Darby Kane, author of the #1 international bestseller Pretty Little Wife, returns with another twisty domestic thriller about a wife wondering who tried to kill her husband twice before finally succeeding… because that was supposed to be her job.
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.
As law enforcement starts to circle in on Addison and people in town become increasingly hostile, sides are chosen with Kathryn, Richmond’s high school sweetheart, wife number one, and the mother of his children, leading the fray. Despite rising tensions, Addison is even more driven to forge ahead on the path she charted years ago…
Determined at all costs to unravel Richmond’s legacy, she soon becomes a target—with a shocking note left on her bedroom wall: You will pay. But it will take a lot more than faceless threats to stop Addison. Her plan to marry Richmond then ruin him may have been derailed by his unexpected death, but she’s not done with him yet.
What the Wife Knew is a gripping domestic thriller that intertwines themes of family drama, revenge, and deception. The narrative centers on Addison, the newest wife of Dr. Richmond Dougherty, a celebrated pediatric surgeon and national hero. Their brief marriage of ninety-seven days ends abruptly when Richmond is found dead, casting suspicion on Addison, who becomes a wealthy widow overnight. The suspicions are further fueled by Richmond’s ex-wife, Kathryn, who is quick to point fingers at Addison. The story included some popular tropes, including the powerful protagonist, enemies to lovers, the intelligent psychopath, and the victim getting revenge.
The characters in this story are highly flawed and mostly unlikable. Addison is a snarky, strong, and highly outspoken person; whether readers like her or not, her tenacity is admirable. Her complex past and revenge-fueled motivations to marry Richmond are explained in many flashback scenes, revealing a depth to her character that is intriguing and relatable. Richmond is a ruthless narcissist, but when the story shifts to his perspective, he also displays some charming and redeeming attributes, making him more multidimensional than he’s initially portrayed. The dialogue between Addison and Richmond is volatile from both sides, often teetering on the edge of violent outbursts, adding entertainment value, especially when listening on audio. Addison’s blackmail over Richmond becomes his motivating force to not only expose her but take her down, adding another captivating layer to the story. Addison also has a very dysfunctional relationship with her mother, and their complex family dynamics become more intriguing when dark secrets are revealed later in the book. Their dialogue is the antithesis of what a healthy mother-daughter relationship should be, and readers may respect Addison more because of this.
The book begins very fast-paced, immediately immersing readers into the backstory of Richmond’s murder mystery and has the potential to be a five-star read; unfortunately, the story later drags in parts, and conversations between Addison and side characters become repetitive. The book has 70 chapters, and the author could have easily condensed the novel for a more cohesive and engaging read. On the positive side, there are a large number of pleasing twists, including a few shocking ones at the very end that will require readers to suspend their disbelief. The plot is also filled with red herrings, making the story’s direction very unpredictable. The bottom line: whether you like the abrupt/shocking ending or despise it, you’ll still enjoy the twisty ride getting there!
Overall, What the Wife Knew is a perfect option for fans of domestic and revenge thrillers. The unique storyline, well-developed characters, and multitude of twists showcase the author’s immense talent at creating an immersive and thoroughly entertaining reading experience. Narrators Helen Laser and Andrew Eiden greatly enhance the reading experience with compelling performances of the characters, infused with high emotion and perfectly timed dramatic flair, especially in the dialogue. For readers who enjoy psychological drama, morally grey characters, and stories with twists upon twists, you’ll want to add this book to your immediate reading list!
