One of my go-to authors, Sue Watson never fails to disappoint. And her new domestic/psychological thriller is something of a game changer in that it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. For one, I could at least tolerate all the characters...lol...when in the past, Sue has had a knack for creating just one entirely annoying character that just gets right under my skin from the get-go. In THE NEW WIFE, while some characters were distasteful, none of them riled me as some of her past ones have...thankfully. Which made reading a far more pleasureable experience than spending half the time wanting to throttle one of them!

Single parent Georgie has raised her son Sam alone after she left his abusive father and turbulent marriage behind. For over twenty years, Sam has been the entire focus of her world. But now he is a grown man and at 26, is marrying his childhood sweetheart, Lauren, and Georgie couldn't be happier. Georgie relives the moment the two children met on their first day of nursery school at just 3 years old when, after a tantrum at the prospect of being left, Lauren is silenced by a young Sam telling her to "stop making that noise". He then offers her his outstretched hand and leads her to the corner to play where the two children remained for the rest of the day. It is a memory that is often relived, and often embellished, with the passing years. And over the years the two families have grown closer and become one big happy family - affectionately referred to as "the Jackmoores" with the combining of their surnames Jackson and Moore. Georgie reflects on past memories and realises that sometimes people do get their happily ever after.

But then the dream becomes a nightmare when three months later Sam calls Georgie in the middle of the night with the devastating news that Lauren is dead. As George arrives at the isolated cottage on Dartmoor, the blue lights of police cars illuminate the night as she enters to find a distraught Sam being questioned by the officers. But not before she catches a glimpse of Lauren laying lifeless at the bottom of the beautiful spiral staircase they had so loved made from marble, blood oozing from her head. It is an image that she will never forget.

Then when Sam is later arrested for his wife's murder, Georgie makes an attempt to band the family together and fight for his innocence. But it seems she has underestimated her best friend. Helen is in no mood to protest Sam's innocence when she is convinced of his guilt! Georgie is shocked to discover Helen actually believes this and no amount of talking to her will bring her round. In fact, every attempt she makes just falls on deaf ears I don't know why she just didn't give up. Helen was grieving the loss of her daughter and wanted no part in Georgie's fight for the man she believed killed her. So instead, Helen drowned her sorrows in "mother's ruination"...gin minus the tonic. And it seemed Helen would listen to no one. Not even her devoted husband Tim who did his best to protect her.

But Georgie wasn't about to give up. She began her own investigations into Lauren's murder...questioning Sam in prison and Lauren's best friend Sadie...in an attempt to find something, anything that will provide even an ounce of reasonable doubt of Sam's guilt. But it seems of all those who knew the couple may believe in his innocence, no one else was willing to stand up and speak on his behalf. Georgie thought she could count on Tim but he was busy juggling an angry drunk Helen.

Just when Georgie thought she couldn't count on anyone else, help comes from an unlikely source which provides a different aspect to Lauren's death. But is it enough to free Sam? And can Georgie uncover the truth before it's too late? And what will happen when she finally does? Is Georgie prepared to learn the truth about the family she thought she knew and the secrets they all kept? But with all secrets comes lies and oh, what a tangled web was woven!

THE NEW WIFE is an intriguing thriller which will keep you guessing right up till the end? Can you guess correctly? I tossed a few suspects about before settling on one which proved to be correct.

This clever whodunnit style of domestic thriller is a little different to some of Sue's previous ones but it was a thrilling read all the same. Even though none of the characters were particularly likeable none were overly irritating either. But there was just enough of "something" to make me not like pretty much all of them. And everyone is hiding something...but what exactly?

A fast paced read, THE NEW WIFE is told solely from Georgie's perspective as she fights to clear her son's name and prove him innocent of the crime for which he's been charged. Throughout the story, Georgie is left to fight Sam's corner alone despite the camaraderie the two families shared up to this point, so it makes sense that she is the sole narrator. And you can feel her desperation, helplessness and sense of aloneness throughout.

Overall, THE NEW WIFE is a quick thrilling read that will keep you guessing and entertained throughout. Perfect for fans of Shalini Boland and K.L. Slater.

I would like to thank #SueWatson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheNewWife in exchange for an honest review.

The New Wife is a very twisty psychological thriller that I enjoyed.
Georgie is a single mother to Sam, it’s a happy day as he is marrying Lauren his childhood sweetheart and lifelong friend. Unfortunately the happiness doesn’t last long as Georgie gets a phone call in the middle of the night from Sam saying he’s just got home to their house in the middle of nowhere to find Lauren dead at the bottom of the stairs. Georgie goes into mother mode as Sam is arrested and charged with Lauren’s murder and she will do everything she can to prove his innocence.
This was a very twisty read and i didn’t guess the murderer even though I did get close and i did have a few thoughts in that direction. This was a good thriller that had me getting to the end as quick as I could. Another good read by Sue Watson and wonder where the next read will take me.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love Sue Watson׳s novels and this domestic thriller was an absolute delight for me, as a mystery lover. The loving mother, the son and the new daughter in law become embroiled in a difficult relationship, leading to unexpected and catastrophic results.

This author never disappoints and this book will grab your attention from the very beginning you will find it hard to put down! Every time I thought I had it figured out who dunnit, I was completely wrong!!!! There are so many twists and turns it will almost make you feel like your on a rollercoaster. The cherry on the cake though is the ending. I loved this book and anyone who likes this genre is going to feel the exact same way I did.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of "The New Wife" in exchange for my honest review.

This is a brilliant psychological thriller. Sam finally marries his childhood sweetheart Lauren and weeks later she is dead. As Sam is questioned by the police, his mother feels that he is hiding something. As a mother she sets out to prove that her son is innocent and finds that her new daughter-in-law was hiding a secret. How well do we truly now each other?

Sam and Lauren are getting married! They've known each other since they were both toddlers and both Sam's mom and Lauren's parents are thrilled. It's like one huge blended family.

But just three months after the ceremony, Lauren is dead ... lying at the bottom of a staircase. An accidental fall? Suicide? Murder?

The evidence gathered by the police reveal she was intentionally pushed. And as her husband, Sam is the prime suspect. And when he's arrested for her murder, Georgie, his mom, swears to clear his name.

What Georgie finds is that Lauren's parents believe that Sam killed their daughter. Sam has been acting suspiciously and refusing to talk to his mother. It seems like everyone has secrets .. or protecting someone who does. Even Lauren was keeping secrets before she died.

The suspense starts with Lauren's death and intensifies with each page. There are lots of suspects amid the grieving parents on both sides. Character development reveals all involved as believable and emotional. This was a hard one to put down for any length of time. There are twists leading first this way and then the other.. always leading to the surprising conclusion.

Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

I like Sue Watson a lot. I feel like this fell into the normal range of her work. It was engaging and a good thriller with twists and turns.

Thank you to bookouture, Sue Watson, and Netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. This was an awesome read. This is the second book I’ve listened/read of hers and it will not be my last! 🌟🌟🌟🌟 solid stars from me!

Sam and Lauren have just gotten married; they've known each other since they were 3 years old. It was bound to happen, but 3 months into marriage the honeymoon period is quickly over and Lauren is found dead at the bottom of the stairs. Sam is to be charged with murder, but his mother knows he is innocent.
Whilst Georgie proves her son is not guilty family secrets are uncovered, but will things ever be the same again?

This novel is captivating and intriguing from the start; told from the POV of Georgie.

Watson keeps the reader in suspense, dropping little bombshells along the way; while also misleading us.

I did work part of this out but I wasn't sure until the very end. Watson is a great author and one I will be looking out for again.

This book was very slow to my liking. Unfortunately, I had to DNF if. But I hope to pick it up soon when I'm in the mood for a slow-paced psychological thriller.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sue Watson never disappoints!! This book will grab you from the very beginning and never let go. Every time I thought I had it figured out I didn't. There are so many twists and turns it will almost make you dizzy! The icing on the cake though is the ending. I love this book and anyone who likes this genre is going to feel the same.

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. This book was absolutely amazing and had twists until the very last sentence. When you can read a thriller and keep guessing until the very end, you know that it is a good book.
Lauren and Sam grew up together and their families spent holidays and vacations and so much time together. Lauren and Sam get married and tragedy soon hits.
This story really makes you realize that you really don't know the people closest to you at times.

I enjoyed this book but did not enjoy the main character, Georgie. Georgie is mom to 26 year old Sam who marries his high school sweetheart, Lauren. She thinks everything is rainbows and butterflies- she is best friends with Lauren's family and both Sam and Lauren are successful young adults. A few months after the wedding, Lauren turns up dead and this causes Georgie to question if she really knows those who are closest to her as much as she thought she did.

The story itself is a good mystery- there are multiple potential culprits from which to choose and I found myself falling for some of the red herrings. I had an inkling of what might really be going on, and I was somewhat right but the real culmination of the story was much more complex (and interesting)., Some said the booked dragged at times but I didn't really feel that way, other than Georgie's constant inner monologue about how amazing her son and/or friendships were.

Now on to Georgie- I just didn't like her. She came off as naïve and self-absorbed and was judgmental of almost everyone around her- she grated on me throughout the book. I think the story would have still been a good story if she had acted differently than she did. I also thought that Helen came across as somewhat of a caricature and not a real person, but maybe I read too deeply into that.

Overall, I liked the book but would have liked it more if I had liked the main character more- I would rate a 3.5 instead of 4 for this reason. I still think its worth a read, though- anything with good twists wins me over! Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I always enjoy Watson’s work and this one was no different! Written in her signature style, while fantastic character development! Engaging, full of tension, fast paced, and fun! Lots of twisty turns, gave me a bit of whip lash! Cannot recommend enough!

This book started off well but it dragged on a lot in the middle and lost my attention. I also really disliked the main character and found her irritating with her constant criticism of everyone. It had a good ending which I felt pulled it back.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Thanks to #netgalley and #bookouture for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. Another compelling thriller read from Sue Watson. I was hooked on the cast of characters and the plot from the first chapter. Sam and Lauren childhood sweethearts marry and move to a remove house in the country with a gorgeous marble staircase. Not long after their wedding Lauren is found dead at the bottom of the stairs, did she fall or was she pushed?! Sue takes us on a twisty path where we come up with several suspects along the way ....with some breath taking reveals along the way this book will have you wondering just how well you know your partner, your best friends and your family members. #suewatson #thenewwife#netgalley #bookouture #tea_sipping_bookworm #litsy #amazonkindle #goodreads #thestorygraph #bookqueen #bookstagram #thriller

This was good! I couldn't wait to read more of it. I didnt figure out who was the real killer of Lauren, usually I can always figure it out.

Sam and Lauren were destined to be together! Meeting as very small children they were a love to last. Sam’s mum, Georgie, and Lauren’s parents, Tim and Helen, all make a happy family until tragedy strikes and the family are torn apart. Was Lauren’s death an accident or something more sinister? So many people seem to have secrets will the truth ever come out?
As a massive fan of Sue’s books I was so excited to read this and the twists keep coming. Sue is the queen of keeping you hooked!
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Another great story from this talented author. Lots of twists keep the reader gripped. I thought I had it sussed but I was wrong. And there is an unexpected final twist right at the end. Great book and highly recommended

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This was an interesting and enjoyable read, but while the tension was high, at some points the story felt a little slow.