I have read another book by this author, so I knew I was in for a good ride. And boy, was I right! "What the Wife Knew" by Darby Kan is a twisty family drama that won't let you even consider putting the book down.
The book follows Addison, who married Dr. Richmond Dougherty, a renowned pediatric surgeon, for her own agenda. The story takes place in Rye, New York. Pretty soon, the reader becomes aware that their marriage is a sham, and the reasons appear as the story unfolds. Dr. Richmond Dougherty is considered a hero due to an infamous childhood tragedy. When he is found suddenly dead, the town suspects Addison is the one who killed him, and she becomes the town pariah.
The first wife does her best to encourage the rumors about Addison and to kick her out of town. The irony is Addison did intend to kill Dr. Dougherty, but someone beat her to the punch. Or so she claims... The plot thickens as Richmond’s legacy starts to unravel, causing upheaval in the lives of the people around him. Dr. Richmond Dougherty was a narcissistic, deceitful, infidel, controlling man with many skeletons in his closet, and someone will go to any lengths to conceal it, even murder.
The story is told in the first person and alternates between the perspectives of the two main characters, Addison and Richmond, with flashbacks to the past. The more we learn about Addison's history and her toxic relationship with her mother, the more I felt for her and liked her, though she was irritating at times. I am not convinced she couldn't have made other choices, contrary to what she claims, but that is neither here nor there.
The author managed to explore the reach and power of dysfunctional family and mother-daughter relationships without losing the edge of the thriller. It is a revenge story unlike any you've seen, and one you must read to find out more about. I liked the dynamics between the characters and the cynical retorts of the heroine. The tension was palpable from the first page until the conclusion of the book.
The story is captivating, thrilling, and totally engrossing. It could have been tightened up a bit, especially the chapters from Richmond's perspective, but it didn't hurt my enjoyment of the book. The combination of unexpected plot twists, colorful characters, and a twisty ending has made this book a really enjoyable read for me. I loved the book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys revenge tales with a bite.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* For more info about the book: "What the Wife Knew" by Darby Kane
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