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The Perfect Couple
The perfect couple ... or the perfect lie?
A devoted wife ...A year ago, Gemma met the love of her life, Danny. Since then, their relationship has been perfect. But one evening, Danny doesn't return home.
A missing husband ...Gemma turns to the police. She is horrified by what she discovers--a serial killer is on the loose in Bristol. When she sees photos of the victims she is even more stunned ... they all look just like Danny.
Who would you believe? But the police are suspicious. Why has no one apart from Gemma heard from Danny in weeks? Why is there barely a trace of him in their flat? Is she telling them the truth, or is this marriage hiding some very dark secrets?
Runtime: 11. 45 hours, 1 MP3 CD
A devoted wife ...A year ago, Gemma met the love of her life, Danny. Since then, their relationship has been perfect. But one evening, Danny doesn't return home.
A missing husband ...Gemma turns to the police. She is horrified by what she discovers--a serial killer is on the loose in Bristol. When she sees photos of the victims she is even more stunned ... they all look just like Danny.
Who would you believe? But the police are suspicious. Why has no one apart from Gemma heard from Danny in weeks? Why is there barely a trace of him in their flat? Is she telling them the truth, or is this marriage hiding some very dark secrets?
Runtime: 11. 45 hours, 1 MP3 CD
433 pages, ebook
First published April 17, 2020
10744 people are currently reading
16141 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Kabler
19 books429 followersJackie Kabler is a journalist, TV presenter and author. She spent twenty years as a TV news reporter for GMTV, ITV and BBC news, and now works as a presenter for shopping channel QVC and is author of the Cora Baxter Mysteries, a series of murder mysteries set in a television newsroom.
The Development is her third novel. Jackie lives in Gloucestershire with her husband, who is a GP.
The Development is her third novel. Jackie lives in Gloucestershire with her husband, who is a GP.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,659 reviews
January 5, 2022
Another frustration, disappointment, another quick trip to Switzerland book (nope it doesn’t mean I’m money laundering or having a meeting with a mysterious bank manager resembles Jean Dujardin. This is not Wolf of Wall Street scene. I’m not in Switzerland, I’m Switzerland, amazing skiing place, homeland of chocolates and also a person who is exiled to stay in the middle which means I didn’t like this book but I also didn’t hate this book. I just have to forget my times I spent to turn the pages and my mind for questioning all those dysfunctional couple relations!)
I think one of my first mistake was being intrigued with this book’s blurb and using my delicate fingers (don’t worry I only use them for clicking my keyboard) to request this book without thinking a second or reading the other reviewers’ opinions.
Let’s get back to the story to give you much better picture about the progression, characters, what is going on, who am I and what the main purpose of the author was choosing to write a story like this:
We have a couple as you may quickly understand from the title. One day Gemma comes to home and she finds out her husband Danny disappeared so she starts to jump on the bed, putting cologne on her face and screaming in the mirror like Kevin from Home Alone. (Nope, this is a trick for you to make sure you are still reading me!) In the meantime there is a serial killer threatening Bristol and DCI Helena investigates the missing victims. As soon as Gemma comes to the station for reporting her husband’s disappearance, she finds out he fits with the other missing victims’ pattern.
But slowly revelations come out and Gemma sees that her marriage is full of lies. Nothing is real about their relationship and Helena suspects that she might have killed her husband (What!!! Oh come on, if she killed her husband why was she conducting a serial killer case? What were the motives of Gemma to kill the other people? Did she kill them as a sport or punishing them for reminding her husband! Nope I didn't buy it! She was regular character and she didn’t have any ability to shock me.)
In my opinion the author planned to write two different books but then suddenly she decided to unite them and now we have a suspicious husband- wife psychological thriller and serial killer hunting crime thriller and those two story lines don’t match with each other. Every time the author tried to match them to complete the puzzle, something eventually failed illogically.
So I wish she would have discarded the serial killer case and focused on husband and wife’s dysfunctional relationship drama which could satisfy a thriller lover like me. A simple and plain story would always work better.
So let’s give our mediocre three stars and move to the other book journey.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads to share this ARC COPY with me in exchange my honest review.
I think one of my first mistake was being intrigued with this book’s blurb and using my delicate fingers (don’t worry I only use them for clicking my keyboard) to request this book without thinking a second or reading the other reviewers’ opinions.
Let’s get back to the story to give you much better picture about the progression, characters, what is going on, who am I and what the main purpose of the author was choosing to write a story like this:
We have a couple as you may quickly understand from the title. One day Gemma comes to home and she finds out her husband Danny disappeared so she starts to jump on the bed, putting cologne on her face and screaming in the mirror like Kevin from Home Alone. (Nope, this is a trick for you to make sure you are still reading me!) In the meantime there is a serial killer threatening Bristol and DCI Helena investigates the missing victims. As soon as Gemma comes to the station for reporting her husband’s disappearance, she finds out he fits with the other missing victims’ pattern.
But slowly revelations come out and Gemma sees that her marriage is full of lies. Nothing is real about their relationship and Helena suspects that she might have killed her husband (What!!! Oh come on, if she killed her husband why was she conducting a serial killer case? What were the motives of Gemma to kill the other people? Did she kill them as a sport or punishing them for reminding her husband! Nope I didn't buy it! She was regular character and she didn’t have any ability to shock me.)
In my opinion the author planned to write two different books but then suddenly she decided to unite them and now we have a suspicious husband- wife psychological thriller and serial killer hunting crime thriller and those two story lines don’t match with each other. Every time the author tried to match them to complete the puzzle, something eventually failed illogically.
So I wish she would have discarded the serial killer case and focused on husband and wife’s dysfunctional relationship drama which could satisfy a thriller lover like me. A simple and plain story would always work better.
So let’s give our mediocre three stars and move to the other book journey.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads to share this ARC COPY with me in exchange my honest review.
April 29, 2020
Ugh.
Dumb police force.
Dumb protagonist.
Dumb antagonist.
Dumb choices.
Dumb conclusion.
...just dumb...
Definitely not a winner for me, and though the reviews are mixed, there are a few which are positive. Please check those out.
Available now in the United States.
Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
Dumb police force.
Dumb protagonist.
Dumb antagonist.
Dumb choices.
Dumb conclusion.
...just dumb...
Definitely not a winner for me, and though the reviews are mixed, there are a few which are positive. Please check those out.
Available now in the United States.
Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
April 18, 2020
EXCERPT: Back home, as the police officers arrived to start searching the house, I was still reeling from the bombshells of the previous day, shaky from another night of little sleep. It was all becoming too much, too impossible. Danny pretending to go to work. No money taken out of his bank account for weeks. Danny appearing on a dating app. And two murders. Two dead men. Two victims who looked so similar to my husband, and who had been using the same app before they died. I could no longer think in any sort of logical way, couldn't even begin to process it at all. What did it mean? Where was Danny? Was he dead now, too? Why had he lied to me about so many things? Was he sleeping around, seeing other women, or was his appearance on the dating site just a stupid, juvenile joke by one of his friends? But why? What would be the point? I just couldn't work it out . . . and then there was this latest thing, the thing they'd told me earlier, when they'd arrived to start trawling through my cupboards. What had it been again, exactly? That my closest neighbours, both of them, when questioned, had said they thought I'd moved in here alone? That they'd never seen or heard anything of Danny, of a husband, living here?
ABOUT THIS BOOK: The perfect couple…or the perfect lie?
A year and a half ago, Gemma met the love of her life, Danny. Since then, their relationship has been like something out of a dream. But one Friday evening, Gemma returns home to find Danny is nowhere to be seen.
After two days with no word from her husband, Gemma turns to the police. She is horrified with what she discovers – a serial killer is on the loose in Bristol. When she sees the photos of the victims she is even more stunned…the victims all look just like Danny.
But, the detectives aren’t convinced by Gemma’s story. Why has no one apart from Gemma seen or heard from Danny in weeks? Why is there barely a trace of him in their flat? Is she telling them the truth, or are there more secrets and lies in this marriage than meets the eye?
MY THOUGHTS: The Perfect Couple is mostly a good, solid read, with a few little faults. While I didn't find it gripping or compelling, there was enough going on to keep me interested.
The story is told from the points of view of Gemma, wife of the missing man, and Helena, SIO. The characters are well developed. I liked the relationships between the investigating officers, and between Gemma and her friends. The dialogue between the characters is well written and realistic. Certain facets of the plot are very clever. Others need a little more attention.
For instance, I can understand Gemma waiting 48 hours to report Danny's disappearance, but standard procedure is for the police to contact family and close friends. Danny's family wasn't contacted for a week. There were also a couple of minor contradictions in the story.
There is a distinct lack of tension and suspense in the writing, which would have made a world of difference to this read. In the acknowledgements, the author states that her first three books were cosy crime novels, but felt that she wanted to try writing something darker. This is darker, definitely, but but I don't think that she has quite shaken off her cosy mantle yet.
The ending, I thought, was a little OTT. I am not fond of endings where the 'perpetrator' confesses all to the person he is about to kill. That, to me, is taking the easy way out of making the revelation. It also appears that the author has left the way open for a follow up to this story.
This isn't a bad read, in fact it's slightly better than average. There were a few places that amused me: 'Winnie-the-poodle' being one. I also enjoyed the information on the various Saints that was imparted on Danny and Gemma's visit to the O'Connor home. Saints Christopher and Anthony were the only saints I was familiar with. I had been totally unaware that there was a patron saint of eye diseases and, weirdly enough, television and laundry, Saint Clare. 'Laundry? Why did laundry need a patron saint?' At least I now know who to pray to when I have stubborn stains!
Would I read more from this author? Yes. I think it may take another book or two for her to get fully into her psychological thriller stride, but she is obviously a good writer and I am certain that she will make it.
🚔🚴♂️💔.3
#ThePerfectCouple #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Jackie Kabler is a journalist, TV presenter and author. She spent twenty years as a TV news reporter for GMTV, ITV and BBC news, and now works as a presenter for shopping channel QVC and is author of the Cora Baxter Mysteries, a series of murder mysteries set in a television newsroom.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads, One More Chapter for providing a digital ARC of The Perfect Couple for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT THIS BOOK: The perfect couple…or the perfect lie?
A year and a half ago, Gemma met the love of her life, Danny. Since then, their relationship has been like something out of a dream. But one Friday evening, Gemma returns home to find Danny is nowhere to be seen.
After two days with no word from her husband, Gemma turns to the police. She is horrified with what she discovers – a serial killer is on the loose in Bristol. When she sees the photos of the victims she is even more stunned…the victims all look just like Danny.
But, the detectives aren’t convinced by Gemma’s story. Why has no one apart from Gemma seen or heard from Danny in weeks? Why is there barely a trace of him in their flat? Is she telling them the truth, or are there more secrets and lies in this marriage than meets the eye?
MY THOUGHTS: The Perfect Couple is mostly a good, solid read, with a few little faults. While I didn't find it gripping or compelling, there was enough going on to keep me interested.
The story is told from the points of view of Gemma, wife of the missing man, and Helena, SIO. The characters are well developed. I liked the relationships between the investigating officers, and between Gemma and her friends. The dialogue between the characters is well written and realistic. Certain facets of the plot are very clever. Others need a little more attention.
For instance, I can understand Gemma waiting 48 hours to report Danny's disappearance, but standard procedure is for the police to contact family and close friends. Danny's family wasn't contacted for a week. There were also a couple of minor contradictions in the story.
There is a distinct lack of tension and suspense in the writing, which would have made a world of difference to this read. In the acknowledgements, the author states that her first three books were cosy crime novels, but felt that she wanted to try writing something darker. This is darker, definitely, but but I don't think that she has quite shaken off her cosy mantle yet.
The ending, I thought, was a little OTT. I am not fond of endings where the 'perpetrator' confesses all to the person he is about to kill. That, to me, is taking the easy way out of making the revelation. It also appears that the author has left the way open for a follow up to this story.
This isn't a bad read, in fact it's slightly better than average. There were a few places that amused me: 'Winnie-the-poodle' being one. I also enjoyed the information on the various Saints that was imparted on Danny and Gemma's visit to the O'Connor home. Saints Christopher and Anthony were the only saints I was familiar with. I had been totally unaware that there was a patron saint of eye diseases and, weirdly enough, television and laundry, Saint Clare. 'Laundry? Why did laundry need a patron saint?' At least I now know who to pray to when I have stubborn stains!
Would I read more from this author? Yes. I think it may take another book or two for her to get fully into her psychological thriller stride, but she is obviously a good writer and I am certain that she will make it.
🚔🚴♂️💔.3
#ThePerfectCouple #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Jackie Kabler is a journalist, TV presenter and author. She spent twenty years as a TV news reporter for GMTV, ITV and BBC news, and now works as a presenter for shopping channel QVC and is author of the Cora Baxter Mysteries, a series of murder mysteries set in a television newsroom.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads, One More Chapter for providing a digital ARC of The Perfect Couple for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
April 17, 2020
If you read a lot you will know there is a plethora of books with perfect in the title and of course the husband/wife/couple/friend/child never are
I picked this book up to read ( well on the kindle ) and thought ‘well I bet I can guess this story pretty quick’
I didn’t
Its a rampage of a story about a couple, Gemma and Danny, they have recently moved when Danny goes missing and thats all I am saying about the story but it will outfox you ( well it did me ) and very cleverly make you think, a few times, you have the jist of it and have solved it, I hadn’t, by a long chalk
Characters are superbly played, story telling envelopes you in and keeps you there and as for the story, superb, original and dark as dark can get, loved it
10/10
5 Stars
I picked this book up to read ( well on the kindle ) and thought ‘well I bet I can guess this story pretty quick’
I didn’t
Its a rampage of a story about a couple, Gemma and Danny, they have recently moved when Danny goes missing and thats all I am saying about the story but it will outfox you ( well it did me ) and very cleverly make you think, a few times, you have the jist of it and have solved it, I hadn’t, by a long chalk
Characters are superbly played, story telling envelopes you in and keeps you there and as for the story, superb, original and dark as dark can get, loved it
10/10
5 Stars
April 20, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
In the hallway, a plaster statue of Jesus, arms outstretched, greeted visitors, while the rest of the house was dominated by paintings and figurines depicting the Madonna and Child, Saint Bernadette (‘patron saint of illness’, Danny had hissed, one eyebrow raised, as he’d given me the tour), Saint Jude (‘he’s for desperate causes’) and Saint Clare (‘eye diseases. And, weirdly, patron saint of laundry and television,’ he’d said). Wildly sceptical, I’d googled Saint Clare at the first available opportunity, only to find out he’d been absolutely right. Laundry? Why did laundry need a patron saint?
They’re complicated sometimes, family relationships, aren’t they? Love and hate, hate and love, so tightly entwined that they almost become one.
DS Clarke was looking at me with a new interest, the gentleness I’d seen in his eyes previously replaced with something more piercing, as if I was a fascinating exhibit in a museum.
Karma, I thought yet again. The number of times I’d been part of a press pack, staking out the home of a politician or a paedophile, desperate to get that shot, that interview. I’d barely given a thought to how awful it must be for those trapped inside their homes. Well, I knew now, didn’t I?
My Review:
This tale had me chewing on my lips and wanting to pull my own hair, it was cunning, deviously clever, and maddeningly paced. I devised numerous wild and far-fetched theories and while partly correct, I hadn’t worked it all out as this plot was so twisty I doubt anybody could have and dare anyone to claim they had. The little pea in my brain was scorched from the effort and during the big reveal I wanted to shout at the idiocy of the main character, but I’m not sure how I feel about the conclusion other than brain bruised and distressed. Several of these characters were chillingly abhorrent and I despised the nearsighted and mono-focus of the police. Oh the sheer guile and artifice of this crafty author, Jackie Kabler is a full-blown trickster who ruthlessly tipped her own special blend of itching powder into my gray matter.
In the hallway, a plaster statue of Jesus, arms outstretched, greeted visitors, while the rest of the house was dominated by paintings and figurines depicting the Madonna and Child, Saint Bernadette (‘patron saint of illness’, Danny had hissed, one eyebrow raised, as he’d given me the tour), Saint Jude (‘he’s for desperate causes’) and Saint Clare (‘eye diseases. And, weirdly, patron saint of laundry and television,’ he’d said). Wildly sceptical, I’d googled Saint Clare at the first available opportunity, only to find out he’d been absolutely right. Laundry? Why did laundry need a patron saint?
They’re complicated sometimes, family relationships, aren’t they? Love and hate, hate and love, so tightly entwined that they almost become one.
DS Clarke was looking at me with a new interest, the gentleness I’d seen in his eyes previously replaced with something more piercing, as if I was a fascinating exhibit in a museum.
Karma, I thought yet again. The number of times I’d been part of a press pack, staking out the home of a politician or a paedophile, desperate to get that shot, that interview. I’d barely given a thought to how awful it must be for those trapped inside their homes. Well, I knew now, didn’t I?
My Review:
This tale had me chewing on my lips and wanting to pull my own hair, it was cunning, deviously clever, and maddeningly paced. I devised numerous wild and far-fetched theories and while partly correct, I hadn’t worked it all out as this plot was so twisty I doubt anybody could have and dare anyone to claim they had. The little pea in my brain was scorched from the effort and during the big reveal I wanted to shout at the idiocy of the main character, but I’m not sure how I feel about the conclusion other than brain bruised and distressed. Several of these characters were chillingly abhorrent and I despised the nearsighted and mono-focus of the police. Oh the sheer guile and artifice of this crafty author, Jackie Kabler is a full-blown trickster who ruthlessly tipped her own special blend of itching powder into my gray matter.
January 11, 2020
The Perfect Couple, a mystery/thriller, was a solid 3.5 stars. The book centers around main character Gemma-a happily married woman who just relocated to a new home due to her husband’s job. After Gemma comes home to find her husband missing, she later discovers that there is a potential serial killer targeting men that look eerily similar to each other, including her husband.
The Perfect Couple was an entertaining book that was full of twists and turns and had me guessing until the very end. Overall, I enjoyed The Perfect Couple but I did find it a bit slow at times. Recommended to fans of mystery/thriller books. Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Perfect Couple was an entertaining book that was full of twists and turns and had me guessing until the very end. Overall, I enjoyed The Perfect Couple but I did find it a bit slow at times. Recommended to fans of mystery/thriller books. Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2020
4☆ A Twisty, Gripping, Psychological Thriller Mystery
When Gemma returns home from being away on business, she is expecting to see her hubby Danny but he's no where to be seen, no note, no phone call, she starts to worry that something has happened!
With still no news as to where he has gone she does no more but report him as missing.
The police open up an investigation to see if they can locate Danny, but something just isn't adding up.
Not only are they investigating his disappearance, there is also a serial killer on the lose... could his disappearance somehow be connected?
The police begin to suspect, suspicious circumstances and Gemma is their target. Despite being the one to report him missing and being away for several days on business she couldn't possibly be involved!..... could she?
With the police not helping matters, Gemma has no choice but to try and find Danny herself. But where does she start? Does Danny really want to be found? Is Gemma as innocent as she proclaims?
The Perfect Couple is a Very Twisty and Gripping, slower paced Psychological Thriller. Some of the storyline may stretch your imagination, but it didn't stop me enjoying the plot, it still kept me guessing!
I liked the serial killer and missing person twist it kept the plot compelling, with a mystery element.
The police procedural was well written and the characters complex.
If you are looking for a psychological / Domestic thriller that has plenty of secrets, lies and lots of twists that will most definitely keep you guessing the whole way through, then The Perfect Couple is the book for you!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
When Gemma returns home from being away on business, she is expecting to see her hubby Danny but he's no where to be seen, no note, no phone call, she starts to worry that something has happened!
With still no news as to where he has gone she does no more but report him as missing.
The police open up an investigation to see if they can locate Danny, but something just isn't adding up.
Not only are they investigating his disappearance, there is also a serial killer on the lose... could his disappearance somehow be connected?
The police begin to suspect, suspicious circumstances and Gemma is their target. Despite being the one to report him missing and being away for several days on business she couldn't possibly be involved!..... could she?
With the police not helping matters, Gemma has no choice but to try and find Danny herself. But where does she start? Does Danny really want to be found? Is Gemma as innocent as she proclaims?
The Perfect Couple is a Very Twisty and Gripping, slower paced Psychological Thriller. Some of the storyline may stretch your imagination, but it didn't stop me enjoying the plot, it still kept me guessing!
I liked the serial killer and missing person twist it kept the plot compelling, with a mystery element.
The police procedural was well written and the characters complex.
If you are looking for a psychological / Domestic thriller that has plenty of secrets, lies and lots of twists that will most definitely keep you guessing the whole way through, then The Perfect Couple is the book for you!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
April 7, 2020
The Perfect Couple was a very twisty and quick read that I read in an evening.
Gemma and her husband Danny have moved to Bristol for a new start. When Gemma returns home from a work trip and Danny is not there she is annoyed. After 2 days when he still hasn’t returned home she isn’t worried. The police get involved when it turns out that Danny is the spitting image of 2 men in the area who have been murdered recently. As they start looking into Danny and Gemma a lot of things do not add up. Mostly the story was enjoyable, but the ending really lost me. It was a bit over the top and too out there for me.
Thanks to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
Gemma and her husband Danny have moved to Bristol for a new start. When Gemma returns home from a work trip and Danny is not there she is annoyed. After 2 days when he still hasn’t returned home she isn’t worried. The police get involved when it turns out that Danny is the spitting image of 2 men in the area who have been murdered recently. As they start looking into Danny and Gemma a lot of things do not add up. Mostly the story was enjoyable, but the ending really lost me. It was a bit over the top and too out there for me.
Thanks to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
July 6, 2020
I didn't enjoy this book at all. I found all the plot twists way too obvious. I didn't care for any of the characters, apart from Albert the Miniature Schnauzer, and that's only because I'm biased when it comes to Schnauzers as I have one called Milo.
July 1, 2020
Sorry...
Have you ever read a book that was so bad you can’t even review it in complete sentences? Let me just hit the bullet points:
Ridiculous plot
Characters contrived and boring. Caricatures.
Storyline was silly.
The big reveal neither big nor much of a reveal.
Dialogue stilted. Middle-school fiction quality. Ok. Maybe high-school at best.
Complete waste of my time.
Recommend? Not on your life.
Have you ever read a book that was so bad you can’t even review it in complete sentences? Let me just hit the bullet points:
Ridiculous plot
Characters contrived and boring. Caricatures.
Storyline was silly.
The big reveal neither big nor much of a reveal.
Dialogue stilted. Middle-school fiction quality. Ok. Maybe high-school at best.
Complete waste of my time.
Recommend? Not on your life.
April 10, 2020
I’ve sat on this book for quite awhile now. Something about it was holding me back. Maybe the mixed reviews? Finally, with some hesitation, I gave it a go and so glad I did! This is a gripping, twisted thriller that goes in surprising directions I would have never predicted.
When Gemma’s husband, Danny, goes missing, she is at a loss of what to do. Nobody has heard from him and he’s not answering his phone. The police become very interested when they discover Danny looks very similar to two men who were recently murdered. They also find it interesting that it seems there are many people who haven’t heard or seen from Danny since a few weeks prior to his disappearance, and Gemma’s new neighbors thought she lived alone even though she swears Danny was living with her in their new residence right up until his disappearance.
That is all I will say on the plot, but I was extremely impressed by author Jackie Kabler’s efforts, as this was the first book of hers I’ve read. She managed to keep me entertained from the get-go, and I was caught off guard plenty of times through the reading process. I highly recommend to mystery fans. One thing I will point out is that there is a lot of dialogue in the novel. This wasn’t a problem for me, but might be for others.
Thank you to Jackie Kabler, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for an ARC.
When Gemma’s husband, Danny, goes missing, she is at a loss of what to do. Nobody has heard from him and he’s not answering his phone. The police become very interested when they discover Danny looks very similar to two men who were recently murdered. They also find it interesting that it seems there are many people who haven’t heard or seen from Danny since a few weeks prior to his disappearance, and Gemma’s new neighbors thought she lived alone even though she swears Danny was living with her in their new residence right up until his disappearance.
That is all I will say on the plot, but I was extremely impressed by author Jackie Kabler’s efforts, as this was the first book of hers I’ve read. She managed to keep me entertained from the get-go, and I was caught off guard plenty of times through the reading process. I highly recommend to mystery fans. One thing I will point out is that there is a lot of dialogue in the novel. This wasn’t a problem for me, but might be for others.
Thank you to Jackie Kabler, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for an ARC.
March 29, 2020
Based on its blurb, The Perfect Couple sounded like a great, twisty domestic suspense thriller and, at times, it was with its intriguing premise and loads of red herrings. But it wasn't a good fit for this avid suspense reader for a few reasons.
The story was very slow moving almost from the start and never quite gripped me. It was also unclear to me what kind of book the author was going for. It's not quite a crime thriller but not a domestic suspense either and as the story progressed it took on a Movie of the Week feel that I did not enjoy. The plot required me to suspend disbelief more than I was willing to go but what frustrated me the most was Gemma's character who, for a former crime reporter, came off aggravatingly naïve, dense and someone I just couldn't get behind as a main character.
What I did like about this book was the diversity of its characters and how the police investigator was given more depth than you'd typically expect. But, as a whole, these experienced police detectives came off bumbling at best - ignoring evidence and focusing on Gemma as their one and only suspect. The last straw for me was towards the end when one character's confession is revealed - it felt like it came out of nowhere and readers are just supposed to go along with a far-fetched twist. And don't get me started on the last 'surprise' which had Movie of the Week written all over it.
As you may have guessed The Perfect Couple wasn't a good fit for me. I was more frustrated than intrigued as I pushed myself to finish this predictable story. Perhaps this would be a good pick for someone entering into the world of suspense reads but regular readers of suspense may find too many holes in its plot.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
The story was very slow moving almost from the start and never quite gripped me. It was also unclear to me what kind of book the author was going for. It's not quite a crime thriller but not a domestic suspense either and as the story progressed it took on a Movie of the Week feel that I did not enjoy. The plot required me to suspend disbelief more than I was willing to go but what frustrated me the most was Gemma's character who, for a former crime reporter, came off aggravatingly naïve, dense and someone I just couldn't get behind as a main character.
What I did like about this book was the diversity of its characters and how the police investigator was given more depth than you'd typically expect. But, as a whole, these experienced police detectives came off bumbling at best - ignoring evidence and focusing on Gemma as their one and only suspect. The last straw for me was towards the end when one character's confession is revealed - it felt like it came out of nowhere and readers are just supposed to go along with a far-fetched twist. And don't get me started on the last 'surprise' which had Movie of the Week written all over it.
As you may have guessed The Perfect Couple wasn't a good fit for me. I was more frustrated than intrigued as I pushed myself to finish this predictable story. Perhaps this would be a good pick for someone entering into the world of suspense reads but regular readers of suspense may find too many holes in its plot.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
April 14, 2020
3,5 stars rounded up to 4
When Gemma returns home from a business trip, she finds that her husband, Danny is not at home. He doesn't come back. The local police are dealing with a potential serial killer. Had Danny been a victim? They had only been married a few months. They had just moved into their new home. But the neighbours thought Gemma had moved into the house alone. They had never seen Danny. With o activity on his bank account and o one hearing from him, just what had happened to Danny?
The story is told in alternating chapters between Gemma and the police. Although it's a little predictable and repetitive at times, I just had to keep reading to find out what had happened to Danny. There's plenty of twists to keep you guessing. In parts, this is quite a chilling read. I liked the authors writing style. I did prefer the first half of the book to the second because of the repetition ut it was still a good read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and the author Jackie Kabler for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When Gemma returns home from a business trip, she finds that her husband, Danny is not at home. He doesn't come back. The local police are dealing with a potential serial killer. Had Danny been a victim? They had only been married a few months. They had just moved into their new home. But the neighbours thought Gemma had moved into the house alone. They had never seen Danny. With o activity on his bank account and o one hearing from him, just what had happened to Danny?
The story is told in alternating chapters between Gemma and the police. Although it's a little predictable and repetitive at times, I just had to keep reading to find out what had happened to Danny. There's plenty of twists to keep you guessing. In parts, this is quite a chilling read. I liked the authors writing style. I did prefer the first half of the book to the second because of the repetition ut it was still a good read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and the author Jackie Kabler for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2020
A DISAPPOINTING READ
Sorry, but I was very disappointed in this book. First, I thought the plot was ridiculously convoluted and unbelievable. Also, the constant repetitions were extremely annoying--Gemma's repeating over and over again how much she loved Danny...where could he be...why wasn't he answering her texts...etc. etc. , etc. It seemed the author was obviously padding what could have been a short story to expand it to a novel.
Sorry, but I was very disappointed in this book. First, I thought the plot was ridiculously convoluted and unbelievable. Also, the constant repetitions were extremely annoying--Gemma's repeating over and over again how much she loved Danny...where could he be...why wasn't he answering her texts...etc. etc. , etc. It seemed the author was obviously padding what could have been a short story to expand it to a novel.
April 21, 2020
Oooh what can I say about the deliciousness that coursed through me when I read this story? Hooked to it I was from beginning to end. The words, the plot, and the wicked mind of author Jackie Kabler, all three made the best combination to rock my world and keep me cosseted in it too. The author was quite nimble in keeping me guessing throughout the story. I never would have guessed the different plot lines. (My guesses were a bit sci-fi, and they were all wrong.)
Husband Danny disappeared, wife Gemma was worried. She went to cops and tables turned when certain evidence forced the cops to charge her as the prime suspect in his ? disappearance ?murder.
Having read the earlier book by this author, I was most excited to get my newly sanitized hands on this beauty. The story pulled me in from the get-go, where my mind raged with brilliant theories. The author managed to shoot them all down with every chapter. Emotions coursed through me when the cops wore their blinkers, but that gave me a pause too. Was that possible? How exciting!! A few of my thoughts.
The story reached a zenith where the cup of woes overturned. The plot raced through like the galloping horses, pulling me with it. I barely held on. There were a few far fetched scenes, but that made the book more exciting. Go figure!
After the far fetched, never could have thought in my entire life, unbelievable world crisis, nothing in this book remained far fetched. My mind said it could be possible, and there it was. A big 5 star for transporting me to a different world for a couple of hours.
I heard parts of the story via the audiobook, and the narrator had done a great job with it. I am a slow listener, but with this I could hear half the book between 1-3 am.
Husband Danny disappeared, wife Gemma was worried. She went to cops and tables turned when certain evidence forced the cops to charge her as the prime suspect in his ? disappearance ?murder.
Having read the earlier book by this author, I was most excited to get my newly sanitized hands on this beauty. The story pulled me in from the get-go, where my mind raged with brilliant theories. The author managed to shoot them all down with every chapter. Emotions coursed through me when the cops wore their blinkers, but that gave me a pause too. Was that possible? How exciting!! A few of my thoughts.
The story reached a zenith where the cup of woes overturned. The plot raced through like the galloping horses, pulling me with it. I barely held on. There were a few far fetched scenes, but that made the book more exciting. Go figure!
After the far fetched, never could have thought in my entire life, unbelievable world crisis, nothing in this book remained far fetched. My mind said it could be possible, and there it was. A big 5 star for transporting me to a different world for a couple of hours.
I heard parts of the story via the audiobook, and the narrator had done a great job with it. I am a slow listener, but with this I could hear half the book between 1-3 am.
February 12, 2020
Gemma returns home after working away for a few days and finds that her husband Danny is missing.
She calls the police to report this and finds that they are already investigating the murder of two young men who bear a striking resemblance to Danny.
This is a slow moving psychological thriller.
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
She calls the police to report this and finds that they are already investigating the murder of two young men who bear a striking resemblance to Danny.
This is a slow moving psychological thriller.
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2020
The Perfect Couple – always beware any book title that has perfect in it. Nine times out of ten it is anything but perfect. Gemma and Danny have the perfect life, the perfect jobs, and the perfect friends. Nothing and no-one are perfect, and Danny and Gemma are no exception. Gemma is a freelance journalist and Danny works in IT. Life is sweet, that is until Gemma goes on a business trip and comes home to no chilled prosecco, no dinner cooking, and no Danny. Initially Gemma thinks he’s been held late at work but the hours tick by and still there’s no Danny. She is finally forced to report him missing.
The synopsis initially got me overly excited at the prospect of reading The Perfect Couple. A twisty domestic thriller usually gets my pulse rocketing but no such luck with this tale. It’s not all negative and there were genuinely parts that had me intrigued enough to keep reading, and my favourite red herring trope had me questioning everything but by the midpoint of the book was becoming increasingly frustrated at the pacing and the direction that the author was taking the story in.
Although the premise of The Perfect Couple had serious potential to keep me hooked it just wasn’t a good fit for me. The pacing from the very beginning was slow (considering how it started, it didn’t sit well with me.) As it progressed, I really had considered DNF’ing it, but I wanted to see if I was right in my assumptions. By the mid-point it felt like we weren’t any further forward in working out what exactly had happened to Danny – although I’m sure every reader at this point knew what happened to him.
The Perfect Couple’s main character, Gemma just grated on my very last nerve. As a character she was mind numbingly dull and seemed to lack any substance whatsoever. She didn’t stand out (maybe that was the author’s intention) and for someone that had been a crime investigative journalist she was incredibly naïve bordering on stupid when dealing with different lines of investigation. The investigating detectives also seemed blind. It made me wonder what kind of cases they were used to dealing with in Bristol because there were facts that were staring at them in the face and they still couldn’t see it. Didn’t see the wood for the trees!
As a well-seasoned suspense reader, it just didn’t work well for me, there were more holes in the plot than a colander.
The synopsis initially got me overly excited at the prospect of reading The Perfect Couple. A twisty domestic thriller usually gets my pulse rocketing but no such luck with this tale. It’s not all negative and there were genuinely parts that had me intrigued enough to keep reading, and my favourite red herring trope had me questioning everything but by the midpoint of the book was becoming increasingly frustrated at the pacing and the direction that the author was taking the story in.
Although the premise of The Perfect Couple had serious potential to keep me hooked it just wasn’t a good fit for me. The pacing from the very beginning was slow (considering how it started, it didn’t sit well with me.) As it progressed, I really had considered DNF’ing it, but I wanted to see if I was right in my assumptions. By the mid-point it felt like we weren’t any further forward in working out what exactly had happened to Danny – although I’m sure every reader at this point knew what happened to him.
The Perfect Couple’s main character, Gemma just grated on my very last nerve. As a character she was mind numbingly dull and seemed to lack any substance whatsoever. She didn’t stand out (maybe that was the author’s intention) and for someone that had been a crime investigative journalist she was incredibly naïve bordering on stupid when dealing with different lines of investigation. The investigating detectives also seemed blind. It made me wonder what kind of cases they were used to dealing with in Bristol because there were facts that were staring at them in the face and they still couldn’t see it. Didn’t see the wood for the trees!
As a well-seasoned suspense reader, it just didn’t work well for me, there were more holes in the plot than a colander.
April 1, 2020
Gemma is a freelance journalist and needs to travel on occasions for short durations so when she comes home one day following a work trip away she is excited to reconnect with her husband Danny. But when Gemma arrives home expecting to see her new husband he's disappeared and she has no idea where he could be.
The tale unfolds and as Gemma tries to discover just where her husband is she quickly learns that other men with a similar description and age etc have been recently discovered Murdered!
Worst still, it appears she is the No 1 suspect.
We see that as time goes by over the following weeks in despair and confusion
slowly secrets unfold and it appears that not all is as Gemma thought her relationship to be.
I did find that times the pacing of the story slowed and my mind wandered. but the story did have me guessing until the very end when I was quite surprised at the plot twist all be it very far fetched.
This is a slow moving psychological thriller by Jackie Kabler and never really gripped me. The main character Gemma was a little hard to swallow at times, naive and incredibly frustrating - I am not sure someone who reported for the main tabloids would be this stupid.
However as always I invest in my characters and the story gave me some great diversity.
The detectives investigating were given great personas and I was fully invested in their relationships. Well written and and believable the characters are narrated throughout by the detectives and Gemma.
Thank you for the advanced copy
February 2, 2021
A perfect couple…or a perfect lie?
When Gemma reports her "perfect husband" Danny missing, police (and readers!) need to determine if Gemma is telling the truth. Complicating matters is the fact that there is a serial killer on the loose and all of the victims look just like Danny. Is Danny's case related to these serial killings....or is the fact that Danny strongly resembles two men who were recently murdered a bizarre coincidence?
This compelling read is told from the points of view of Gemma and Helena, SIO. Overall, the book was very fast-paced with many twists and turns -- with an unusual twist/turn at the end that made me gasp out loud.
Although the book featured some pretty messy policework and a few minor plot holes, the book's character development was strong and its flow was excellent, making the book impossible to put down.
I listened to the book's audio version. I always love audiobooks with multiple narrators and this book had two superb narrators.
This was my first Jackie Kabler book and I look forward to reading future titles by this author.
When Gemma reports her "perfect husband" Danny missing, police (and readers!) need to determine if Gemma is telling the truth. Complicating matters is the fact that there is a serial killer on the loose and all of the victims look just like Danny. Is Danny's case related to these serial killings....or is the fact that Danny strongly resembles two men who were recently murdered a bizarre coincidence?
This compelling read is told from the points of view of Gemma and Helena, SIO. Overall, the book was very fast-paced with many twists and turns -- with an unusual twist/turn at the end that made me gasp out loud.
Although the book featured some pretty messy policework and a few minor plot holes, the book's character development was strong and its flow was excellent, making the book impossible to put down.
I listened to the book's audio version. I always love audiobooks with multiple narrators and this book had two superb narrators.
This was my first Jackie Kabler book and I look forward to reading future titles by this author.
April 19, 2020
I wasn’t sure if this was a police procedural with a psychological thriller element or a psychological thriller with a police procedural element. Either way, both genres were covered in the book (you could add domestic noir to the list too) and therefore made for an intriguing and enjoyable read.
I liked the characters in the story and the way the psychological element was told in the first person by Gemma and how she saw things first hand.
DCI Helena Dickens was a realistic and believable police officer and with the reader being privy to Helena and her wife Charlotte’s desire to have a baby made her personal story very interesting and entertaining. I also liked DS Devon Clarke and thought his and Helena’s working relationship was spot on.
I did have one issue though. I just didn’t buy into the conclusion/perpetrator and for me it spoilt the story. The logistics of it was totally unfeasible and just too unbelievable in my opinion. I have to admit the plot did have me guessing and it was the intrigue into this that I was the most invested in, so you can imagine my disappointment when everything came together. The final chapter was a surprise though and not something I saw coming at all.
“The Perfect Couple” is not the first novel by former tv presenter and news reporter Jackie Kabler. Her previous novels were cosy crimes and this her latest novel “The Perfect Couple” is much darker than I imagine her other stories to be. I do like Jackie’s writing and I thought her police procedural element was very well written and executed and leaves the door open for a follow up to the story or certainly the start of a series featuring Helena and Devon. I’d be exceedingly happy to see these characters again in the future and wish the author every success with this change in her normal genre.
3 stars knocked down from 4 only because my disappointment at the conclusion.
I liked the characters in the story and the way the psychological element was told in the first person by Gemma and how she saw things first hand.
DCI Helena Dickens was a realistic and believable police officer and with the reader being privy to Helena and her wife Charlotte’s desire to have a baby made her personal story very interesting and entertaining. I also liked DS Devon Clarke and thought his and Helena’s working relationship was spot on.
I did have one issue though. I just didn’t buy into the conclusion/perpetrator and for me it spoilt the story. The logistics of it was totally unfeasible and just too unbelievable in my opinion. I have to admit the plot did have me guessing and it was the intrigue into this that I was the most invested in, so you can imagine my disappointment when everything came together. The final chapter was a surprise though and not something I saw coming at all.
“The Perfect Couple” is not the first novel by former tv presenter and news reporter Jackie Kabler. Her previous novels were cosy crimes and this her latest novel “The Perfect Couple” is much darker than I imagine her other stories to be. I do like Jackie’s writing and I thought her police procedural element was very well written and executed and leaves the door open for a follow up to the story or certainly the start of a series featuring Helena and Devon. I’d be exceedingly happy to see these characters again in the future and wish the author every success with this change in her normal genre.
3 stars knocked down from 4 only because my disappointment at the conclusion.
July 18, 2020
3.5 stars.
Good twists, but the ending executed rather clumsily.
Good twists, but the ending executed rather clumsily.
February 1, 2020
Thank you Netgalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads, and Jackie Kabler for this Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Gemma has it all...a new home in a beautiful city, a loving husband, the amazing job and nothing but perfection as far as the future is concerned.
She loves her job as a freelance journalist and at times needs to travel for short bursts of time. When she goes out of town this weekend, her husband Danny promises to welcome her home with a home cooked meal. Wow, she really lucked out finding the perfect husband. She finally finishes her business and after a long trip back, she finds her house .....empty. Where's Danny??
Days and weeks go by without a word from him. Confusion, Fear, Sadness and Anger are all emotions she is feeling. How could he do this to her??
The police aren't much help, there seems to be a serial killer that is killing people that look just like Danny!
Just how angry was Gemma that Danny would disappear like that without as much as goodbye. Angry enough to punish him??
I really liked this book as it kept me interested throughout. I would like to see this as a first book of a series and I was left with questions about the ending.
Gemma has it all...a new home in a beautiful city, a loving husband, the amazing job and nothing but perfection as far as the future is concerned.
She loves her job as a freelance journalist and at times needs to travel for short bursts of time. When she goes out of town this weekend, her husband Danny promises to welcome her home with a home cooked meal. Wow, she really lucked out finding the perfect husband. She finally finishes her business and after a long trip back, she finds her house .....empty. Where's Danny??
Days and weeks go by without a word from him. Confusion, Fear, Sadness and Anger are all emotions she is feeling. How could he do this to her??
The police aren't much help, there seems to be a serial killer that is killing people that look just like Danny!
Just how angry was Gemma that Danny would disappear like that without as much as goodbye. Angry enough to punish him??
I really liked this book as it kept me interested throughout. I would like to see this as a first book of a series and I was left with questions about the ending.
December 2, 2024
¡Hola, lectores!
¿Qué harías si, al llegar un día a casa después de un viaje, descubres que tu pareja ha desaparecido sin dejar rastro? Eso es justo lo que le pasa a Gemma en “La pareja perfecta”, un thriller psicológico que me tuvo en vilo de principio a fin.
La historia arranca con fuerza: Gemma regresa a casa después de un viaje de trabajo y se encuentra con que Danny, su marido, no está. Ni una nota, ni una llamada, nada. Y como si eso no fuera suficiente, cuando va a la policía para denunciarlo, se topa con un dato escalofriante: hay un asesino en serie en la ciudad y sus víctimas son sospechosamente parecidas a Danny. ¿Coincidencia o algo más siniestro? Desde ahí, la historia se convierte en un carrusel de emociones, dudas y giros inesperados.
Lo que me encantó es cómo Jackie Kabler juega con nuestras percepciones. A medida que avanza la investigación, empiezas a preguntarte: ¿realmente conoces a la persona con la que compartes tu vida? ¿Y qué pasa cuando todos los dedos comienzan a apuntar hacia ti? Gemma tiene que lidiar con las sospechas que caen sobre ella mientras intenta demostrar su inocencia y encontrar a Danny. Es imposible no empatizar con ella.
Gemma es el corazón de la novela, y está construida con una profundidad que se siente muy real. Pasas con ella por todas las etapas: la incredulidad, el miedo, la desesperación y, finalmente, la fuerza para enfrentarse a lo que venga. Es un personaje que conecta porque podría ser cualquiera de nosotros. Por otro lado, los inspectores Helena Dickens y Devon Clarke son el contrapunto perfecto. Me gustó mucho cómo, a pesar de estar investigando con una profesionalidad impecable, no pierden ese toque humano. Y luego está Danny, quien, aunque desaparecido, se siente muy presente a través de los recuerdos y las sospechas que se van desvelando sobre él. Kabler consigue que te cuestiones constantemente quién es realmente este hombre.
Más allá del misterio y la intriga, el libro plantea preguntas que dan para reflexionar: ¿Qué tan bien conocemos a quienes amamos? ¿Qué tan frágil puede ser la confianza? Y lo más inquietante, ¿qué hacemos cuando nuestra realidad empieza a resquebrajarse? La novela explora estas ideas con una habilidad impresionante, mezclando lo cotidiano con lo perturbador de manera magistral.
Jackie Kabler escribe de una forma ágil y envolvente. Los capítulos cortos, los giros en la trama y ese cambio entre la perspectiva de Gemma y los policías te mantienen pegado al libro. Es de esos thrillers que lees en dos sentadas porque no puedes dejarlo.
Lo mejor: la tensión constante. Desde la primera página, estás en modo detective, tratando de resolver el caso antes que los personajes. Y los giros… ¡Madre mía! Justo cuando crees que lo tienes todo claro, Kabler te deja con la boca abierta. Lo no tan mejor: quizá algunos pasajes introspectivos de Gemma al principio puedan parecer algo lentos para quienes buscan acción inmediata. Pero, en mi opinión, esa introspección es lo que hace que conectes tanto con ella.
Si te gustan los thrillers psicológicos llenos de misterio, tensión y personajes con los que puedes identificarte, “La pareja perfecta” es una lectura que no te puedes perder. Es uno de esos libros que te hace dudar de todo y de todos, incluso de ti mismo. Jackie Kabler sabe cómo atrapar al lector y llevarlo por un camino lleno de intrigas hasta un final que no olvidarás fácilmente. ¿Recomendado? ¡Mil veces sí! Prepara el café, acomódate en tu rincón favorito y prepárate para no soltarlo hasta el último capítulo.
¿Qué harías si, al llegar un día a casa después de un viaje, descubres que tu pareja ha desaparecido sin dejar rastro? Eso es justo lo que le pasa a Gemma en “La pareja perfecta”, un thriller psicológico que me tuvo en vilo de principio a fin.
La historia arranca con fuerza: Gemma regresa a casa después de un viaje de trabajo y se encuentra con que Danny, su marido, no está. Ni una nota, ni una llamada, nada. Y como si eso no fuera suficiente, cuando va a la policía para denunciarlo, se topa con un dato escalofriante: hay un asesino en serie en la ciudad y sus víctimas son sospechosamente parecidas a Danny. ¿Coincidencia o algo más siniestro? Desde ahí, la historia se convierte en un carrusel de emociones, dudas y giros inesperados.
Lo que me encantó es cómo Jackie Kabler juega con nuestras percepciones. A medida que avanza la investigación, empiezas a preguntarte: ¿realmente conoces a la persona con la que compartes tu vida? ¿Y qué pasa cuando todos los dedos comienzan a apuntar hacia ti? Gemma tiene que lidiar con las sospechas que caen sobre ella mientras intenta demostrar su inocencia y encontrar a Danny. Es imposible no empatizar con ella.
Gemma es el corazón de la novela, y está construida con una profundidad que se siente muy real. Pasas con ella por todas las etapas: la incredulidad, el miedo, la desesperación y, finalmente, la fuerza para enfrentarse a lo que venga. Es un personaje que conecta porque podría ser cualquiera de nosotros. Por otro lado, los inspectores Helena Dickens y Devon Clarke son el contrapunto perfecto. Me gustó mucho cómo, a pesar de estar investigando con una profesionalidad impecable, no pierden ese toque humano. Y luego está Danny, quien, aunque desaparecido, se siente muy presente a través de los recuerdos y las sospechas que se van desvelando sobre él. Kabler consigue que te cuestiones constantemente quién es realmente este hombre.
Más allá del misterio y la intriga, el libro plantea preguntas que dan para reflexionar: ¿Qué tan bien conocemos a quienes amamos? ¿Qué tan frágil puede ser la confianza? Y lo más inquietante, ¿qué hacemos cuando nuestra realidad empieza a resquebrajarse? La novela explora estas ideas con una habilidad impresionante, mezclando lo cotidiano con lo perturbador de manera magistral.
Jackie Kabler escribe de una forma ágil y envolvente. Los capítulos cortos, los giros en la trama y ese cambio entre la perspectiva de Gemma y los policías te mantienen pegado al libro. Es de esos thrillers que lees en dos sentadas porque no puedes dejarlo.
Lo mejor: la tensión constante. Desde la primera página, estás en modo detective, tratando de resolver el caso antes que los personajes. Y los giros… ¡Madre mía! Justo cuando crees que lo tienes todo claro, Kabler te deja con la boca abierta. Lo no tan mejor: quizá algunos pasajes introspectivos de Gemma al principio puedan parecer algo lentos para quienes buscan acción inmediata. Pero, en mi opinión, esa introspección es lo que hace que conectes tanto con ella.
Si te gustan los thrillers psicológicos llenos de misterio, tensión y personajes con los que puedes identificarte, “La pareja perfecta” es una lectura que no te puedes perder. Es uno de esos libros que te hace dudar de todo y de todos, incluso de ti mismo. Jackie Kabler sabe cómo atrapar al lector y llevarlo por un camino lleno de intrigas hasta un final que no olvidarás fácilmente. ¿Recomendado? ¡Mil veces sí! Prepara el café, acomódate en tu rincón favorito y prepárate para no soltarlo hasta el último capítulo.
May 10, 2020
Well this was a massive disappointment. I was officially tricked by an exciting premise, which reminded me a lot of The Hand That Feeds You. Sadly, what I received was a cheap knock-off of Gone Girl reversed. Let's get into the things I didn't like about this book.
There was absolutely no mystery, I had guessed the outcome from the very beginning, so it was a very boring the-rest-300-pages. Even if you don't guess every single detail, there is still no suspense.
The characters were really dumb and bland, especially the police officers, even by the end I could hardly tell them apart. And never in any crime novel before had I seen police work written in such odd way. Countless times I was forced to read them saying something like: "Oh I don't know, this is probably just a stupid idea, just a shot in the dark, an out-of-nowhere theory, a big pile of nonsense, I'm most likely wrong" about some minor or obvious detail, which was just annoying. And I really didn't see a point in including several police officers' perspectives if they just blend into one anyway. All characters, even the main ones, were boring and one-dimensional.
There was another small thing that was problematic and rubbed me the wrong way but it's a bit spoiler-y.
Usually even if I guess the mystery in crime novels, I definitely don't mind it if it's done well and I can still enjoy the plot, characters or SOMETHING, which was not my experience with this book. It was just bland through and through.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There was absolutely no mystery, I had guessed the outcome from the very beginning, so it was a very boring the-rest-300-pages. Even if you don't guess every single detail, there is still no suspense.
The characters were really dumb and bland, especially the police officers, even by the end I could hardly tell them apart. And never in any crime novel before had I seen police work written in such odd way. Countless times I was forced to read them saying something like: "Oh I don't know, this is probably just a stupid idea, just a shot in the dark, an out-of-nowhere theory, a big pile of nonsense, I'm most likely wrong" about some minor or obvious detail, which was just annoying. And I really didn't see a point in including several police officers' perspectives if they just blend into one anyway. All characters, even the main ones, were boring and one-dimensional.
There was another small thing that was problematic and rubbed me the wrong way but it's a bit spoiler-y.
Usually even if I guess the mystery in crime novels, I definitely don't mind it if it's done well and I can still enjoy the plot, characters or SOMETHING, which was not my experience with this book. It was just bland through and through.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2019
First sentence:
It was the silence I noticed first.
The Perfect Couple by Jackie Kabler is a quickly paced thriller that was really hard for me to put down. Gemma is married to Danny O’Connor who mysteriously disappears while she is away on a work-related trip. Gemma returns home to find that Danny has disappeared; leaving behind his clothing, passport, and other essentials. What could have happened, she wonders? Tune into DCI Helena Dickens and DS Devon Clarke as they’re working a case in Bristol where the victims share an eerie similarity. When Gemma calls to report Danny missing, they discover that Danny also shares a striking resemblance to the previous victims. And the plot thickens!
Thrillers are one of my favorite genres and when a thriller like The Perfect Couple has a bendy twisty plot that surprises me at the end, well, that’s a true pleasure to read. The characters are well-written and believable in their roles, perfectly wringing my emotions, even for the bad guy. The story is told in alternating narratives between Gemma and the detectives, not always my favorite but it works beautifully in this story.
The Perfect Couple is definitely a page turner and a remarkable thriller by an author that I will always read from now on! Perfect for any fan of mystery, thrillers, and suspense.
A big thank you to NetGalley, Harper Impulse, Killer Reads, One More Chapter, and Jackie Kabler for providing The Perfect Couple for my honest review
It was the silence I noticed first.
The Perfect Couple by Jackie Kabler is a quickly paced thriller that was really hard for me to put down. Gemma is married to Danny O’Connor who mysteriously disappears while she is away on a work-related trip. Gemma returns home to find that Danny has disappeared; leaving behind his clothing, passport, and other essentials. What could have happened, she wonders? Tune into DCI Helena Dickens and DS Devon Clarke as they’re working a case in Bristol where the victims share an eerie similarity. When Gemma calls to report Danny missing, they discover that Danny also shares a striking resemblance to the previous victims. And the plot thickens!
Thrillers are one of my favorite genres and when a thriller like The Perfect Couple has a bendy twisty plot that surprises me at the end, well, that’s a true pleasure to read. The characters are well-written and believable in their roles, perfectly wringing my emotions, even for the bad guy. The story is told in alternating narratives between Gemma and the detectives, not always my favorite but it works beautifully in this story.
The Perfect Couple is definitely a page turner and a remarkable thriller by an author that I will always read from now on! Perfect for any fan of mystery, thrillers, and suspense.
A big thank you to NetGalley, Harper Impulse, Killer Reads, One More Chapter, and Jackie Kabler for providing The Perfect Couple for my honest review
September 25, 2023
The Perfect Couple is a tale of mystery and crime. The premise is good but not enough.
.
PLOT:
The story is set in Bristol and London. It is about a couple, Gemma and Danny. Seemingly, they are a very happy newly married couple with a perfect life. However, when Gemma comes home from a short business trip, Danny is nowhere. She tries to find him in any way possible, but, in the end, she has to contact the police. Thus, the mystery begins, and it includes crimes, lies, and frustration.
.
THOUGHTS:
As I said the premise is good, and it starts quite well. But, as the story unfolds, it gets super frustrating. There are multiple perspectives, I would say. We read the story from Gemma’s point of view, but also, from the point of view of Helena who is the Chief Inspector, and Devon, the detective sergeant.
.
I would say that the story is quite good until the first half. Then, it starts getting repetitive. The characters could be more well-written to be honest, and at many points, I thought that the way they acted didn’t make much sense. And, the ending could definitely have been written better. It was too easy and too predictable, I would say.
.
On the whole, it was a quick read for me and I expected more to be honest. It starts strong, but loses focus as the story continues.
.
PLOT:
The story is set in Bristol and London. It is about a couple, Gemma and Danny. Seemingly, they are a very happy newly married couple with a perfect life. However, when Gemma comes home from a short business trip, Danny is nowhere. She tries to find him in any way possible, but, in the end, she has to contact the police. Thus, the mystery begins, and it includes crimes, lies, and frustration.
.
THOUGHTS:
As I said the premise is good, and it starts quite well. But, as the story unfolds, it gets super frustrating. There are multiple perspectives, I would say. We read the story from Gemma’s point of view, but also, from the point of view of Helena who is the Chief Inspector, and Devon, the detective sergeant.
.
I would say that the story is quite good until the first half. Then, it starts getting repetitive. The characters could be more well-written to be honest, and at many points, I thought that the way they acted didn’t make much sense. And, the ending could definitely have been written better. It was too easy and too predictable, I would say.
.
On the whole, it was a quick read for me and I expected more to be honest. It starts strong, but loses focus as the story continues.
April 18, 2021
Wow! What was that? I’ve been in a thriller slump for a while so I hesitated to read another to add to the pile, but this one almost makes me wanna use the head exploding emoji! I went into it blindly and figured it was gonna be just another “who done it” but I was way off! It was engrossing, twisted and I read it in less than 24 hours because I could. Not. Stop. Reading!
Gemma comes home from work one day to find her husband missing. She thinks he’s just working late or something but doesn’t think too much of it until she still hasn’t heard from him days later. She goes to report him missing to the police and she discovers that the police are investigating the murder of two local men that look like her husband. Clues start to point to Gemma, especially since none of the neighbors in their new house have ever seen him. She starts to realize as she tries to prove her innocence that their all relationships aren’t perfect, but hers even more so. I don’t want to give away much more of the plot, but dang the oh my stars moments just kept coming! My only complaint, if you could call it that, is that Gemma was a journalist but she comes across as kind of naive and flustered. I guess if I was in her situation I wouldn’t think straight either. I was definitely invested in the story and will recommend this one!!
Thanks to the One More Chapter and Netgalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
Gemma comes home from work one day to find her husband missing. She thinks he’s just working late or something but doesn’t think too much of it until she still hasn’t heard from him days later. She goes to report him missing to the police and she discovers that the police are investigating the murder of two local men that look like her husband. Clues start to point to Gemma, especially since none of the neighbors in their new house have ever seen him. She starts to realize as she tries to prove her innocence that their all relationships aren’t perfect, but hers even more so. I don’t want to give away much more of the plot, but dang the oh my stars moments just kept coming! My only complaint, if you could call it that, is that Gemma was a journalist but she comes across as kind of naive and flustered. I guess if I was in her situation I wouldn’t think straight either. I was definitely invested in the story and will recommend this one!!
Thanks to the One More Chapter and Netgalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
May 29, 2021
Gemma and Danny have been together for a year. The relationship seems to be solid ... the couple is seemingly happy.
But then one night, Danny doesn't come home. When she reports him missing to the police, she's stunned to discover there is a serial killer running rampant ... and the photos of the victims all look just like Danny.
When the police investigate, what they find is more questions. Why is there no trace of him i their home? Why has no one except Gemma heard from Danny in weeks?
Is she telling them the truth .. or is there something more sinister in the works?
This started out with a genuinely interesting plot, although the writing seems a little choppy. I would like to say it got better the more I read ... but I can't. There's nothing unique or magnetic about the characters. The police were not credible at all. I found myself skipping pages to get to the end ... which was less than satisfying. Not the worst I've ever read ... but very disappointing.
Many thanks to the author / One More Chapter - Harper 360 / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
But then one night, Danny doesn't come home. When she reports him missing to the police, she's stunned to discover there is a serial killer running rampant ... and the photos of the victims all look just like Danny.
When the police investigate, what they find is more questions. Why is there no trace of him i their home? Why has no one except Gemma heard from Danny in weeks?
Is she telling them the truth .. or is there something more sinister in the works?
This started out with a genuinely interesting plot, although the writing seems a little choppy. I would like to say it got better the more I read ... but I can't. There's nothing unique or magnetic about the characters. The police were not credible at all. I found myself skipping pages to get to the end ... which was less than satisfying. Not the worst I've ever read ... but very disappointing.
Many thanks to the author / One More Chapter - Harper 360 / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 27, 2021
This is Jackie Kabler’s 2nd psychological thriller and boy it’s a doosy! It grabbed from the first page and I couldn’t put it down. Lots of twisty turns that kept me guessing till the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
May 8, 2020
Really enjoyed this one - it's got quite a bit of hype around it at present so I was a bit wary but actually found it quite gripping! Towards the end I had figured out what was going to happen, for the most part, but trying to work out why or how it would all come together kept me very interested. It's been a while since a psychological thriller had me as hooked. I'll definitely look up this author's debut novel too.
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