This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that really set the scene and kept me on the edge of my seat. The cover and synopsis suited the storyline perfectly.

OMG!!! MIND ABSOLUTELY BLOWN!!!! A GRIPPING, DARK AND SUSPENSE FILLED PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT DOWN!!!

I absolutely love, LOVE, LOVED this absolute page turner!! If you are a fan of Shalini Boland, Freida McFadden and just explosive psychological thrillers in general then this is a book for you!! This book is extremely fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. It was one of those true gems where if you had to put it down you had to race back as soon as you could to find out what was going to happen next. The plot is unique which is always a bonus after reading so many psychological thrillers. I like to point out at the start of my book reviews if the storyline contains anything that may be unsuitable, upsetting or disturbing for any readers and this book does discuss and include domestic abuse/violence. Maria does an absolutely fantastic job of sensitively weaving it into the storyline while highlighting the red flags. She coveys the heartbreak, desperation and struggle that victims of domestic violence struggle with and after being in an abusive relationship for many years I am a huge believer that difficult topics such as abuse do need to be highlighted in books to help warn others of red flags and domestic violence while not highlighting the fact that someone is reading about this topic. Hopefully that makes sense but a huge congratulations to Joanne on writing about this difficult topic! An extra congratulations is definitely deserved due to the fact that in this book it is actually the woman that is abusing the male which I don't tend to come across very often yet it it is something that should be written about more. I have a friend who has been suffering with domestic violence and they have stated how difficult it is to talk to someone for fear of being laughed at or not believed and it is disgusting and heart breaking that men feel this way. This book really is an intense and powerful thriller that will stay with you for a very long time after you have finished it. It is an absolute roller coaster of emotions with an explosive ending that you will not see coming so make sure you clear your schedules as you will NOT be able to put this down. I gave up telling myself just one more chapter after I tried it twice and could not put it down as I had to know what was going to happen next!! The storyline is ram packed with suspense, abuse, tension, jealousy, love, heartache, drama and so much more!! Just when I thought everything that could happen had happened BOOM there was another shocker around the corner. Every time I kept telling myself one more chapter the one I was in ended at a point where there was no way I could stop reading so I absolutely devoured it in one sitting!! I WAS absolutely blown away and considering I read approximately 30 books a month that is certainly no easy feat so a HUGE congratulations on that Maria!! Maria does an absolutely amazing job of weaving the storyline together to drip feed the reader just about the right amount of information that she wants us to until she absolutely spins everything around again!! The fantastic descriptions really made me feel like I was in the storyline along with Paul and my heart was pounding while I was biting my nails in suspense, I have not got much of my nails left now so thanks for that Maria!!! I absolutely LOVED how it ended and I cannot wait to get stuck into the next book by this fantastic author!! I really could not recommend this book any more. I am absolutely mind blown that I have never read any of Maria's books prior to this book so I am, extremely pleased I have now rectified this and I have also gone back and added all her books to my Amazon wish list too!! If you are looking for something unique, filled with suspense that will leave you guessing and that will blow your mind then this is definitely the book for you!!

DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT READING THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE CLEARED YOUR SCHEDULES AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN!!!

I wasn't just 100% invested in the storyline but also in the characters. Each and every one of the characters were well defined, realistic and strong. Maria's fantastic descriptions ensures the reader sees, feels and hears everything that the characters are seeing and feeling which leaves their heart racing along with them. It really brings the storyline and the characters to life, for better or worse!! My heart went out to Paul so much even more that I have seen the damage caused first hand by someone who has lived through domestic abuse as a male. Unfortunately I am not going to be able to say much more at all about them as I don't want to run the risk of giving anything away. I absolutely could not stand Michelle who I could have quite happily murdered myself but regardless of how I felt towards her, needless to say the characters all worked perfectly together to make this page turner as amazing as it is!!! Congratulations Maria on creating such a group of well defined, realistic and in some cases unnerving characters. I am really looking forward to meeting more of your characters in your previous and future books!!

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Maria on what promises to be a massive best seller!!! I WAS absolutely shocked by so many explosive twists!!! This is the exact reason you are on my favourite author list Maria and here's to your next explosive success 🥂!!!

Overall an absolutely addictive, mind blowing page turner that will keep you up with a racing heart until you've finished!!!

Maria Frankland is an author whose books always tick every box for me as a reader. She has the skill to weave a story that mesmerises and immerses you so deeply. Creating a plot that puts you through the wringer, only to throw some twist that turns everything you THINK you know, on its head!

The Married Couple does highlight issues that are pretty sensitive, but as always, she doesn't go overboard,and everything is relevant to the storyline. The characters left me guessing from the moment I started reading. In fact, the suspense is constant. I thought I had the answers at one point. Only to be flummoxed by Maria Franklands' fabulous twists! I should have known better!!

Yet another amazing psychological thriller from the mind of Maria Frankland. I have yet to read a book that lets me down from her, and The Married Couple is no different.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the gifted widget in exchange for my honest review.

The Married Couple by Maria Frankland

Any psychological coupled thrillers is an automatic sign me up. If this is your first psychological thrillers I’d say give it a go, if not I’d say maybe.

So Paul & Michelle Jackson are a married couple with one daughter who just has a horrible relationship. Like the most toxic out of toxics. Michelle was the main problem! She was so insecure, violent, and just cruel to Paul and her daughter. Oh, can’t forget her jealousy was just top tier. I’m not surprised what happened to her at all. Just a straight up BITCH.

The ending was crazyyyyy! A little far fetched how Alana decided to treat Emily at the point. You experience the story in “real time” while going through the trial. But seriously, if it was a woman I feel like that trial could have gone a whole other way and it’s not fair!

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC copy. <3

Previously released as The Man Behind Closed Doors, it's a twisty tale of domestic abuse, but it's not what you're thinking.

Spousal abuse where the wife is the abuser is one of those lesser talked about topics, with men feeling too ashamed to speak out. So credit to Frankland for highlighting awareness of this.

The plot is solid and the situation plausible. Characters are well written and I loved the glimpses into their history which allowed us to imagine the bigger picture.

An easy 5⭐ no brainer for me. It's fast paced, addictive and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Although fiction, this book will make you think.
Oftentimes in abusive relationships society jumps to the conclusion that it is one gender over the other that is the principal abuser. However, it can be the other way around and there is a stigma attached to it.
There are many startling and unsettling situations in the book but it’s a worthwhile read.
I felt sorriest for Emily and wondered what would happen to her?

This book had me at the edge of my seat, and kept me second guessing at every turn of the page. Loved it and I know you will too!


Thank you Maria Frankland and Bookouture for the advance reader copy!

This is the first book I’ve read by @writermaria_f and it didn’t disappoint. I loved it!
It’s so intense and gripping. I couldn’t put it down. With so many twists and an unexpected ending. Just brilliant.
The story follows Paul, who is awaiting trial for the murder of his wife Michelle.
It’s well written with intriguing believable characters. Told through multiple POV’s with past and present day timelines. A rollercoaster of emotions as a seemly perfect marriage unravels with secrets and lies as the story unfolds.
Overall, an enjoyable page turning compelling domestic psychological thriller. Definitely recommend if you enjoy this genre.
With thanks to #NetGallery @bookouture for an arc of #TheMarriedCouple in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 6 August 2024.

I don’t like leaving negative reviews because I know how hard authors work on their craft. My personal option should not impact if someone else picks up this book…we all have different things we like/don’t like. With that said, I read the entire book but quickly skimmed through much of it. I think it could have been much shorter..leaving much of the legal jargon out. Also I feel like the characters continued to go through the same battle/conversations over and over. I was a little surprised by the end but it was somewhat predictable. Didn’t really care for it since poor Emily was the one with the most to lose. Appreciate the context and raising awareness of domestic abuse. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the complimentary copy.

The Married Couple by Maria Frankland is not at all what you would expect, and you will be hard-pressed to put it down once you have started.

Paul and Michelle have a tumultuous relationship, and that is putting things quite mildly. While on a holiday with their young daughter, their long-simmering tensions will bubble over, and the police will be called to investigate when Michelle is brutally attacked. Naturally, Paul is taken into custody, but have Michelle's erratic behaviours and wild accusations really pushed him this far?

This is a gripping read about domestic abuse and the response when someone is forced to the very brink. None of us truly know what happens in the privacy of someone else's home. 4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.

This book was not what I was expecting, but it was interesting to read about an abusive relationship where the wife abuses the husband. You don’t read or hear about this kind of relationship often, and I thought that Frankland handled the subject matter well and in an informative way.

I liked how the story was told in the present with flashbacks leading up to it. It showed Paul and Michelle’s relationship and how it progressed to Paul being on trial for her murder. I thought the subject matter was hard to read at times, and yet, I couldn’t put this book down. The trial was interesting and I liked that we got to see how the system works.

I loved how Frankland threw in a bunch of red herrings and made me feel like a few different people could have done it. I did figure out who it was which made the book drag a bit for me after the trial, but overall I thought it was a well written and unique story.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

A fast paced domestic thriller which may be confronting for some readers so please check trigger warnings before commencing!

The writing was easy to follow but hard to read due to the nature of the subject. Paul and Michelle have a less than perfect marriage. With Paul often finding himself being verbally and physically abused by Michelle.

When Michelle is found stabbed during a family holiday, Paul is immediately arrested. But did he do it?

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the copy of the book.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the book #TheMarriedCouple by #MariaFrankland. Michelle is dead and all things point to her husband, Paul as being responsible. Is he guilty? They had their problems and it’s starting to all come out. This gripping book had me on edge and makes me second guess what goes on behind closed doors.

Maria Frankland returns following The Taken Child with her latest emotional and intense domestic suspense thriller, THE MARRIED COUPLE.

With a creative twist, this time around, it is at the hands of an abusive wife to her husband, pushing him to the edge. You will be glued to the pages to see how this INTENSE thriller will end.

About...

Paul is married to Michelle, and they have a young six-year-old daughter, Emily.

As the book opens, they are on holiday at Summerfield Holiday Park in Filey. Michelle has been stabbed. The traumatized little girl witnesses the tragic event.

Paul Jackson is arrested for suspicion of attempted murder.

From here the events leading up to the tragic event unfolds. From secrets, lies, and abuse, what goes on behind closed doors?

Emily is now not talking due to the trauma. A co-worker, Alana gets involved and her husband.

Paul is in an abusive relationship, but he stays and tolerates it for his daughter. However, things escalate. Will the laws protect the husband from the wife, any more than they protect wives from husbands?

What really happened to Michelle?

My thoughts...

Maria realistically explores domestic abuse by turning it around with the wife as the abuser, both emotionally, mentally, and physically.

THE MARRIED COUPLE is complex, intense, suspenseful, heart-wrenching, and captivating! Each chapter unravels hidden layers of the characters' lives and their secrets.

We hear from Michelle, Paul, Lee, David, Susan, and Alana. From alternating chapters of legalities, court appearances, defense, and events leading up to the murder. There are highly charged topics of mental health, jealousy, anger, domestic abuse, self-harm, trauma, and manipulation. Lots of dysfunction and drama.

The author offers a clever twist, with an unexpected turn in the plot that challenges the reader's assumptions about the characters and their actions. This twist provides a realistic view of domestic abuse that does not go away, making the book difficult to read at times, especially for those who have ever experienced domestic abuse.

The author dedicates the book to those men and women who have suffered at the hands of a partner who is supposed to have loved and cherished them. This dedication, along with the resources for domestic abuse and violence, is a testament to the author's empathy and understanding of the issue.

THE MARRIED COUPLE was initially released as "The Man Behind Closed Doors" in 2020 (her first novel) and re-released by Bookouture in Aug 2024.

Thanks to Bookouture for a gifted digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 6, 2024
Aug 2024 Must-Read Books
Aug Newsletter

He is arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.



While in jail, he thinks about his life and marriage to Michelle and the story is told through flashbacks to the past. We hear of her jealousy and paranoia, her mood swings and violence when she’s been drinking, which is often. Michelle has her own issues she is dealing with but takes it out on Paul……all the while their young daughter Emily is in the middle.

Oh my gosh, couldn’t believe it, another thrilling book. Certainly kept me guessing and in fact, I had to re-read sections to fully appreciate the twist at the end.

A married couple go on holiday with their daughter to try and repair their marriage that was falling apart due to a jealous wife. Paul, the husband, gets accused of killing his wife Michelle. The story continues with suspicion everywhere. The courtroom scenes really became emotion-packed and I felt I was there witnessing it all. But the end really surprised me and as I said above, I had to re read parts to fully appreciate the twist. Boy oh boy,,,

Well done Maria.

This gripping and fast-paced book offers a unique perspective on domestic violence which I don't think is shown enough.
I loved this book. It was easy to binge in one day. The story was very easy to follow. All in all I highly recommend this book to everyone.
This will definitely be a author I will look out for in the future with upcoming books!

I did find this book enjoyable and it kept me entertained throughout. My only issue was that it dragged on a bit too much and it went into far too much unnecessary detail

Another Frankland book that I couldn't put down. Super quick read (finished in a day) and was captivated from the very beginning.
I will say it was a little predictable, and I definitely saw the twist before it came. But it was a well told story overall.

The Married Couple by Maria Frankland was a fast-paced thriller kept me on the edge of my seat.
Frankland’s writing is taut and evocative, skillfully building an atmosphere of unease and suspense.
I was so intrigued from that first chapter so I literally couldn't put this down.
This is a superb chilling thriller that I highly recommend to fans of mystery and suspense.

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I loved this book right away, the twists and turns were so well done, they really kept me hooked until the very end.