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The Missing Husband
How would you cope if your husband disappeared? One woman discovers just that in this bestselling domestic thriller debut.
Kate and Pete have been the perfect couple ever since they were teenagers. Fifteen years later they have two young daughters, live in a beautiful London townhouse, and seem like they have it all. But one day, Pete leaves for work and never comes home.
In a note Kate discovers, he confesses that he's been unhappy for a long time and that he's met someone else.
Distraught, Kate later learns that he has left everything, including his mobile phone, behind and sets out to learn the truth about her husband's disappearance.
But is she prepared for what she will learn?
When nothing is as it seems, who can you trust?
"There is a lot to absorb and I soaked it all up like a sponge, round each twist and turn finding myself completely engrossed in the lives of this couple, both together and apart. This is beautifully and cleverly created, different to any other book I've read; expertly written--especially for a debut--I was hooked from the first word right up until the very last and it's one of those novels which has played at the back of my mind ever since." -- Grace J Reviewerlady
Kate and Pete have been the perfect couple ever since they were teenagers. Fifteen years later they have two young daughters, live in a beautiful London townhouse, and seem like they have it all. But one day, Pete leaves for work and never comes home.
In a note Kate discovers, he confesses that he's been unhappy for a long time and that he's met someone else.
Distraught, Kate later learns that he has left everything, including his mobile phone, behind and sets out to learn the truth about her husband's disappearance.
But is she prepared for what she will learn?
When nothing is as it seems, who can you trust?
"There is a lot to absorb and I soaked it all up like a sponge, round each twist and turn finding myself completely engrossed in the lives of this couple, both together and apart. This is beautifully and cleverly created, different to any other book I've read; expertly written--especially for a debut--I was hooked from the first word right up until the very last and it's one of those novels which has played at the back of my mind ever since." -- Grace J Reviewerlady
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2021
491 people are currently reading
1168 people want to read
About the author
Natasha Boydell
21 books213 followersNatasha is an internationally bestselling author of psychological thrillers. Her books have featured in the top 100 charts in the UK, Canada and Australia, and include the top 10 bestseller The Fortune Teller.
Natasha's novels are available around the world in ebook, paperback and audiobook and have been translated into several languages. She lives in North London with her husband, two daughters and two rescue cats.
Natasha's novels are available around the world in ebook, paperback and audiobook and have been translated into several languages. She lives in North London with her husband, two daughters and two rescue cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
September 16, 2021
Wish I could say I loved this one. Sorry, but I just can't do it.
I found the characters to be extremely unlikable. Which sometimes works for me. (Ha!) But I didn’t care about either of them. And without any connection to the characters, well...you know💁🏻♀️
Kate and Pete’s marriage is on the rocks. But nobody told Kate, who’s completely in the dark. That all changed when Pete fails to come home one day. Leaving his cell phone behind. With no answers and no way to reach Pete, Kate is determined to find how her husband could simply vanish.
I put this book aside to file as DNF multiple times. But, then I’d re read the blurb and say “no, it sounds so good” maybe I just need to give it a bit more time. (Silly me.)
Told from both Kate and Pete’s perspectives. And even though both narrators did a fantastic job I still struggled. And just couldn’t warm up to either the character or storyline.😫
Many five star reviews for this book. Just wasn’t my cup of tea.☕️
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.
I found the characters to be extremely unlikable. Which sometimes works for me. (Ha!) But I didn’t care about either of them. And without any connection to the characters, well...you know💁🏻♀️
Kate and Pete’s marriage is on the rocks. But nobody told Kate, who’s completely in the dark. That all changed when Pete fails to come home one day. Leaving his cell phone behind. With no answers and no way to reach Pete, Kate is determined to find how her husband could simply vanish.
I put this book aside to file as DNF multiple times. But, then I’d re read the blurb and say “no, it sounds so good” maybe I just need to give it a bit more time. (Silly me.)
Told from both Kate and Pete’s perspectives. And even though both narrators did a fantastic job I still struggled. And just couldn’t warm up to either the character or storyline.😫
Many five star reviews for this book. Just wasn’t my cup of tea.☕️
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.
October 4, 2021
Entertaining, fun and twisty describe this suspenseful thriller. The Missing Husband hooked me right away. Even though some of the story was slightly predictable, I still enjoyed the experience. The narration added an extra layer of intrigue and mystery. Fast paced and thought provoking, this debut novel has me looking forward to the next book by Natasha Boydell. This was a perfect escape. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my audiobook.
September 1, 2021
The Missing Husband by Natasha Boydell was one of those books that made you question…What would I do if this ever happened to me? I listened to the audiobook that was well narrated by Rupert Degas and Penelope Rawlins. It was most definitely a character driven book with some characters I was truly rooting for and others that I disliked from the start. The Missing Husband was well written and well paced. The audiobook ran for a manageable 8 hours and 10 minutes. The plot drew me in from the onset and kept me immersed until the surprising and not expected ending. Since The Missing Husband was told from three different points of view, each character’s perspective was well established. This was the first book that I have read or rather listened to by Natasha Boydell but I would definitely read more books by her in the future.
Kate and Pete met in college, fell in love, got married, bought a nice home together and had children. For all those that observed them, they had a perfect life and marriage. Their two daughters completed their “perfect” family. When Kate got pregnant, she had a hard time adjusting to what would become her new life. She suffered from postpartum depression but Pete was virtually unaware of how she was coping. As the years marched on, they realized that they started to have less and less in common with each other. They became complacent with the way their marriage was evolving. Their marriage was becoming more of a source of convenience rather than an emotional or passionate involvement. Kate and Pete lived together in the same house but no longer felt the strong connections they felt when they had first gotten married. It was almost like they were tolerating each other and just going through the motions. Neither Kate nor Pete wanted to admit this to each other but their marriage was in serious trouble.
It was no wonder that Pete noticed the new receptionist, Claire, at his office. Their involvement with each other started out with niceties and a little flirtation. Soon Pete was going out of his way to make sure he had to walk by Claire’s desk on purpose. Before he knew it, Pete and Claire were having an honest to goodness affair with all the passion and romance that was missing from his marriage. Claire made Pete feel alive for the first time in a very long time. He looked forward to seeing her and invented excuses to do so. Pete managed to keep his new found passion a secret from Kate. He tried to maintain a normalcy at home. Claire awakened feelings and emotions in Pete that had laid dormant for so long. His feelings for Claire started to turn into something real that he was no longer able to ignore or deny. Pete knew that after spending so much time with Claire over the past five months that he wanted to spend his life with her. Could he end his marriage with Kate? What about his children?
Claire had never been married and had no children. She had no ties whatsoever. She was considering leaving London to live in a house in Paris that her father had left to her when he died. She always dreamed of converting it into a bed and breakfast but she did not want to do it alone. Claire wanted Pete to come with her. Pete was conflicted but he quit his job and found a new job that he could work at remotely. All this time, Kate had been unaware of all the decisions Pete had made and had successfully executed without her knowledge. She had been blindsided. She had no idea of what Pete was planning to do. One day, Pete had just up and left Kate and his daughters without a discussion, with no warning or any goodbyes. All he left was a note on their bed and he simply vanished. When Kate read Pete’s note she was angry and sad. She knew their marriage had not been good for a while but how do you end 15 years of marriage without a discussion or a goodbye? How would she cope and what about her daughters? They still needed their father. Would he find room in his life for them? Where had he gone? How did she not see this?
The Missing Husband focused on the way Kate and Pete let others see them as the “perfect” couple compared to the real struggles they were experiencing that they kept private and far from the eyes of others. It explored the way in which morals could be overlooked or even abused. The guilt that accompanied an affair or ending a marriage was looked at and portrayed in a realistic way. It also explored what one accepts as acceptable in order to obtain happiness. The ending of The Missing Husband was quite surprising and not at all what I had anticipated or expected. Overall, I enjoyed The Missing Husband and would recommend it very highly.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, LLC for allowing me to listen to this advanced audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Kate and Pete met in college, fell in love, got married, bought a nice home together and had children. For all those that observed them, they had a perfect life and marriage. Their two daughters completed their “perfect” family. When Kate got pregnant, she had a hard time adjusting to what would become her new life. She suffered from postpartum depression but Pete was virtually unaware of how she was coping. As the years marched on, they realized that they started to have less and less in common with each other. They became complacent with the way their marriage was evolving. Their marriage was becoming more of a source of convenience rather than an emotional or passionate involvement. Kate and Pete lived together in the same house but no longer felt the strong connections they felt when they had first gotten married. It was almost like they were tolerating each other and just going through the motions. Neither Kate nor Pete wanted to admit this to each other but their marriage was in serious trouble.
It was no wonder that Pete noticed the new receptionist, Claire, at his office. Their involvement with each other started out with niceties and a little flirtation. Soon Pete was going out of his way to make sure he had to walk by Claire’s desk on purpose. Before he knew it, Pete and Claire were having an honest to goodness affair with all the passion and romance that was missing from his marriage. Claire made Pete feel alive for the first time in a very long time. He looked forward to seeing her and invented excuses to do so. Pete managed to keep his new found passion a secret from Kate. He tried to maintain a normalcy at home. Claire awakened feelings and emotions in Pete that had laid dormant for so long. His feelings for Claire started to turn into something real that he was no longer able to ignore or deny. Pete knew that after spending so much time with Claire over the past five months that he wanted to spend his life with her. Could he end his marriage with Kate? What about his children?
Claire had never been married and had no children. She had no ties whatsoever. She was considering leaving London to live in a house in Paris that her father had left to her when he died. She always dreamed of converting it into a bed and breakfast but she did not want to do it alone. Claire wanted Pete to come with her. Pete was conflicted but he quit his job and found a new job that he could work at remotely. All this time, Kate had been unaware of all the decisions Pete had made and had successfully executed without her knowledge. She had been blindsided. She had no idea of what Pete was planning to do. One day, Pete had just up and left Kate and his daughters without a discussion, with no warning or any goodbyes. All he left was a note on their bed and he simply vanished. When Kate read Pete’s note she was angry and sad. She knew their marriage had not been good for a while but how do you end 15 years of marriage without a discussion or a goodbye? How would she cope and what about her daughters? They still needed their father. Would he find room in his life for them? Where had he gone? How did she not see this?
The Missing Husband focused on the way Kate and Pete let others see them as the “perfect” couple compared to the real struggles they were experiencing that they kept private and far from the eyes of others. It explored the way in which morals could be overlooked or even abused. The guilt that accompanied an affair or ending a marriage was looked at and portrayed in a realistic way. It also explored what one accepts as acceptable in order to obtain happiness. The ending of The Missing Husband was quite surprising and not at all what I had anticipated or expected. Overall, I enjoyed The Missing Husband and would recommend it very highly.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, LLC for allowing me to listen to this advanced audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 13, 2021
THE MISSING HUSBAND is a psychological/domestic noir debut novel by Natasha Boydell. I would not categorize this novel as a psychological thriller as categorized.
Kate and Pete have been the perfect couple ever since they were teenagers. Fifteen years later they have two young daughters, live in a beautiful London townhouse and seem like they have it all. But one day, Pete leaves for work and never comes home.
Kate’s husband, Pete, has now been gone for five months. But life must go on for Kate…she must be strong for her children. She calls her younger sister, Erin and tells her she thinks Pete has left her.
Pete was a workaholic as Director at a large media company, and after nine years of marriage Kate was used to his late nights and business trips, while she had put her job on hold to be a stay-at-home mum to raise their two daughters.
In a note Kate discovers, Pete confesses that he’s been unhappy for a long time and that he’s met someone else.
Distressed, Kate later learns that he has left everything, including his mobile phone behind and sets out to learn the truth about her husband’s disappearance.
But is she prepared for the truth?
The story flashes between past and present between the main characters: Kate, Pete and the other woman, Claire. I felt that this novel is missing the suspense element. I felt that I was watching a reality TV show, with all its drama, closer to reality than fiction. This novel was easy to read, well-written but I felt the suspense didn’t come till until close to the end. I loved the cover and had higher hopes for this one.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
Kate and Pete have been the perfect couple ever since they were teenagers. Fifteen years later they have two young daughters, live in a beautiful London townhouse and seem like they have it all. But one day, Pete leaves for work and never comes home.
Kate’s husband, Pete, has now been gone for five months. But life must go on for Kate…she must be strong for her children. She calls her younger sister, Erin and tells her she thinks Pete has left her.
Pete was a workaholic as Director at a large media company, and after nine years of marriage Kate was used to his late nights and business trips, while she had put her job on hold to be a stay-at-home mum to raise their two daughters.
In a note Kate discovers, Pete confesses that he’s been unhappy for a long time and that he’s met someone else.
Distressed, Kate later learns that he has left everything, including his mobile phone behind and sets out to learn the truth about her husband’s disappearance.
But is she prepared for the truth?
The story flashes between past and present between the main characters: Kate, Pete and the other woman, Claire. I felt that this novel is missing the suspense element. I felt that I was watching a reality TV show, with all its drama, closer to reality than fiction. This novel was easy to read, well-written but I felt the suspense didn’t come till until close to the end. I loved the cover and had higher hopes for this one.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
November 10, 2021
I read this a couple of months ago and loved it. The twist at the end was not unexpected. Whenever an author fiddles around with the timeline I know that nothing is exactly as it appears. In this case there were a few other hints. Never-the-less, I enjoyed anyway and hope to enjoy more by this author.
Husband grows bored of wife. Wife grows bored with herself. Each takes themselves into hand in different ways. Eventually, grief-stricken wife learns to cope and gets on well without husband. I predict a great future for her, as long as she never sells the house to a developer.....
I had to chuckle to myself a little, musing whether the estranged mother-in-law's story ended the same way?😊
This is immediately available on Hoopla, if your library subscribes. I listened to the audio version. The narrators were okay (ouch).
Husband grows bored of wife. Wife grows bored with herself. Each takes themselves into hand in different ways. Eventually, grief-stricken wife learns to cope and gets on well without husband. I predict a great future for her, as long as she never sells the house to a developer.....
I had to chuckle to myself a little, musing whether the estranged mother-in-law's story ended the same way?😊
This is immediately available on Hoopla, if your library subscribes. I listened to the audio version. The narrators were okay (ouch).
May 2, 2021
All looks great for Kate and Pete, well for folk looking in at their relationship, everyone would think it’s perfect but actually its more of a ‘muddling through, love each other but not ‘in love’ with each other after 15 years of marriage BUT we adore the kids kinda thing
But still, Kate never expects Pete to have his breakfast, leave for work and never return,ever
The story via past and present then shows what actually happened, why, when and who are all covered and it is a good insightful story into how a marriage can slowly but surely fail
Kate is a strong character and gets stronger the longer Pete is gone,Pete is wishy-washy and a bit pathetic tbh
The story is good, there are many red herrings and a piece de resistance ending that shocked me
A fine read
8/10
4 Stars
But still, Kate never expects Pete to have his breakfast, leave for work and never return,ever
The story via past and present then shows what actually happened, why, when and who are all covered and it is a good insightful story into how a marriage can slowly but surely fail
Kate is a strong character and gets stronger the longer Pete is gone,Pete is wishy-washy and a bit pathetic tbh
The story is good, there are many red herrings and a piece de resistance ending that shocked me
A fine read
8/10
4 Stars
May 11, 2021
Very quickly I grew to dislike Pete when the extent of his affair is revealed. The writer cleverly structures this non-linear narrative to give readers the true depth of Pete’s absence.
For the most part, I found this a narrative that plodded along and was not particularly thrilling nor gripping. Three quarters of the story details the events leading up to Pete’s abandonment of his wife Kate. After his story, the narrative perspective switches to Kate and how she responds to his desertion, moving on from her husband and accepting she is now a single mother. It is only in the last quarter does the story take a more sinister turn.
Personally, I thought it was a shame that the writer was not able to make this more of a page-turner throughout the book. The last quarter was definitely more interesting and unexpected. For the rest of it, I squirmed with the attention that Claire gave Pete and I resented his selfish, ungrateful ways. He is a character I truly detested, especially considering that he was so willing to have an affair without a second thought to his daughters. Indeed, the two-faced nature of his relations even earned him some small criticism from a work colleague, to which I agreed that Pete should certainly “grow a pair”.
After the book was finished did I really appreciate the implications of the title. For Kate, she has experienced her husband being missing, whilst Pete was around, because of his repeated infidelities. Simultaneously, Claire, the other woman, does not have a husband and yet almost seeks this from Pete, even though she knows he is already married. Finally, the disappearance of Pete when it is clear he has chosen to leave Kate and his daughters is what defines this novel with his absence. Yet, reading on, there is more to his disappearance than I initially realised.
This was a good read but not what I had expected. I wanted to be gripped more, rather than watching a marriage deteriorate. There were elements that I had suspected in the story but I enjoyed the structure because the flipping back and forth made it less predictable and interesting to observe. Kate is a fascinating character to observe, especially after Pete has left her and I liked the way she is able to pull herself together and become stronger as a result.
As thrillers go, I think there are more sinister, suspenseful books out there. However, it is an absorbing read because, like Kate, you cannot help but ask: Where has Pete gone?
With thanks to Bloodhound books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For the most part, I found this a narrative that plodded along and was not particularly thrilling nor gripping. Three quarters of the story details the events leading up to Pete’s abandonment of his wife Kate. After his story, the narrative perspective switches to Kate and how she responds to his desertion, moving on from her husband and accepting she is now a single mother. It is only in the last quarter does the story take a more sinister turn.
Personally, I thought it was a shame that the writer was not able to make this more of a page-turner throughout the book. The last quarter was definitely more interesting and unexpected. For the rest of it, I squirmed with the attention that Claire gave Pete and I resented his selfish, ungrateful ways. He is a character I truly detested, especially considering that he was so willing to have an affair without a second thought to his daughters. Indeed, the two-faced nature of his relations even earned him some small criticism from a work colleague, to which I agreed that Pete should certainly “grow a pair”.
After the book was finished did I really appreciate the implications of the title. For Kate, she has experienced her husband being missing, whilst Pete was around, because of his repeated infidelities. Simultaneously, Claire, the other woman, does not have a husband and yet almost seeks this from Pete, even though she knows he is already married. Finally, the disappearance of Pete when it is clear he has chosen to leave Kate and his daughters is what defines this novel with his absence. Yet, reading on, there is more to his disappearance than I initially realised.
This was a good read but not what I had expected. I wanted to be gripped more, rather than watching a marriage deteriorate. There were elements that I had suspected in the story but I enjoyed the structure because the flipping back and forth made it less predictable and interesting to observe. Kate is a fascinating character to observe, especially after Pete has left her and I liked the way she is able to pull herself together and become stronger as a result.
As thrillers go, I think there are more sinister, suspenseful books out there. However, it is an absorbing read because, like Kate, you cannot help but ask: Where has Pete gone?
With thanks to Bloodhound books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2021
The Missing Husband is a debut novel by Natasha Boydell. This book kept me guessing through out the book! At one time I definitely thought I had it figured out but I was totally wrong!! Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Dreamscape audio for this advanced audiobook!
Kate and Pete have had a perfect marriage. They have been together since they were teenagers! One day Pete leaves to go to work and never comes home. He has left his phone behind and deleted his social media accounts. Kate is distraught and sets out to see what happened to Pete.
Kate and Pete have had a perfect marriage. They have been together since they were teenagers! One day Pete leaves to go to work and never comes home. He has left his phone behind and deleted his social media accounts. Kate is distraught and sets out to see what happened to Pete.
November 26, 2021
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. The plot pulled me in immediately and I breezed right through it. This book tells the story of a marriage on the brink and a man's infidelity. All wrapped up with a twist I didn't see coming.
This was marketed as a thriller, but I would consider it more of a domestic mystery. The writing was good and the narration was great. I'd definitely read another book by Natasha Boydell and I would listen to these narrators again. I enjoy a book with multiple narrators. All in all 3.75 stars.
I really enjoyed this book. The plot pulled me in immediately and I breezed right through it. This book tells the story of a marriage on the brink and a man's infidelity. All wrapped up with a twist I didn't see coming.
This was marketed as a thriller, but I would consider it more of a domestic mystery. The writing was good and the narration was great. I'd definitely read another book by Natasha Boydell and I would listen to these narrators again. I enjoy a book with multiple narrators. All in all 3.75 stars.
August 25, 2021
I enjoyed this story. More mystery/suspense than thriller. The story is mostly told from two points of view. Kate's side, where she realizes her husband has decided to abandon her and their two daughters for a younger woman with no "baggage." Pete's side, where he meets a girl, fantasized about living a life of freedom and spontaneity with her, then steps from fantasizing to making it happen, always with the reasoning that he didn't mean for this to happen.
At first I didn't like Kate. She is passive about her entire life, mostly due to anxiety about being a mother and feeling inadequate to the job. She has a husband who doesn't put much work into supporting her emotionally. As the story progresses and Kate begins to pull herself together to deal with what a missing husband does to change her life, I grew to like her more. By the end, where the plot twist comes in, I am fully rooting for her. The narrators of the audio version of this book did an excellent job.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio-ARC of this book
At first I didn't like Kate. She is passive about her entire life, mostly due to anxiety about being a mother and feeling inadequate to the job. She has a husband who doesn't put much work into supporting her emotionally. As the story progresses and Kate begins to pull herself together to deal with what a missing husband does to change her life, I grew to like her more. By the end, where the plot twist comes in, I am fully rooting for her. The narrators of the audio version of this book did an excellent job.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio-ARC of this book
May 12, 2021
Kate and Pete have a terrific long-standing marriage and two young children. They live in a beautiful home and Pete makes enough money that Kate can stay home with the kids.
One day, Pete goes to work ... and never returns.
Devastated, she finds his telephone left behind as well as a note .... Kate learns that he has voluntarily left, he's not been happy, it's better for both of them.
She decides to find him, but what she finds is not something she was expecting.
This is well-written with voices heard from Kate and Pete .... and Claire. But is the whole story being told? Someone has to be lying. I didn't particularly care for the main characters, although I did feel sympathy for the forgotten wife. There are a few twists and turns that lead to a very unexpected conclusion.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
One day, Pete goes to work ... and never returns.
Devastated, she finds his telephone left behind as well as a note .... Kate learns that he has voluntarily left, he's not been happy, it's better for both of them.
She decides to find him, but what she finds is not something she was expecting.
This is well-written with voices heard from Kate and Pete .... and Claire. But is the whole story being told? Someone has to be lying. I didn't particularly care for the main characters, although I did feel sympathy for the forgotten wife. There are a few twists and turns that lead to a very unexpected conclusion.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 19, 2021
Such a twist yikes!!! So good do recommend 🙌🏻🙌🏻
March 2, 2022
What a dumb thriller. The first 80% was incredibly boring, and the twist wasn’t worth it. Ugh.
March 9, 2022
Review to come!
September 2, 2021
Overall the writing was good, but the book was too slow for me, with a story that hardly deviates from the many other trending books, and a huge plot hole. The plot follows Kate's journey after she wakes up and finds a note from her husband telling her he is leaving with another woman. I am not sure if I would really classify this book as a mystery thriller, but more as domestic fiction. I think it was tolerable as an audiobook, but as someone that is not married, this just feels like sitting in therapy for a marriage that lost themselves after having kids. Pete being missing does not get mentioned until 60% into the book. All the rest is Kate "feeling bad for being left by her husband," and Pete falling in love with the receptionist. It literally could have not being more cliche. If you didn't get the impression of foul play from the description, you are in for the most boring ride. Although the book is slow and probably advertised as the wrong genre, my main issue with this book is that the author cheats the reader from the possibility of guessing the plot twist. .This might not bother other readers, but I refuse to give more than 2 stars to authors that will merely give you one twist, solely by lying.
I want to thank Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are honest and completely my own.
#TheMissingHusband #NetGalley
I want to thank Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are honest and completely my own.
#TheMissingHusband #NetGalley
June 24, 2021
Really?!
How can there be so many good reviews? The storyline can be summed up in a sentence, and the description is ludicrous! There’s absolutely no suspense or tension, and it’s about as psychologically thrilling as a kids’ story.
How can there be so many good reviews? The storyline can be summed up in a sentence, and the description is ludicrous! There’s absolutely no suspense or tension, and it’s about as psychologically thrilling as a kids’ story.
March 6, 2025
"The Missing Husband" missed the element of suspense I was seeking.
Did the book's stunning cover elevate my expectations?
(Perhaps!)
In addition to the cover, the book's premise was ultra-intriguing:
A perfect couple's marriage was on the rocks. One day, the husband fails to come home, leaving his cell phone behind..
What happened to the husband?
Overall, the book's pacing was slow with waaay too much melodrama.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Rupert Degas and Penelope Rawlins.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
December 5, 2021The writing was good, but very mixed feelings on this one.
January 25, 2022
This book caught my attention enough that I read it in a day. The book is described as a ‘tense psychological suspense full of twists and turns’.
That is definitely a inaccurate description but probably part of the reason I kept reading bc I was thinking OMG what’s going to happen?? Literally nothing. It was the wife. The wife killed the husband after finding out he cheated on her and was leaving her for a younger woman. So cliche.
Nothing really happens until the last quarter. I hated the husband. He was a spineless, shitty person. I did start to question if he was alive or not when he completely up and abandoned his children for months with not as much as a phone call. But he was a selfish person anyways moving to a different country and not bothering to mention it to anyone or say goodbyes to his children before..
The book ends with both women moving on. The mistress gives up her dream of owning a b&b for no reason. The wife is now a more involved parent and despite wanting to move, can’t bc she buried her husband in the yard. She lives happily ever after with more confidence on her own bc she is successful at work again and takes time for the family. The end..
That is definitely a inaccurate description but probably part of the reason I kept reading bc I was thinking OMG what’s going to happen?? Literally nothing. It was the wife. The wife killed the husband after finding out he cheated on her and was leaving her for a younger woman. So cliche.
Nothing really happens until the last quarter. I hated the husband. He was a spineless, shitty person. I did start to question if he was alive or not when he completely up and abandoned his children for months with not as much as a phone call. But he was a selfish person anyways moving to a different country and not bothering to mention it to anyone or say goodbyes to his children before..
The book ends with both women moving on. The mistress gives up her dream of owning a b&b for no reason. The wife is now a more involved parent and despite wanting to move, can’t bc she buried her husband in the yard. She lives happily ever after with more confidence on her own bc she is successful at work again and takes time for the family. The end..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2021
Available September 2
I feel like writing a description is a bit redundant since the premise of the book is right there in the title, so I’ll keep it quick. A husband goes missing and then over the course of a year we get to hear the story of how and why from three different points of view.
For three quarters of the book, I was hooked. I wouldn’t stop listening unless I absolutely had to because I wanted to devour every detail. The inner thoughts from the mother’s perspective were particularly insightful. But the story didn’t finish as strong as I expected and left me a little dissatisfied. It wasn’t a bad story, it just didn’t have the wow factor I had been hoping for while reading and landed around 3.5 out of 5 for me.
Don’t let me dissuade you from checking this one out because even though the end was “meh,” I still flew through the book in two days. Clearly it’s a fun one to listen to!
Thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the ALC!
I feel like writing a description is a bit redundant since the premise of the book is right there in the title, so I’ll keep it quick. A husband goes missing and then over the course of a year we get to hear the story of how and why from three different points of view.
For three quarters of the book, I was hooked. I wouldn’t stop listening unless I absolutely had to because I wanted to devour every detail. The inner thoughts from the mother’s perspective were particularly insightful. But the story didn’t finish as strong as I expected and left me a little dissatisfied. It wasn’t a bad story, it just didn’t have the wow factor I had been hoping for while reading and landed around 3.5 out of 5 for me.
Don’t let me dissuade you from checking this one out because even though the end was “meh,” I still flew through the book in two days. Clearly it’s a fun one to listen to!
Thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the ALC!
May 12, 2021
This story follows the lives of Kate and Pete, sweethearts since their university days. From the outside they seem to have it all; two sweet little girls, a beautiful home, Pete has a job that affords not only a nanny but allows Kate to stay at to manage the household. What it’s missing is the love and passion they once shared oh, and Pete, Pete is now missing. What seemed like a normal day turns into Kate’s worst nightmare. When Pete doesn’t come home Kate is devastated to find a note explaining that he can no longer live this sham of life. Leaving behind his cell phone and erasing his presence from social media Kate’s life is slowly spinning out of control. In her attempt to uncover the truth Kate realizes that not everything was as it seemed.
I thought this was a well written story but a psychological thriller? Probably not how I would categorize it.
I thought this was a well written story but a psychological thriller? Probably not how I would categorize it.
September 1, 2022
Well written, definitely enjoyed the listen...but not at all full of twists...or was that the twist?
March 30, 2024
So, yeah, my least favorite trope is at play here. Adultery… Pete the adulterer says to his wife that he didn’t go looking for it, but it just happened… How about just saying no, Pete? Guess that never occurred to you, did it? Obviously, not. You’ve been so unhappy and unsatisfied in your marriage for so long. I suppose it never occurred to you to talk to your wife and let her know if it’s something that can actually be resolved. You know, before you swan off to France with your little chippy to live that perfect life. Nope, not good ole Pete. Instead, his plan is to leave a note on the pillowcase and take off. No goodbyes, no explanations. How did it work out for the brilliant Pete? You have to read this book and find out.
Before we tie Pete to the stake and set him on fire, let me just say that Kate isn’t completely innocent in all of this either. She never bothered talking to Pete about the resentment and frustration building within her. Raising two small children, she feels like she has given up her whole life, while Pete gets to continue living his life and having no cares in the world. I understand that having children and being a first-time parent is a life-changing experience, a game changer. Feeling overwhelmed is a natural reaction to my way of thinking. Kate doesn’t ask for help and resists attempts for help for a long time.
So much anger, heartache and misery could have been avoided if they had just communicated and if they had just tried, any effort really. I saw zero effort being made on both of their parts.
I really wanted to despise the other woman, Claire and for the majority of the book I did. She didn’t cause the problems in Pete and Kate’s marriage, but she knew he was married and she should have nipped that right off the bat. It would be really difficult for Pete to enter into an affair with her if she isn’t entertaining his flirtatious behavior and encouraging his attentions.
So, the burning question is what happened to Pete? How does Kate pick up the pieces of her life and be the parent her daughters need and deserve?
I thought this story was riveting, though I absolutely hate adultery story lines. I believe there are some lines that one should never cross and this is one of them, but the author does a great job of drawing the reader in with just enough details to keep the reader engaged, sitting on pins and needles.
The chapters are broken up and narrated by the different points of view of Kate, Pete and Claire. Rupert Degas and Penelope Rawlins did a fantastic job of bringing these characters to life with the right amount of emotion that made their actions believable and kept the story progressing.
My Final Verdict: How can a reader expect a happy ending or any closure with a story like this? I had zero empathy for any of these characters. I found them all to be quite selfish and despicable in their own right. My compassion lay with the children, Lilly and Maggie. They are left to grow up without their father in their lives. He won’t be a part of all the milestones they will achieve.
There are no winners in this dynamic, just varying degrees of coping, moving on and survival. I highly recommend this story to fans of thrillers and suspense and books that surprise the reader.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Missing Husband from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Before we tie Pete to the stake and set him on fire, let me just say that Kate isn’t completely innocent in all of this either. She never bothered talking to Pete about the resentment and frustration building within her. Raising two small children, she feels like she has given up her whole life, while Pete gets to continue living his life and having no cares in the world. I understand that having children and being a first-time parent is a life-changing experience, a game changer. Feeling overwhelmed is a natural reaction to my way of thinking. Kate doesn’t ask for help and resists attempts for help for a long time.
So much anger, heartache and misery could have been avoided if they had just communicated and if they had just tried, any effort really. I saw zero effort being made on both of their parts.
I really wanted to despise the other woman, Claire and for the majority of the book I did. She didn’t cause the problems in Pete and Kate’s marriage, but she knew he was married and she should have nipped that right off the bat. It would be really difficult for Pete to enter into an affair with her if she isn’t entertaining his flirtatious behavior and encouraging his attentions.
So, the burning question is what happened to Pete? How does Kate pick up the pieces of her life and be the parent her daughters need and deserve?
I thought this story was riveting, though I absolutely hate adultery story lines. I believe there are some lines that one should never cross and this is one of them, but the author does a great job of drawing the reader in with just enough details to keep the reader engaged, sitting on pins and needles.
The chapters are broken up and narrated by the different points of view of Kate, Pete and Claire. Rupert Degas and Penelope Rawlins did a fantastic job of bringing these characters to life with the right amount of emotion that made their actions believable and kept the story progressing.
My Final Verdict: How can a reader expect a happy ending or any closure with a story like this? I had zero empathy for any of these characters. I found them all to be quite selfish and despicable in their own right. My compassion lay with the children, Lilly and Maggie. They are left to grow up without their father in their lives. He won’t be a part of all the milestones they will achieve.
There are no winners in this dynamic, just varying degrees of coping, moving on and survival. I highly recommend this story to fans of thrillers and suspense and books that surprise the reader.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Missing Husband from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2021
📚BOOK REVIEW📚 🌟🌟🌟🌟 / 5
Pub Date Sept 2 2021
Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is my first time reading this author and I was grateful that I chose to listen to the audiobook. It’s a domestic drama, and I know there are a lot of those out there, but I was quite happy with the way this one played out.
Pete and Kate met in college. Love at first sight and all that BS, lol. They married, bought their dream house, had two girls, but this is where the story goes off the tracks. Kate has postpardum depression with both children and Pete “fixes it” by hiring a nanny. Which helps Kate out, but it doesn’t help her depression. Their marriage becomes kind of stagnant, as a lot do after children come into the picture. Marriage isn’t easy. But Pete uses this as an excuse to have an affair.
The grass is always greener on the other side! My wife doesn’t understand me anymore. She isn’t the same person I married. We aren’t in love anymore. Wawawa! Cry me a river!! He didn’t even try talking to Kate about any of their issues.
Anyway, he finally has to make a choice between his boring wife or his hot mistress, who is perfect. And surprise…he picks the mistress. He leaves for work one day and doesn’t come home. Instead he takes the easy way out by leaving a note for his wife. He’s also left his phone behind, so Kate has no way of contacting him, but he promises to be in touch and asks her not to tell the children that he’s just run off like a coward. Now he’s free to meet his mistress, Claire, to start their new life in France. And Kate is left behind with the children to explain Daddy’s absense.
There were some low ratings on this one, but I think the audiobook was entertaining and recommend it to anyone who likes family dramas.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Pub Date Sept 2 2021
Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is my first time reading this author and I was grateful that I chose to listen to the audiobook. It’s a domestic drama, and I know there are a lot of those out there, but I was quite happy with the way this one played out.
Pete and Kate met in college. Love at first sight and all that BS, lol. They married, bought their dream house, had two girls, but this is where the story goes off the tracks. Kate has postpardum depression with both children and Pete “fixes it” by hiring a nanny. Which helps Kate out, but it doesn’t help her depression. Their marriage becomes kind of stagnant, as a lot do after children come into the picture. Marriage isn’t easy. But Pete uses this as an excuse to have an affair.
The grass is always greener on the other side! My wife doesn’t understand me anymore. She isn’t the same person I married. We aren’t in love anymore. Wawawa! Cry me a river!! He didn’t even try talking to Kate about any of their issues.
Anyway, he finally has to make a choice between his boring wife or his hot mistress, who is perfect. And surprise…he picks the mistress. He leaves for work one day and doesn’t come home. Instead he takes the easy way out by leaving a note for his wife. He’s also left his phone behind, so Kate has no way of contacting him, but he promises to be in touch and asks her not to tell the children that he’s just run off like a coward. Now he’s free to meet his mistress, Claire, to start their new life in France. And Kate is left behind with the children to explain Daddy’s absense.
There were some low ratings on this one, but I think the audiobook was entertaining and recommend it to anyone who likes family dramas.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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May 12, 2021Love, love, LOVE this one so much, I think everyone should read it!!
Kate and Pete are one of those sickeningly perfect couples we all know; been together forever, have two wonderful children and are still very much in love and living in a beautifully renovated home. Then, suddenly, Kate sees Pete off to work one morning and he never returns home. Kate is absolutely distraught and needs answers. But who can she trust?
I fell into this book, consuming everything about Kate and Pete's relationship and, as a lot of the story is told retrospectively, my sympathies swung from one to the other and back again quite regularly. There is a lot to absorb and I soaked it all up like a sponge, round each twist and turn finding myself completely engrossed in the lives of this couple, both together and apart. This is beautifully and cleverly created, different to any other book I've read; expertly written - especially for a debut - I was hooked from the first word right up until the very last and it's one of those novels which has played at the back of my mind ever since. I know the author has another book in the pipeline and I can't wait! A stunning read, absolutely earning my highest recommendation and all five sparkling stars.
Kate and Pete are one of those sickeningly perfect couples we all know; been together forever, have two wonderful children and are still very much in love and living in a beautifully renovated home. Then, suddenly, Kate sees Pete off to work one morning and he never returns home. Kate is absolutely distraught and needs answers. But who can she trust?
I fell into this book, consuming everything about Kate and Pete's relationship and, as a lot of the story is told retrospectively, my sympathies swung from one to the other and back again quite regularly. There is a lot to absorb and I soaked it all up like a sponge, round each twist and turn finding myself completely engrossed in the lives of this couple, both together and apart. This is beautifully and cleverly created, different to any other book I've read; expertly written - especially for a debut - I was hooked from the first word right up until the very last and it's one of those novels which has played at the back of my mind ever since. I know the author has another book in the pipeline and I can't wait! A stunning read, absolutely earning my highest recommendation and all five sparkling stars.
September 25, 2022
Lovely,twisted book about a long time married couple with two children.
Husband is unhappy & starts an affair,which has him leaving his family for a much younger woman,new job and Country.
The only thing is,he hasn't the balls to tell his wife,so he leaves her a letter,to be found after he leaves.
She isn't A stupid woman and already,has it figured out,and you know what they say about a woman scorned?
This is a fun book,that makes you think,what would you do,if it happened to you ?
On a personal note,We will be married 60 yrs.in 5 months and the above,just never occurred to either one of us.
Husband is unhappy & starts an affair,which has him leaving his family for a much younger woman,new job and Country.
The only thing is,he hasn't the balls to tell his wife,so he leaves her a letter,to be found after he leaves.
She isn't A stupid woman and already,has it figured out,and you know what they say about a woman scorned?
This is a fun book,that makes you think,what would you do,if it happened to you ?
On a personal note,We will be married 60 yrs.in 5 months and the above,just never occurred to either one of us.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2025
Kept me immersed in the story line, unexpected plot twist I didn’t see coming. Would read the sequel if there was one, can’t get higher praise than that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2023
This story was a bit predictable at times but I loved how it was written. It was an enjoyable experience and the twist at the end kept me enthralled.
October 10, 2022
I really tried to enjoy this book but just couldn’t
November 2, 2025
Gone girl for husbands
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