Today I'm delighted to be sharing my thoughts on His Wife's Secret by Susan Willis. One of several bloggers to be participating in this Book Tour capably organised by Rachel's Random Resources, you can find the links to the other blogs below. |
| ISBN 978-1671068759 |
When David meets old school-friend, Erin again he falls head over heels in love. He leaves his wife and their sixteen-year-old daughter to marry Erin. But, in a small village people have long memories and they move south for a fresh beginning. Erin’s behaviour starts to change in a very strange way and David wonders if she is punishing him for something he’s done?
- Back Cover Blurb
What man in his right mind could resist her?
- First Sentence {Chapter One}
I stare after her and let out the breath I didn't realise I was holding in. I rub the back of my left leg which is still stinging and shake my head. What the hell is going on? This isn't just fun and games anymore. I grimace and look in the small shaving mirror. This has gone way beyond normal teasing and messing around.
- Memorable Moment {Page 114}
MY THOUGHTS ... Just why is David's wife Eric behaving so inexplicably all of a sudden? Just what is it in the diary that is the catalyst that sees her becoming ever more aggressive? Ten out of ten to the author for slowly luring us in as bit by bit the suspense grows and his wife's secret is revealed.
A story that all too often sees the male in the relationship as the abuser, it made for a refreshing change to here see the woman as the perpetrator in a society which has so many preconceptions (most of them incorrect) about the nature of Domestic Violence.
An outsider peeking in on their relationship, the story told from both perspectives. I can't say I actually liked either of them but wow! David's pain (his emotional distress as much as his physical) and Erin's growing paranoia palpable, both of them (to say nothing of the supporting cast) made for wonderfully memorable characters.
SUMMED UP IN A SENTENCE ... A great exploration of when a 'playful' slap is the start of something much more sinister. Though His Wife's Secret is not always a comfortable read its a compelling one.
A story that all too often sees the male in the relationship as the abuser, it made for a refreshing change to here see the woman as the perpetrator in a society which has so many preconceptions (most of them incorrect) about the nature of Domestic Violence.
An outsider peeking in on their relationship, the story told from both perspectives. I can't say I actually liked either of them but wow! David's pain (his emotional distress as much as his physical) and Erin's growing paranoia palpable, both of them (to say nothing of the supporting cast) made for wonderfully memorable characters.
SUMMED UP IN A SENTENCE ... A great exploration of when a 'playful' slap is the start of something much more sinister. Though His Wife's Secret is not always a comfortable read its a compelling one.
SOURCE ... Received with thanks from Rachel @ Rachel's Random Resources.
ABOUT THE BOOK ...
Genre: Women’s Fiction / Psychological SuspensePublication Date: 4th December 2020
Standalone Novel
Potential Trigger Warnings - Domestic abuse but from a woman to a man
Susan Willis is a published author of four novels and five novellas. She lives in Co-Durham surrounded by a big family and dear friends. Susan works as a food technologist developing new recipes and weaves the different aspects of her job into stories.
Her last two novels are psychological suspense. Readers who have left reviews on amazon love the books because they are realistic with everyday people in situations that can happen.
She has a collection of Fun-Size Tales of Love & Family which are available in Ebook and paperback.
Susan is now writing Cozy Crime Short Reads and incorporating up to date issues of poor mental health in a kidnap scene, the perils of social media, and an intruder on Skype. Nest year she hopes to publish these stories into a collection.
FOLLOW SUSAN ...
www.susanwillis.co.uk
FaceBook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram
BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE ...
1st February
The Book Magnet
Tizi’s Book Review
Splashes Into Books
Mai's Musings
Ally’s Reading Corner
2nd February
donnasbookblog
Little Miss Book Lover 87
The Magic Of Wor(l)ds
Cheryl M-M's Book Blog
Joyful Antidotes
3rd February
Nicki`sLifeOfCrime
Jazzy Book Reviews
The Divine Write
Just Books
Jan's Book Buzz
4th February
headinabook18
Being Anne
Jessica Belmont
Dash Fan Book Reviews
Where The Reader Grows
5th February
Felicity Grace Terry
B for bookreview
Babydolls and razorblades
Ellesea Loves Reading
On The Shelf Reviews
7 comments:
Agreed, generally this sorta story is told with opposite roles, but in reality, that's not always the case.
I would probably be put off this one by the cover, but having read your full review.... well, I might find it interesting. I'll keep my eyes open for it.
Hi Felicity,
I agree with Kelly about the book's cover, it kind of makes Erin look like a high class hooker! - unless that is what the twist in the storyline is, of course?
There is nothing being given away in the premise and I don't want to trawl the reviews in case too much is revealed and I decide to read it for myself - as usual, you do an excellent job of writing a review which keeps the reader guessing!
Female on male domestic abuse, is much more common than you might think, take that from someone who has the inside take on some of the statistics! Mind you, when you listen to the way some women bawl and shout and behave generally in public, it shouldn't really come as too much of a surprise!
Thanks for sharing, I'm still making up my mind about reading the book for myself :)
Yvonne
xx
Interesting twist on domestic abuse.
I never read Gone Girl but I have seen the movie. This sounds a little like that.
Felicity,
I agree with Kelly and Yvonne
about the cover. But from what
you said in your excellent review,
this sounds like a very compelling
take on domestic violence and abuse.
I will definitely keep it in mind.
Raven
very interesting. i love the author did a role reversal. abuse comes in all shapes and forms and women do their fair share of being the 'bad guy'
sherry @ fundinmental
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