Darby Kane

ARC Review: SUCH A CLEVER GIRL by Darby Kane
4 STARS - Expected Pub Date: 1/20/26

Big thanks to the author, Thriller Book Lovers-The Pulse, and William Morrow for this ARC provided via NetGalley. Always love getting my hands on a Darby Kane early!

The setup of “Such a Clever Girl” is deliciously creepy. A family disappears right in the middle of dinner, their business goes up in flames, and then, radio silence. Fifteen years later, the lone survivor, Aubrey Tanner, just strolls back into show more town. Doesn’t that sound like a terrific opening scene for a limited series? Tell me you wouldn’t binge that show.

But this isn’t just a missing-persons mystery. Aubrey is sharp and tightly wound. You’re never quite sure if she’s a hero, an unreliable narrator, or a little bit of both. The women circling around her are tangled up in guilt, loyalty, and enough menace to keep you flipping pages.

Kane builds the town’s atmosphere like a pro. Gossip swirls, secrets hide behind every door, and the whole thing is layered, moody, and absolutely bingeable.

Four stars from me. If you love twisty thrillers with small-town secrets and complicated women, slip this one into your Spooky Reads stack. Darby Kane always delivers.

#SuchACleverGirl #DarbyKane #WilliamMorrow #NetGalley #CapCut

Missing Persons - Creepy - Silence and Trauma - Old Wounds - Family Disappears show less

ARC Review: SUCH A CLEVER GIRL by Darby Kane
4 STARS - Expected Pub Date: 1/20/26

Big thanks to the author, Thriller Book Lovers-The Pulse, and William Morrow for this ARC provided via NetGalley. Always love getting my hands on a Darby Kane early!

The setup of “Such a Clever Girl” is deliciously creepy. A family disappears right in the middle of dinner, their business goes up in flames, and then, radio silence. Fifteen years later, the lone survivor, Aubrey Tanner, just strolls back into show more town. Doesn’t that sound like a terrific opening scene for a limited series? Tell me you wouldn’t binge that show.

But this isn’t just a missing-persons mystery. Aubrey is sharp and tightly wound. You’re never quite sure if she’s a hero, an unreliable narrator, or a little bit of both. The women circling around her are tangled up in guilt, loyalty, and enough menace to keep you flipping pages.

Kane builds the town’s atmosphere like a pro. Gossip swirls, secrets hide behind every door, and the whole thing is layered, moody, and absolutely bingeable.

Four stars from me. If you love twisty thrillers with small-town secrets and complicated women, slip this one into your Spooky Reads stack. Darby Kane always delivers.

#SuchACleverGirl #DarbyKane #WilliamMorrow #NetGalley #CapCut

Missing Persons - Creepy - Silence and Trauma - Old Wounds - Family Disappears show less

What the Wife Knew by Darby Kane is a very highly recommended, twisty, and compelling domestic thriller. You may suspect the direction things are going, however, with all the lies, scheming, and secrets among these characters don't be too quick to think you know the twists.

Dr. Richmond Dougherty, an esteemed pediatric surgeon, leaves his wife and childhood sweetheart, Kathryn, to wed 27 year-old Addison. It is not a love match. Addison had blackmail information on Richmond and force him to show more marry her. Ninety-seven days after the wedding Richmond is dead from a suspicious "accident" and Addison is a very wealthy widow. Even though she has an alibi, she is also a suspect in what may have been his murder. Make no mistake, Addison wanted Richmond dead, but she had no hand in it. The question is who did it? And with that question the number of suspects keeps expanding.

The writing is exceptional in What the Wife Knew! This fast-paced thriller is packed with dysfunctional families, deception, grudges, revenge, lies, scheming, secrets, and unlikable characters. It is also un-put-downable. Once you start reading you will not want to stop. The suspects in Richmond's death are numerous. Kathryn is a devious character who keeps targeting Addison, with their children, Wyatt, 20, and Portia, 15, in tow. Richmond had more than a few questionable facts raised about his character too.

The narrative is mainly through Addison's point-of-view, both in the present and the past, until the half-way point when there are some chapters from Richmond's point-of-view. Addison has an attitude and a mouth on her. She can be abrasive and isn't looking to make any friends. Addison is a fully-realized individual who will also become a character that you will be supporting. You will wish her the best in the future as you learn about her past. All most all of the other characters, with a few exceptions, Portia and lawyer Elias Zimmer, are despicable.

What the Wife Knew is an astute, intelligent, perceptive domestic thriller that will keep you guessing right up to the shocking ending. Thanks to William Morrow for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/11/what-wife-knew.html show less

Every time I thought I had a clue as to who had done what, another one of those colorful fish swam by. If you like 'set in one spot with evil lurking in the dark' stories, this is your chicken. Gory, loaded with secrets and layers of mistrust, plus a dandy surprise at the end...All designed to keep the reader turning pages.