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One in Three
Both of them loved him. One of them killed him . . .
Louise has had to watch her husband, Andrew, start a new family in the four years since he left her. The ‘other woman’ is now his wife – but Louise isn’t ready to let Caz enjoy the life that was once hers, or to let go of the man she still loves.
As Louise starts to dig into Caz’s past, the two women’s pretence of civility starts to slip. But in trying to undermine each other, they discover more about the man they both married.
And when Andrew is murdered at a family party, both women are found standing over the body.
And when Andrew is murdered during the anniversary celebrations, both women are found standing over the body.
It’s always the wife. But which one?
Louise has had to watch her husband, Andrew, start a new family in the four years since he left her. The ‘other woman’ is now his wife – but Louise isn’t ready to let Caz enjoy the life that was once hers, or to let go of the man she still loves.
As Louise starts to dig into Caz’s past, the two women’s pretence of civility starts to slip. But in trying to undermine each other, they discover more about the man they both married.
And when Andrew is murdered at a family party, both women are found standing over the body.
And when Andrew is murdered during the anniversary celebrations, both women are found standing over the body.
It’s always the wife. But which one?
419 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2020
680 people are currently reading
6913 people want to read
About the author
Tess Stimson
22 books631 followersTess Stimson is the author of fifteen novels - including international bestseller The New House - which have been translated into dozens of languages, plus two non-fiction books. Her new book, The Perfect Accident, will be published in April 2026.
A former British journalist and reporter, Stimson was appointed Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Florida in 2002 and moved to the US. In addition to writing fiction, she continues to work as a journalist and teaches reporting for media and creative writing at a university in the Northeastern US. She now lives in Vermont with her husband, and is visited intermittently by her three grown-up children whenever they need their laundry done.
For more information, visit Tess's website or follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
A former British journalist and reporter, Stimson was appointed Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Florida in 2002 and moved to the US. In addition to writing fiction, she continues to work as a journalist and teaches reporting for media and creative writing at a university in the Northeastern US. She now lives in Vermont with her husband, and is visited intermittently by her three grown-up children whenever they need their laundry done.
For more information, visit Tess's website or follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 944 reviews
November 25, 2020
Opening scene: welcome to Burgh Island, Devon where Celia and Brian Roberts are celebrating their golden anniversary. Did I mention they also invite their ex son-in-law. Their daughter and Andrew divorced four years ago and Andrew married with Caz but they are still in good terms. What a modern, civilized, exemplary family! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Raising my glass to them but wait a second: why Louise who is the ex wife and Caz- the new bride are covered in blood.
Did they have a fight with spaghetti and meatballs recently? Oh, no, that’s not tomato sauce, this is blood and there is more where it came from. They are standing in front of the blood bath. There is dead body. Guess who? Their shared husband Andrew is brutally killed and from their appearances and shocking face expressions we may sense one of them must be responsible of the murder.
Quick, shocking start and two POVed narration mixed with police interviews. Both women point finger at the other and tell “ She did it”
Let’s clarify the motives:
Andrew was not awarded as the year of the husband! Douchebag left his first wife after the week of their second child’s born and as soon as their divorce is finalized, he married with Caz. But he also didn’t treat her like a princess. He always emphasized she will always come at the second place. He acted like she was a consolation price and his second choice as he continued to involve his first wife and kids’ lives. After Caz’s giving birth to their child, nothing has changed.
So both of them have reasons to hate the deceased douchebag’s guts.
After reading both of the women’s narration, I was mostly on team Caz but i have to admit both of them were easy to empathize.
This book was fast paced, twisty, entertaining with satisfying ending. It’s easy to read, riveting page turner.
Overall: I enjoyed it and I want to add more books of the author to my Monster Mount TBR ASAP!
Raising my glass to them but wait a second: why Louise who is the ex wife and Caz- the new bride are covered in blood.
Did they have a fight with spaghetti and meatballs recently? Oh, no, that’s not tomato sauce, this is blood and there is more where it came from. They are standing in front of the blood bath. There is dead body. Guess who? Their shared husband Andrew is brutally killed and from their appearances and shocking face expressions we may sense one of them must be responsible of the murder.
Quick, shocking start and two POVed narration mixed with police interviews. Both women point finger at the other and tell “ She did it”
Let’s clarify the motives:
Andrew was not awarded as the year of the husband! Douchebag left his first wife after the week of their second child’s born and as soon as their divorce is finalized, he married with Caz. But he also didn’t treat her like a princess. He always emphasized she will always come at the second place. He acted like she was a consolation price and his second choice as he continued to involve his first wife and kids’ lives. After Caz’s giving birth to their child, nothing has changed.
So both of them have reasons to hate the deceased douchebag’s guts.
After reading both of the women’s narration, I was mostly on team Caz but i have to admit both of them were easy to empathize.
This book was fast paced, twisty, entertaining with satisfying ending. It’s easy to read, riveting page turner.
Overall: I enjoyed it and I want to add more books of the author to my Monster Mount TBR ASAP!
September 14, 2020
EXCERPT: His blood is all over both of us. Arterial blood, bright with oxygen. My shirt is drenched in it. It's in my mouth, in my nostrils; I breathe it in, I taste it. Salty and metallic, as if I've licked a rusty metal railing.
I rock back on my heels and push the hair out of my eyes. Our mortal struggle has left us both panting, gasping for breath. Ten feet away from me, she manoeuvres herself into a half-seated position, her left arm hanging uselessly at her side.
The knife lies in a glistening ruby pool between us. I don't take my eyes off her for a single second. Her gaze slides towards the blade, and then back to me.
My phone is out of reach in my bag by the door. There's no use calling for an ambulance, anyway. He's dead. No one can lose that much blood and survive.
There are shouts outside. Running feet. The Beach House is set away from the main hotel, but sound carries across water. Someone heard the screaming. Help is coming.
I see her realise it too. Cradling her dislocated arm, she turns quickly towards the open terrace door, weighing up her chances. It's only one floor up, there's soft sand below, but the tide is coming in, cutting off the causeway, and she's in no condition to scramble up the treacherous cliff steps. She's running out of time, anyway; the voices are right outside the door.
She looks at me, and gives a small shrug, win some, lose some,
The hubbub outside intensifies. The door shudders, then splinters. Two men spill into the room, a press of white faces behind them. I see the shock in their eyes as the gory scene registers. One of them turns and shuts the door, but not before a mobile phone flashes in the crowd.
Now perhaps everyone will finally believe me.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Both of them loved him. One of them killed him . . .
Louise has had to watch her husband, Andrew, start a new family in the four years since he left her. The ‘other woman’ is now his wife – but Louise isn’t ready to let Caz enjoy the life that was once hers, or to let go of the man she still loves.
As Louise starts to dig into Caz’s past, the two women’s pretence of civility starts to slip. But in trying to undermine each other, they discover more about the man they both married.
And when Andrew is murdered during the anniversary celebrations, both women are found standing over the body.
It’s always the wife. But which one?
MY THOUGHTS: O!M!G! This just blew me away. What an exciting read! Gripping, compelling, all those superlatives that are bandied around actually apply to One in Three. I could not put this down.
You know how they say there's his story, and her story, and the truth is somewhere in the middle....well, in this case there's her story, and her story....and where is the truth?
What a family! What a complex set of relationships! This family is like a basket of venomous snakes. Everyone has their own agenda. No one tells the truth, except for Min. I loved Min, but her loyalties could be a little misplaced, or not.
The story is told primarily from the viewpoints of Louise and Caz (Caroline) interspersed with police interviews with other people who were at the anniversary party. We start with a death, then move back seven weeks before the party where the death occurred to experience the events leading up to the party.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. And there are at least two of them here.
Be prepared to be amazed. An exquisite read!
5 very excited stars This is the second book I have read by this author. I loved both and will be reading everything Tess Stimson has ever written.
#OneinThree #NetGalley
'Memory is a very unreliable narrator...we all think memories are stored in our brains just as they are in computers. Once registered, the data is put away for safe-keeping and eventual recall. The facts don't change. But the truth is, every time we remember something, we are reconstructing the event, reassembling it from traces throughout the brain.'
'The real monsters aren't seamy, sleazy oddballs with lank hair and dead eyes who lurk in back alleys and dark corners. They're pleasant family men who live among you, handsome and charming, the last people you'd ever expect.'
THE AUTHOR: Tess Stimson frequently contributes to newspapers and women's magazines. Born in England, she graduated from Oxford before working as a television news producer. Stimson is also the author of Hard News, Soft Focus, Pole Position, The Adultery Club, The Infidelity Chain (UK)/One Good Affair (US), The Nanny (UK)/Who Loves You Best (US), What's Yours Is Mine, The Wife Who Ran Away, The Lying Game and An Open Marriage. She is also the author of two works of non-fiction, Beat the Bitch: How to Stop the Other Woman Stealing Your Man, and Yours Till The End: The biography of a Beirut Hostage. She lives in Vermont with her family.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of One in Three by Tess Stimson 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, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
I rock back on my heels and push the hair out of my eyes. Our mortal struggle has left us both panting, gasping for breath. Ten feet away from me, she manoeuvres herself into a half-seated position, her left arm hanging uselessly at her side.
The knife lies in a glistening ruby pool between us. I don't take my eyes off her for a single second. Her gaze slides towards the blade, and then back to me.
My phone is out of reach in my bag by the door. There's no use calling for an ambulance, anyway. He's dead. No one can lose that much blood and survive.
There are shouts outside. Running feet. The Beach House is set away from the main hotel, but sound carries across water. Someone heard the screaming. Help is coming.
I see her realise it too. Cradling her dislocated arm, she turns quickly towards the open terrace door, weighing up her chances. It's only one floor up, there's soft sand below, but the tide is coming in, cutting off the causeway, and she's in no condition to scramble up the treacherous cliff steps. She's running out of time, anyway; the voices are right outside the door.
She looks at me, and gives a small shrug, win some, lose some,
The hubbub outside intensifies. The door shudders, then splinters. Two men spill into the room, a press of white faces behind them. I see the shock in their eyes as the gory scene registers. One of them turns and shuts the door, but not before a mobile phone flashes in the crowd.
Now perhaps everyone will finally believe me.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Both of them loved him. One of them killed him . . .
Louise has had to watch her husband, Andrew, start a new family in the four years since he left her. The ‘other woman’ is now his wife – but Louise isn’t ready to let Caz enjoy the life that was once hers, or to let go of the man she still loves.
As Louise starts to dig into Caz’s past, the two women’s pretence of civility starts to slip. But in trying to undermine each other, they discover more about the man they both married.
And when Andrew is murdered during the anniversary celebrations, both women are found standing over the body.
It’s always the wife. But which one?
MY THOUGHTS: O!M!G! This just blew me away. What an exciting read! Gripping, compelling, all those superlatives that are bandied around actually apply to One in Three. I could not put this down.
You know how they say there's his story, and her story, and the truth is somewhere in the middle....well, in this case there's her story, and her story....and where is the truth?
What a family! What a complex set of relationships! This family is like a basket of venomous snakes. Everyone has their own agenda. No one tells the truth, except for Min. I loved Min, but her loyalties could be a little misplaced, or not.
The story is told primarily from the viewpoints of Louise and Caz (Caroline) interspersed with police interviews with other people who were at the anniversary party. We start with a death, then move back seven weeks before the party where the death occurred to experience the events leading up to the party.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. And there are at least two of them here.
Be prepared to be amazed. An exquisite read!
5 very excited stars This is the second book I have read by this author. I loved both and will be reading everything Tess Stimson has ever written.
#OneinThree #NetGalley
'Memory is a very unreliable narrator...we all think memories are stored in our brains just as they are in computers. Once registered, the data is put away for safe-keeping and eventual recall. The facts don't change. But the truth is, every time we remember something, we are reconstructing the event, reassembling it from traces throughout the brain.'
'The real monsters aren't seamy, sleazy oddballs with lank hair and dead eyes who lurk in back alleys and dark corners. They're pleasant family men who live among you, handsome and charming, the last people you'd ever expect.'
THE AUTHOR: Tess Stimson frequently contributes to newspapers and women's magazines. Born in England, she graduated from Oxford before working as a television news producer. Stimson is also the author of Hard News, Soft Focus, Pole Position, The Adultery Club, The Infidelity Chain (UK)/One Good Affair (US), The Nanny (UK)/Who Loves You Best (US), What's Yours Is Mine, The Wife Who Ran Away, The Lying Game and An Open Marriage. She is also the author of two works of non-fiction, Beat the Bitch: How to Stop the Other Woman Stealing Your Man, and Yours Till The End: The biography of a Beirut Hostage. She lives in Vermont with her family.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of One in Three by Tess Stimson 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, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
May 22, 2023
TW: animal abuse, pedophlia
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 3/5
SYNOPSIS
Two women lose their damn minds over some mediocre man-child.
MY OPINION
Do you like catty reality TV? Yes? Okay then this is for you. Everyone in this book is unlikeable; just at different levels. I think it worked in this story, but you can't go into this hoping you'll have someone to root for. It really is the battle of the lesser evils, and in this case I was Team Caz. But Pink, she xyz... yeah but I'd literally rather be waterboarded than empathize with Louise.
Louise took delusional to another level. Instead of blaming her philandering ass ex-husband for leaving her and shacking up with a much younger woman, Louise directs all of her hatred toward Caz as if it was Caz that held a gun to Andy's head and said YOU'RE COMING HOME WITH ME!!!! Her dislike toward Caz was so all-consuming it wouldn't have shocked me if she blamed the rain on her. Andy could've taken a shit in front of her and smeared it on her face and Louise would've still found a way to make it Caz's fault. She'd be like: well if Caz didn't feed him beans last night maybe there wouldn't have been as much shit to smear on my face!!!!! Accountability? Responsibility? Never heard of them! Delusional living ONLY. JFC she was INSUFFERABLE.
My other problem with Louise was that we never understood WHY she was actin like a fool. This isn't her first time at the delulu rodeo either, so you know something is a lil off. But Stimson failed to give her a backstory that made her behaviour understandable. Especially considering some of her extracurricular activities... you're like PLS LOOK IN THE MIRROR. Ok, her brother died when she was young, but would that really turn you into a lovesick maniac who refuses to accept Andy has more red flags than a Chinese military parade.
On the other hand, Caz had a backstory that made her behaviour add up. Because of her traumatic past, she didn't wind me up the way Looney Louise did. No, she's not perfect. She might even be considered evil. But you understand why. Louise just woke up and chose delusion and violence time and time again.
My other big issue with this book was the unreliable narrator for funsies. Ultimately who's lying isn't the issue nor does it have any weight on the twist, but it's still *eye roll*. I never understand when the character lies to the reader for no reason. Lie to the police, ok. Lie to a friend, ok. But lying to the reader and there's no mental illness diagnosis to explain this behaviour? Much lazy storytelling to me. A good example of an unreliable narrator is Liars Anonymous. The characters are literally pathological liars participating in a group to help them stop lying, so you know why you can't trust them and it gives the characters "permission" to wild tf out.
This is the second Stimson book I've read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as The New House. I wouldn't consider this a thriller... more like a cat fight between two women with the emotional maturity of Elmo that comes to an OTT climax. It's predictable but still entertaining. I mean... I did read it in a day. But if you were curious about this author, I recommend The New House instead.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: entertaining, fun
Cons: Louise's character wasn't flushed out, predictable, ending was doing a lot, uninspired writing
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 3/5
SYNOPSIS
Two women lose their damn minds over some mediocre man-child.
MY OPINION
Do you like catty reality TV? Yes? Okay then this is for you. Everyone in this book is unlikeable; just at different levels. I think it worked in this story, but you can't go into this hoping you'll have someone to root for. It really is the battle of the lesser evils, and in this case I was Team Caz. But Pink, she xyz... yeah but I'd literally rather be waterboarded than empathize with Louise.
Louise took delusional to another level. Instead of blaming her philandering ass ex-husband for leaving her and shacking up with a much younger woman, Louise directs all of her hatred toward Caz as if it was Caz that held a gun to Andy's head and said YOU'RE COMING HOME WITH ME!!!! Her dislike toward Caz was so all-consuming it wouldn't have shocked me if she blamed the rain on her. Andy could've taken a shit in front of her and smeared it on her face and Louise would've still found a way to make it Caz's fault. She'd be like: well if Caz didn't feed him beans last night maybe there wouldn't have been as much shit to smear on my face!!!!! Accountability? Responsibility? Never heard of them! Delusional living ONLY. JFC she was INSUFFERABLE.
My other problem with Louise was that we never understood WHY she was actin like a fool. This isn't her first time at the delulu rodeo either, so you know something is a lil off. But Stimson failed to give her a backstory that made her behaviour understandable. Especially considering some of her extracurricular activities... you're like PLS LOOK IN THE MIRROR. Ok, her brother died when she was young, but would that really turn you into a lovesick maniac who refuses to accept Andy has more red flags than a Chinese military parade.
On the other hand, Caz had a backstory that made her behaviour add up. Because of her traumatic past, she didn't wind me up the way Looney Louise did. No, she's not perfect. She might even be considered evil. But you understand why. Louise just woke up and chose delusion and violence time and time again.
My other big issue with this book was the unreliable narrator for funsies. Ultimately who's lying isn't the issue nor does it have any weight on the twist, but it's still *eye roll*. I never understand when the character lies to the reader for no reason. Lie to the police, ok. Lie to a friend, ok. But lying to the reader and there's no mental illness diagnosis to explain this behaviour? Much lazy storytelling to me. A good example of an unreliable narrator is Liars Anonymous. The characters are literally pathological liars participating in a group to help them stop lying, so you know why you can't trust them and it gives the characters "permission" to wild tf out.
This is the second Stimson book I've read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as The New House. I wouldn't consider this a thriller... more like a cat fight between two women with the emotional maturity of Elmo that comes to an OTT climax. It's predictable but still entertaining. I mean... I did read it in a day. But if you were curious about this author, I recommend The New House instead.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: entertaining, fun
Cons: Louise's character wasn't flushed out, predictable, ending was doing a lot, uninspired writing
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
July 20, 2020
Here’s your cast of characters:
Andrew, the husband
Caz, the current young trophy wife
Louise, the ex-wife that can’t quite move on.
All three will attend a family celebration, but only two will survive the night!
Told in multiple perspectives including Caz and Louise. Each spilling the beans how the other wronged them. Who are we to believe? Like the old adage…there’s your story, my story, and the truth lies somewhere in between.
I felt like I was watching a tennis match as they lobbed volleys toward one another! I sided with each as they explained their take, quickly jumping to the others side when it was her turn.
Neither one is innocent but which one is guilty of murder? It’s for you to decide.
This was a fun, fast-paced thriller that will definitely entertain. Though nearing the end I was hoping for more fireworks after all the build-up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an ARC to read and review.
Andrew, the husband
Caz, the current young trophy wife
Louise, the ex-wife that can’t quite move on.
All three will attend a family celebration, but only two will survive the night!
Told in multiple perspectives including Caz and Louise. Each spilling the beans how the other wronged them. Who are we to believe? Like the old adage…there’s your story, my story, and the truth lies somewhere in between.
I felt like I was watching a tennis match as they lobbed volleys toward one another! I sided with each as they explained their take, quickly jumping to the others side when it was her turn.
Neither one is innocent but which one is guilty of murder? It’s for you to decide.
This was a fun, fast-paced thriller that will definitely entertain. Though nearing the end I was hoping for more fireworks after all the build-up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an ARC to read and review.
July 31, 2020
Toxic wife and ex-wife fighting for the attentions of Andrew....
The current husband of Caz and ex-husband of Louise.
One family celebration turns into a who-dunnit! Both wives are suspects and found at the scene of the crime.
To tell you the truth, both these wives were pretty annoying and had their own dark moments that led up to a major cat fight.
Just who was it that went down the dark path? Very twisty road and kudos to the author for mixing it up!
I went back and forth between suspects and figured it out... until I was wrong, then right!!
The police interview chapters were also a great addition and added to the intrique.
A great distraction and twisty tale involving these ladies "little revenge fantasy bubbles".
Thanks to NG and Avon books for my late request! This one published on July 9, 2020
The current husband of Caz and ex-husband of Louise.
One family celebration turns into a who-dunnit! Both wives are suspects and found at the scene of the crime.
To tell you the truth, both these wives were pretty annoying and had their own dark moments that led up to a major cat fight.
Just who was it that went down the dark path? Very twisty road and kudos to the author for mixing it up!
I went back and forth between suspects and figured it out... until I was wrong, then right!!
The police interview chapters were also a great addition and added to the intrique.
A great distraction and twisty tale involving these ladies "little revenge fantasy bubbles".
Thanks to NG and Avon books for my late request! This one published on July 9, 2020
July 12, 2020
THAT. WAS. FUN.
Andrew left Louise ONE week after their son was born.
But, she has never REALLY let go.
He married CAZ as soon as the divorce was final .
BUT...she has always been treated like she was his SECOND wife, and his SECOND choice, even after she gave birth to their son.
SURE, he shares two children with Louise, but he has stayed more involved with his first family than most EX HUSBANDS do, and is even Invited to his former Father and Mother-in-law’s Golden Wedding Anniversary party.
BOTH have reasons to HATE him.
WHO hated him enough to KILL him the night of the party?
Told from the alternating perspectives of Louise and Caz, you will have to decide who seems more reliable.
Sure, this has been done before, but what I found interesting this time is that I started out sympathetic towards Caz, even though Andrew left Louise a week after their baby was born! Would my sympathy be misplaced?
Clues are revealed through police interviews with other characters, and a handful of chapters told through their different voices.
Similar in style to Sue Watson’s thrillers, if you are wondering if this will work for you! 🍿
This was my introduction to Tess Stimson’s work, but she is on my radar now, (thanks to you, Michael D!) and I will be watching for her future releases!
Thank you to Avon UK for my gifted copy through Netgalley! All opinions are my own.
Available Now!!
Andrew left Louise ONE week after their son was born.
But, she has never REALLY let go.
He married CAZ as soon as the divorce was final .
BUT...she has always been treated like she was his SECOND wife, and his SECOND choice, even after she gave birth to their son.
SURE, he shares two children with Louise, but he has stayed more involved with his first family than most EX HUSBANDS do, and is even Invited to his former Father and Mother-in-law’s Golden Wedding Anniversary party.
BOTH have reasons to HATE him.
WHO hated him enough to KILL him the night of the party?
Told from the alternating perspectives of Louise and Caz, you will have to decide who seems more reliable.
Sure, this has been done before, but what I found interesting this time is that I started out sympathetic towards Caz, even though Andrew left Louise a week after their baby was born! Would my sympathy be misplaced?
Clues are revealed through police interviews with other characters, and a handful of chapters told through their different voices.
Similar in style to Sue Watson’s thrillers, if you are wondering if this will work for you! 🍿
This was my introduction to Tess Stimson’s work, but she is on my radar now, (thanks to you, Michael D!) and I will be watching for her future releases!
Thank you to Avon UK for my gifted copy through Netgalley! All opinions are my own.
Available Now!!
August 4, 2020
The novel opens explosively with the gory murder of charismatic TV newsreader Andrew Page, stabbed to death, with both his wife Caroline (Caz) and his ex-wife Louise, standing over him, covered in his blood. But which one killed him? And why?
This was such a gripping read, fast paced, well written and impossible to put down. The opening scene occurs after a family party to celebrate Louise's parents' golden wedding anniversary. Not only have Louise and her brother Luke and their children been invited to spend the weekend at a fancy hotel on an island off the Devonshire coast, but also Louise's ex-husband Andrew and his new wife Caz, despite the ongoing hostility between Louise and Caz.
The events leading up to the party are told through alternating chapters by Caz and Louise, interspersed with police interviews following the murder as they try to work out which of them killed Andrew. Switching between the viewpoints it's easy to sympathise with first the spurned wife and then the new wife, who will always come second, but neither is a reliable narrator, both have secrets and both can be very devious indeed. It's really the kids you feel sorry for in this situation, 16y old Bella, whose parents haven't noticed that she's not doing too well and 4y old Tolly, who are shunted between homes at the whim of their parents. Meanwhile Andrew is trying to be Mr Nice Guy, trying to defuse his wives' animosity and placate two women, but is he as blameless as he seems?
This is one of the best psychological thrillers I've read this year. Utterly compelling with an excellent twist in the tail.
With many thanks to Avon Books via Netgalley for a digital copy to read
This was such a gripping read, fast paced, well written and impossible to put down. The opening scene occurs after a family party to celebrate Louise's parents' golden wedding anniversary. Not only have Louise and her brother Luke and their children been invited to spend the weekend at a fancy hotel on an island off the Devonshire coast, but also Louise's ex-husband Andrew and his new wife Caz, despite the ongoing hostility between Louise and Caz.
The events leading up to the party are told through alternating chapters by Caz and Louise, interspersed with police interviews following the murder as they try to work out which of them killed Andrew. Switching between the viewpoints it's easy to sympathise with first the spurned wife and then the new wife, who will always come second, but neither is a reliable narrator, both have secrets and both can be very devious indeed. It's really the kids you feel sorry for in this situation, 16y old Bella, whose parents haven't noticed that she's not doing too well and 4y old Tolly, who are shunted between homes at the whim of their parents. Meanwhile Andrew is trying to be Mr Nice Guy, trying to defuse his wives' animosity and placate two women, but is he as blameless as he seems?
This is one of the best psychological thrillers I've read this year. Utterly compelling with an excellent twist in the tail.
With many thanks to Avon Books via Netgalley for a digital copy to read
December 4, 2020
Andrew lies dead on the floor in a pool of blood while his ex-wife and current wife stand over his body.
"Love him, hate him, it doesn't matter. There different sides of the same coin anyway."
Louise was happily married to Andrew, so she thought, and they have two beautiful children. Only one week after her son was born Andrew walked out of their lives and into the arms of his mistress, Caz, who he then proceeded to marry.
It has been four years since their divorce when Louise finds out that her mother is planning a weekend away for the entire family to gather for her and her fathers golden anniversary party. Imagine Louise's surprise when she finds out that Andrew and Caz have been invited to attend. She was aware that her parents remained close with her ex but she never expected this.
Louise doesn't want them there and Caz definitely doesn't want to go but Andrew insists the two women bury the hatchet.
From here we watch as both women try to destroy the other and we know this leads up to Andrew being murdered but by whom is the question.
This was pretty good. It had great pacing and was written quite well. I liked that the chapters alternated between Louise and Caz and how you couldn't really tell which woman was lying. Both ladies making the other look like the unreliable narrator. The final show down, if you will, was a little disappointing for me but to discuss that further would be a spoiler. Still this is a decent little psych thriller to pick up and pass the time with. 3.5 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Avon for providing me with a digital ARC.
"Love him, hate him, it doesn't matter. There different sides of the same coin anyway."
Louise was happily married to Andrew, so she thought, and they have two beautiful children. Only one week after her son was born Andrew walked out of their lives and into the arms of his mistress, Caz, who he then proceeded to marry.
It has been four years since their divorce when Louise finds out that her mother is planning a weekend away for the entire family to gather for her and her fathers golden anniversary party. Imagine Louise's surprise when she finds out that Andrew and Caz have been invited to attend. She was aware that her parents remained close with her ex but she never expected this.
Louise doesn't want them there and Caz definitely doesn't want to go but Andrew insists the two women bury the hatchet.
From here we watch as both women try to destroy the other and we know this leads up to Andrew being murdered but by whom is the question.
This was pretty good. It had great pacing and was written quite well. I liked that the chapters alternated between Louise and Caz and how you couldn't really tell which woman was lying. Both ladies making the other look like the unreliable narrator. The final show down, if you will, was a little disappointing for me but to discuss that further would be a spoiler. Still this is a decent little psych thriller to pick up and pass the time with. 3.5 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Avon for providing me with a digital ARC.
May 2, 2021
You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, darling.
One in Three
by Tess Stimson
MY REVIEW:
OK. I am that one person, the person to not love a book consisting of mostly 4 and 5 reviews.
AND...adding further to my dilemma....I loved the writing. And the story. I think this writer is, as they say....AMAZEBALLS! She is good....even great!
So...why a three?
Well...first I almost gave it a two but could not bring myself. Not when I was up all night reading. So there are two strong reasons why I rated this low. And anyone who knows me well can guess number one.
NOTE TO ALL AUTHORS ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE!!!!!!
Stop writing brutal animal death scenes. People do not like that. It can trigger people. Heck there are LISTS on GR with titles like books with animal abuse just so people can add these books and not read them.
I just do not get why writers do not understand this. I really......sometimes I have been known to stop reading a book that has this and I know plenty of people who feel the same, m any on here.
So I implore any writer..please do not DO that. It adds nothing to the story line. There are so many people who dislike that and if they're going to do that at least slap a warning label on the book. PLEASE! PEOPLE!
So yes that sucked and brought the book down for me. I ALWAYS take off a point....sometimes two for that stuff. I will get to reason two but lets talk about the good.
Two unreliable narrators! I love it! And the writer was so good at confusing the reader...no idea who did it...also the personalities of the women were so well done. I was so enjoying this. I mean...I read it straight through!
I preferred Louise to Caz. Could not stand Caz.
Now...reason two. The ending. I do need to use spoilers:
SPOILERS:
Am I the only person who noticed there was no update on the daughter and her her cutting? Unless I missed something. Did Caz imagine that? That is a serious issue and...just...nothing else ever happened. id Louise even ever know about it? And if not why not?
Also...Caz....did she really try to killer her mother? That was left up in the air as well. And if so wouldn't Louise have reported her?
And what of A.J.? Did he really try to jump off the building? Again..was Carol insane and just imagine that? She certainly imagined other stuff. But all these storylines..that were dropped. No follow up on any of them.
I think if all that stuff with the daughter had just been dropped I'd have liked it better. Also...who killed the cat? WAS IT Caz? Shouldn't she have paid a price?
See what I dug here is the switching back and forth between the women, the constant wondering of who did it . It was just so well written. But the ending baffled me and I kind of disliked it. To many things that we do not know and to m any...not plot holes exactly..but things that do not make any sense.
At the end of the day, this was a fun read with an ending that fell flat for me. Without that ending and the animal brutality I'd have likely given this a 5 because wow can this woman write!!
One in Three
by Tess Stimson
MY REVIEW:
OK. I am that one person, the person to not love a book consisting of mostly 4 and 5 reviews.
AND...adding further to my dilemma....I loved the writing. And the story. I think this writer is, as they say....AMAZEBALLS! She is good....even great!
So...why a three?
Well...first I almost gave it a two but could not bring myself. Not when I was up all night reading. So there are two strong reasons why I rated this low. And anyone who knows me well can guess number one.
NOTE TO ALL AUTHORS ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE!!!!!!
Stop writing brutal animal death scenes. People do not like that. It can trigger people. Heck there are LISTS on GR with titles like books with animal abuse just so people can add these books and not read them.
I just do not get why writers do not understand this. I really......sometimes I have been known to stop reading a book that has this and I know plenty of people who feel the same, m any on here.
So I implore any writer..please do not DO that. It adds nothing to the story line. There are so many people who dislike that and if they're going to do that at least slap a warning label on the book. PLEASE! PEOPLE!
So yes that sucked and brought the book down for me. I ALWAYS take off a point....sometimes two for that stuff. I will get to reason two but lets talk about the good.
Two unreliable narrators! I love it! And the writer was so good at confusing the reader...no idea who did it...also the personalities of the women were so well done. I was so enjoying this. I mean...I read it straight through!
I preferred Louise to Caz. Could not stand Caz.
Now...reason two. The ending. I do need to use spoilers:
SPOILERS:
Am I the only person who noticed there was no update on the daughter and her her cutting? Unless I missed something. Did Caz imagine that? That is a serious issue and...just...nothing else ever happened. id Louise even ever know about it? And if not why not?
Also...Caz....did she really try to killer her mother? That was left up in the air as well. And if so wouldn't Louise have reported her?
And what of A.J.? Did he really try to jump off the building? Again..was Carol insane and just imagine that? She certainly imagined other stuff. But all these storylines..that were dropped. No follow up on any of them.
I think if all that stuff with the daughter had just been dropped I'd have liked it better. Also...who killed the cat? WAS IT Caz? Shouldn't she have paid a price?
See what I dug here is the switching back and forth between the women, the constant wondering of who did it . It was just so well written. But the ending baffled me and I kind of disliked it. To many things that we do not know and to m any...not plot holes exactly..but things that do not make any sense.
At the end of the day, this was a fun read with an ending that fell flat for me. Without that ending and the animal brutality I'd have likely given this a 5 because wow can this woman write!!
June 20, 2020
4+
What a dramatic start to this enjoyable read! The location: Burgh Island, Devon where Louise Page’s parents Celia and Brian Roberts are due to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. The scenario: the gory and bloody scene with Andrew Page dead and his ex-wife Louise and current wife Caz covered in blood. They blame each other. Who is the liar? The story is told principally by Louise and Caz with a countdown to the party, interspersed with police interviews which works very effectively.
This is a well written and enthralling thriller as for a long time the two wives versions contradict each other and your sympathy switches from one to another as does who you believe. This is very tantalising and keeps you interested to the end. Both women have intriguing backgrounds which potentially points the finger at both of them which adds to the mix. A series of unpleasant events occur which rapidly descends into something that resembles mortal combat as both women fight to win back or keep Andrew. He really isn’t worth it ladies, which as the book unfolds becomes apparent. There are few likeable characters apart from the children but that adds to the entertainment value! The plot is good and the potential killer net becomes wider and wider as several have a motive to kill Andrew beyond the obvious rivals. There are so many secrets, lies and such palpable jealousy it’s like watching an impending train wreck. My only negative is that a few sections don’t always seem completely relevant but at least it gives you chance for a breather!
Overall, a really good novel which is well written and plotted, with drama aplenty to keep you transfixed and reading on to the end. The setting on Burgh Island is excellent too!
With thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC.
What a dramatic start to this enjoyable read! The location: Burgh Island, Devon where Louise Page’s parents Celia and Brian Roberts are due to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. The scenario: the gory and bloody scene with Andrew Page dead and his ex-wife Louise and current wife Caz covered in blood. They blame each other. Who is the liar? The story is told principally by Louise and Caz with a countdown to the party, interspersed with police interviews which works very effectively.
This is a well written and enthralling thriller as for a long time the two wives versions contradict each other and your sympathy switches from one to another as does who you believe. This is very tantalising and keeps you interested to the end. Both women have intriguing backgrounds which potentially points the finger at both of them which adds to the mix. A series of unpleasant events occur which rapidly descends into something that resembles mortal combat as both women fight to win back or keep Andrew. He really isn’t worth it ladies, which as the book unfolds becomes apparent. There are few likeable characters apart from the children but that adds to the entertainment value! The plot is good and the potential killer net becomes wider and wider as several have a motive to kill Andrew beyond the obvious rivals. There are so many secrets, lies and such palpable jealousy it’s like watching an impending train wreck. My only negative is that a few sections don’t always seem completely relevant but at least it gives you chance for a breather!
Overall, a really good novel which is well written and plotted, with drama aplenty to keep you transfixed and reading on to the end. The setting on Burgh Island is excellent too!
With thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC.
May 26, 2021
Wow!!! This book had me hooked from the first paragraph. The story is a character driven thriller with so many unexpected twists, I was literally breathless with anticipation until the very last page. Louise and Caz are at the mercy of their unstable emotions and feelings for an undeserving man. Andrew is at the center of this toxic love triangle that ends in murder. Who is guilty of killing their obsession? I both loved and hated the suspects as the story unfolded. The characters were expertly crafted while motives came to the surface and lives were changed forever. This is a must read for all thriller addicts.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I can’t wait to read more books by Tess Stimson. Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360/Avon for my ARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I can’t wait to read more books by Tess Stimson. Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360/Avon for my ARC.
April 12, 2020
Well I’ll be damned with this unputdownable thriller about an ex-wife, a current wife, and current wife’s husband, who is murdered at a party for the ex-wife’s mom and dad. I was gripped and found the twists uncomfortable and shocking! I had no idea where it was going, and found Tess Stimson’s writing gripping, shocking, and completely engrossing.
Thank you to author Tess Stimson, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for an ARC.
Thank you to author Tess Stimson, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for an ARC.
June 28, 2020
Well, that was entertaining. Tess Stimson...what a clever writer you are!
There was so much to love about One In Three--dynamic, dauntless characters; intensely complex relationships; and a twisty, multilayered plot. Told from dual narratives, those of Louise and Caz, the story took readers back several weeks prior to the infamous anniversary party, where Andrew, the (ex) husband, lost his life. Sections are labeled Six Weeks Before The Party or Three Weeks Before The Party, etc., as the story progresses to present day.
One technique I loved was how Louise's narrative made Caz look like an unstable liar, while Caz's did the same to Louise.
Who to believe?
Both women were sympathetic at times, and completely repugnant at others.
I did suspect whodunit fairly early on, and was ultimately proven correct, yet it did nothing to dampen my enthusiasm for the story. And credit where credit is due...there were a couple twists thrown in I simply didn't see coming
Unfortunately, animal abuse was featured during the story. For that reason, I deducted a star from my rating. (Come on, authors...you can do better. Your stories would be just as good without the animal mutilation. Please stop!)
Bottom line: This novel was a win and far exceeded my expectations. Pick up your copy July 9, 2020.
**My sincere appreciation to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my review copy.
There was so much to love about One In Three--dynamic, dauntless characters; intensely complex relationships; and a twisty, multilayered plot. Told from dual narratives, those of Louise and Caz, the story took readers back several weeks prior to the infamous anniversary party, where Andrew, the (ex) husband, lost his life. Sections are labeled Six Weeks Before The Party or Three Weeks Before The Party, etc., as the story progresses to present day.
One technique I loved was how Louise's narrative made Caz look like an unstable liar, while Caz's did the same to Louise.
Who to believe?
Both women were sympathetic at times, and completely repugnant at others.
I did suspect whodunit fairly early on, and was ultimately proven correct, yet it did nothing to dampen my enthusiasm for the story. And credit where credit is due...there were a couple twists thrown in I simply didn't see coming
Unfortunately, animal abuse was featured during the story. For that reason, I deducted a star from my rating. (Come on, authors...you can do better. Your stories would be just as good without the animal mutilation. Please stop!)
Bottom line: This novel was a win and far exceeded my expectations. Pick up your copy July 9, 2020.
**My sincere appreciation to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my review copy.
September 13, 2020
One in Three by Tess Stimson is an enjoyable thriller. Throughout the book I was thought I figured out what happened but didn't find out until the very end. Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC. Full review on my blog JustReadingJess
https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
August 6, 2020
This novel succeeds in having endless twists. However, the writing is not great, and all of the characters except the teenage daughter Bella are pretty reprehensible.
It begins with the murder of Andrew, who is Caroline���s husband and Louise’s ex-husband. Andrew started an affair with Caroline before the bitter divorce. He stayed just until Louise gave birth to their son, Tolly, who is twelve years younger than his sister, Bella.
Obviously when you marry a man who has kids, the ex-wife is going to be in the picture a lot until the kids are eighteen, and ultimately forever. Caroline doesn’t realize that Louise’s family is also going to stay around, especially her scheming, unlikeable mother Celia, who got everyone together for her anniversary weekend at which Andrew is murdered.
This is told from multiple points of view, but no character tells the reader the whole truth because they lie to themselves so much, they believe their own lies. Something happened early in the novel to make me not like Louise. In real life I can’t imagine siding with the mistress who becomes the wife, but for some reason in this book, I had more sympathy for Caroline because she was put upon by the angry ex and the dirtbag who gets murdered. When you don’t care about the character who dies in such an egregious way, I can’t say that I can recommend this book. There were the occasional clichés. Also, the during the police interviews that are injected between the narrative, the cops keep telling the interviewee things that I simply can’t imagine an officer in real life doing. Why on earth would a cop tell a murder suspect what another murder suspect said?
If you want a twisty book filled with unlikeable, untrustworthy characters, this is the book for you.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel.
It begins with the murder of Andrew, who is Caroline���s husband and Louise’s ex-husband. Andrew started an affair with Caroline before the bitter divorce. He stayed just until Louise gave birth to their son, Tolly, who is twelve years younger than his sister, Bella.
Obviously when you marry a man who has kids, the ex-wife is going to be in the picture a lot until the kids are eighteen, and ultimately forever. Caroline doesn’t realize that Louise’s family is also going to stay around, especially her scheming, unlikeable mother Celia, who got everyone together for her anniversary weekend at which Andrew is murdered.
This is told from multiple points of view, but no character tells the reader the whole truth because they lie to themselves so much, they believe their own lies. Something happened early in the novel to make me not like Louise. In real life I can’t imagine siding with the mistress who becomes the wife, but for some reason in this book, I had more sympathy for Caroline because she was put upon by the angry ex and the dirtbag who gets murdered. When you don’t care about the character who dies in such an egregious way, I can’t say that I can recommend this book. There were the occasional clichés. Also, the during the police interviews that are injected between the narrative, the cops keep telling the interviewee things that I simply can’t imagine an officer in real life doing. Why on earth would a cop tell a murder suspect what another murder suspect said?
If you want a twisty book filled with unlikeable, untrustworthy characters, this is the book for you.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel.
July 4, 2020
Louise had been married to Andrew for over ten years when he left her for Caz. But Louise isn't ready to let Caz enjoy the life she once had. Or let go of the man she still loves.
We find out early that Andrew dies but we don't know who killed him until the end. This is a very twisted love triangle. There's plenty of twists in this whodunnit that will have you constantly changing your mind to whom the culprit was. The plotline is complex. The chapters are told by Louise and Caz. The tension builds slowly in this well written, page turning and gripping read. The pace is good. Thisnis an intriguing story.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Book UK and the author Tess Stimson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review .
We find out early that Andrew dies but we don't know who killed him until the end. This is a very twisted love triangle. There's plenty of twists in this whodunnit that will have you constantly changing your mind to whom the culprit was. The plotline is complex. The chapters are told by Louise and Caz. The tension builds slowly in this well written, page turning and gripping read. The pace is good. Thisnis an intriguing story.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Book UK and the author Tess Stimson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review .
July 21, 2022
4.5 ⭐️
July 28, 2021
ONE IN THREE is the ONE book you must read.
Most marriages end in divorce. This one ends in murder.
WHO KILLED THE HUSBAND? Wife #1, Wife #2.....
or someone else?
TWIST, TURN, TWIST, TURN. This book is fast-paced, well-written, and riveting; keeping readers guessing until the very end. The book is emotionally pulverizing and I finished the book in 2 days because it was impossible to put down.
I especially liked the way the author used rotating voices of the murder victim's first wife and second wife, as well as an investigator's interviews, to unfold the storyline.
I listened to the book's audio version. I always love it when a book has multiple narrators and all of the narrators reading this book were superb.
I highly recommend this book. This was my first book by author Tess Stimson and I will be enthusiastically awaiting her future releases.
Most marriages end in divorce. This one ends in murder.
WHO KILLED THE HUSBAND? Wife #1, Wife #2.....
or someone else?
TWIST, TURN, TWIST, TURN. This book is fast-paced, well-written, and riveting; keeping readers guessing until the very end. The book is emotionally pulverizing and I finished the book in 2 days because it was impossible to put down.
I especially liked the way the author used rotating voices of the murder victim's first wife and second wife, as well as an investigator's interviews, to unfold the storyline.
I listened to the book's audio version. I always love it when a book has multiple narrators and all of the narrators reading this book were superb.
I highly recommend this book. This was my first book by author Tess Stimson and I will be enthusiastically awaiting her future releases.
May 6, 2023
لِما تدور حرب طاحنة لا تعرف هوادة بين امرأتين من أجل رجل نرجسي وغد لئيم...!!!
من أجل من يتقاتلا...لم يكن يستحق كل هذا العناء...
المشهد الافتتاحي جريمة قتل للزوج الوسيم اللطيف وعلينا أن نتعرف على القاتل من خلال صوتي المرأتين طليقته والزوجة الثانية ، بينما تحقيقات الشرطة لم تغادر مكتب التحقيقات وتكتفي بجهاز التسجيل ليقيد الأقوال....😏
بنهاية المطاف تتأكد من أن الجميع يعاني من حالات نفسية مرضية مُعقدة ، وقد حاولت الكاتبة أن تبرز ذلك من خلال التصرفات العبثية ، الألاعيب الماكرة ، الشعور الطاغي بالارتياب ، والتفكير الضحل الذي لا يخرج عن دائرة الانتقام...
هنا الخسارة تُكبل الخطى تحول دون المُضي قُدماً...
فكرة التواء النهاية أكثر من مرة لم تكن موفقة على الإطلاق ، كنت اعلم من القاتل بالرغم من كل المحاولات ليخرج من دائرة الإتهام....
من أجل من يتقاتلا...لم يكن يستحق كل هذا العناء...
المشهد الافتتاحي جريمة قتل للزوج الوسيم اللطيف وعلينا أن نتعرف على القاتل من خلال صوتي المرأتين طليقته والزوجة الثانية ، بينما تحقيقات الشرطة لم تغادر مكتب التحقيقات وتكتفي بجهاز التسجيل ليقيد الأقوال....😏
بنهاية المطاف تتأكد من أن الجميع يعاني من حالات نفسية مرضية مُعقدة ، وقد حاولت الكاتبة أن تبرز ذلك من خلال التصرفات العبثية ، الألاعيب الماكرة ، الشعور الطاغي بالارتياب ، والتفكير الضحل الذي لا يخرج عن دائرة الانتقام...
هنا الخسارة تُكبل الخطى تحول دون المُضي قُدماً...
فكرة التواء النهاية أكثر من مرة لم تكن موفقة على الإطلاق ، كنت اعلم من القاتل بالرغم من كل المحاولات ليخرج من دائرة الإتهام....
July 21, 2020
Wow. Wow. Wow. This one completely blew me away. From the very beginning I was gripped by the conflict between Caz and Louise. It’s not often I say this, but I could happily award this more than five stars. Unsurprisingly, this is going into my ‘Top 5 Reads of 2020’!
The narrative is a countdown to the fateful party. The novel opens with a Prologue that introduces the murder scene. Consequently, for the rest of the book, readers are taken on a journey to understand events leading up to it. The chapters switch between Louise and Caz’s perspectives meaning that you get a balanced view of the conflict existing betwixt them. However, what adds to the drama and tension is the fact there are also police interviews regularly spaced throughout the story. We are invited to sit in and witness the suspect questioning and I loved how this revealed gradual details about the finale. Readers are never given the full story and I loved how Stimson carefully and subtly provides intricate details about each character’s past. It all helps build up an image and create a suspect for the reader – although whether they are correct or not is never revealed until the final pages.
This was a dramatic read. I switched loyalties frequently between Louise and Caz. For Louise, she seems to be struggling to cope as a single mother, especially as her own mother is keen to maintain a friendship with her ex-husband. The inevitable meetings between her and Caz made me sympathise with Louise and believe that the second wife (Caz) is as vindictive as Louise feels. However, when we read from Caz’s perspective, we cannot help but feel sorry for the “replacement” who always appears to come “second best”. I sympathised with her frustrations and cheered when she showed a trusting relationship with Louise’s older daughter.
Hooked like a fish, I could not put this book down. I was excited by the story and relished in the details. At some moments I was literally gasping with disbelief – a sign of a good read! I could not fathom who was the murderer and at the end believed that most characters had a motive – poor Andrew! This book takes you on a journey with plenty of twists and turns and it had me captivated for each and every page.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative is a countdown to the fateful party. The novel opens with a Prologue that introduces the murder scene. Consequently, for the rest of the book, readers are taken on a journey to understand events leading up to it. The chapters switch between Louise and Caz’s perspectives meaning that you get a balanced view of the conflict existing betwixt them. However, what adds to the drama and tension is the fact there are also police interviews regularly spaced throughout the story. We are invited to sit in and witness the suspect questioning and I loved how this revealed gradual details about the finale. Readers are never given the full story and I loved how Stimson carefully and subtly provides intricate details about each character’s past. It all helps build up an image and create a suspect for the reader – although whether they are correct or not is never revealed until the final pages.
This was a dramatic read. I switched loyalties frequently between Louise and Caz. For Louise, she seems to be struggling to cope as a single mother, especially as her own mother is keen to maintain a friendship with her ex-husband. The inevitable meetings between her and Caz made me sympathise with Louise and believe that the second wife (Caz) is as vindictive as Louise feels. However, when we read from Caz’s perspective, we cannot help but feel sorry for the “replacement” who always appears to come “second best”. I sympathised with her frustrations and cheered when she showed a trusting relationship with Louise’s older daughter.
Hooked like a fish, I could not put this book down. I was excited by the story and relished in the details. At some moments I was literally gasping with disbelief – a sign of a good read! I could not fathom who was the murderer and at the end believed that most characters had a motive – poor Andrew! This book takes you on a journey with plenty of twists and turns and it had me captivated for each and every page.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2021
Una trama retorcida a la que le cuesta arrancar a pesar de que comienza con un asesinato.
Básicamente el libro trata sobre las malsanas relaciones entre dos mujeres que dicen amar al mismo hombre.
Comienza con el asesinato del susodicho tipo a manos de una de las dos, pero de cual?
Así nos adentramos en la historia familiar de estas mujeres narradas desde semanas antes del asesinato. Se intercalan unos interrogatorios con la policía que parecen sacados de Los hombres de Paco.
Y al final del libro tenemos un giro con triple salto mortal con tirabuzón y doble pirueta incluido que ya me dejó ojiplática.
En definitiva: personajes odiosos en su mayoría, relaciones tóxicas, un poquito de intriga y un final con fanfarrias y cohetes. Poco más.
Básicamente el libro trata sobre las malsanas relaciones entre dos mujeres que dicen amar al mismo hombre.
Comienza con el asesinato del susodicho tipo a manos de una de las dos, pero de cual?
Así nos adentramos en la historia familiar de estas mujeres narradas desde semanas antes del asesinato. Se intercalan unos interrogatorios con la policía que parecen sacados de Los hombres de Paco.
Y al final del libro tenemos un giro con triple salto mortal con tirabuzón y doble pirueta incluido que ya me dejó ojiplática.
En definitiva: personajes odiosos en su mayoría, relaciones tóxicas, un poquito de intriga y un final con fanfarrias y cohetes. Poco más.
October 16, 2020
Audio 5 Stars
Story 4 War of the Wives Stars
Story 4 War of the Wives Stars
February 13, 2025
يتم العثور على جثة أندرو مضرجاً بدمائه وإلى جانبه زوجته وطليقته .
فمن فيهما قتله ولماذا ؟!
ام ان القاتل شخص آخر؟!
وفي كل الأحوال ما الدافع لقتله ؟!
"أعتقد أننا نتفق جميعاً على أن أندرو بيج يستحق القتل ، فما من امرأة دخلت حياته إلاوكان لديهادافع قوى لارتكاب هذه الجريمة المروعة بحقه ."
تعود بنا الكاتبة لسبعة أسابيع ماضية لنتعرف على حياة الشخصيات وعلاقتهم ببعضهم البعض.
تقدم الكاتبة الرواية على لسان أكثر من شخصية وفي الغالبية كان الحديث على لسان طليقته لويز وزوجته كاز .
بالطبع الإثنتان في صراع دائم ..
لكن هل كان أندرو يستحق هذا الصراع ؟!
كان شخص ناجح ووسيم ويستطيع الحصول بسهولة على حب الجميع لكن ما هي حقيقته؟
ولماذا تم قتله وماذا فعل ليتم قتله بهذه الطريقة ؟
أسلوب الرواية خفيف وجيد والترجمة جيدة لكن برغم ان هناك جريمة قتل منذ البداية إلا ان الرواية كان يغلب عليها الطابع الاجتماعي في وصف حياة الشخصيات والمواقف التي تحدث بينهم وأشياء حدثت لهم من قبل لتجعلك الكاتبة تشك في حالتهم العقلية والنفسية وبالتالى سينتابك الشك في القاتل .
طبعا لازم مفاجئة النهاية والتويست في القاتل وهنا الكاتبة استعانت بأكتر من تويست في خلال الصفحات الأخيرة أعادت الشك في كل الشخصيات اللى في الرواية وفاجئتنا بالقاتل الحقيقى في آخر صفحتين .
كانت قراءة خفيفة ومش مملة .
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فمن فيهما قتله ولماذا ؟!
ام ان القاتل شخص آخر؟!
وفي كل الأحوال ما الدافع لقتله ؟!
"أعتقد أننا نتفق جميعاً على أن أندرو بيج يستحق القتل ، فما من امرأة دخلت حياته إلاوكان لديهادافع قوى لارتكاب هذه الجريمة المروعة بحقه ."
تعود بنا الكاتبة لسبعة أسابيع ماضية لنتعرف على حياة الشخصيات وعلاقتهم ببعضهم البعض.
تقدم الكاتبة الرواية على لسان أكثر من شخصية وفي الغالبية كان الحديث على لسان طليقته لويز وزوجته كاز .
بالطبع الإثنتان في صراع دائم ..
لكن هل كان أندرو يستحق هذا الصراع ؟!
كان شخص ناجح ووسيم ويستطيع الحصول بسهولة على حب الجميع لكن ما هي حقيقته؟
ولماذا تم قتله وماذا فعل ليتم قتله بهذه الطريقة ؟
أسلوب الرواية خفيف وجيد والترجمة جيدة لكن برغم ان هناك جريمة قتل منذ البداية إلا ان الرواية كان يغلب عليها الطابع الاجتماعي في وصف حياة الشخصيات والمواقف التي تحدث بينهم وأشياء حدثت لهم من قبل لتجعلك الكاتبة تشك في حالتهم العقلية والنفسية وبالتالى سينتابك الشك في القاتل .
طبعا لازم مفاجئة النهاية والتويست في القاتل وهنا الكاتبة استعانت بأكتر من تويست في خلال الصفحات الأخيرة أعادت الشك في كل الشخصيات اللى في الرواية وفاجئتنا بالقاتل الحقيقى في آخر صفحتين .
كانت قراءة خفيفة ومش مملة .
١٩ / ١١ / ٢٠٢٤
August 23, 2021
Unexpected ... crazy ... twisted ... diabolical. This book is worthy of all of those adjectives and more!
As I impatiently waited for Tess Stimson's newest release to arrive, I realized that this one was still in my ever-growing TBR bookcase. I cannot believe I almost let this one pass me by - it is such a clever domestic thriller! Kudos to Stimson, as she somehow has a knack for taking tired plot points and making them feel completely fresh. It's a gift, and one that not every thriller writer possesses.
This one starts off with an intense prologue that completely sets the stage from page one. A murder takes place and there are two women found at the bloody scene. It then goes back in time to the events leading up to the murder. You know from the first chapter that Louise is divorced from Andrew due to Andrew's infidelity, and that Andrew has married "the other woman", Caz. Louise can't let go of Andrew though, and she and Caz are in constant competition with each other, trying to one up the other one every chance they get. You know from the prologue that things must come to a nasty head, as Andrew is the one found dead at a family party. You know that "it's always the wife" - the question here though is which wife?
My initial thought was that this would be fairly easy to figure out, as I've read hundreds of domestic "whodunnits"; but it didn't take me long to deduce that all of the narrators, Louise, Caz, and Louise's sister-in-law, Min, were all extremely unreliable narrators, and it was impossible to tell whose version of events was the truth. I thought Stimson did an amazing job at making the circumstances such that any of the versions could be accurate, and I constantly went back-and-forth on which version I believed. At first I liked Louise, then I couldn't stand her and preferred Caz, but then new information would come to light, and I would waffle again. I seriously don't remember the last time I changed my mind so many times about characters!
I really liked the way the alternating timelines worked in this one. It went back to events from seven years in the past to the present time, which both put the pieces together and made it more difficult to ferret out the truth. There were also snippets of police interviews with all of the main players interspersed throughout, which also conflicted my thoughts while playing out perfectly with the plot. But what really blew me away was the ending. I found the ending of Stimson's newest release, "Stolen", to have a somewhat outlandish ending, but this one nailed it in every way! It's not often that I'm reading the final few pages still unsure of what really happened.
This book is totally addictive and has me scouring my TBR bookcase in search of other Stimson books that I may have left unread! All the stars!
As I impatiently waited for Tess Stimson's newest release to arrive, I realized that this one was still in my ever-growing TBR bookcase. I cannot believe I almost let this one pass me by - it is such a clever domestic thriller! Kudos to Stimson, as she somehow has a knack for taking tired plot points and making them feel completely fresh. It's a gift, and one that not every thriller writer possesses.
This one starts off with an intense prologue that completely sets the stage from page one. A murder takes place and there are two women found at the bloody scene. It then goes back in time to the events leading up to the murder. You know from the first chapter that Louise is divorced from Andrew due to Andrew's infidelity, and that Andrew has married "the other woman", Caz. Louise can't let go of Andrew though, and she and Caz are in constant competition with each other, trying to one up the other one every chance they get. You know from the prologue that things must come to a nasty head, as Andrew is the one found dead at a family party. You know that "it's always the wife" - the question here though is which wife?
My initial thought was that this would be fairly easy to figure out, as I've read hundreds of domestic "whodunnits"; but it didn't take me long to deduce that all of the narrators, Louise, Caz, and Louise's sister-in-law, Min, were all extremely unreliable narrators, and it was impossible to tell whose version of events was the truth. I thought Stimson did an amazing job at making the circumstances such that any of the versions could be accurate, and I constantly went back-and-forth on which version I believed. At first I liked Louise, then I couldn't stand her and preferred Caz, but then new information would come to light, and I would waffle again. I seriously don't remember the last time I changed my mind so many times about characters!
I really liked the way the alternating timelines worked in this one. It went back to events from seven years in the past to the present time, which both put the pieces together and made it more difficult to ferret out the truth. There were also snippets of police interviews with all of the main players interspersed throughout, which also conflicted my thoughts while playing out perfectly with the plot. But what really blew me away was the ending. I found the ending of Stimson's newest release, "Stolen", to have a somewhat outlandish ending, but this one nailed it in every way! It's not often that I'm reading the final few pages still unsure of what really happened.
This book is totally addictive and has me scouring my TBR bookcase in search of other Stimson books that I may have left unread! All the stars!
June 6, 2020
This is the absolute best kind of domestic thriller. You know, the one all those hundreds of new books with a certain kind of ominous cover are trying to be? This one is the real deal. Well-written, great character development, and just the perfect amount of twists. The basic premise of the book is simple: Husband Andy has been murdered. Is it the old wife, or the new wife? But then, there’s sooooo much more to this book than that. Told by alternating narrators and interspliced with scenes from police interrogations, the suspense is slow at first but reaches a fever pitch halfway through and never lets up. The narrator does a masterful job of dropping hints about the real reason Andy was killed without tipping you off too much, and the book deals with some serious and dark stuff. (And that title - genius, Ms. Stimson. I see what you did there.)
This is one of those books thar you have to give a little time to complete the setup, and then the payoff is sublime. I will definitely be on the hunt for more thrillers by Tess Stimson. This was my first Tess Stimson book and it most definitely will not be my last.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tess Stimson and Avon Books UK for this delightfully twisted and compelling read. I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review, which is - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ all the way!
This is one of those books thar you have to give a little time to complete the setup, and then the payoff is sublime. I will definitely be on the hunt for more thrillers by Tess Stimson. This was my first Tess Stimson book and it most definitely will not be my last.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tess Stimson and Avon Books UK for this delightfully twisted and compelling read. I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review, which is - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ all the way!
April 6, 2021
Well! This one kept me guessing right until the very end. I suspected EVERYONE!
Very well written and justice, of sorts, was done.
Very well written and justice, of sorts, was done.
November 25, 2020
One in Three by Tess Stimson is an excellent psychological thriller novel. Two women are fighting tooth-over-nail over the same man until they realize that he is not a good person to be with, and things take an unexpected turn. At a family event, he is found dead, and both the women are suspected of being the murderer. Basically, a cat-and-mouse race turned into a whodunnit!
The twists and turns in the story kept me hooked throughout. That last twist was like icing on the cake, thereby giving the whole affair a satisfactory end. A definite page turner.
Thanks to the author and the publisher for the ARC.
Verdict: Recommended.
The twists and turns in the story kept me hooked throughout. That last twist was like icing on the cake, thereby giving the whole affair a satisfactory end. A definite page turner.
Thanks to the author and the publisher for the ARC.
Verdict: Recommended.
August 4, 2020
Rating: 5 thrilling stars
Tess Stimson has written a hum-dinger of a psychological thriller. How many older parents invite their ex son-in-law and his new wife to their 50th wedding anniversary party? It may seem strange, but that is just what Louise’s parents did. That is how Andrew, his new wife Caz, and his ex-wife Louise along with their children and various other family members are together at Burgh Island off the coast of Devon.
The book opens with a bang. After hearing screams, people burst into a room where they find Andrew stabbed to death and lying in a pool of blood. Both his wife and ex-wife are found in the room, covered in blood. Obviously, someone killed Andrew. Who did it? Both women become prime suspects.
Caz and Louise alternate narration of the story, with some police interviews interspersed. Who is telling the truth about their history and actions? Is one, or both of them, lying? My sympathies for the women ping-ponged back and forth as each narrator told their side of the story. It turns out that Andrew was no prince. So why did the women have the history with each other that they did?
I’m not saying much more about the plot. I do not want to spoil anything. Just trust me. What a thriller this is. It will blow your socks off. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a good psychological thriller or mystery. The pages seemed to turn on their own as I devoured this book. It is my first foray into Ms. Stimson’s work, but it will not be my last. Do not miss this one!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.
Tess Stimson has written a hum-dinger of a psychological thriller. How many older parents invite their ex son-in-law and his new wife to their 50th wedding anniversary party? It may seem strange, but that is just what Louise’s parents did. That is how Andrew, his new wife Caz, and his ex-wife Louise along with their children and various other family members are together at Burgh Island off the coast of Devon.
The book opens with a bang. After hearing screams, people burst into a room where they find Andrew stabbed to death and lying in a pool of blood. Both his wife and ex-wife are found in the room, covered in blood. Obviously, someone killed Andrew. Who did it? Both women become prime suspects.
Caz and Louise alternate narration of the story, with some police interviews interspersed. Who is telling the truth about their history and actions? Is one, or both of them, lying? My sympathies for the women ping-ponged back and forth as each narrator told their side of the story. It turns out that Andrew was no prince. So why did the women have the history with each other that they did?
I’m not saying much more about the plot. I do not want to spoil anything. Just trust me. What a thriller this is. It will blow your socks off. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a good psychological thriller or mystery. The pages seemed to turn on their own as I devoured this book. It is my first foray into Ms. Stimson’s work, but it will not be my last. Do not miss this one!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.
June 3, 2020
When Andrew is murdered at a family party, police suspect the wife. But which one?
Caroline (or Caz, as she is better known as) is Andrew’s current wife and Louise is his ex-wife and both the women are found standing over the body. Each blames the other for the murder.
I liked the way how the book started off with Andrew's murder but without revealing who committed the crime. The story then starts from two alternating viewpoints of Louise and Caz. As each woman starts to try to find ways to undermine each other, they just find secrets about the man they married.
I enjoyed this twisted love triangle thriller. It was so much better than I expected with all the secrets and twists. It kept me guessing until the end. And the ending was a such an amazing twist.... I just didn't see it coming!!
Thank You to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!!
Caroline (or Caz, as she is better known as) is Andrew’s current wife and Louise is his ex-wife and both the women are found standing over the body. Each blames the other for the murder.
I liked the way how the book started off with Andrew's murder but without revealing who committed the crime. The story then starts from two alternating viewpoints of Louise and Caz. As each woman starts to try to find ways to undermine each other, they just find secrets about the man they married.
I enjoyed this twisted love triangle thriller. It was so much better than I expected with all the secrets and twists. It kept me guessing until the end. And the ending was a such an amazing twist.... I just didn't see it coming!!
Thank You to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!!
July 4, 2020
Ouise had been married to Andrew for over ten years when he left her for Caz. But Louise isn't ready to let Caz enjoy the life she once had. Or let go of the man she still lover.
We find out early that Andrew dies but we don't k ow who killed him until the very end. This is a very twisted love triangle. There's plenty of twists in this whodunnit that will have you constantly changing your mind to who the culprit was. The plotline is complex. The chapters are told by Louise and Caz. The tension builds slowly in this well written, page turning and gripping read. The pace is good. This is an intriguing story.
I would like to thank NetGalley, AvonnBooks UK and the author Tess Stimson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We find out early that Andrew dies but we don't k ow who killed him until the very end. This is a very twisted love triangle. There's plenty of twists in this whodunnit that will have you constantly changing your mind to who the culprit was. The plotline is complex. The chapters are told by Louise and Caz. The tension builds slowly in this well written, page turning and gripping read. The pace is good. This is an intriguing story.
I would like to thank NetGalley, AvonnBooks UK and the author Tess Stimson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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