Genre: Mystery Suspense
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: April 14, 2020
Purchase Link: Amazon
My Rating: 4 Suspicious Hearts
Many thanks to the publisher for an arc of this book via Netgalley.
Synopsis:
Just because you love someone doesn't mean you know them.
Nina Garrity learned that the hard way after discovering that her missing husband, Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman. But Glen's gone--presumably drowned while fishing on his boat--so she can't confront him about the affair or any of his other misdeeds. A year and a half after the accident, Nina considers herself a widow, even though the police never found a body. Following a chance encounter with Simon Fitch, a teacher from her daughter Maggie's middle school, Nina finds love again and has hopes of putting her shattered life back together.
Simon, a widower still grieving the suicide of his first wife, has found his dream girl in Nina. His charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by betrayal. Nina's teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes his dad could have been, but Maggie sees a far darker side to this new man in their lives. Even Nina's good friends wonder if Simon is supremely devoted-or dangerously possessive.
But Nina is committed, not only to her soon-to-be new husband but also to resuming her former career as a social worker. Before she can move forward, however, Nina must first clear her conscience that she's not making another terrible choice in a man. In doing so, she will uncover the shocking truth: the greatest danger to her, and her children, are the lies people tell themselves.
Review:
An early morning fisherman discovers an abandoned boat adrift with only a barking dog onboard and blood all over the deck. What happened to the missing owner? Hours later, police knock on Nina Garrity's door to return her dog and inform her that her husband Glen is missing. An intense search is conducted, but a body is never found. Glen Garrity disappeared without a trace. Two years later, Nina has moved on with Simon, presuming her husband is dead or more likely - given the shocking revelations she uncovered after he went missing - he's living a secret life. Nina's confidence is badly shaken after uncovering her husband's lies and indiscretions, but the new man in her life, home, and bed constantly reassures her that she's almost perfect. Nina's children, Connor and Maggie, have different opinions of their soon-to-be stepfather with Connor embracing him while Maggie suspects him of being a monster in disguise. She is convinced her dad is alive and will return to their family so she seizes every opportunity to antagonize and investigate Simon producing a never-ending explosive atmosphere in their home. Simon is pressing Nina to set a wedding date, but before she fully commits to him she needs to be sure he's what he appears to be . . . the perfect man. She can't afford to let a man make a fool of her again.
The New Husband is a menacing, atmospheric psychological thriller that radiates creepy vibes. The story is told through Nina and Maggie's point of view for the most part until later when another point of view is revealed. This is an extremely hard story to talk about without divulging spoilers which would be a shame as the plot depends heavily on readers experiencing this story as it unfolds. The author sets a sinister tone in the first few pages - a sense of impending doom that multiplies as suspicions and doubts ferment. It's left up to the reader to work through the manipulation and deceit to figure out who's telling the truth and who's lying. After the lightening intro to the story, the pace slows down a bit only to increase again in the second half as the story takes an unexpected turn, and readers discover a big, missing piece of the mystery. One might expect having this information would lessen the intensity of the rest of the story, but instead it escalates everything as the stakes are raised and the sense of urgency and imminent danger become frantic.
The New Husband is a story of obsession, deceit, suspicion and lies. It's a story of recognition, acceptance and acknowledgement that the lies we tell ourselves - the ones we choose to believe - are the biggest threat to us and our loved ones. While the story stretches the boundaries of believability a time or two, I think fans of mystery, suspense, and psychological thrillers will love this book! Highly recommended!
My Rating: 4 Suspicious Hearts
An early morning fisherman discovers an abandoned boat adrift with only a barking dog onboard and blood all over the deck. What happened to the missing owner? Hours later, police knock on Nina Garrity's door to return her dog and inform her that her husband Glen is missing. An intense search is conducted, but a body is never found. Glen Garrity disappeared without a trace. Two years later, Nina has moved on with Simon, presuming her husband is dead or more likely - given the shocking revelations she uncovered after he went missing - he's living a secret life. Nina's confidence is badly shaken after uncovering her husband's lies and indiscretions, but the new man in her life, home, and bed constantly reassures her that she's almost perfect. Nina's children, Connor and Maggie, have different opinions of their soon-to-be stepfather with Connor embracing him while Maggie suspects him of being a monster in disguise. She is convinced her dad is alive and will return to their family so she seizes every opportunity to antagonize and investigate Simon producing a never-ending explosive atmosphere in their home. Simon is pressing Nina to set a wedding date, but before she fully commits to him she needs to be sure he's what he appears to be . . . the perfect man. She can't afford to let a man make a fool of her again.
The New Husband is a menacing, atmospheric psychological thriller that radiates creepy vibes. The story is told through Nina and Maggie's point of view for the most part until later when another point of view is revealed. This is an extremely hard story to talk about without divulging spoilers which would be a shame as the plot depends heavily on readers experiencing this story as it unfolds. The author sets a sinister tone in the first few pages - a sense of impending doom that multiplies as suspicions and doubts ferment. It's left up to the reader to work through the manipulation and deceit to figure out who's telling the truth and who's lying. After the lightening intro to the story, the pace slows down a bit only to increase again in the second half as the story takes an unexpected turn, and readers discover a big, missing piece of the mystery. One might expect having this information would lessen the intensity of the rest of the story, but instead it escalates everything as the stakes are raised and the sense of urgency and imminent danger become frantic.
The New Husband is a story of obsession, deceit, suspicion and lies. It's a story of recognition, acceptance and acknowledgement that the lies we tell ourselves - the ones we choose to believe - are the biggest threat to us and our loved ones. While the story stretches the boundaries of believability a time or two, I think fans of mystery, suspense, and psychological thrillers will love this book! Highly recommended!
My Rating: 4 Suspicious Hearts
Cross My Heart . . . xxx
♥Sandra♥
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