Book Review #145: My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing

 

This is the story of an ordinary married couple with a mysterious history and a dangerously dark secret.

Every description I've read after finishing this story gives something away or leads you to guess things you otherwise wouldn't, so I've kept my description really simple.

I first heard about this book through a YouTube video where I was promised an amazing ending, and that's the only reason I picked it up. But I'm always on the lookout for thrillers so I'm glad I found it!

The first chapter is great. It completely sets the tone for the rest of the book, gives us a real insight into our main character and ends perfectly.

And only after reading this do you truly understand what the book will be about. The premise is such an interesting one.

It was a great idea to put the reader into this character's head. Whether we're supposed to humanise him I don't know, but seeing a story like this from the opposite point of view is really captivating. He's speaking directly to us, keeping us engaged the entire time.

Something else that keeps things interesting is the way the story goes back and forth between the present, and past events. You really get an insight into who these people are, and it makes the story unfold gradually - the pacing is great.

And because of how good the pacing is, the book is a really easy read. Once you pick it up you don't want to put it down, and the more you read, the harder it is to stop.

The characters are interesting, well-created, and complex enough that the story doesn't seem unrealistic. And that's not to say that the entire story is the height of realism, but it's easy to disregard anything a bit too far-fetched because the rest of the story supports the more outlandish parts.

The last third is the best by a mile, mostly because I genuinely didn't expect what happened, which is always the best in a thriller!

Overall, this book is definitely worth a read. I had no idea where it was going and was pleasantly surprised at almost every turn. Read this if you're looking for a unique thriller!

4/5