The Next Wife: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist

Liz Lawler

Nov 2020 · Bookouture

About this ebook

She watched the man help her out of the car. How could he bring this woman here and not change a thing? She wondered if his new wife was going to be safe in this house.

Daniel is everything I ever dreamed of. A handsome, successful doctor who truly swept me off my feet. I can’t wait to get back from our honeymoon and begin our new lives together.

Except, rather than taking us back to our flat, Daniel announces we are moving to a new house in a different city. And when we arrive, the house is fully furnished, with plates in the cupboard, pictures on the walls and new clothes in my closet. It’s like someone already lives here. It seems a bit strange. But I know Daniel is just trying to make sure our new life is perfect, right from the start.

And it is perfect. He’s perfect.

Until one day, Daniel makes a mistake. One that has terrible consequences. And he blames me.

I suddenly don’t recognise the kind, selfless man I fell in love with.

And soon after, an elderly lady I’ve often seen on our street knocks on the door. She tells me that I need to be careful, that I can’t trust my husband.

That I should ask him what happened to his first wife.

Liz Lawler, the true master of psychological suspense, is back with a heart-stopping, dark and twisted story of what really goes on behind closed doors. Fans of Samantha Downing, B A Paris and JP Delaney will be totally enthralled by this completely addictive read.

Readers are gripped by Liz Lawler’s thrillers:

‘This book is a-ma-zing! It grabbed me from the first page and I could barely put it down. Even when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it… Thrilling, compelling and pretty terrifying.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘OMG, this book was bloody fantastic… I was awake half the night reading… A brilliant dark psychological thriller. If I could give it more than five stars I would it was that good.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘The plot was brilliant. Wicked smart… Maybe the best thriller I’ve read all year. So. Damn. Good. Read this book.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Suspense fans, this one’s for you! The mystery begins on page one and doesn’t let up until the very last chapter. I was so hooked.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘OMG absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. Very cleverly written. Had no idea who it was until Liz wanted you to know… This is a must read and I would highly recommend this book. Definitely worth more than 5*.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Devoured this book in a day. I thought that it was gripping, fascinating, slightly terrifying… A great psychological thriller.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘An addictive read… A fantastic novel that will hook you right in and leave you suspecting every single character…Five stars!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A thriller that you will not be able to put down… I could not read fast enough… Top-notch!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Outstanding… Genuinely kept me guessing right up to the big reveal. A 5* book that is highly recommended.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolute must read… It's a cracking page turner.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Once I started I had to keep going to find out what happened… It kept me guessing and turning the pages.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ratings and reviews

Thank you to Net Galley and Liz Lawler for the advanced copy in return for my honest review of this book. Be sure to get a copy – out November 3, 2020! Tess and Daniel met in the OR and had a whirlwind romance that ended them up married just months later. Daniel then surprises Tess by purchasing a mini mansion in the suburbs and uprooting their life from the city. Slowly, Daniel’s demeanor towards Tess begins to change and he becomes controlling, jealous, and overbearing. Tess gets to a point where she is worried for her safety and realizes she needs to start making decisions about her future before it’s too late. This was such a great read! I could not put this down and really enjoyed it from start to finish. I felt for Tess and was so frustrated by Daniel. I legitimately gasped out loud when I found out who was keeping an eye on Tess all along. Go out and get this book! You will not regret it!

The Next Wife is a very dark and twisted read and one that had me glued to my Kindle until the early hours. The opening is shocking, intense, chilling, suspenseful and sets up the tone for the rest of the story. It definitely caught my attention that’s for sure. In a market were we are spoiled for choice with these types of stories, I did enjoy Liz Lawler’s spin on it. It is never easy reading books that deal with such hard hitting issues, such a physical violence, verbal abuse and rape, but Liz Lawler does a great job of being sensitive to these, but also does not gloss over the seriousness of it. I have never detested and despised a character more than Dr. Daniel Meyers! I am not a violent person in any way, but this guy did have me wanting to reach into the Kindle and slap him one! He was just pure evil and to Liz Lawler’s credit, has been perfectly created and written as the villain for you to have these feelings. The Next Wife is a slow burn to begin with as the foundation is laid, but it does gain momentum along the way, making for a more thrilling second half. There are twist and turns aplenty, as shocking revelations are brought to the surface and with an outcome I didn’t expect, makes for a very gripping read. This is the first book I have read from Liz Lawler and it won’t be my last. I enjoyed her style and how she was able to keep my attention throughout. She sure knows how to spin a tale and I look forward to reading what she comes out with next.

Tess and Daniel marry after a whirlwind romance. Not two weeks later, Tess is ruing the day she met him. What has changed .. .and why? He starts by criticizing her clothes, her shoes, her make-up. Then he buys her clothes that would suit a frumpy elderly woman. When he takes his phone and her her credit cards, and locks her in her room, she's decided she's had enough.... but now she discovers that she is pregnant. OK.. so maybe she'll stay and hope things get better, Until ... an elderly neighbor stops by and tells her she shouldn't trust her husband and suggests she ask Daniel what happened to his first wife. First wife? What first wife? Where is she? This is a psychological thriller that has been done numerous times. It is well-written, with a few surprises here and there. The characters are deftly drawn, but Daniel was over the top and Tess was a bit too wishy-washy. The ending made the read worth while .. it was unexpected, surprising. Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.