller that grabbed my attention from the first chapter and never let go.
Mina is a successful lawyer who believes she knows her husband inside and out. But as unsettling questions begin to surface, she finds herself wondering whether the man she loves is really who he says he is. The deeper she digs, the more her life begins to unravel.
I flew through this book. The pacing is excellent, with short chapters and plenty of surprises that kept me reading “just one more chapter.” Every time I thought I had figured things out, the story took another unexpected turn.
This was an engaging, addictive read with a strong main character and plenty of suspense. If you enjoy domestic thrillers filled with secrets, lies, and shocking revelations, I highly recommend The Lawyer’s Husband.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Robin James delivers a suspenseful, twist-filled thriller that grabbed my attention from the first chapter and never let go.
Mina is a successful lawyer who believes she knows her husband inside and out. But as unsettling questions begin to surface, she finds herself wondering whether the man she loves is really who he says he is. The deeper she digs, the more her life begins to unravel.
I flew through this book. The pacing is excellent, with short chapters and plenty of surprises that kept me reading “just one more chapter.” Every time I thought I had figured things out, the story took another unexpected turn.
This was an engaging, addictive read with a strong main character and plenty of suspense. If you enjoy domestic thrillers filled with secrets, lies, and shocking revelations, I highly recommend The Lawyer’s Husband.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
June 17, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC!
The Lawyer’s Husband by Robin James had me hooked from the start. This is one of those suspenseful thrillers that keeps throwing curveballs at you, making it impossible to feel too comfortable with any theory for long.
I really enjoyed all the twists, turns, and constant ups and downs throughout the story. Every time I thought I had things figured out, something new would happen that sent me in a completely different direction. The pacing kept me engaged, and the suspense had me with anxiety 😂
And that ending? I absolutely did not see that twist coming. Looking back, the clues were there, but Robin James did an excellent job of keeping me guessing until the very end.
If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers packed with secrets, tension, and surprising reveals, this one is definitely worth picking up. A fun, addictive listen that kept me entertained from beginning to end.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC!
The Lawyer’s Husband by Robin James had me hooked from the start. This is one of those suspenseful thrillers that keeps throwing curveballs at you, making it impossible to feel too comfortable with any theory for long.
I really enjoyed all the twists, turns, and constant ups and downs throughout the story. Every time I thought I had things figured out, something new would happen that sent me in a completely different direction. The pacing kept me engaged, and the suspense had me with anxiety 😂
And that ending? I absolutely did not see that twist coming. Looking back, the clues were there, but Robin James did an excellent job of keeping me guessing until the very end.
If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers packed with secrets, tension, and surprising reveals, this one is definitely worth picking up. A fun, addictive listen that kept me entertained from beginning to end.
June 30, 2026
I loved this book! The Lawyer’s Husband was twisty, suspenseful, and kept me guessing for most of the story. I found myself constantly questioning the characters and trying to figure out what was really going on.
I’ll admit that around the three-quarter mark, I started to piece together what was happening. Even so, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment. Up until then, I had absolutely no idea where the story was headed, and I loved the way the mystery unfolded.
The characters were well developed, and I was invested in both them and the story from the very beginning. The pacing kept me engaged, and the ending was satisfying, tying everything together in a way that felt earned.
This was my first book by this author, and it certainly won’t be my last. I’ll definitely be looking for more of her books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to preread and review this book.
I’ll admit that around the three-quarter mark, I started to piece together what was happening. Even so, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment. Up until then, I had absolutely no idea where the story was headed, and I loved the way the mystery unfolded.
The characters were well developed, and I was invested in both them and the story from the very beginning. The pacing kept me engaged, and the ending was satisfying, tying everything together in a way that felt earned.
This was my first book by this author, and it certainly won’t be my last. I’ll definitely be looking for more of her books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to preread and review this book.
June 13, 2026
Oh where to begin with this one? When I read the description on NetGalley I knew I wanted to read this. The premise sounded very interesting.
The story follows a prosecutor on a task force that was set up to find a serial killer. One of the victims who supposedly survived her encounter with said serial killer comes for questioning but offers details that are familiar to the prosecutor because that’s what her husband does or did with her.
When they described this as unputdownable that’s exactly what it was. At certain point I thought I was going crazy. I had the urge to go back so I could be sure that I got it right before.
I’m really pleased with how this turned out. I mean for once I am actually happy that I was right!! I can say that now even though I thought for a minute there I was being played 😂😂
The only thing I would have liked that was missing in this is the husband’s POV but otherwise this was an interesting, fast paced read.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this Arc.
Actual rating 3.5🌟
The story follows a prosecutor on a task force that was set up to find a serial killer. One of the victims who supposedly survived her encounter with said serial killer comes for questioning but offers details that are familiar to the prosecutor because that’s what her husband does or did with her.
When they described this as unputdownable that’s exactly what it was. At certain point I thought I was going crazy. I had the urge to go back so I could be sure that I got it right before.
I’m really pleased with how this turned out. I mean for once I am actually happy that I was right!! I can say that now even though I thought for a minute there I was being played 😂😂
The only thing I would have liked that was missing in this is the husband’s POV but otherwise this was an interesting, fast paced read.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this Arc.
Actual rating 3.5🌟
June 23, 2026
This thriller opens with the lawyer’s husband being wheeled out of their home on a stretcher. We’re then in a task force meeting where the clues left by a recent perpetrator sound eerily familiar to the lawyer, who is wearing a red ribbon around her wrist just like the victims in this high-profile case. Is her husband of two years a murderer? How can she be sure he is or is not? We follow along as she examines her life and that of her husband in greater detail. There’s definitely a “too good to be true” aspect to their relationship, so we willingly go along for the ride.
While I may have figured out the mystery before the end, I did not have all the details. It was still an enjoyable listen with a well-narrated audiobook. A good detective thriller with mostly unsympathetic characters.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BookoutureAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheLawyersHusband for review purposes. Publication date: 3 July 2026.
While I may have figured out the mystery before the end, I did not have all the details. It was still an enjoyable listen with a well-narrated audiobook. A good detective thriller with mostly unsympathetic characters.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BookoutureAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheLawyersHusband for review purposes. Publication date: 3 July 2026.
June 25, 2026
Mina is a prosecutor who is brought into a task force to investigate a possible serial killer. The details and description of the serial killer begin to sound like her husband, Lock. Lock is a wealthy, influential philanthropist who has been the best husband. How could he be a killer? As Mina is drawn in, she quickly realizes she cannot trust the people around her and that she may be in danger. Is her husband a serial killer?
I love that this book is set in the Midwest! This is an amazing domestic thriller. Mina is tough except when it comes to her husband. She struggles to decide what is true and who she can turn to for help. I loved the way she stood firm and fought to uncover the truth. The pace of the book is perfect, and you will be quickly caught up in the story. This is my first book by Robin James, and I am so glad I was able to read this ARC. I will definitely continue to read more books by this author.
I love that this book is set in the Midwest! This is an amazing domestic thriller. Mina is tough except when it comes to her husband. She struggles to decide what is true and who she can turn to for help. I loved the way she stood firm and fought to uncover the truth. The pace of the book is perfect, and you will be quickly caught up in the story. This is my first book by Robin James, and I am so glad I was able to read this ARC. I will definitely continue to read more books by this author.
July 14, 2026
This is the first Robin James book I've read that just wasn't for me.
July 16, 2026
THE LAWYERS HUSBAND BY ROBIN JAMES.
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
I found this book very gripping and I enjoyed it.
Looking forward to reading more books by this author
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
I found this book very gripping and I enjoyed it.
Looking forward to reading more books by this author
July 7, 2026
This suspense filled psychological thriller grabs you from the start and doesn't let go. As a huge fan of this author, I couldn't wait for this new book, the first of two. Did the happy dance on release day and dove in. Yes, I was racing through the pages. Will admit I got a little overly anxious around the 65% mark when situations went off the rails. I got more and more worked up the farther I read thinking I knew was was going to happen and I didn't like it AT ALL!!! Ha! Whew! Should've known RJ wouldn't let me down. So many secrets and twisty moments follow before the surprising ending.
Now that I've read the blurb for book 2, "The Lawyer's Husband", Yowza! Here we go again. Rubbing my hands with glee, can't wait.
Side note: Loved the info for Raising Readers at the end to promote and encourage young readers.
Now that I've read the blurb for book 2, "The Lawyer's Husband", Yowza! Here we go again. Rubbing my hands with glee, can't wait.
Side note: Loved the info for Raising Readers at the end to promote and encourage young readers.
May 23, 2026
Full of suspense and twists. Highly recommend!
Read
May 14, 2026This book was recommended to me by the publisher based on a previous book I had read and was not one I had requested. I found this book mediocre at best with repetitive passages and completely far fetched. I struggled to get through the book to a very predictable and not surprising conclusion. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.
July 6, 2026
Thank you to Robin James, NetGalley, and Bookouture for providing me with a copy of The Lawyer's Husband in exchange for an honest review.
Mina... Mina... Mina.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate what an absolute badass this woman is?
She was, without question, my favorite part of this entire book. Smart, determined, and unwilling to back down even when everyone around her seemed ready to dismiss what she was saying. I was sitting there the whole time thinking, "Will someone PLEASE listen to this woman already?" The frustration was real.
And Mark...
Sir, respectfully... 🖕.
That's all I have to say about that.
Mina is happily married to Lock, and just as she's handling the biggest case of her legal career, every clue seems to circle back to the one person she never expected to question—her own husband. Suddenly, the man she shares a home and a bed with starts looking suspiciously connected to murders that should have nothing to do with him.
The entire time I kept asking myself the same question Mina was wrestling with: Is this really the man she's been living with all these years? Or are the similarities just one giant coincidence designed to make everyone question everything?
Robin James does a fantastic job playing with that uncertainty. Every chapter made me second-guess my theories, and just when I thought I'd settled on an answer, another piece of information came along and sent me spiraling in a completely different direction.
Then there's Corrine.
I actually liked her... but did I trust her?
Absolutely not.
Not for one single second.
Everything about her felt just a little too convenient. Every explanation had me narrowing my eyes and thinking, "Yeah... I'm gonna need more than that." I enjoyed her character because she kept me guessing, even if my trust meter stayed firmly at zero.
My only real complaint is that I wanted more Mina. She was such a compelling lead that I found myself craving more of her story, more of her background, more of her thoughts, and more time watching her do what she does best. Instead, we got little tidbits here and there, and I kept wishing Robin James had dug even deeper into who Mina is beyond this case. Had that happened, this easily could've been a five-star read for me.
The pacing was solid, the mystery kept me engaged, and the constant uncertainty over whether Lock was guilty or innocent made it impossible to stop turning the pages. I never felt completely comfortable with any theory, and that's exactly how I like my domestic thrillers.
Final Verdict
The Lawyer's Husband delivers a suspenseful, twist-filled mystery with a fierce female lead you'll be rooting for from page one. Mina absolutely steals the show, and the uncertainty surrounding Lock keeps the tension high until the very end. While I would've loved more insight into Mina's life outside the case, the gripping mystery and memorable characters easily make this a standout read.
Sassy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Come for the murder investigation, stay for Mina being an absolute queen, side-eye everyone, trust no one... and Mark, you can still catch that middle finger on your way out.
Mina... Mina... Mina.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate what an absolute badass this woman is?
She was, without question, my favorite part of this entire book. Smart, determined, and unwilling to back down even when everyone around her seemed ready to dismiss what she was saying. I was sitting there the whole time thinking, "Will someone PLEASE listen to this woman already?" The frustration was real.
And Mark...
Sir, respectfully... 🖕.
That's all I have to say about that.
Mina is happily married to Lock, and just as she's handling the biggest case of her legal career, every clue seems to circle back to the one person she never expected to question—her own husband. Suddenly, the man she shares a home and a bed with starts looking suspiciously connected to murders that should have nothing to do with him.
The entire time I kept asking myself the same question Mina was wrestling with: Is this really the man she's been living with all these years? Or are the similarities just one giant coincidence designed to make everyone question everything?
Robin James does a fantastic job playing with that uncertainty. Every chapter made me second-guess my theories, and just when I thought I'd settled on an answer, another piece of information came along and sent me spiraling in a completely different direction.
Then there's Corrine.
I actually liked her... but did I trust her?
Absolutely not.
Not for one single second.
Everything about her felt just a little too convenient. Every explanation had me narrowing my eyes and thinking, "Yeah... I'm gonna need more than that." I enjoyed her character because she kept me guessing, even if my trust meter stayed firmly at zero.
My only real complaint is that I wanted more Mina. She was such a compelling lead that I found myself craving more of her story, more of her background, more of her thoughts, and more time watching her do what she does best. Instead, we got little tidbits here and there, and I kept wishing Robin James had dug even deeper into who Mina is beyond this case. Had that happened, this easily could've been a five-star read for me.
The pacing was solid, the mystery kept me engaged, and the constant uncertainty over whether Lock was guilty or innocent made it impossible to stop turning the pages. I never felt completely comfortable with any theory, and that's exactly how I like my domestic thrillers.
Final Verdict
The Lawyer's Husband delivers a suspenseful, twist-filled mystery with a fierce female lead you'll be rooting for from page one. Mina absolutely steals the show, and the uncertainty surrounding Lock keeps the tension high until the very end. While I would've loved more insight into Mina's life outside the case, the gripping mystery and memorable characters easily make this a standout read.
Sassy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Come for the murder investigation, stay for Mina being an absolute queen, side-eye everyone, trust no one... and Mark, you can still catch that middle finger on your way out.
July 3, 2026
Oh my gosh - if I could give this more than 5 stars, I absolutely would!
I must have read hundreds of thrillers before this and you'd think I'd seen it all - but there was definitely something about this read that really stood out and had my heart.
It's quite rare that I get emotionally attached to characters in this genre, not like I did here, and I can't explain it.
It wasn't my usual, oh I feel sorry for them and what they're going through (although there was some of that) - but I actually was rooting for both Mina and Lock and was so distraught about what was happening and how it all looked.
Lawyer Mina is taken on to help in an investigation where women have been going missing and as she sits in the meeting where the only witness describes a very familiar situation - she feels herself spiralling.
From the beginning, we're introduced to Lock and Mina and we see what a wonderful connection they have with each other and I think this is what endeared me to them both instantly.
When it looks like Lock was implicated, Mina doesn't know what to think and the more information that comes to light, the more her life falls apart.
I did feel sorry for Mina, but I was actually getting angry with how things were playing out and every time something else clicked into place, I was so upset for them both and just couldn't believe what was happening.
I can't say too much else about the plot, but I was absolutely hooked and could not put this down.
I say this a lot, but this book just had me by the throat and I was so invested in the whole storyline.
I just loved (and hated) every second!
This was a twisty read, despite it all looking cut and dry and I loved how things played out and how the whole thing came together at the end.
I especially liked the side plots and backstories that ran throughout and the decisions made towards the end.
I'm actually beyond excited to now discover that there is going to be a second book featuring these characters (actually scrap that, I've just read the blurb and now know that I'm going to be angry and traumatised again!! 😆) ....seriously though, I HAVE to read book 2 and can't wait to have my heart ripped to shreds again!
This was brilliantly written and plotted - I can't believe I haven't read this author before - but I know I will be catching up as soon as I can find the time.
I think this is one of my favourite reads of the year so far!
I must have read hundreds of thrillers before this and you'd think I'd seen it all - but there was definitely something about this read that really stood out and had my heart.
It's quite rare that I get emotionally attached to characters in this genre, not like I did here, and I can't explain it.
It wasn't my usual, oh I feel sorry for them and what they're going through (although there was some of that) - but I actually was rooting for both Mina and Lock and was so distraught about what was happening and how it all looked.
Lawyer Mina is taken on to help in an investigation where women have been going missing and as she sits in the meeting where the only witness describes a very familiar situation - she feels herself spiralling.
From the beginning, we're introduced to Lock and Mina and we see what a wonderful connection they have with each other and I think this is what endeared me to them both instantly.
When it looks like Lock was implicated, Mina doesn't know what to think and the more information that comes to light, the more her life falls apart.
I did feel sorry for Mina, but I was actually getting angry with how things were playing out and every time something else clicked into place, I was so upset for them both and just couldn't believe what was happening.
I can't say too much else about the plot, but I was absolutely hooked and could not put this down.
I say this a lot, but this book just had me by the throat and I was so invested in the whole storyline.
I just loved (and hated) every second!
This was a twisty read, despite it all looking cut and dry and I loved how things played out and how the whole thing came together at the end.
I especially liked the side plots and backstories that ran throughout and the decisions made towards the end.
I'm actually beyond excited to now discover that there is going to be a second book featuring these characters (actually scrap that, I've just read the blurb and now know that I'm going to be angry and traumatised again!! 😆) ....seriously though, I HAVE to read book 2 and can't wait to have my heart ripped to shreds again!
This was brilliantly written and plotted - I can't believe I haven't read this author before - but I know I will be catching up as soon as I can find the time.
I think this is one of my favourite reads of the year so far!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review: The Lawyer’s Husband by Robin James
Rating: 4/5 Stars
As a longtime fan of legal thrillers, I was thrilled to receive an early access copy of Robin James’s latest work, The Lawyer’s Husband. This novel immediately drew me in with its promise of a complex web of devious characters, moving beyond the standard "good guy vs. bad guy" tropes.
The Story
The story follows Mina, a prosecutor who has just joined a new team investigating a serial killer. During an interview with a witness named Corrine, Mina hears details about the killer’s behavior that sound alarmingly similar to her own husband, Lock. The narrative follows Mina’s side investigation into her husband’s potential double life as she uncovers the ultimate truth.
The point-of-view shifts between Mina and Corrine, creating an atmosphere where it is difficult to identify the unreliable narrator—a dynamic I found particularly compelling. The characters develop well, with several surprises along the way. As a legal thriller, the pacing is medium-to-fast, ensuring the story remains engaging throughout.
Audiobook Experience
I enjoyed the performance of the two narrators; their voices were well-suited to the main characters and they did an excellent job building the tension as we neared the climax.
Performance: While the narrators captured the emotional intensity well, I occasionally found the male character voices difficult to distinguish, which sometimes caused slight confusion during dialogue-heavy scenes.
Production: The audio is high-quality and easy to follow, making this an excellent choice for a "commuter read" or while doing chores.
Final Verdict
This is a solid, suspenseful read. While I spotted the "twist" around the middle of the book, the cast of characters is so well-constructed and their agendas so layered that they provide plenty of effective distractions. If you aren't actively hunting for clues, the ending will likely catch you by surprise.
I would highly recommend this to fans of authors like David Ellis (e.g., Look Closer). Whether you choose the print or audio version, the experience is equally engaging.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of The Lawyer’s Husband. I appreciate the chance to provide this review.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
As a longtime fan of legal thrillers, I was thrilled to receive an early access copy of Robin James’s latest work, The Lawyer’s Husband. This novel immediately drew me in with its promise of a complex web of devious characters, moving beyond the standard "good guy vs. bad guy" tropes.
The Story
The story follows Mina, a prosecutor who has just joined a new team investigating a serial killer. During an interview with a witness named Corrine, Mina hears details about the killer’s behavior that sound alarmingly similar to her own husband, Lock. The narrative follows Mina’s side investigation into her husband’s potential double life as she uncovers the ultimate truth.
The point-of-view shifts between Mina and Corrine, creating an atmosphere where it is difficult to identify the unreliable narrator—a dynamic I found particularly compelling. The characters develop well, with several surprises along the way. As a legal thriller, the pacing is medium-to-fast, ensuring the story remains engaging throughout.
Audiobook Experience
I enjoyed the performance of the two narrators; their voices were well-suited to the main characters and they did an excellent job building the tension as we neared the climax.
Performance: While the narrators captured the emotional intensity well, I occasionally found the male character voices difficult to distinguish, which sometimes caused slight confusion during dialogue-heavy scenes.
Production: The audio is high-quality and easy to follow, making this an excellent choice for a "commuter read" or while doing chores.
Final Verdict
This is a solid, suspenseful read. While I spotted the "twist" around the middle of the book, the cast of characters is so well-constructed and their agendas so layered that they provide plenty of effective distractions. If you aren't actively hunting for clues, the ending will likely catch you by surprise.
I would highly recommend this to fans of authors like David Ellis (e.g., Look Closer). Whether you choose the print or audio version, the experience is equally engaging.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of The Lawyer’s Husband. I appreciate the chance to provide this review.
July 3, 2026
My first book by Robin James and what a twisty read this psychological thriller was! A solid 4 star rating from me and I will be looking out for more books by Robin James.
Mina is a respected litigator in Michigan where she works, and because of this reputation she is invited to be a part of a task force who are investigating missing persons’ cases whose connecting factor is using a dating app called WhisprMatch. Mina is excited to make a difference and determined to help as much as she can alongside a team of active FBI agents and retired police detectives headed up by Detective Roy Dennison. Roy and Mina have worked together regularly and have almost a near perfect record of arrests and convictions between them. But as Roy, Mina and their team look further into the cases certain details start to concern Mina as they seem to perfectly describe her husband of a year a half, Lock. Mina tries to keep her home life and work life apart, but concerning strange things start happening at home, Mina and Lock begin arguing and Mina’s picture perfect life starts to crumble around her ears. Mina doesn’t know who she can turn to or who she can trust with her problems and she suddenly starts to feel in danger. Is the person on WhisprMatch also a danger to Mina and if so, will that person come for her to silence her?! And what of Lock, is he the person Mina feel in love with or someone she never really knew at all?!
This was such a good read. The prologue really grabbed me, and I really liked the character of Mina, but I did find her husband, Lock, quite creepy. I have to admit I did find the first half of the book a little slow, but I understood it was setting the scene and building the suspense- which it did so well- ahead of the second half of the story! When the pace picked up around halfway through, I was hooked and couldn’t stop turning pages, the action came thick and fast as did the twists and I really struggled to put the book down desperately wanting to know what would happen next. The book captured the tense atmosphere of the missing person’s cases really well and the twists that came in the second part of the book were so good and the author definitely had me on the wrong track most of the way through the story which I loved. Although I was right about one character and their actions- however I put this down to more the fact that I am a seasoned psychological thriller reader rather than it being obvious and I loved that I had this certain person figured out. I will say no more as this is a spoiler free review!
Overall, this was a really good read, and I certainly recommend it to any fans of the psychological thriller genre. A solid 4 star rating from me and I am very excited to see that there is a book two in the making, which is due out at the start of next year, I will be keeping a keen eye out for that one to continue my journey of the Manning Family!
Thank you to NetGalley, Robin James and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.
Mina is a respected litigator in Michigan where she works, and because of this reputation she is invited to be a part of a task force who are investigating missing persons’ cases whose connecting factor is using a dating app called WhisprMatch. Mina is excited to make a difference and determined to help as much as she can alongside a team of active FBI agents and retired police detectives headed up by Detective Roy Dennison. Roy and Mina have worked together regularly and have almost a near perfect record of arrests and convictions between them. But as Roy, Mina and their team look further into the cases certain details start to concern Mina as they seem to perfectly describe her husband of a year a half, Lock. Mina tries to keep her home life and work life apart, but concerning strange things start happening at home, Mina and Lock begin arguing and Mina’s picture perfect life starts to crumble around her ears. Mina doesn’t know who she can turn to or who she can trust with her problems and she suddenly starts to feel in danger. Is the person on WhisprMatch also a danger to Mina and if so, will that person come for her to silence her?! And what of Lock, is he the person Mina feel in love with or someone she never really knew at all?!
This was such a good read. The prologue really grabbed me, and I really liked the character of Mina, but I did find her husband, Lock, quite creepy. I have to admit I did find the first half of the book a little slow, but I understood it was setting the scene and building the suspense- which it did so well- ahead of the second half of the story! When the pace picked up around halfway through, I was hooked and couldn’t stop turning pages, the action came thick and fast as did the twists and I really struggled to put the book down desperately wanting to know what would happen next. The book captured the tense atmosphere of the missing person’s cases really well and the twists that came in the second part of the book were so good and the author definitely had me on the wrong track most of the way through the story which I loved. Although I was right about one character and their actions- however I put this down to more the fact that I am a seasoned psychological thriller reader rather than it being obvious and I loved that I had this certain person figured out. I will say no more as this is a spoiler free review!
Overall, this was a really good read, and I certainly recommend it to any fans of the psychological thriller genre. A solid 4 star rating from me and I am very excited to see that there is a book two in the making, which is due out at the start of next year, I will be keeping a keen eye out for that one to continue my journey of the Manning Family!
Thank you to NetGalley, Robin James and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A successful prosecutor's world begins to unravel when a witness's testimony about a serial killer hits far too close to home. Say less—I was immediately hooked. As a paralegal, I'm an absolute sucker for legal thrillers, and this one delivered exactly what I was hoping for.
Mina is a successful prosecutor who is recruited to join a task force investigating a possible serial killer. As the case unfolds, the witness's descriptions of the killer begin to sound alarmingly familiar—eerily similar to Mina's husband, Lock. Wealthy, influential, and known for his philanthropy, Lock has always been the perfect husband. So how could he possibly be a serial killer?
As Mina digs deeper into the investigation, she realizes she can no longer trust the people around her, and it soon becomes clear that she may be in just as much danger as the killer's victims. The question that drives the novel is impossible to ignore: Is her husband really a serial killer?
The characters were well developed, and I found myself invested in both their lives and the mystery from the very beginning. The pacing is sharp, with each chapter building the suspense, and the ending is both satisfying and well earned, tying together the many threads in a way that felt believable.
What I enjoyed most were the constant twists and turns. Every time I thought I had figured things out, the story took another unexpected direction, keeping me second-guessing until the very end. Fans of domestic suspense, legal thrillers, and twist-filled mysteries will find plenty to love here. *The Lawyer's Husband* is a fast-paced, addictive read that keeps the tension high from start to finish.
The audiobook experience is elevated even further by narrators Elise Roth and Madeline Pell. Both deliver outstanding performances, bringing nuance, emotion, and intensity to every chapter. Their narration captures the growing suspense perfectly, making it easy to become completely immersed in Mina's world.
This was my first book by this author, but it certainly won't be my last. I'll definitely be adding more of her books to my reading list.
Thank you to Robin James, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.
Mina is a successful prosecutor who is recruited to join a task force investigating a possible serial killer. As the case unfolds, the witness's descriptions of the killer begin to sound alarmingly familiar—eerily similar to Mina's husband, Lock. Wealthy, influential, and known for his philanthropy, Lock has always been the perfect husband. So how could he possibly be a serial killer?
As Mina digs deeper into the investigation, she realizes she can no longer trust the people around her, and it soon becomes clear that she may be in just as much danger as the killer's victims. The question that drives the novel is impossible to ignore: Is her husband really a serial killer?
The characters were well developed, and I found myself invested in both their lives and the mystery from the very beginning. The pacing is sharp, with each chapter building the suspense, and the ending is both satisfying and well earned, tying together the many threads in a way that felt believable.
What I enjoyed most were the constant twists and turns. Every time I thought I had figured things out, the story took another unexpected direction, keeping me second-guessing until the very end. Fans of domestic suspense, legal thrillers, and twist-filled mysteries will find plenty to love here. *The Lawyer's Husband* is a fast-paced, addictive read that keeps the tension high from start to finish.
The audiobook experience is elevated even further by narrators Elise Roth and Madeline Pell. Both deliver outstanding performances, bringing nuance, emotion, and intensity to every chapter. Their narration captures the growing suspense perfectly, making it easy to become completely immersed in Mina's world.
This was my first book by this author, but it certainly won't be my last. I'll definitely be adding more of her books to my reading list.
Thank you to Robin James, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 ⭐️s
Mina is an assistant prosecutor newly assigned to a task force investigating a string of missing women connected to a dating app. When the team interviews their first witness, Corrine, the details she shares sound eerily similar to Mina's husband, a well-known businessman in the community who has devoted his adult life to helping troubled boys, forcing Mina to question everything she thought she knew about him.
From its attention-grabbing prologue to its final pages, this book was very easy to binge and kept me thoroughly engaged. As with many books in this genre, though, it does require a fair amount of suspension of disbelief.
A minor issue I had was that while I understood Mina not wanting to believe what she was hearing, given how brilliant she was supposed to be, some of her decisions felt unbelievable and became a bit frustrating. The same could be said for Detective Roy's behavior toward the end. I also wasn't a fan of the information dump in the final chapters. I prefer when the pieces come together naturally, allowing me to connect the dots myself rather than having everything explained to me.
Even though I figured out the culprit fairly early on, I was still invested in seeing how everything would play out. Despite my few issues, I'd still recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, engaging popcorn thriller/domestic suspense.
The audiobook features dual narration by Elise Roth (Mina) and Madeline Pell (Corrine), who both did an excellent job bringing the female characters to life. My only issue was with Pell's portrayal of the male characters, which felt a bit overdone. That's purely a personal preference, though, as overly exaggerated voices tend to pull me out of the story.
This was my first book by the author, but I see she has several series in her backlist for me to check out.
Pub date 7/3/26 - My thanks to Bookouture Audio for my ALC accessed through NetGalley Shelf. 🎧
Mina is an assistant prosecutor newly assigned to a task force investigating a string of missing women connected to a dating app. When the team interviews their first witness, Corrine, the details she shares sound eerily similar to Mina's husband, a well-known businessman in the community who has devoted his adult life to helping troubled boys, forcing Mina to question everything she thought she knew about him.
From its attention-grabbing prologue to its final pages, this book was very easy to binge and kept me thoroughly engaged. As with many books in this genre, though, it does require a fair amount of suspension of disbelief.
A minor issue I had was that while I understood Mina not wanting to believe what she was hearing, given how brilliant she was supposed to be, some of her decisions felt unbelievable and became a bit frustrating. The same could be said for Detective Roy's behavior toward the end. I also wasn't a fan of the information dump in the final chapters. I prefer when the pieces come together naturally, allowing me to connect the dots myself rather than having everything explained to me.
Even though I figured out the culprit fairly early on, I was still invested in seeing how everything would play out. Despite my few issues, I'd still recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, engaging popcorn thriller/domestic suspense.
The audiobook features dual narration by Elise Roth (Mina) and Madeline Pell (Corrine), who both did an excellent job bringing the female characters to life. My only issue was with Pell's portrayal of the male characters, which felt a bit overdone. That's purely a personal preference, though, as overly exaggerated voices tend to pull me out of the story.
This was my first book by the author, but I see she has several series in her backlist for me to check out.
Pub date 7/3/26 - My thanks to Bookouture Audio for my ALC accessed through NetGalley Shelf. 🎧
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: The Lawyer’s Husband
Author: Robin James
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: July 3, 2026
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Pages: 355
Prologue starts with Mina arrested.
This of course has pulled me into the story and curious as to how it reached that point!
Characters: Mina, Lock, Roy, Mark, Elena, and Connie.
Plot: Serial killer tension, whodunit mystery, and marriage in crisis drama.
Mina is a lawyer and for the past five years served as the Assistant Prosecutor assigned to violent felony crimes and was just appointed to a new team finding missing persons, primarily female victims lured to danger by online predators.
A woman named Corrine came forward and said although the guy didn’t hurt her the current situation sounded like what she experienced a few years ago. She connected with a guy named Matt on a dating app and he seemed nice enough but had what she considered strange requests ~such as - what she should wear and then at dinner ordered for her. Then he wanted her to wear a red silk ribbon as it meant she trusted him.
Mina stood in shocked silence as the red ribbon was all too familiar. Although nothing else really sounded like her husband, Lock. She still worried as she knew he had childhood trauma.
However, never thought it serious but after hearing this she wonders if he is the man she thought him to be.
The story was long and at first was also slow and repetitive.
The reviews are great, so I was sure it was going to pick up and it did.
I read a lot of psychological thrillers, and this had my armchair investigative skills on alert.
This is my first Robin James, and I am looking forward to reading another.
Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture this early eGalley.
Publishing Date scheduled for July 3, 2026.
Author: Robin James
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: July 3, 2026
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Pages: 355
Prologue starts with Mina arrested.
This of course has pulled me into the story and curious as to how it reached that point!
Characters: Mina, Lock, Roy, Mark, Elena, and Connie.
Plot: Serial killer tension, whodunit mystery, and marriage in crisis drama.
Mina is a lawyer and for the past five years served as the Assistant Prosecutor assigned to violent felony crimes and was just appointed to a new team finding missing persons, primarily female victims lured to danger by online predators.
A woman named Corrine came forward and said although the guy didn’t hurt her the current situation sounded like what she experienced a few years ago. She connected with a guy named Matt on a dating app and he seemed nice enough but had what she considered strange requests ~such as - what she should wear and then at dinner ordered for her. Then he wanted her to wear a red silk ribbon as it meant she trusted him.
Mina stood in shocked silence as the red ribbon was all too familiar. Although nothing else really sounded like her husband, Lock. She still worried as she knew he had childhood trauma.
However, never thought it serious but after hearing this she wonders if he is the man she thought him to be.
The story was long and at first was also slow and repetitive.
The reviews are great, so I was sure it was going to pick up and it did.
I read a lot of psychological thrillers, and this had my armchair investigative skills on alert.
This is my first Robin James, and I am looking forward to reading another.
Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture this early eGalley.
Publishing Date scheduled for July 3, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Bookouture / Bookouture Audio and MetGalley for the ARC & ALC of The Lawyer’s Husband
Mina Sobel is a successful lawyer, married to a wealthy public figure in their community. Having worked as a prosecutor on violent felony crimes for years, she teams up with a local violent crimes detective, forming a team that finds missing girls lured to predators via the internet. As their biggest case yet begins though, Mina is shocked by the descriptions from the female survivor because from the physical description to the peculiar mannerisms and the ribbon of devotion he ties around their wrist … they are describing Mina’s husband, and the same ribbon is tied around hers.
This was my first book by Robin James and I can’t wait to read more!! I’ve since learned she is actually an attorney and that makes so much sense, because the portrayal was excellent! This was the perfect popcorn thriller for me; the writing is a very easy, binge-able style,the suspense and pacing are perfect, and the personal drama is so well done. I loved Mina’s character and felt her emotional turmoil throughout - the visceral horror she would experience, followed by the logical side of her brain talking her down, and then finding herself somewhere in the middle questioning things. At certain points, everyone seemed suspicious, and while I did end up guessing the twists (probably only because I considered every option at varying points), I still questioned myself until the end and enjoyed seeing how things played out.
I did an immersive read for this one, and both the ebook and the audiobook are fantastic! Narrated by Elise Roth and Madeline Pell (dual narration with two first person POV’s), the audiobook is so well done and such a great listen! Both narrators are wonderful, with clear speech, perfect inflection, great character voices and emotion throughout.
Mina Sobel is a successful lawyer, married to a wealthy public figure in their community. Having worked as a prosecutor on violent felony crimes for years, she teams up with a local violent crimes detective, forming a team that finds missing girls lured to predators via the internet. As their biggest case yet begins though, Mina is shocked by the descriptions from the female survivor because from the physical description to the peculiar mannerisms and the ribbon of devotion he ties around their wrist … they are describing Mina’s husband, and the same ribbon is tied around hers.
This was my first book by Robin James and I can’t wait to read more!! I’ve since learned she is actually an attorney and that makes so much sense, because the portrayal was excellent! This was the perfect popcorn thriller for me; the writing is a very easy, binge-able style,the suspense and pacing are perfect, and the personal drama is so well done. I loved Mina’s character and felt her emotional turmoil throughout - the visceral horror she would experience, followed by the logical side of her brain talking her down, and then finding herself somewhere in the middle questioning things. At certain points, everyone seemed suspicious, and while I did end up guessing the twists (probably only because I considered every option at varying points), I still questioned myself until the end and enjoyed seeing how things played out.
I did an immersive read for this one, and both the ebook and the audiobook are fantastic! Narrated by Elise Roth and Madeline Pell (dual narration with two first person POV’s), the audiobook is so well done and such a great listen! Both narrators are wonderful, with clear speech, perfect inflection, great character voices and emotion throughout.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Lawyer’s Husband by Robin James is a twisty, suspenseful, and highly engrossing legal thriller that masterfully blurs the lines between professional duty and personal nightmare.
The story centres on Mina, a tough-as-nails prosecutor assigned to a specialised task force hunting a ruthless serial killer. The narrative takes an alarmingly intimate turn during an interview with Corrine, a traumatised witness who survived her encounter with the killer, when she begins detailing specific behaviours and patterns that sound shockingly identical to Mina's own husband, Lock.
The plot is cleverly structured around shifting first-person points of view between Mina and Corrine, a brilliant formatting choice that creates a deeply unstable atmosphere in which the reader constantly struggles to identify the truly unreliable narrator. This compelling dual dynamic perfectly charts Mina's desperate, isolated side investigation into her husband’s potential double life, forcing her to decide who she can actually trust when her unwavering armour cracks only for the man she loves.
With medium-to-fast pacing and exceptional character development, this gripping page-turner ensures that the reader remains completely invested from the very first chapter. While seasoned thriller fans might start to piece the puzzle together early, the predictable elements do not diminish the overall enjoyment, as the journey to the ultimate truth unfolds seamlessly.
The dual audiobook narration by Elise Roth and Madeline Pell adds a spectacular layer of tension, their well-suited voices ratcheting up the anxiety beautifully as the story approaches a highly earned, deeply satisfying climax. Tying up its dark secrets with flawless precision, this exceptional courtroom drama proudly earns 4 suspenseful stars.
The story centres on Mina, a tough-as-nails prosecutor assigned to a specialised task force hunting a ruthless serial killer. The narrative takes an alarmingly intimate turn during an interview with Corrine, a traumatised witness who survived her encounter with the killer, when she begins detailing specific behaviours and patterns that sound shockingly identical to Mina's own husband, Lock.
The plot is cleverly structured around shifting first-person points of view between Mina and Corrine, a brilliant formatting choice that creates a deeply unstable atmosphere in which the reader constantly struggles to identify the truly unreliable narrator. This compelling dual dynamic perfectly charts Mina's desperate, isolated side investigation into her husband’s potential double life, forcing her to decide who she can actually trust when her unwavering armour cracks only for the man she loves.
With medium-to-fast pacing and exceptional character development, this gripping page-turner ensures that the reader remains completely invested from the very first chapter. While seasoned thriller fans might start to piece the puzzle together early, the predictable elements do not diminish the overall enjoyment, as the journey to the ultimate truth unfolds seamlessly.
The dual audiobook narration by Elise Roth and Madeline Pell adds a spectacular layer of tension, their well-suited voices ratcheting up the anxiety beautifully as the story approaches a highly earned, deeply satisfying climax. Tying up its dark secrets with flawless precision, this exceptional courtroom drama proudly earns 4 suspenseful stars.
May 29, 2026
I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) of this book via NetGalley from the publisher, Bookouture, in exchange for an honest review.
The Lawyer's Husband is a gripping psychological thriller that hooks you instantly with a shocking prologue that throws you right into an arrest - instant hook!
What I Loved:
The Killer Hook: The story opens with a jolt—Mina is arrested—and I was immediately pulled in, desperate to understand how everything unraveled to that moment.
The Atmosphere and Tension: The psychological cat-and-mouse game creates a constant sense of unease. I felt the tension build as the investigation crept closer to Mina’s personal life, and the paranoia and secrets made it hard to put down.
Character Perspective: Mina is a fascinating protagonist—flawed, anxious, and deeply caught in her own thoughts. While that adds realism, it also made me feel her stress and overthinking in a very immersive way.
The Satisfying Payoff: The final act is a rollercoaster. While I had a gut feeling about one character early on, the twists still genuinely surprised me, and I loved how everything came together, delivering an emotionally satisfying sense of closure.
My Honest Take on the Pacing:
The pacing felt slow for me, especially in the first half. A lot of the early chapters are quite repetitive and back-and-forth, and it doesn't really pick up until well past the halfway point. The payoff is worth it, but it does take patience to get there.
Final Verdict:
Don’t let the slow-burn middle fool you—the explosive final chapters completely redeem the story, turning it into a fast-paced, high-stakes finish. Perfect for fans of slow-burn thrillers with big, twisty payoffs.
#TheLawyersHusband #NetGalley
The Lawyer's Husband is a gripping psychological thriller that hooks you instantly with a shocking prologue that throws you right into an arrest - instant hook!
What I Loved:
The Killer Hook: The story opens with a jolt—Mina is arrested—and I was immediately pulled in, desperate to understand how everything unraveled to that moment.
The Atmosphere and Tension: The psychological cat-and-mouse game creates a constant sense of unease. I felt the tension build as the investigation crept closer to Mina’s personal life, and the paranoia and secrets made it hard to put down.
Character Perspective: Mina is a fascinating protagonist—flawed, anxious, and deeply caught in her own thoughts. While that adds realism, it also made me feel her stress and overthinking in a very immersive way.
The Satisfying Payoff: The final act is a rollercoaster. While I had a gut feeling about one character early on, the twists still genuinely surprised me, and I loved how everything came together, delivering an emotionally satisfying sense of closure.
My Honest Take on the Pacing:
The pacing felt slow for me, especially in the first half. A lot of the early chapters are quite repetitive and back-and-forth, and it doesn't really pick up until well past the halfway point. The payoff is worth it, but it does take patience to get there.
Final Verdict:
Don’t let the slow-burn middle fool you—the explosive final chapters completely redeem the story, turning it into a fast-paced, high-stakes finish. Perfect for fans of slow-burn thrillers with big, twisty payoffs.
#TheLawyersHusband #NetGalley
June 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ALC.
This domestic thriller follows a lawyer who begins to suspect that her husband may be connected to the very crimes she is investigating. The premise immediately hooked me, and there were moments where the story felt like it could have crossed into dark romance territory with some of the relationship dynamics and steamier scenes woven throughout the plot.
The characters felt believable, and I appreciated that the audiobook narration helped distinguish the various points of view. The mystery itself contained several surprises, and I was able to guess pieces of the truth while still being caught off guard by other reveals. My biggest challenge was that parts of the story felt confusing, and it sometimes took longer than I wanted to understand exactly what was happening. I also felt like the book could have been a couple of hours shorter without losing much of the overall impact.
Overall, I enjoyed the premise and wanted to know how everything would unfold, even when I found myself frustrated by the confusion. The twists kept me listening, but some of the misdirection felt more misleading than clever at times. One thing this book reinforced for me is that just because someone isn’t the murderer doesn’t automatically make them a healthy partner. The relationship dynamics were often just as concerning as the mystery itself. 3.5⭐
Who Should Read/Listen?
Fans of domestic thrillers involving marriage secrets, unreliable assumptions, legal elements, and relationship-driven suspense. Readers who enjoy trying to piece together a mystery while questioning everyone’s motives will likely find plenty to discuss here.
Content Warnings
Child abuse (off page), drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, and attempted murder.
This domestic thriller follows a lawyer who begins to suspect that her husband may be connected to the very crimes she is investigating. The premise immediately hooked me, and there were moments where the story felt like it could have crossed into dark romance territory with some of the relationship dynamics and steamier scenes woven throughout the plot.
The characters felt believable, and I appreciated that the audiobook narration helped distinguish the various points of view. The mystery itself contained several surprises, and I was able to guess pieces of the truth while still being caught off guard by other reveals. My biggest challenge was that parts of the story felt confusing, and it sometimes took longer than I wanted to understand exactly what was happening. I also felt like the book could have been a couple of hours shorter without losing much of the overall impact.
Overall, I enjoyed the premise and wanted to know how everything would unfold, even when I found myself frustrated by the confusion. The twists kept me listening, but some of the misdirection felt more misleading than clever at times. One thing this book reinforced for me is that just because someone isn’t the murderer doesn’t automatically make them a healthy partner. The relationship dynamics were often just as concerning as the mystery itself. 3.5⭐
Who Should Read/Listen?
Fans of domestic thrillers involving marriage secrets, unreliable assumptions, legal elements, and relationship-driven suspense. Readers who enjoy trying to piece together a mystery while questioning everyone’s motives will likely find plenty to discuss here.
Content Warnings
Child abuse (off page), drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, and attempted murder.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Lawyer's Husband was one of those thrillers where I constantly changed my mind about everyone. Every time I thought I had a handle on what was happening, another detail would come out and completely shift things again.
The idea behind this book immediately hooked me. A prosecuting attorney starts realizing the details of the case she’s working on sound a little too familiar to her own marriage, and from there the paranoia just keeps building. I loved that feeling of not knowing whether Mina was uncovering something terrifying or slowly losing control under the pressure.
I also appreciated that the story leaned heavily into suspense instead of nonstop shock value. The tension builds gradually, and once the pieces start coming together, it becomes very hard to stop reading. The second half especially had me flying through chapters because I needed to know who was actually telling the truth.
Mina frustrated me at times, but honestly I think she was supposed to. She felt panicked, obsessive, emotionally exhausted, and believable for someone questioning everything around her. I liked that she kept pushing forward even when nobody seemed fully on her side.
There were definitely twists I saw hints of, but there were also several things I didn’t fully put together until the reveal. I also really liked the courtroom angle mixed with the domestic thriller feel because it gave the story something extra beyond the usual husband-wife secrets storyline.
Overall, this was a tense, bingeable psychological thriller that kept me entertained the entire time. This was my first book by Robin James, but it definitely won’t be my last.
The idea behind this book immediately hooked me. A prosecuting attorney starts realizing the details of the case she’s working on sound a little too familiar to her own marriage, and from there the paranoia just keeps building. I loved that feeling of not knowing whether Mina was uncovering something terrifying or slowly losing control under the pressure.
I also appreciated that the story leaned heavily into suspense instead of nonstop shock value. The tension builds gradually, and once the pieces start coming together, it becomes very hard to stop reading. The second half especially had me flying through chapters because I needed to know who was actually telling the truth.
Mina frustrated me at times, but honestly I think she was supposed to. She felt panicked, obsessive, emotionally exhausted, and believable for someone questioning everything around her. I liked that she kept pushing forward even when nobody seemed fully on her side.
There were definitely twists I saw hints of, but there were also several things I didn’t fully put together until the reveal. I also really liked the courtroom angle mixed with the domestic thriller feel because it gave the story something extra beyond the usual husband-wife secrets storyline.
Overall, this was a tense, bingeable psychological thriller that kept me entertained the entire time. This was my first book by Robin James, but it definitely won’t be my last.
June 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of The Lawyer’s Husband by Robin James.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable psychological thriller that kept me guessing throughout. In fact, I was feeling rather pleased with myself for working out where the story was heading, only for Robin James to completely outwit me with a twist that genuinely made my jaw drop.
The story follows successful lawyer Lila Bennett, whose seemingly perfect life begins to unravel when secrets surrounding her husband and their marriage start to surface. What follows is a tense, cleverly constructed tale of deception, betrayal and hidden agendas, where every new revelation changes your understanding of the characters and their motivations. The author does an excellent job of keeping the reader off balance, constantly raising questions about who can be trusted and what is really going on behind closed doors.
Lila is a strong and engaging protagonist. Intelligent and determined, she is forced to confront uncomfortable truths while trying to protect everything she has built. The supporting characters are equally well drawn, with enough ambiguity to keep suspicion shifting throughout the novel.
The audiobook narration adds greatly to the experience. The narrator captures both the emotional vulnerability and growing tension of the story, maintaining a pace that keeps the suspense building while giving each character a distinct voice. It made for an immersive and highly addictive listen.
This is a well-plotted domestic thriller with plenty of twists, believable characters and a finale that completely wrong-footed me. A very solid four-star listen and one I would happily recommend to fans of psychological suspense.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable psychological thriller that kept me guessing throughout. In fact, I was feeling rather pleased with myself for working out where the story was heading, only for Robin James to completely outwit me with a twist that genuinely made my jaw drop.
The story follows successful lawyer Lila Bennett, whose seemingly perfect life begins to unravel when secrets surrounding her husband and their marriage start to surface. What follows is a tense, cleverly constructed tale of deception, betrayal and hidden agendas, where every new revelation changes your understanding of the characters and their motivations. The author does an excellent job of keeping the reader off balance, constantly raising questions about who can be trusted and what is really going on behind closed doors.
Lila is a strong and engaging protagonist. Intelligent and determined, she is forced to confront uncomfortable truths while trying to protect everything she has built. The supporting characters are equally well drawn, with enough ambiguity to keep suspicion shifting throughout the novel.
The audiobook narration adds greatly to the experience. The narrator captures both the emotional vulnerability and growing tension of the story, maintaining a pace that keeps the suspense building while giving each character a distinct voice. It made for an immersive and highly addictive listen.
This is a well-plotted domestic thriller with plenty of twists, believable characters and a finale that completely wrong-footed me. A very solid four-star listen and one I would happily recommend to fans of psychological suspense.
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