Shocking, gripping, and hard to put down, The Housewife's Secret is a great addition to the Detective Dan Riley series. Another plus of this book is that it can easily be read as a stand-alone book! Gotta love that! The author, Anna-Lou Weatherley, kept me on my toes and turning the pages as I was fully invested in this book from the very beginning. Just when I thought I had this book, figured out, there was another twist thrown into the mix! I love it when that happens.


Darcie is happily married to her handsome and charming husband, Dr. Gabe Bonneville. She loves making their home inviting and throws delicious and delightful dinner parties with their friends. But Darcie is keeping a secret about her past and mother and it’s a whopper! She hopes Gage never finds out about her past or the therapist she is seeing.

But someone knows!!!

During one of their dinner parties, Darcie receives a letter letting her know that she has been found! The next morning, she takes her dog for a walk and disappears. Detective Dan Riley will soon be on the case!

I loved how the book was told through the current time and the time in the past. I also enjoyed the therapy sessions as well. Very nice touch. As the book progresses, readers get a clearer picture of Darcie and her past life. Secrets are the name of the game in this book. Many characters in this book have them. As Dan begins to investigate, it becomes crystal clear that even those close to Darcie know next to nothing about her life. Finding her might be near to impossible!

I loved the many mysteries in this book. Who was Darcie? Why did someone leave her a note letting her know that she had been found? Was she kidnapped? Did she plan her disappearance? Who would want to take her? Will she be found in time?

While this book isn't long in length, it does pack quite the punch. I found The Housewife's Secret to be a well thought out and well written book. With the investigation underway, there is never any down time in this book. I could feel the questions swirling through Detective Dan's mind as he conducted his investigation. I could feel the fear and worry seeping from the pores of Darcie's husband, Gabe. I felt myself being worried for Darcie as well as more was revealed about her.

This proved to be a suspenseful fast paced read for me. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series. Again, if you have not read the other books in the series, this works brilliantly as a stand-alone.

Gripping, shocking, suspenseful, and well thought out!

A gripping mystery filled with twists that keep you turning pages. The pacing is great as secrets get uncovered across several timelines. There's lots of intrigue that will keep you guessing!

The characters are complex and well-drawn creating a great atmosphere and keeping you engaged.

I've downloaded the other books from this series!

Thank you to Bookouture & NetGalley, for approving me to read this ARC.

4.5 rounding up!

"Memories are simply interpretations of what one believes they have seen and experienced. Sometimes, like old paint, it's not always best to stir them."

This immersive and well-written nature of the story has truly hooked me. Despite being the seventh book in the series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone. After this intense experience, I am eager to go back and read the first six books.

Are people born bad or mad, or do they become that way through the things they see and hear, through their life experiences? Do we all have predilections towards certain things, certain behaviors and traits when we're hone that we can't foresee - no options or choices? IS what we are and what we become in our DNA simply preordained no matter what?

The use of multiple points of view and timelines created a suspenseful atmosphere that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Full of unexpected twists and turns, this book held my attention and I couldn't put it down until I discovered how it would all unfold.

I adored this book and the intrigue and mysterious atmosphere it created. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrilling narratives filled with surprises.

I would like to express my gratitude to Bookouture & NetGalley for granting me access to this advanced reading copy and allowing me to share my thoughts

The perfect woman...the deadliest past...

I just love the Dan Riley series! Although I have yet to read the first couple of books, I've read every other since and have loved them all. I love Anna-Lou's style of incorporating the investigation with the rest of the story so that we're not all bogged down with procedural. She keeps that nice balance of both that keeps you coming back for more. And in doing so, each book can then be read as a standalone.

The reader is drawn in from the very beginning in the prologue leaving us wondering how it factors into the bigger picture...when it fact it is just a small part of the greater tapestry that it is to become.

Darcie Bonneville has the perfect life married to the perfect man, cardiac consultant Dr Gabe Bonneville, and they live in a beautiful and illustrious apartment in an affluent part of London. One morning she takes her dog for a walk and never returns home. The dog, however, does. And her husband arrives home to find the dog alone on the step but no sign of his wife.

DCI Dan Riley is on leave. Or about to go on leave. His wife Fiona has their bags all packed and the children ready...all they are waiting on is Dan to come home and they can leave for their holiday by the seaside. But then Dan's superior calls him in and alerts him to a missing woman whilst assuring him that they have it all under control. To go, enjoy his holiday and come back refreshed. But something niggles at Dan...and he knows he can't ignore his instinct. That being said, Dan has seven days to solve this case or his wife holds the threat of divorce over him.

Digging deeper into Darcie's life, Dan wonders whether her recent notoriety in saving a toddler's life has something to do with her disappearance now. But the deeper he digs, the more he discovers that no one really knows a lot about Darcie Bonneville...not even her husband. The woman has seemingly no past, no social media presence, no digital footprint. So what secrets does this housewife have that she doesn't want her husband to find out? And what secrets are they to have brought danger to otherwise perfect life?

This thrilling mystery keeps the reader enthralled from the very first page, immersing you in Darcie's life and what lead to her disappearance. Told in alternating chapters between the past and the present, Darcie's story gradually unfolds and leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew.

I wasn't overly surprised by the direction it took or the outcome because I must have had Dan's instinct telling me something was up from the get-go. But although I had it figured out, even down to the climatic twist that Dan unravelled, it didn't ruin my enjoyment of it at all. Half the fun is figuring it out and spotting the clues. And I kept my eyes peeled throughout.

I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in one sitting. Can't wait to see what's in store next for Riley and his team. Although, I do love that this is a psychological thriller first and police procedural second. My favourite kind.

I would like to thank #AnnaLouWeatherley, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheHousesSecret in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this book, with my honest review below*

I can’t gush enough about this great book. I haven’t read the other book in the series, and although it may have enriched my enjoyment, I don’t think I missed out by not having done so. This was tense with a very rich backstory and great build up. Darcie had an incredibly tragic past, and I enjoyed how her past was presented alongside the build up of current events. I didn’t realize from the blurb the kind of mystery this would focus on, but I loved the immediate conflict being introduced and the ‘who dunnit’ that followed.

DCI Dan Riley was absolutely phenomenal and I can’t wait to see how the first book unfolded and what comes next!

Thank you again for the ARC, Bookouture. It is much appreciated and I enjoyed the read and the opportunity to share my feedback.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Housewife’s Secret by Anna-Lou Weatherly due to be released January 12, 2024.
Darcie’s (Darcie with an “ie”, not a “y”) is trying to make the perfect house for her husband, Dr. Gabe Bonneville. Darcie wants to have the family she always dreamed of with Gabe.
But she is hiding secrets from Gabe! She hasn’t told him about who raised her or what dark things she tells only to her therapist. They haven’t bothered to question each other’s pasts. So, Darcie continues to throw dinner parties with Gabe’s friends, Hugh and Anita. She also secretly watches the way Anita looks at her husband.
Everything changes the day the mysterious handwritten note comes in the mail through the front door mail slot.
The Housewife’s Secret had me hooked from the Prologue! The story travels from past to present – from Darcie’s childhood to her visits with the therapist, to the present day. This method always keeps you hanging to see what happens next. And it didn’t disappoint! It kept me interested and guessing to see who knew what and who wasn’t who I thought they were.
I didn’t realize this was one of a series of books – I will definitely read more of them!
#netgalley #Anna-LouWeatherly #bookouture

A fast paced thriller that is non stop, from the first chapter to the very last.

Darcie has it all. Money in the bank, a handsome, devoted husband, a beautiful house and the promise of a family on the horizon. She is the happiest she has ever been. So when she goes missing early one morning no one is more shocked than her husband, Dr Gabe Bonneville.

Darcie leaves home one morning to walk her dog as usual, whilst Gabe goes off to play golf, but what isn’t usual is that the little dog is sat waiting by their front door, missing her lead and her owner.

When Darcie fails to return home Gabe immediately phones the police to report his wife missing. She would never leave her dog, no matter what and there is no reason for her to not return home. Is there?

With the discovery of a crumpled note in the waste paper bin is discovered, addressed simply to Darcie and containing just two words, ‘FOUND YOU’ the missing persons case soon escalates to an abduction case.

But who and why would someone want to abduct a simple housewife?

But who and what was Darcie before she became a stay at home housewife?

As the past collides with the present in the most shocking ways this book pulls you back into Darcie’s past, delivering plot twists and turns along the way, revealing to Gabe just who he has fallen in love with and married.

This is the first book I have read by Anna-Lou Weatherley and I was unaware there is a whole series featuring Detective Dan Riley, so luckily for me this book reads extremely well as a standalone, but it has made me want to go and read the rest of the series now.

The writing flows like silk and the characters are portrayed in such a way that brings them to life across the pages. The whole book was a pleasure to read, even the bits that make your heart beat that bit quicker!

If you are already acquainted with this series or the authors other books then you will already know you are in for a treat with this book, but if like me you are a newbie then you won’t be disappointed. It will keep you entertained from start to finish.

This book was my first book in the Detective Dan Riley series and the first Anna-Lou’s book, and I must say I’m quite hooked in follow the detective’s mysteries because this story was quite immersive and so well written. It’s book seven in the series but can be read as a standalone. However, I must admit that after this intense ride I'm going to read the first six.

Have you ever wondered what happens when the secrets you keep so carefully in the shadows come to light? Well, you’re about to find out but be ready for it, because when the rug you have under your feet’s is pulled your perfect life will be out of reach.

The multiple POV’s and timelines created such a suspenseful atmosphere through the story that kept me on the edge until the end. It was an amazing read full of twists and turns and I couldn’t pull it down until I found out how it was going to unravel.

I loved this book, the intrigue, and all the mysterious atmosphere and I highly recommended to everyone who’s a fan of thrillers full of surprises.

Thank you, Bookouture & NetGalley, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

I read this as a standalone and thought it was amazing so I can't even imagine how much more I would have enjoyed it if I'd had more background into thr characters! It's cleverly written with multiple plot threads that all tie up perfectly. There were twists I didn't see coming and the characters are all really well developed and real. Can't wait to read the rest of the series

Thank you Netgalley, Anna-lou Weatherley and Bookouture for the ARC of The Housewife Secret.

Before I give my review, I would recommend any reader to pick up the first book of Detective Dan Riley series, called Black heart and the rest of the books in this brilliant series. Reasons being that there is an underlining narrative of who Dan Riley is.

As with all the Dan Riley series books, this one grabbed me and didn't let go! I had listened to this series via audible so it made a chance to " read " this one. Dan Riley, a great detective was supposed to be going on holiday, packed and ready, he gets a call to say that a women has gone missing. And he cant resist getting the investigation started, just a few hours and then he will go on holiday. A few hours turns into a twisty, race against time to find this women who didn't want to face her past..... and now, it's found her.

Anna-Lou Weatherley, through this series of books has built up such a rapport and great dynamics with the characters that she brings into her books. All the characters, even the perps are well defined. The scenes that see sets within the narrative with this book felt claustrophobic in places and certainly heart wrenching. The pace of the book is great, with the build up of twists of who the perpetrator is and how Dan Riley and his 2nd in command, Lucy Davis plan to catch them.

I really hope that we hear more of Dan Riley

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dan Riley is ready to go on vacation with his wife and kids, but as he is heading home he gets word of a missing person. Darcie is finally married to the man of her dreams, a surgeon named Gabe. They live in an upscale apartment that was paid for by an inheritance fro Darcie's estranged mother. Darcie tries to fly under the radar because she has some things her past that she doesn't want revealed, things Gabe doesn't even know, but one day she is out walking her dog and the dog returns home without her. Gabe reports her missing and Dan Riley's vacation is derailed.

I really like this series, it is a must read for me, though the books can definitely be read as stand alones. To me this was not the best in the series. It definitely held my attention and I read it quickly. I just didn't feel like the ultimate reason for the abduction was that compelling, and I wasn't completely sure why Darcie was so secretive about her past. I still enjoyed it, I just think this series has such a high standard that this one fell a bit short of it. Still a worthwhile read for sure.

Thank you NetGalley for another awesome ARC! The Housewife’s Secret, due out Jan. 12 is a breathtaking thrill ride from the first page. What happens when your secrets catch up to you? When the shadows of the life before finds you, reaches out with its crooked fingers, and snatches you away from your now perfect life. This fast paced page turner is one you will not be able to put down.

Anna-Lou Weatherley is a magnificent writer weaving all kinds of emotions within the lines of this gripping edge of your seat tale. This is my first from this author but definitely not my last!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Add this one to your TBR list today!

Happy reading, y’all! 📚❤️📚

#NetGalley
#Annalouweatherley

The Housewife's Secret is a great read. It is full of twists and turns which kept me hooked and I really like the character of Detective Dan Riley. Looking forward to more books in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

NOT FINISHED - at first the book immediately grabbed my attention, but over time this completely disappeared. Even after a certain chapter, my attention for the book completely disappeared, which is why I simply did not want to read any further. I got this because of a timeline that I didn't think was going well.. It was also because I just found certain things very strange. Very unfortunate because in the beginning I saw a lot of potential in the book..

Maybe it wasn’t the right time for me to read this book and will mine opinion be different in the future.

I didn’t realise this was part of a series before I started it. That didn’t detract from my enjoyment however. I was able to follow the story with ease and loved the twists and turns. A great read.

Another great book from this author. I loved the characters and the tension throughout. I would highly recommend this book to my audience. Can’t wait for the next, hopefully featuring the detective Dan Riley . 5 stars from me

Wow!! I was invested in this book from the first 10 minutes. It was twisty throughout. I will definitely be seeking out more from this author. This was my first book I’ve read from her. This is a definite 5 star from me! Thank you NetGalley.

I just reviewed The Housewife's Secret (Detective Dan Riley) by Anna-Lou Weatherley. #TheHousewifesSecret #NetGalley

This is my first book in the Dan Riley series, but now I plan to go back & read more. I love trying to figure out all the twists of thrillers before they happen, and I did figure out several in this book. However, it is well written with likable characters, so I was not at all disappointed. I will definitely keep an eye out for the next book in this series.

Darcie Bonneville is married to dashing surgeon Gabe, she's happy to be a housewife, looking after the home and throwing dinner parties for their friends, as long as nobody finds out who the real Darcie is and she can keep her dark past where it belongs, then she receives a card through the door which rocks her world, because someone knows her secret, the following day, whilst walking her dog, she disappears without a trace. About to go on holiday with his wife and family, Detective Dan Riley is told about the disappearance and decides to stay and investigate alongside his team, but what is Darcie's secret and will they find her before she comes to any harm?

Dan Riley and his team are back again in the latest in this crime series by Weatherley and once again it hits the ground running with action right from the start. Told from multiple perspectives across two timelines we learn about Darcie, her present life and her very dark past, and this explains why she avoids drawing attention to herself unless it's absolutely necessary. This new story has a well crafted plot, with some great characters and unexpected twists along the way, although I do admit to working out who the perpetrator was but this, in no way, affected my enjoyment of this great read which, although it's the seventh in the series, can very easily be read as a standalone. Dan Riley is a very empathetic detective and is fast becoming one of my favourites, I still have a couple of this series on my kindle to read and I'm looking forward to catching up with the team again very soon.

I'd like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Another fantastic book in this series and I think this is one of the best yet. Great bunch of characters and the storyline had me hooked from start to finish