What do you think?
Rate this book
Die Affäre
Keine Ehe ist, was sie zu sein scheint. Als Helen spät von einem Elternabend nach Hause kommt freut sie sich auf einen schönen Abend mit ihrem Mann Ralph. In letzter Zeit lief es nicht mehr so gut zwischen ihnen. Zusammensitzen und ein Glas Wein trinken würde ihnen guttun und ihre Welt wieder in Ordnung bringen. Doch es kommt anders. Sie findet ihren Mann nicht auf dem Sofa, sondern am Fuße der Kellertreppe liegend. Ermordet. Und neben ihm steht seine Geliebte. Helen muss sich Ist die Frau Täterin, Opfer, Verbündete oder ihre größte Feindin? Ein fesselnder, rasanter Thriller - für alle Fans von Big Little Lies und The Silent Wife.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2020
323 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
About the author
Jill Childs
18 books185 followersJill has always loved stories - real and imaginary. She's spent 30 years travelling the world as a journalist, living overseas and reporting wherever the news took her. She's now made her home in London with her husband and twin girls who love stories as much as she does.
Although she's covered everything from earthquakes and floods, riots and wars, she's found some of the most extraordinary stories right here at home - in the secrets and lies she imagines behind closed doors on ordinary streets, just like yours.
Although she's covered everything from earthquakes and floods, riots and wars, she's found some of the most extraordinary stories right here at home - in the secrets and lies she imagines behind closed doors on ordinary streets, just like yours.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
September 14, 2020
The Mistress by Jill Childs is a must read for fans of Gone Girl and Big Little Lies.
I recommend The Mistress to thriller fans.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for The Mistress.
Full review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
I recommend The Mistress to thriller fans.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for The Mistress.
Full review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
September 9, 2020
A creepy, wild ride! This thriller employs familiar tropes from classic film noir and executes them very well.
Ralph, who seems at first blush to be a charming English teacher, is leading a double life. A wife and kid at home and a mistress on the side, and maybe some other secrets, too. It shouldn’t be a surprise that at the beginning of the book, something unfortunate befalls him. Both his mistress and his wife become involved in the cover-up, and one of them begins to go mad. Or is she perhaps being gaslighted? Hmmm.....
Childs strikes a great tone of creepy foreboding in this book. The book is told by two narrators, and the first narrator, Laura, was definitely my favorite. I was genuinely surprised by one of the twists (even though I watch a lot of film noir and this twist is a classic!) because it was so well-executed. This writer is very skillful at building suspense and creating compelling characters, particularly Laura.
This book has a common affliction of late in the suspense genre though — the dreaded “one twist too far” syndrome. Listen y’all, when you write a great suspense book and come upon a final satisfying twist, leave it there! Not necessary to throw in another one. Sometimes that makes the whole thing less believable and less satisfying, which was the case here. But I liked this book a lot so I just did what I do when this happens in a book I like, and just pretended the last twist never happened.
Overall, solid book with fun and creepy plotting. I really enjoyed this writer and am going to seek out her other work! Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this creepy noir-flavored thrill ride.
Ralph, who seems at first blush to be a charming English teacher, is leading a double life. A wife and kid at home and a mistress on the side, and maybe some other secrets, too. It shouldn’t be a surprise that at the beginning of the book, something unfortunate befalls him. Both his mistress and his wife become involved in the cover-up, and one of them begins to go mad. Or is she perhaps being gaslighted? Hmmm.....
Childs strikes a great tone of creepy foreboding in this book. The book is told by two narrators, and the first narrator, Laura, was definitely my favorite. I was genuinely surprised by one of the twists (even though I watch a lot of film noir and this twist is a classic!) because it was so well-executed. This writer is very skillful at building suspense and creating compelling characters, particularly Laura.
This book has a common affliction of late in the suspense genre though — the dreaded “one twist too far” syndrome. Listen y’all, when you write a great suspense book and come upon a final satisfying twist, leave it there! Not necessary to throw in another one. Sometimes that makes the whole thing less believable and less satisfying, which was the case here. But I liked this book a lot so I just did what I do when this happens in a book I like, and just pretended the last twist never happened.
Overall, solid book with fun and creepy plotting. I really enjoyed this writer and am going to seek out her other work! Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this creepy noir-flavored thrill ride.
September 8, 2020
I almost passed this one by, when I saw the title I kinda thought ‘oh another one’ but never judge a book by a cover eh as it turned out to be a good read
Yes there’s a Mistress ( obv’s ) and yes a wife and yes a narcissistic vile husband/lover but what actually happens to this unhappy threesome is taut, exciting and original
All 3 work in a School and I loved the realism of the ‘extra’s’ and the way they were portrayed and the acidic vibe of the staff room, much more a reality than what a lot of us imagine I bet
The Mistress’s utter adoration for her lover almost made me wince with a mixture of pain, sympathy and a tinge of ridicule for her but you could feel her devotion to this man and when he threw her aside her devastation was laid bare for us all to see
But you know the saying, ‘a woman scorned’....well this applies to the wife in this book, and I cant say anymore as will give it away.....
I guessed some of what was going to happen but that didn’t matter, if anything it built the book up and I was keen to see if I was right and how it would play out
And play out it did, a wonderful ending that brought together everything and left me, who reads a few 😁psychological thrillers satisfied, pleased I gave this book a chance and even more pleased it surpassed expectations
9/10
5 Stars
Yes there’s a Mistress ( obv’s ) and yes a wife and yes a narcissistic vile husband/lover but what actually happens to this unhappy threesome is taut, exciting and original
All 3 work in a School and I loved the realism of the ‘extra’s’ and the way they were portrayed and the acidic vibe of the staff room, much more a reality than what a lot of us imagine I bet
The Mistress’s utter adoration for her lover almost made me wince with a mixture of pain, sympathy and a tinge of ridicule for her but you could feel her devotion to this man and when he threw her aside her devastation was laid bare for us all to see
But you know the saying, ‘a woman scorned’....well this applies to the wife in this book, and I cant say anymore as will give it away.....
I guessed some of what was going to happen but that didn’t matter, if anything it built the book up and I was keen to see if I was right and how it would play out
And play out it did, a wonderful ending that brought together everything and left me, who reads a few 😁psychological thrillers satisfied, pleased I gave this book a chance and even more pleased it surpassed expectations
9/10
5 Stars
September 18, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
She seemed to have collapsed into herself, as if she’d borrowed energy to take control in the way she had, to do what she thought needed to be done, and was now in debt.
I always knew he was a charmer, of course I did. I just thought the charm was reserved for me.
My Review:
I was steady on absorbed in this tale, even when it got a bit out there but I also struggled as I didn’t like these people, not a one of them. The writing style and storylines were intriguing and tickled and teased my curiosity with unexpected twists and odd turns, some of which squeezed my heart while exasperating me at the same time. But underneath it all, these were just horrid, selfish, and deceitful human beings. I felt sorry for what had ultimately happened to the final mistress, as she was easy prey being unstable, lonely, vulnerable, and apparently a complete sucker, but she was also beyond annoying in her neediness. I had no respect at all for the unrepentant womanizer or his enabler of a wife who just ignored his blatant and numerous infidelities. I just don’t get that. But I champion the Lorena Bobbitt philosophy on such matters.
She seemed to have collapsed into herself, as if she’d borrowed energy to take control in the way she had, to do what she thought needed to be done, and was now in debt.
I always knew he was a charmer, of course I did. I just thought the charm was reserved for me.
My Review:
I was steady on absorbed in this tale, even when it got a bit out there but I also struggled as I didn’t like these people, not a one of them. The writing style and storylines were intriguing and tickled and teased my curiosity with unexpected twists and odd turns, some of which squeezed my heart while exasperating me at the same time. But underneath it all, these were just horrid, selfish, and deceitful human beings. I felt sorry for what had ultimately happened to the final mistress, as she was easy prey being unstable, lonely, vulnerable, and apparently a complete sucker, but she was also beyond annoying in her neediness. I had no respect at all for the unrepentant womanizer or his enabler of a wife who just ignored his blatant and numerous infidelities. I just don’t get that. But I champion the Lorena Bobbitt philosophy on such matters.
September 14, 2020
Ralph has the best of both worlds. He is married and has a young daughter who he loves dearly. He also has a mistress, a much younger woman who is head over heels with him. He recently broke off with his mistress because someone else has caught his attention. She is devastated and almost becomes a stalker.
When she receives a text from him asking her over to his house so they can talk, she is beyond happy. She just knows that he's changed his mind ... that he still loves her.. still want to be with her. But that isn't exactly what happens .... and then the wife comes home.
Neither of them want what happened to become public .... each for their own reasons. One is protecting her daughter, the other her career.
Told by the two women, this intricate plot goes to prove that no one knows what goes on behind closed doors. It's an incredible page turner with deftly drawn characters. The ending was sudden and totally unexpected.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
When she receives a text from him asking her over to his house so they can talk, she is beyond happy. She just knows that he's changed his mind ... that he still loves her.. still want to be with her. But that isn't exactly what happens .... and then the wife comes home.
Neither of them want what happened to become public .... each for their own reasons. One is protecting her daughter, the other her career.
Told by the two women, this intricate plot goes to prove that no one knows what goes on behind closed doors. It's an incredible page turner with deftly drawn characters. The ending was sudden and totally unexpected.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 6, 2020
Laura has an affair with Ralf Wilson wh is an English teacher. He's married to Helen. Laura is a teacher at the same school as Ralf. She was not aware that he was married.
The first half of the book the pace is slow but it picks up in the second half. Its told from the wife, Helen and and the mistree, Laurs's points of view. The characters are well developed. Just when you think you've got it all worked out, something will happen to change your mind. The ending is unexpected. Ralf had tried to break his relationship with Laura but he also knows the right buttons to push. There were parts of this story that I found myself questioning.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #JillChilds for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The first half of the book the pace is slow but it picks up in the second half. Its told from the wife, Helen and and the mistree, Laurs's points of view. The characters are well developed. Just when you think you've got it all worked out, something will happen to change your mind. The ending is unexpected. Ralf had tried to break his relationship with Laura but he also knows the right buttons to push. There were parts of this story that I found myself questioning.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #JillChilds for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2020
Ralph was having an affair with another teacher,Laura. One night he invites Laura to his home, while his wife is out. Then tragedy strikes home. Ralph dies and Laura and his wife, Helen, cover it up. They should be at each other;s throat and throwing each other under the bus but they work together. As the story goes on we find out what kind of person Ralph is. Then an investigator for Ralph's life insurance keeps popping up and he has a lot of questions.
Laura seems to struggle with what happened while Helen wants to move on with their daughter.
I want to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC to review.
Laura seems to struggle with what happened while Helen wants to move on with their daughter.
I want to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC to review.
September 13, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. A scorned mistress, a loyal wife and a philandering husband is a recipe for a twisted, enthralling thriller. That’s what I was hoping for from this tale of paranoia, suspicion and betrayal. The first two thirds of the book were extremely slow. The last part was fast paced and satisfying. If only the majority of the book could have been as engaging. All in all, the plot was somewhat predictable and parts were far fetched. This was not a bad thriller, but was definitely not one of the best. The final twist bumped my rating from 2.5 to ⭐️⭐️⭐️.
September 6, 2020
Laura found herself drawn into an affair. Rather plain, not very popular, but this schoolteacher found herself drawn to another teacher, Ralph. So, they have an affair, and everything goes wrong. Dangerous even. Ralph was a husband and a father, and in the blink of an eye, tragedy happens. How is it that Ralph asks Laura to go to is home, with his daughter Anna sleeping upstairs, and things could go so terribly wrong?
Well, this may seem like a spoiler, but what happens is very, very early in the book, so I am going to go ahead and say it. Ralph dies and next thing you know both Laura and Ralph's wife Helen are covering it up. This begs the question: why? How did Ralph die and why did the two women - who should be enemies - choose to cover it up?
If you go and read the blurb you might scratch your head as I did. But then, as I read the book it became very clear when it comes to assuming Ralph's character. There were things about him that will come up in the story, because even though he does not have a point of view in this story, it soon becomes easy to see what type of man he was.
As the story develops, it is told in first person by Laura. How the affair began and how the investigation into his death is relayed. All this is done in quite a dramatic fashion, proving that this book is an excellent domestic thriller with secrets and lies on more than one level.
Jill Childs has done a fabulous job with this book. I loved being misled by the blurb as well as the instant shock of Ralph's death early on. This gave me the opportunity to delve into it so that I could see the man behind the man when it came to Ralph, but also while learning about Laura. What is more is that whatever was going on inside of Ralph's home and family was explored. What is very interesting is that the point of view changes partway into the book, so that raised my interest in this book that much more.
For an excellent read, one that I certainly could not put down, even for a minute, I highly recommend The Mistress. This book showcases the excellent writing skills as well as character development by Childs. I love that the reveal happened early, while the book still had elements to keep me guessing.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Well, this may seem like a spoiler, but what happens is very, very early in the book, so I am going to go ahead and say it. Ralph dies and next thing you know both Laura and Ralph's wife Helen are covering it up. This begs the question: why? How did Ralph die and why did the two women - who should be enemies - choose to cover it up?
If you go and read the blurb you might scratch your head as I did. But then, as I read the book it became very clear when it comes to assuming Ralph's character. There were things about him that will come up in the story, because even though he does not have a point of view in this story, it soon becomes easy to see what type of man he was.
As the story develops, it is told in first person by Laura. How the affair began and how the investigation into his death is relayed. All this is done in quite a dramatic fashion, proving that this book is an excellent domestic thriller with secrets and lies on more than one level.
Jill Childs has done a fabulous job with this book. I loved being misled by the blurb as well as the instant shock of Ralph's death early on. This gave me the opportunity to delve into it so that I could see the man behind the man when it came to Ralph, but also while learning about Laura. What is more is that whatever was going on inside of Ralph's home and family was explored. What is very interesting is that the point of view changes partway into the book, so that raised my interest in this book that much more.
For an excellent read, one that I certainly could not put down, even for a minute, I highly recommend The Mistress. This book showcases the excellent writing skills as well as character development by Childs. I love that the reveal happened early, while the book still had elements to keep me guessing.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 1, 2020
Laura, the soft-spoken schoolteacher with the faded cardigans and flat shoes, is smitten with Ralph, a teacher of literature. So, when he asked her to go out with him, she immediately agreed only to end up being his mistress.
Ralph tries to break it off with her but she is unwilling to let go. He invites her to his house to talk and things get out of hand. As if right on cue, Ralph's wife, Helen, appears and hatches a plan that will change Laura's life forever..
This is a book that focuses on infidelity, with the plot being divided into parts each narrated by Laura and Helen. This was a fast read with some predictable twists. All the characters were well written. While it was possible to relate the actions of Laura and Helen, I was filled with pure hate for Ralph. I found him to be a loathsome character who deserved nothing less that what he got.
Overall, an okay read!
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!
Ralph tries to break it off with her but she is unwilling to let go. He invites her to his house to talk and things get out of hand. As if right on cue, Ralph's wife, Helen, appears and hatches a plan that will change Laura's life forever..
This is a book that focuses on infidelity, with the plot being divided into parts each narrated by Laura and Helen. This was a fast read with some predictable twists. All the characters were well written. While it was possible to relate the actions of Laura and Helen, I was filled with pure hate for Ralph. I found him to be a loathsome character who deserved nothing less that what he got.
Overall, an okay read!
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!
July 28, 2020
The Mistress by Jill Childs is a dark, twisty and compulsive read that will hook you immediately and keep you guessing until the final page.
Laura is a soft-spoken, introverted schoolteacher when she meets Ralph, a teacher of literature. He is charming, articulate, and very much married. Nonetheless, Laura is smitten and the two become lovers. It is on a night when passions escalate to the point of no return that Laura meets Helen, the unsuspecting wife, and expects her world to be irretrievably blown apart. But Helen has an idea, and will shake Laura to her core with an unfathomable suggestion.
Told from the perspectives of both the mistress and wife, Ms Childs has deftly created a unique spin on the old adage 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.' I am looking forward to reading much more from this author.
4.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
Laura is a soft-spoken, introverted schoolteacher when she meets Ralph, a teacher of literature. He is charming, articulate, and very much married. Nonetheless, Laura is smitten and the two become lovers. It is on a night when passions escalate to the point of no return that Laura meets Helen, the unsuspecting wife, and expects her world to be irretrievably blown apart. But Helen has an idea, and will shake Laura to her core with an unfathomable suggestion.
Told from the perspectives of both the mistress and wife, Ms Childs has deftly created a unique spin on the old adage 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.' I am looking forward to reading much more from this author.
4.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
August 1, 2020
oh this was good! Took a totally different turn than what I expected and I loved it!
Very good character details. well written.
This is 4.5 - 5 star book!
Thank you for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Very good character details. well written.
This is 4.5 - 5 star book!
Thank you for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 31, 2023
This is one of those gloriously trashy beach reads.
Everybody's nasty and the reader is so there for it.
Do NOT expect logical behavior. DO expect everyone to be thinking with their genitals.
Do NOT expect to like anyone. DO expect to be thoroughly entertained.
It will not feed your brain, but you'll enjoy the read!
Everybody's nasty and the reader is so there for it.
Do NOT expect logical behavior. DO expect everyone to be thinking with their genitals.
Do NOT expect to like anyone. DO expect to be thoroughly entertained.
It will not feed your brain, but you'll enjoy the read!
August 30, 2020
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Mistress' by Jill Childs
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 14th September 2020
This is the first book that I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its colourful cover and intriguing blurb. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 55 chapters which are short in length so ideal to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is written in first person perspective and the protagonists are Laura in part one and Helen in part two. I enjoy books written in first person perspective as you get to know the person more and it feels like they are talking directly to you. In this case there are two protagonists which makes it even better as you can see things from both points of view.
This book is based in in the UK. I love books set in the UK as I live in Wales, UK and sometimes I have been to the places so can picture them better.
This book was very well written with a suspense filled storyline and in depth descriptions that really drew me in. I loved how it flitted from past to present to give the bigger picture while doing it smoothly without confusion.
I really enjoyed reading from both Helen and Laura's perspectives and seeing an affair from both sides of the story, well both females involved. Both characters were quite strong but Helen was definitely the strongest in character and personality. I actually felt sorry for Laura by the end which I would never have guessed I would at the beginning as I actively disliked her. This shows the talent the author has to get you to show empathy for both characters.
The storyline is fast paced and kept me turning the pages until late at night. I thought I knew what was coming, in a way I suppose I wasn't surprised by a certain event but the finalé definitely was not what I was expecting! What a bang that ended on and I must say what a cliffhanger!!!!
This would look amazing as a film if done right and I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by this very talented, now top 10 author!!!
Overall a fantastic psychological thriller that will grip you in suspense from beginning to end!!
Genres covered include Psychological Fiction, Mystery, Domestic Thriller.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'Ginger Girl' and a good read in general.
293 pages.
This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I loved it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheMistress #JillChilds #Bookouture #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@JillChilds @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
Review for 'The Mistress' by Jill Childs
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 14th September 2020
This is the first book that I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its colourful cover and intriguing blurb. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 55 chapters which are short in length so ideal to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is written in first person perspective and the protagonists are Laura in part one and Helen in part two. I enjoy books written in first person perspective as you get to know the person more and it feels like they are talking directly to you. In this case there are two protagonists which makes it even better as you can see things from both points of view.
This book is based in in the UK. I love books set in the UK as I live in Wales, UK and sometimes I have been to the places so can picture them better.
This book was very well written with a suspense filled storyline and in depth descriptions that really drew me in. I loved how it flitted from past to present to give the bigger picture while doing it smoothly without confusion.
I really enjoyed reading from both Helen and Laura's perspectives and seeing an affair from both sides of the story, well both females involved. Both characters were quite strong but Helen was definitely the strongest in character and personality. I actually felt sorry for Laura by the end which I would never have guessed I would at the beginning as I actively disliked her. This shows the talent the author has to get you to show empathy for both characters.
The storyline is fast paced and kept me turning the pages until late at night. I thought I knew what was coming, in a way I suppose I wasn't surprised by a certain event but the finalé definitely was not what I was expecting! What a bang that ended on and I must say what a cliffhanger!!!!
This would look amazing as a film if done right and I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by this very talented, now top 10 author!!!
Overall a fantastic psychological thriller that will grip you in suspense from beginning to end!!
Genres covered include Psychological Fiction, Mystery, Domestic Thriller.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'Ginger Girl' and a good read in general.
293 pages.
This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I loved it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheMistress #JillChilds #Bookouture #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@JillChilds @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
September 15, 2020
This book made me swear out loud and scare my cat, now I read a lot of thrillers and love a good whodunnit. So imagine my complete shock when the author not only puts the death at the start but tells you exactly how it was done and by who. Now you would assume, wrongly by the way, that you then know how this book is going to go.
The author has cleverly split this book into two parts and points of view. The first told by Laura the mistress, a shy naive school teacher and colleague to Ralph. The second part is told by Ralph’s wife Helen. Let me just say the characters are what made this book for me and the fact that they are polar opposites in how they respond to situations made for an exciting read.
The pacing was good in part one but hold on to your knickers once you get to part two. The plot was a nicely unexpected surprise too and I love it when I’m kept on my toes. Full of lies, deception and scheming and some well placed twists and turns you just have to sit tight and prepare for the unexpected.
The author has cleverly split this book into two parts and points of view. The first told by Laura the mistress, a shy naive school teacher and colleague to Ralph. The second part is told by Ralph’s wife Helen. Let me just say the characters are what made this book for me and the fact that they are polar opposites in how they respond to situations made for an exciting read.
The pacing was good in part one but hold on to your knickers once you get to part two. The plot was a nicely unexpected surprise too and I love it when I’m kept on my toes. Full of lies, deception and scheming and some well placed twists and turns you just have to sit tight and prepare for the unexpected.
January 17, 2024
Laura führt ein unscheinbares Leben als Grundschullehrerin in einem kleinen Ort. Jeder kennt jeden und die meisten denken, dass Laura eine schüchterne, graue Maus ist. Doch es gibt einen Mann, der das offenbar ganz anders sieht. Laura fängt eine heimliche Affäre mit Ralph an, der ebenfalls Lehrer an der benachbarten weiterführenden Schule ist. Auch als Laura herausfindet, dass Ralph verheiratet ist, kann sie sich seinem Charme nicht entziehen. Als die beiden sich eines Abends in seinem Haus treffen, kommt es jedoch zu einem Handgemenge und Ralph liegt tot am Fuße der Treppe. Als nun plötzlich auch noch seine Frau Helen auftaucht, müssen sich beide Frauen entscheiden – arbeiten sie miteinander oder gegeneinander?
Der deutsche Klappentext ist etwas irreführend geschrieben, denn zunächst erleben wir die erste Hälfte des Buches aus der Sicht der Geliebten. Die Ehefrau kommt erst nach langer Hörzeit zu Wort. Warum man sich im deutschen dafür entschieden hat, die Sicht der Ehefrau auf dem Klappentext zu wählen, erschließt sich mir nicht.
Laura wird als sehr unscheinbar und trist beschrieben und auch genau so von ihren Kollegen in der Schule wahrgenommen. Nett und stets freundlich, aber eben langweilig. Daher hätte sich Laura niemals träumen lassen, dass ausgerechnet der eloquente und charismatische Ralph Augen für sie haben könnte. Die beiden stürzen sich in eine Affäre, inklusive aller typischen Begleiterscheinungen – heimliche Treffen, Ausreden für die Ehefrau erfinden, verstohlene SMS. Ich finde Laura war als Charakter relativ emotionslos und platt, aber wer weiß – vielleicht war dieses gedämpfte Auftreten ja gewollt.
Seine Frau Helen sollte wohl eher das Gegenteil darstellen, die einst meinungsstarke Frau, die aber über die Jahre hinweg ihre Augen vor all den Eskapaden ihres Mannes verschlossen hat. Beide Frauen fand ich ausbaufähig. Von Ralph möchte ich gar nicht erst anfangen. Es ist mir ein Rätsel wie so jemand überhaupt bei Frauen landen kann. Das was bei ihm als Charme und Eloquenz dargestellt wurde, hätte ich als affektiert und anmaßend beschrieben. Ralph hält gerne große Reden vor jungen Frauen, erklärt ihnen die Welt und lässt sich anhimmeln.
Die Sprecherin des Buches hat einen tollen Job gemacht, es war sehr angenehm ihr zuzuhören. Die beiden Frauen wurden ihrem Charakter entsprechend sehr gut eingefangen und man hatte Spaß der Geschichte zu folgen. Insgesamt war “Die Affäre” ein solides Buch, das sicherlich eine breite Maße anspricht, vor allem wenn man lieber Thriller ohne Blut liest. “Die Affäre” kommt ohne Gewalt aus und lebt allein vom stetigen Fortschritt der Geschichte. Dranbleiben lohnt sich, denn die Spannung baut sich nach und nach immer mehr auf.
Der deutsche Klappentext ist etwas irreführend geschrieben, denn zunächst erleben wir die erste Hälfte des Buches aus der Sicht der Geliebten. Die Ehefrau kommt erst nach langer Hörzeit zu Wort. Warum man sich im deutschen dafür entschieden hat, die Sicht der Ehefrau auf dem Klappentext zu wählen, erschließt sich mir nicht.
Laura wird als sehr unscheinbar und trist beschrieben und auch genau so von ihren Kollegen in der Schule wahrgenommen. Nett und stets freundlich, aber eben langweilig. Daher hätte sich Laura niemals träumen lassen, dass ausgerechnet der eloquente und charismatische Ralph Augen für sie haben könnte. Die beiden stürzen sich in eine Affäre, inklusive aller typischen Begleiterscheinungen – heimliche Treffen, Ausreden für die Ehefrau erfinden, verstohlene SMS. Ich finde Laura war als Charakter relativ emotionslos und platt, aber wer weiß – vielleicht war dieses gedämpfte Auftreten ja gewollt.
Seine Frau Helen sollte wohl eher das Gegenteil darstellen, die einst meinungsstarke Frau, die aber über die Jahre hinweg ihre Augen vor all den Eskapaden ihres Mannes verschlossen hat. Beide Frauen fand ich ausbaufähig. Von Ralph möchte ich gar nicht erst anfangen. Es ist mir ein Rätsel wie so jemand überhaupt bei Frauen landen kann. Das was bei ihm als Charme und Eloquenz dargestellt wurde, hätte ich als affektiert und anmaßend beschrieben. Ralph hält gerne große Reden vor jungen Frauen, erklärt ihnen die Welt und lässt sich anhimmeln.
Die Sprecherin des Buches hat einen tollen Job gemacht, es war sehr angenehm ihr zuzuhören. Die beiden Frauen wurden ihrem Charakter entsprechend sehr gut eingefangen und man hatte Spaß der Geschichte zu folgen. Insgesamt war “Die Affäre” ein solides Buch, das sicherlich eine breite Maße anspricht, vor allem wenn man lieber Thriller ohne Blut liest. “Die Affäre” kommt ohne Gewalt aus und lebt allein vom stetigen Fortschritt der Geschichte. Dranbleiben lohnt sich, denn die Spannung baut sich nach und nach immer mehr auf.
August 14, 2020
I really enjoy books by this talented author and I can certainly recommend this one. Extremely well written with good characters, it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and had a great ending to a brilliant book.
August 5, 2020
I love a book that dives right into the story and doesn't let go of you until the end, and this one did just that. I found myself thinking about this book when I wasn't reading it, which is a really good thing in my view! The plot develops well and builds the tension brilliantly.
This is the first Jill Childs book I have read so had no idea what to expect. I wasn't disappointed and would definitely read her other books after this.
A compelling, easy read, well written book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first Jill Childs book I have read so had no idea what to expect. I wasn't disappointed and would definitely read her other books after this.
A compelling, easy read, well written book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
Read
September 29, 2020Oh my!! The first scene, the first chapter, so unexpected, shocking the socks off me. That was the best. Author Jill Childs knocked this one out of the park. She called it her book baby, and I could clearly see the love poured out in the prose.
Two women: one, the wife and the other, the mistress. And you know it wouldn’t end well. It didn’t, for Ralph, when the wife Helen came to know about the mistress Laura. They were on the edge of the abyss, and one fall knocked them all down. This was Laura’s story followed by Helen’s. And I got the bird’s eye view of it.
Reading the first chapter, I knew the author had written this book to send shock currents down my body. The words chosen had the right emotion attached to it. Little bubbles of excitement ran in me. I was getting the gossip right from the front seat. (Look, I am getting my jollies from where I can. I don’t watch the television. Books are it, for me)
I had to talk about the characterization. JILL made her puppets dance to her every tune, they were brilliantly etched that I thought them to be real. New facets were revealed and gawd, weren’t some Aholes… ahem I mean jerks. You can guess whom I am talking about. Talk about eating the cake and having it too.
The book gathered pace because I was obsessed with it. I couldn’t stop reading, I had to know what the wife thought and what would she do next. It was so goddamn interesting. And the last line… My goosebumps got goosebumps. I couldn’t help but cackle wildly like a witch.
Wicked and wily was this author, she got my goose cooked (and I am a vegetarian). I was curious, hungry to know more every time I turned the page. It was that thrilling for me. I would call this book a domestic noir too.
Two women: one, the wife and the other, the mistress. And you know it wouldn’t end well. It didn’t, for Ralph, when the wife Helen came to know about the mistress Laura. They were on the edge of the abyss, and one fall knocked them all down. This was Laura’s story followed by Helen’s. And I got the bird’s eye view of it.
Reading the first chapter, I knew the author had written this book to send shock currents down my body. The words chosen had the right emotion attached to it. Little bubbles of excitement ran in me. I was getting the gossip right from the front seat. (Look, I am getting my jollies from where I can. I don’t watch the television. Books are it, for me)
I had to talk about the characterization. JILL made her puppets dance to her every tune, they were brilliantly etched that I thought them to be real. New facets were revealed and gawd, weren’t some Aholes… ahem I mean jerks. You can guess whom I am talking about. Talk about eating the cake and having it too.
The book gathered pace because I was obsessed with it. I couldn’t stop reading, I had to know what the wife thought and what would she do next. It was so goddamn interesting. And the last line… My goosebumps got goosebumps. I couldn’t help but cackle wildly like a witch.
Wicked and wily was this author, she got my goose cooked (and I am a vegetarian). I was curious, hungry to know more every time I turned the page. It was that thrilling for me. I would call this book a domestic noir too.
July 27, 2020
Twists and surprises that you don't see coming. Was such a great read. Flows beautifully. Read this one in one sitting.
Thanks to the publisher and Bet Galley for an early release of this book.
Thanks to the publisher and Bet Galley for an early release of this book.
August 7, 2020
A forbidden work romance out of marriage goes awry and results in the death of Ralph(the cheating spouse).
Laura is obsessed with her lover and is not happy when Ralph summons her to his house one evening and tells her he wants to end the affair. Her unhappiness proves fatal as she ends up pushing him at the bottom of a stairwell.
The story is a fast paced thriller told in two parts and POVs, Laura (the mistress) and Helen (the wife). Its not a surprising plot but a decent read in case you are looking to get over a reading slump of sorts.
I like a plot where I cant guess and the story keeps surprising me which did not happen here.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for providing me an eARC in exchange of an honest review.
Laura is obsessed with her lover and is not happy when Ralph summons her to his house one evening and tells her he wants to end the affair. Her unhappiness proves fatal as she ends up pushing him at the bottom of a stairwell.
The story is a fast paced thriller told in two parts and POVs, Laura (the mistress) and Helen (the wife). Its not a surprising plot but a decent read in case you are looking to get over a reading slump of sorts.
I like a plot where I cant guess and the story keeps surprising me which did not happen here.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for providing me an eARC in exchange of an honest review.
September 13, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this easy-to-read captivating psychological drama where not all is quite what is seems.
I flew through the pages, aghast at what Ralph Wilson's wife Helen and mistress Laura Dixon were up to, wondering where and how it was all going to unravel.
Can you imagine opening your front door to see your husband's mistress naked and your husband dead at the bottom of a set of stairs? Chilling stuff, but even that is not the worst that is going to happen.
Ralph works in the Upper School, Laura in the Lower School. He runs a writing group for staff one evening a week and it is from here that Laura's life changes and she loses her way. Ralph is not a particularly likeable fellow but does anyone deserve to die at the hands of another?
The plot draws you in and the reader is encouraged to feel all sorts of emotions, sorrow, guilt, betrayal and horror as you empathise with certain characters and become caught up in the catastrophic developments. You might not agree with affairs, but even the mistress manages to garner some empathy as desperation leads her to wild and rash behaviour. You can't help imagining what it must be like to keep very big secrets hidden without going mad. So, whilst this is a typical domestic thriller, it is the genre at its best as so many flaws of the human character are laid bare and leave you wondering whether you could behave like that, what motivates us, what helps one person step across the line and another, step back.
It is chilling, well written, canters along at a great pace and delivers some stealthy blows along the way.
I would definitely recommend this read to others and I enjoyed it so much I want to read all the other books Jill Childs has written.
The 5 star rating was never in any doubt for me.
I flew through the pages, aghast at what Ralph Wilson's wife Helen and mistress Laura Dixon were up to, wondering where and how it was all going to unravel.
Can you imagine opening your front door to see your husband's mistress naked and your husband dead at the bottom of a set of stairs? Chilling stuff, but even that is not the worst that is going to happen.
Ralph works in the Upper School, Laura in the Lower School. He runs a writing group for staff one evening a week and it is from here that Laura's life changes and she loses her way. Ralph is not a particularly likeable fellow but does anyone deserve to die at the hands of another?
The plot draws you in and the reader is encouraged to feel all sorts of emotions, sorrow, guilt, betrayal and horror as you empathise with certain characters and become caught up in the catastrophic developments. You might not agree with affairs, but even the mistress manages to garner some empathy as desperation leads her to wild and rash behaviour. You can't help imagining what it must be like to keep very big secrets hidden without going mad. So, whilst this is a typical domestic thriller, it is the genre at its best as so many flaws of the human character are laid bare and leave you wondering whether you could behave like that, what motivates us, what helps one person step across the line and another, step back.
It is chilling, well written, canters along at a great pace and delivers some stealthy blows along the way.
I would definitely recommend this read to others and I enjoyed it so much I want to read all the other books Jill Childs has written.
The 5 star rating was never in any doubt for me.
September 16, 2020
It's a tale that's as old as time, the love triangle, the handsome charming husband Ralph, the loving loyal wife Helen and the besotted mistress Laura. This gripping drama is voiced firstly from Laura's perspective and then from Helen's as we follow their individual stories and witness the dawning realisation for both of them that Ralph is not just a cheat but also very charming, cunning, self centred and maybe just a tiny bit of a psychopath. In short, he's not exactly a very likeable character for various reasons and I really couldn't understand why a intelligent woman like Helen had tolerated his behaviour throughout their marriage. Once a cheat,always a cheat, men or women like Ralph never change. I can't say that I thought Helen was very likeable at times for various reasons. But there was more to Helen than met the eye, she had her own hidden depths and secrets. And what about the mistress Laura,was she suffering from mental illnesses and deluded as she appeared to be or was she another victim of Ralph's twisted mind games? And how did mysterious Mike Ridge fit into the story?
This is a extremely well written domestic drama/thriller that has some unexpected twists and turns, some really intense scenes and a seriously chilling conclusion. The characters were realistic and believable,the scenery and settings were beautifully described and the story kept me captivated and glued to my kindle. I really enjoyed this enthralling story, worth more than five stars and very very highly recommended.
This is a extremely well written domestic drama/thriller that has some unexpected twists and turns, some really intense scenes and a seriously chilling conclusion. The characters were realistic and believable,the scenery and settings were beautifully described and the story kept me captivated and glued to my kindle. I really enjoyed this enthralling story, worth more than five stars and very very highly recommended.
July 31, 2020
This was a decent read, centered around Laura, the mistress, and Helen the wife. The book starts off quickly with Laura being summoned to Ralph's house- Ralph has been trying to break it off with her and she has been unwilling to let go, and things get out of hand. His wife, Helen, shows up in the midst of this situation and they together handle the next steps out of necessity rather than anything else. The first half of the book is narrated by Laura and the 2nd half of the book is narrated by Helen, which is a writing style I enjoy, as the reader gets to know both characters pretty well rather than jumping from one to the other.
Though this was a fast paced read and I could empathize with both Laura and Helen to an extent, I also figured out both plot twists early- I kept hoping I would be proven wrong but the book went pretty much how I expected it to go. There is no truly likable character in this book but you also don't hate them.
Overall, it was a decent read, but would have been better if i had not seen the twists coming. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Though this was a fast paced read and I could empathize with both Laura and Helen to an extent, I also figured out both plot twists early- I kept hoping I would be proven wrong but the book went pretty much how I expected it to go. There is no truly likable character in this book but you also don't hate them.
Overall, it was a decent read, but would have been better if i had not seen the twists coming. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2020
4.5 Stars!!
I was a little hesitant to pick this one up, as I wasn't a huge fan of "The First Wife", but The Mistress had me enthralled from page one!
The first half of this book is told from the perspective of the mistress, while the second half is told from the perspective of the wife. One night, Ralph, our philandering man, summons the mistress to his home to end things with her, once and for all.....and she accidentally kills him! While the mistress is beside herself, trying to figure out what to do, in walks Ralph's wife. WHAT?!?!
This story is rich and well written and will have you turning the pages for more. It will also having you questioning yourself.....do you root for the mistress whose mental state is fleeting due to the guilt or the poor wife who dutifully loved her husband and cared for their child?
Do yourself a favor and pick up the juicy, drama filled fun read!
A special thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Jill Childs for providing me with an ARC.
I was a little hesitant to pick this one up, as I wasn't a huge fan of "The First Wife", but The Mistress had me enthralled from page one!
The first half of this book is told from the perspective of the mistress, while the second half is told from the perspective of the wife. One night, Ralph, our philandering man, summons the mistress to his home to end things with her, once and for all.....and she accidentally kills him! While the mistress is beside herself, trying to figure out what to do, in walks Ralph's wife. WHAT?!?!
This story is rich and well written and will have you turning the pages for more. It will also having you questioning yourself.....do you root for the mistress whose mental state is fleeting due to the guilt or the poor wife who dutifully loved her husband and cared for their child?
Do yourself a favor and pick up the juicy, drama filled fun read!
A special thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Jill Childs for providing me with an ARC.
September 10, 2020
I was fortunate to receive a copy of this ARC from NetGalley.
Wow, what a book! The opening paragraph of each chapter is stunning and keeps you reading. Told first from Laura's point of view, then from Helen's, we find out what is so compelling about Ralph. There is a twist, then another twist and then another one!
My favourite quote:
"She seemed to have collapsed into herself, as if she'd borrowed energy to take control in the way she had, to do what she thought needed to be done, and was now in debt."
The Kindle version is published on 14th September, currently £1.99. Buy it now! x
Wow, what a book! The opening paragraph of each chapter is stunning and keeps you reading. Told first from Laura's point of view, then from Helen's, we find out what is so compelling about Ralph. There is a twist, then another twist and then another one!
My favourite quote:
"She seemed to have collapsed into herself, as if she'd borrowed energy to take control in the way she had, to do what she thought needed to be done, and was now in debt."
The Kindle version is published on 14th September, currently £1.99. Buy it now! x
Want to read
December 7, 2025I received this ebook as a gift from ebooks.de.
August 9, 2024
Was für ein Überraschungs-Highlight!
Etwas genervt zwischendurch von der Naivität der Geliebten (Klischees, aber auch realistisch...), aber was für Wendungen und echt nicht vorhersehbar!
Etwas genervt zwischendurch von der Naivität der Geliebten (Klischees, aber auch realistisch...), aber was für Wendungen und echt nicht vorhersehbar!
August 18, 2020
I’m already a big fan of Jill’s books and know that I’m in for a good read whenever a new one comes out. This was yet another humdinger of a story. Told in two parts – the first being from the point of view of Laura, the mistress and secondly from the perspective of Helen the wronged wife. The man in the middle of all of this is Ralph, a charismatic man who loves poetry, the arts and women! Starting dramatically with the death of Ralph, (or was it murder?) and then the collaboration between the two women to dispose of his body and then attempt to carry on as if nothing has happened, adding to the general belief that he ‘just went missing’. The women react in very different ways to losing Ralph, his mistress being completely broken by it, the wife appearing much stronger and able to cope. Was she hiding something? There were some very creepy and scary moments in the book which escalate as the story progresses. I read long into the night to discover all of the secrets and conclusions to this gripping story and the shocking revelation at the end was magnificent. Definitely a full five stars from me for this fabulous book. My thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
August 13, 2020
Laura knew that work romances (particularly affairs with a married man) never worked. In fact they were doomed... Ralph - a teacher at the school she worked at. managed to charm her and led Laura into a (selfish?) affair. She became infatuated with Ralph, in fact.
Ralph had both - a wife, Helen, and a daughter, Anna. This, of course, adding to the complexity of Laura's feelings. Yet, Laura fell in love with Ralph.
Things were fine until Ralph dumps her. Still obsessed with him, Laura is shocked when she receives a text from Ralph to meet him at his house! Another chance! Was he ready to dump his family for Laura?
A divided perspective - particularly in the last half of this read - is wonderfully worked out. This is the type of book that will grab the reader in from the start!
Plenty of suspense!
Many Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a wonderful read!
Ralph had both - a wife, Helen, and a daughter, Anna. This, of course, adding to the complexity of Laura's feelings. Yet, Laura fell in love with Ralph.
Things were fine until Ralph dumps her. Still obsessed with him, Laura is shocked when she receives a text from Ralph to meet him at his house! Another chance! Was he ready to dump his family for Laura?
A divided perspective - particularly in the last half of this read - is wonderfully worked out. This is the type of book that will grab the reader in from the start!
Plenty of suspense!
Many Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a wonderful read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews