Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This is this author’s first book, a good start to a great writing career, with a few tweeks. This book makes you wonder how well you know anyone. Beth’s husband, Tom is late coming home from work, and when she hears someone at the door she assumes it is him, she is surprised to see two detectives and even more surprised that they want to talk with him. The next thing Beth knows, her husband is being questioned as a suspect in the murder of his missing ex-girlfriend, Katie. Beth wants to believe her husband is innocent, but she starts to wonder if he is the person she thinks he is. Her small town seems to rally around her, but she gets whispers that as his wife, she must have known something.

Beth starts to get close to recent widower and leans on him as a friend but is there something between them? We find that Beth may know more than she lets on, and she seems to be concerned for how this all will affect their little girl but then seems to be more concerned with how she is viewed.

This book is told from the viewpoint of Beth, Tom, Katie from the past and a mysterious fourth person who is subject to bdsm sex, this person could be one of the cast of characters in the book or a separate person. The pace of the book slowed down in the middle and would have been better if it had maintained the same pace. All in all, it was a good storyline and an enjoyable read.

Wow, that was a twist I didn't see coming!

A fascinating book following the aftermath of a husband's arrest for murder, as experienced by his wife. As the story develops we start to discover deep, dark secrets. But who knew what, and when? Things are definitely not always as they seem. And when the life you have always wanted is threatened and your future is compromised, what lengths will you go to?

A fabulous read, 5 stars!!

A brilliant plot and well written
Do you really know who you are married to
Had me hooked to the end
Great book
Thanks NetGalley

Beth and Tom seem like a happy couple. However, this facade is shattered when the police show up at their home one day and pick up Tom for questioning in relation to his ex – girlfriend’s murder.

Having read the ‘Stillhouse Lake’ series by Rachel Caine. I had high hopes going into this story. I was curious to see how Beth would react following the revelations about her husband’s true identity. As usual, I was also drawn to the serial killer angle and was curious about Tom’s crimes. However, both Tom and Beth’s stories left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. Maybe my expectations were too high? In addition, I really didn’t like Beth’s character. Her thoughts and actions didn’t make sense to me. Her constant justification of Tom’s crimes was puzzling. All in all, I found her to be quite unlikeable.

The suspense following Tom’s arrest is what kept me turning pages. Was he guilty? Who did he kill? Why? How many bodies were there? I had so many questions. Through Beth’s narration and a few chapters by Tom, the mystery unraveled. The pacing was quite slow at first with no jaw dropping twists but still, some intrigue was maintained.

The final chapters were my favorite due to a twist that I had not anticipated. All in all, this one didn’t meet my expectations but I enjoyed the premise and the ending.

This was a book that I couldn't put down.
I enjoyed the pacing and the characters were good too.
There was a great twist at the end that I wasn't expecting.
And given this ending, I would be really interested in seeing a follow up or sequel to this book.
I'll also be keeping an eye out for what Alice Hunter does next and look forward to reading more from her.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I think I expected more twists in a book categorized as domestic thriller. However, fans of the unreliable narrator trope will love this. It did give me some Gone Girl vibes-both with the narrators and the fact that there are very few likable people in the story!

While most of the story is told from Beth's POV, there are plenty of other flashbacks and such that keep you wondering. While you kind of know the killer from the title, you do wonder will he be convicted? Is there more we don't know about? The mystery really comes from those areas.

I think this was a solid book and I would read more from this author for sure! 3.5 stars!

Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family.

When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst.

But the worst is beyond imagining.

As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.
I was immediately attracted to this book because of its title and the premise was intriguing too!

The plot started off really well. Tom’s flashbacks and the chapters from his ex-girlfriend Katie were some of the interesting parts. However, most part of the book was in Beth’s POV and at times it felt slightly annoying because her actions weren’t quite understandable, and I really couldn’t connect with her.

But the main highlight of this book is the huge plot twist at the end. I didn't see it coming and it made me speechless! And left me wondering if a sequel is on its way…

Overall an excellent debut! Looking forward to read more!

Thank You NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!

The Serial Killers Wife written by Alice Hunter and is her debut novel. We follow the story of the Hardcastle family being Beth, Tom and daughter Poppy. A happy family until one night Tom doesn't come home after work. Beth is starting to get worried but when a knock at the door comes she thinks Tom might have forgotten his keys. But it's not Tom at the front door but the police. They have come to talk to her husband about the disappearance of his ex girlfriend. Tom arrives home and gets taken away for questioning.

Everybody lies and the story unravels telling all. That ending, wow I did not see that one coming! I finished this book in two days, I just wanted to get to the bottom of everything.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books for the advanced copy for an honest review.

The Serial Killer's Wife by Alice Hunter

Beth Hardcastle is a contented woman. She has the perfect life. She has a loving husband in Tom, a beautiful daughter in Poppy and she has her dream job of running a ceramics cafe. She is a valued member of a small community, even thinking of starting up a book club. And then the evening arrives when the police come calling and Tom is absent. They want to speak to Tom in connection with the murder of a former girlfriend who went missing years ago. Beth. When they ask her where Tom is, it’s an easy question to answer. He will be in the office where he often works late. But is he?

The Serial Killer’s Wife has a great premise and is a fun read as we follow Beth Hardcastle’s struggle to face a situation which is entirely out of her control, all under the noses of an enthralled community. The author explores the public and private worlds of a couple, who are now greatly at odds as secrets very slowly emerge. We, the readers, are spectators as Beth attempts to adjust while trying to protect her daughter who, it is clear, does not trust her father. What is it that she knows that Beth doesn’t? There are many questions like this as the world comes to know Beth as a serial killer’s wife.

I think there are pacing issues with the novel. It takes a fair bit of time to find out why the novel has the title it has and it does get rather bogged down in Beth’s obsession with what the other mums will think of her. In fact, that seems to bother her more than the fact that her husband may be a homicidal maniac. This does make her an unsympathetic character, along with most people in the novel, but this is one of those books where that doesn’t matter. We’re not reading this book to like Beth or Tom but to find out what’s going on.

There are also chapters which go back in time and are from the point of view of the missing former girlfriend. I’m not sure these are entirely successful. There are also some very unsavoury scenes but that’s probably just me being prudish! The chapters from Tom’s point of view are, in my opinion, the best in the book.

The Serial Killer’s Wife is a fast and entertaining read, which reminds us that sometimes you think you know someone and maybe you don’t after all.

Solid three stars. I feel the title gave away one of the major twists though. Solid mystery with some interesting twists. Not quite as exciting as I was hoping it would be.

Another average thriller. There was nothing wrong with it and it was well-written and entertaining. Nothing shocking happened and I think the title gives away one of the plot twists, but maybe it's not meant to be one. I would recommend this if you're just getting into thrillers.

What a great debut novel. From the moment I saw the cover and the title, I knew I must read this book ASAP. While I love going blind into most of the thrillers, this description surely sealed the deal.

After seven years of marriage with a perfect life and daughter, everything changes when one morning the police brings the news of her loved husband being investigated for murder.

What follows next is a world wind series of events that kept me engrossed in the story with each chapter.

Trying to protect her daughter and going through the unwanted fame and doubt and accusations of her knowledge about her husband atrocities, I felt so bad for Beth in most of the scenes.

Nothing is as it seems, and everyone has a past and secrets to hide.

Gripping, twisted and fast-paced story that many readers will enjoy.

This was a bit too slow for me I only liked the beginning and the ending. I didn’t see the twist coming so that’s a plus. But the middle part stretched on and on, too much of Beth‘s thoughts 💭 and not enough action.

What a gripping thriller.

This was a very disturbing but good read.

Thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish and could not get enough of.

This is a must read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller!!
Absolutely loved the characters, the plot, the tension -  impossible to put it down.
Certainly recommended!

‘The Serial Killer’s Wife’ is the debut book by Alice Hunter.

Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family. When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst. But the worst is beyond imagining. As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.

A debut novel with a fascinating narrative is exactly how I’d describe this book.

Seen from the narrative of Beth Hardcastle, she’s shocked when her husband is suspected to be involved with a disappearance of a woman from 8 years ago. And the perfect life that they’ve set up outside London is about to come crashing down, when rumours start circulating about him. Interestingly, the story is also seen through the opinion of Tom as he deals with the allegations being held behind bars and the worry of what Beth thinks.

Beth seems quite an interesting character, she’s settled into her new role of mother and owner of a ceramic cafe quite well, but she’s not used to the Yummy Mummy crowd and the judgement they pass at the school gates. She’s a strong woman and refuses to believe that her loving husband would have this side to him and as more stories are revealed, we see her opinion change which makes for gripping reading.

The story is written in the past and present tense from the lead up of the couple meeting whilst Alice has also included a narrative from Kate, the missing woman which I thought was a great addition to the story. This helped put a face and personality to the character instead of just thinking of her as an unknown.

‘The Serial Killer’s Wife’ is a complex psychological thriller that travels at a fast pace and is cleverly crafted with twists and drama throughout.

You can buy ‘The Serial Killer’s Wife’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

I really loved this book, highly recommend listening to the audiobook as the narrator is so good! The book is gripping and fast paced ….. and the ending!!! I was really surprised to find out it the authors debut novel!!

I really liked the fact that this novel told the developing story, mainly from the point of view of the wife of the accused. I also enjoyed the tension-building which ran throughout the writing, slowly helping the story to unfold piece by piece. You feel much like the main characters, impatiently waiting for the phone to ring with updates about the accused, craving the next twist in the storyline. I would definitely read further works by Alice Hunter.

GREAT characterization while keeping the suspense high throughout. Enjoyed totally & RECOMMEND for a different & unique storyline. Thanks to NetGalley & Avon Books UK for this ARC in return for my honest review.

I tried several times to read The serial killers wife. I’m not sure if it was a slow burn or because of the injection it’s based on. But it’s a not for me but am sure others will love it

3 for neutral, will update if able to finish at a later date. Was a bit too slow paced for me and I tried to read on a couple occasions and just couldn’t finish. Will update if able to finish at a later date.