What the Wife Knew

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 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 show more 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

Kane delivers a domestic thriller packed with taut suspense and jaw-dropping revelations. As the layers of a seemingly perfect marriage unravel, readers are thrust into a web of deception and manipulation. The protagonist’s journey to uncover the truth is as gripping as it is emotionally resonant. Kane’s expert pacing ensures that every chapter ends with a gasp, making this a compulsive read for fans of psychological suspense who love dissecting the dark side of relationships.

A twisty domestic drama and thriller that kept me entertained.

This book brings dysfunctional family stories to a whole new level. The battle of the Doughertys has a cast of characters you will love and hate. Told from different points of view and in a shifting timeline, Addison Dougherty, the new wife, reflects on her short marriage to the recently deceased Dr. Richmond Dougherty. Ex Kathryn is livid at the loss of a substantial amount of money and she uses hers and Richard’s two children as pawns. There’s a great deal of expert manipulation and gaslighting going on and as the secrets and lies slowly leak out, the climax reveals a master of deception and a revenge plot that is heinous in every way.

I can’t say too much about the show more characters as not to spoil the story but what a collection the author has assembled. There’s a lot more going on with several plot lines as I kept trying to guess who did what to whom and why. It was fun in a nasty sort of way with a couple of these ladies really going beyond he pale to show us who they really are. You know the quote about unhappy families being unique in the causes of their situation. Anyway, it was all good fun and I read it in a matter of hours.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrators, Helen Laser and Andrew Eiden, did a fabulous job of voicing the characters and giving that great dramatic flair to the production. It really enhanced my enjoyment of the story. show less

Dr. Richmond Dougherty is a renowned pediatric surgeon, an infamous tragedy survivor, and a national hero. He’s also very dead—thanks to a fall down the stairs. His neighbors angrily point a finger at the newest Ms. Dougherty, Addison. The sudden marriage to the mysterious young woman only lasted ninety-seven days, and he’d had two suspicious “accidents” during that time. Now Addison is a very rich widow.

When I first started this book, I immediately loved Addison. She is no nonsense, she is smart, and she has herself in a mess. There is something about Addison that I felt sorry for, but yet I knew that was misplaced… or was it? The ending tells a bit of a different story.

This novel has a lot of moving parts and it will keep show more you on your toes with all of the questions about the past!

OK, y’all, I have never read this author before. I’m gonna have to pick up some of her books. I enjoyed the movement of this novel. I enjoyed the characters. And I definitely enjoyed the thrill. This ending will have you wanting to punch somebody, just letting you know. So be ready.

Need a quick, twisty thriller…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today. show less

If you enjoy twisty, revenge thrillers this book is for you. The plot took many turns and surprised me again and again. Addison is a newlywed and a new widow. Rumors abound that she murdered her wealthy new husband Richmond for his money. But that's not the case, someone beat her to it. This was a fast paced un-put-downable domestic thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended for page turning fun. This is my first novel by Darby Kane and it definitely won't be my last.

Many thanks to Net Galley and William Morrow | William Morrow Paperbacks for an ARC copy of this fantastic book.

What did Addison know about Richmond that he immediately divorced his wife and married her?

While they were married for only a short time, he has a third accident that kills him.

Everyone thinks she murdered him, but she said she didn’t.

She wanted to be the one that murdered him but somebody beat her to it. She also did some stupid things that would make her look guilty whether she is or not.

Join in the intrigue and the mysteries of each unlikable character in this book. One is nastier than the other, and secrets abound as well as blackmail.

You won’t know who to trust or who to like.

The revelations are good ones.

Ms. Kane keeps you guessing even though at first you weren’t sure how this was going to play out or if you would like show more it....you will. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. show less

This was a weird and interesting story. The intersections of the various story lines made this a twisty thriller. I was not able to guess the ending and the reveal was shocking. Looking forward to reading more of Darby Kane's work in the future.

Helen Laser and Andrew Eiden did a great job narrating this novel. I loved being able to easily distinguish who was speaking.