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The Husband Thief
How well do you really know your husband?
When Tom Mahoney was mugged on his way home from work, they thought it was the worst thing that could happen.
They were wrong.
When Tina & Harry Carpenter found out they couldn’t have more children, they thought that was the worst thing that could happen.
They were wrong.
When the new teacher Isabel Rawlins arrives, she brings with her a secret that's about to blow their respectable worlds apart.
Five lives all intertwined and heading on a collision course.
Will their marriages survive, or is one or more couple about to find out there’s a husband thief in their midst?
Remember, if you have trust you can conquer anything. When trust goes, madness sets in.
This tale comes with a twist that it’s doubtful you will see coming.
When Tom Mahoney was mugged on his way home from work, they thought it was the worst thing that could happen.
They were wrong.
When Tina & Harry Carpenter found out they couldn’t have more children, they thought that was the worst thing that could happen.
They were wrong.
When the new teacher Isabel Rawlins arrives, she brings with her a secret that's about to blow their respectable worlds apart.
Five lives all intertwined and heading on a collision course.
Will their marriages survive, or is one or more couple about to find out there’s a husband thief in their midst?
Remember, if you have trust you can conquer anything. When trust goes, madness sets in.
This tale comes with a twist that it’s doubtful you will see coming.
- GenresThriller
247 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2019
1098 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Hardy
8 books62 followersPseudonym for author S.J. Crabb.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 16, 2020
4 Crazy Drama Stars
I just gobbled this up in one helping; I couldn’t put it down, and snapped at anyone that tried to interrupt. It came across my feed as a psychological thriller, but I found it more of a soapy marriage mystery. So, if you’re looking for something serious, or a true thriller… this probably isn’t a good fit. For those that LOVE soapy drama…. Read on😊
The Husband Thief is fairly short (250 pgs.) and it’s not overly detailed. We don’t get much history on the characters; it pretty much just starts and takes off leaving you to guess WTH is going on. It follows two couples, and a mysterious new teacher, and walks us through how they are connected. It’s all over the place; we have affairs, broken love, new love, revenge, betrayal … parts are OTT crazy… parts I saw coming, but regardless I had to know what the crazy bitch was up to and couldn’t quit. I went in pretty blind, and it worked, so I’m not going to give spoilers. I have a feeling readers will either love or hate it.
Bottom line- You really have to be open to the OTT soapy genre, and cheating. Although, the cheating might be easier for some because this does not have an angsty, emotional, serious feel. This is more Lifetime movie drama. I just wish it had a little more closure at the end, one part is left hanging... and I would have liked to see how that mess shook out. It’s free to read with KU.
I just gobbled this up in one helping; I couldn’t put it down, and snapped at anyone that tried to interrupt. It came across my feed as a psychological thriller, but I found it more of a soapy marriage mystery. So, if you’re looking for something serious, or a true thriller… this probably isn’t a good fit. For those that LOVE soapy drama…. Read on😊
The Husband Thief is fairly short (250 pgs.) and it’s not overly detailed. We don’t get much history on the characters; it pretty much just starts and takes off leaving you to guess WTH is going on. It follows two couples, and a mysterious new teacher, and walks us through how they are connected. It’s all over the place; we have affairs, broken love, new love, revenge, betrayal … parts are OTT crazy… parts I saw coming, but regardless I had to know what the crazy bitch was up to and couldn’t quit. I went in pretty blind, and it worked, so I’m not going to give spoilers. I have a feeling readers will either love or hate it.
Bottom line- You really have to be open to the OTT soapy genre, and cheating. Although, the cheating might be easier for some because this does not have an angsty, emotional, serious feel. This is more Lifetime movie drama. I just wish it had a little more closure at the end, one part is left hanging... and I would have liked to see how that mess shook out. It’s free to read with KU.
June 26, 2019
Two couples both with their own set of problems, one teacher inserting herself into their lives outside of their children's classroom. A whole slew of new problems are cropping up. An enjoyable, dramatic, suspenseful read.
March 18, 2021
I could not put this book down unless I was sleeping and could not keep my eyes open any longer. Every chapter was a new twist on the story and the story kept getting better with each chapter. The characters were likeable and I felt like I was really inside their heads at times. One of the best psychological thrillers I've read this year and I read a few a week. Can't wait for this author's next book.
July 11, 2019
Never Guessed
If Alfred Hitchcock and Jacqueline Suzanne had a baby, this book would be it (you have to be older to get this reference). Suspense, Betrayal, secrets and lies are throughout this story that will keep you guessing. My only issue is that a central character doesn't know what we know at the end.
If Alfred Hitchcock and Jacqueline Suzanne had a baby, this book would be it (you have to be older to get this reference). Suspense, Betrayal, secrets and lies are throughout this story that will keep you guessing. My only issue is that a central character doesn't know what we know at the end.
September 12, 2020
every character was either wet, pathetic or unhinged - or a combo of the three
saw the twist coming a mile off and the reveal was extremely pantomime villain
i really disliked the "if i had known what i know now, i would have..." lines, does not heighten the tension, just makes the characters even less three-dimensional
saw the twist coming a mile off and the reveal was extremely pantomime villain
i really disliked the "if i had known what i know now, i would have..." lines, does not heighten the tension, just makes the characters even less three-dimensional
November 11, 2020
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
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You travel on a train full of crazy people and you don't know which station you're going to get off at. But hook the reader.
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You travel on a train full of crazy people and you don't know which station you're going to get off at. But hook the reader.
July 23, 2019
Kept My Interest
This book wasn’t “can’t put it down, must keep reading” great but it did keep my interest and the story took some interesting turns that a) made sense for the book and b) weren’t clumsy mechanisms to move along the plot. The characters are reasonably well-developed and flawed in their own way. Overall, a good read but not a great read - good for when you’re on vacation or traveling as you can pick it up and put it down easily without losing track of what was happening.
This book wasn’t “can’t put it down, must keep reading” great but it did keep my interest and the story took some interesting turns that a) made sense for the book and b) weren’t clumsy mechanisms to move along the plot. The characters are reasonably well-developed and flawed in their own way. Overall, a good read but not a great read - good for when you’re on vacation or traveling as you can pick it up and put it down easily without losing track of what was happening.
July 8, 2019
Wow! Just wow!
I never saw that coming..... that was what was going through my thoughts as I read. And there were a lot of those moments in this book. The intertwining of the characters is one of the things that makes this story so intriguing. You must read this book....I highly recommend this suspenseful thriller!!!!
I never saw that coming..... that was what was going through my thoughts as I read. And there were a lot of those moments in this book. The intertwining of the characters is one of the things that makes this story so intriguing. You must read this book....I highly recommend this suspenseful thriller!!!!
June 22, 2019
The first M J Hardy book I’ve read and hopefully not the last. Whilst the plot requires some suspension of disbelief, it’s a great story, well told. I particularly liked the way the author skilfully used the individual characters point of view to move the tale along. A thoroughly enjoyable book that was difficult to put down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 5, 2019
The blurb says it is "doubtful" that the reader will see the final twist. Well, wrong. The big reveal was the one and only explanation I figured from fairly early on in the story, and a not very original one. Trite, tired, done before in books and movies.....and totally insulting by how dumb it was. A lot of the story was intriguing, but I felt a lot was filler and added nothing to the plot, not even to be successful red herrings and/or misdirection. A disappointment.
August 3, 2019
Quick easy read. Just found it a bit ‘Meh’ I thought it was predictable initially but I’ll give credit to the fact I didn’t expect the outcome at the end. It was just all a bit far detached for my liking though.
January 17, 2021
Twist in the tale!
Although the story line is predictable the way the subtle changes are handled is quite interesting! You have a perfect laid out story baseline, Housewives with troubled marriages, suspicious behaviors of the men, friendships standing the test of time and a tricky chain of events.You think you know what's coming and sometimes I could just tell the next move of how's its gonna pan out and quite smartly the author brings in that tiny twist to the predictability!
You'll be pleasantly surprised through it all! A good read on a cold wintery night!
Although the story line is predictable the way the subtle changes are handled is quite interesting! You have a perfect laid out story baseline, Housewives with troubled marriages, suspicious behaviors of the men, friendships standing the test of time and a tricky chain of events.You think you know what's coming and sometimes I could just tell the next move of how's its gonna pan out and quite smartly the author brings in that tiny twist to the predictability!
You'll be pleasantly surprised through it all! A good read on a cold wintery night!
July 4, 2019
Basically written but not bad
This book is very sparsely written. What I mean is there aren't a lot of details given. We don't even know what the characters look like and some lines were written so plainly like, "Karen, please don't stop using the products that you do" while her husband is smelling her hair. I just found it funny. However, the book actually had lots of twists and turns and was pretty original. I'm glad I read it.
This book is very sparsely written. What I mean is there aren't a lot of details given. We don't even know what the characters look like and some lines were written so plainly like, "Karen, please don't stop using the products that you do" while her husband is smelling her hair. I just found it funny. However, the book actually had lots of twists and turns and was pretty original. I'm glad I read it.
July 28, 2020
Interesting story line
I really enjoyed this book. The first one by this author, i was gripped from the beginning and liked all the characters and had no idea it was going to end that way. However I feel it ended very abruptly and rushed. It was almost as though the story wasn't going anywhere so decided to through a twist into the mix for a thrill. Not overly happy with the end but still, I enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed this book. The first one by this author, i was gripped from the beginning and liked all the characters and had no idea it was going to end that way. However I feel it ended very abruptly and rushed. It was almost as though the story wasn't going anywhere so decided to through a twist into the mix for a thrill. Not overly happy with the end but still, I enjoyed it.
June 21, 2019
What a very interesting novel so many twists and turns to keep you hooked in the book from the start, the thought process in constructing Isabel is amazing to think that there are people out there who live different lives is brought very much to the forefront in this book, an amazing read well done M.J.Hardy
July 4, 2019
This is the 2nd book I've read written by M.J. Hardy; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
July 22, 2019
Somewhat Scary
I was a little disappointed with this book. The characters were well developed but the story just did not rise to the level of believablity I expected. One thing I strongly liked was the absence of profanity. I will not read any book with profanity, so unnecessary.
I was a little disappointed with this book. The characters were well developed but the story just did not rise to the level of believablity I expected. One thing I strongly liked was the absence of profanity. I will not read any book with profanity, so unnecessary.
September 23, 2019
I really tried to get into this book but it was hard going. Too many sentences beginning with "She laughed" or "She looked at her with interest" (often not even a paragraph apart) had me ready to throw my Kindle across the room. I'll try the Girl on Gander's Green and hopefully the writing will sparkle a little more.
May 5, 2021
Don't waste your money.
The book started out as quite interesting but went downhill faster than an Olympic skier.
Clunky dialogue between the friends, spelling errors, missing words, a questionable timeline of events and a hugely ridiculous and unbelievable plot made this book a rotten tomato.
The book started out as quite interesting but went downhill faster than an Olympic skier.
Clunky dialogue between the friends, spelling errors, missing words, a questionable timeline of events and a hugely ridiculous and unbelievable plot made this book a rotten tomato.
June 15, 2021
Five stars!
I decided to read this book on a whim. Have not read the author before.
So glad I did!
Was not sure where it was going at first, but could not put it down. Finished it in a day.
A little soap opery ( is that a word?) but enjoyable and suspenseful.
Now I will check out "The Girl on Gander Green Lane" and some of her other books.
Recommend!
I decided to read this book on a whim. Have not read the author before.
So glad I did!
Was not sure where it was going at first, but could not put it down. Finished it in a day.
A little soap opery ( is that a word?) but enjoyable and suspenseful.
Now I will check out "The Girl on Gander Green Lane" and some of her other books.
Recommend!
October 23, 2022
Every book I read by MJ Hardy is brilliant and this is no exception
Another great book from MJ Hardy. I really didn't see the twist coming. It was very cleverly brought in just when you thought you had it all worked out. Worrying how lives can be infiltrated by a stranger.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another great book from MJ Hardy. I really didn't see the twist coming. It was very cleverly brought in just when you thought you had it all worked out. Worrying how lives can be infiltrated by a stranger.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 9, 2019
Scratching my head
Read Girl on Gander Green Lane (which was great) and I had hoped this would be of the same caliber but it just wasn't. Sure it had it's moments of mystery but I just couldn't relate to it. But in the end it just tell flat.
Read Girl on Gander Green Lane (which was great) and I had hoped this would be of the same caliber but it just wasn't. Sure it had it's moments of mystery but I just couldn't relate to it. But in the end it just tell flat.
September 27, 2019
Brilliant read
This had me hooked from the beginning till the end. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book but the ending was superb. Massive twist that I did not see coming. Well written and very entertaining. Loved it !!
This had me hooked from the beginning till the end. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book but the ending was superb. Massive twist that I did not see coming. Well written and very entertaining. Loved it !!
December 26, 2019
Best book i have read in a long time! kept me awake reading into the early hours
Highly recommend to anyone
kept me awake into the early hours it was so addictive and the twists wow x
Highly recommend to anyone
kept me awake into the early hours it was so addictive and the twists wow x
February 21, 2020
A dramatic, intense and suspenseful story! I had so many theories in my head throughout reading this book, but was never able to guess the outcome.
I was so hooked onto this book I was able to read it in the span of a few hours. Great read!
I was so hooked onto this book I was able to read it in the span of a few hours. Great read!
March 9, 2020
An imaginative plot worthy of the most discerning of readers.
The author skilfully draws the reader through a series of events all of which are far from what they seem. Culminating in an unexpected Shocking outcome to the story.
The author skilfully draws the reader through a series of events all of which are far from what they seem. Culminating in an unexpected Shocking outcome to the story.
April 28, 2020
I'm trying to like this book and wondering if I'm being too harsh...which is usually a clear indication that it's not great. The dialogue is clumsy and the character interactions feel very forced. This is not absorbing and effortless. And I can't find the enthusiasm to go on....DNF
September 1, 2022
Wow this book had me from the start to its unpredictable finish. 3 women are involved in this tale - one whose marriage is in trouble, one whose husband has changed for the better, and the new teacher in town who befriends them. Honestly I could not put it down and am a big fan of Hardy now
August 8, 2025
I really enjoyed the writing style and reading this, but saw Tom having a twin a mile off otherwise I would have marked it higher. Feel like that storyline has been done many times. But still a good read, with a couple other twists and I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2019
Loved this book
Read this book in a few evenings and enjoyed every minute. Love this type of thriller that keeps you guessing until the end, briiliant!
Read this book in a few evenings and enjoyed every minute. Love this type of thriller that keeps you guessing until the end, briiliant!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews