Joelle Egan
The inscrutable Lila Ridgefield is uncharacteristically furious with her husband when she gets a glimpse of his secret life in Pretty Little Wife by Darby Kane. Kane is a pseudonym for a well-established romance author, but there is little sentiment to be found in this departure toward domestic thrillers. Lila is cold, clever and resourceful. Her character has been formed from a traumatic past that molded her into a pragmatic creature who makes decisions based on calculation rather than emotion. Even her marriage is one of convenience and functions by the maintenance of respectful distance. It is an arrangement that suits her needs, but Lila soon discovers how it also serves her husband, Aaron, as well. Their lack of connection allows him to engage in some heinous activities while maintaining the facade of a perfect husband and teacher. When Aaron goes missing, Lila is naturally the prime suspect. She is baffled as well, since she thought she had set up the perfect suicide scene for him when she killed him. This is all revealed at the start of the novel, which then pivots to the mystery of Aaron’s whereabouts and the clues left behind in taunting messages left for Lila. Ginny is the detective assigned to the case, and she is not fooled by Lila’s demeanor and unflappability. As a former lawyer, Lila knows and manipulates the system well, but Ginny uses her instincts to bore through Lila’s story. As Aarons misdeeds are exposed, his brother (Jared) and Lila’s former colleague (Tobias) come to protect Lila, but this is a woman who does not need rescuing. Hitting on themes of misogyny, teen exploitation, sociopathic tendencies and vigilantism, Pretty Little Wife takes a decidedly feminist view. While its male characters are either ineffectual or banally inhuman, the female characters are finely tuned and nuanced. Lila is someone who should wisely be both admired and feared, and Ginny is her match in intelligence and provides ethical insight and perspective. Kane has done an admirable job here, producing a novel of suspense that is nicely paced and unpredictable. Her existing followers and new admirers will also be glad to know that she has another upcoming novel, The Replacement Wife, expected to release by the end of 2021. Thanks to the author,William Morrow and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.
Sherry Rehbock
A debut thriller from a romance writer. Not a bad start to a new genre. Lila is no longer content in her marriage. Her husband is controlling and now he is missing. It isn’t like Aaron to skip work without notifying anyone. Ginny, the detective assigned to the missing person’s case, is trying hard to find out what happened. The book pays a little homage to Gone Girl, and while I didn’t really like any of the characters, I didn’t despise them. As the facts slowly unwound, I was surprised more than once and I’m the one who usually figures out the mystery. A solid twisty mystery that I’d highly recommend.
8 people found this review helpful
Shari Bartholomew
The hunt is on, in more than one way. Lila was the last to see her dead husband, at least she thought he was dead. Aaron was a beloved high school teacher in their small quaint town, so everyone is shocked that he is missing. Add in the disappearance of three missing women is the last three years. Both Lila and Aaron have not had the ideal upbringing, no marriage is perfect but it works for them until now. This is a debut book by Darby Kane that is fascinating but will give you goosebumps with all of the twists and turns with a shocking ending. I read this book in one way, I could not put it down. Highly recommend if you like domestic thrillers!!
2 people found this review helpful
