Member Reviews
Lachlan has kept a secret for the 20 years of his marriage to Jenny but now things are trickling out. The two of them alternately tell this tale of secrets lies and murder in Scotland. You might find yourself yawning - knowing for sure what's going to happen- and then there's a twist. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers from me. A good one for travel.
The Husband is another 5-star thriller by Daniel Hurst. Once again he cleverly creates a page-turner I couldn't put down. This thriller poses the question of how well we know the ones near and dear to us. Can anyone actually escape their past, or will it inevitably come back with a vengeance? This thriller is fast-paced, gripping, and intense! It kept me reading late into the night racing to the shocking and satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this book to all thriller addicts. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy.
Lachlan has a secret he's kept for over twenty five years. His wife Jenny and their two children have no idea. When Bonnie, the 17 year old spots a documentary of a crime happening in a part of Scotland, it upsets Lachlan. That's where he grew up. Bonnie and the family want to return, but Lachlan definitely doesn't.
Despite his best efforts the family go back to Scotland and the village where Lachlan grew up. Lachlan also wants to be back in England on the same weekend for a different reason.
I felt the book was an easy read but there wasn't a lot of twists happening. I felt the book was laid out for the reader with not really any surprises.
The offers an intriguing premise with chapters alternating between a husband and his wife, creating a dual perspective on their tense and twisted relationship. While the narrative flow is engaging, the husband’s character feels more annoying and unconvincing as a killer than menacing, detracting from the suspense. His actions and personality come across as cringy and somewhat loser-like, making it hard to take him seriously in his role. This portrayal may work for readers who prefer flawed, unpredictable characters, but it could frustrate those expecting a more calculating or compelling antagonist.
Daniel Hurst is a must read author for me and his books are one of my favorites when it comes to psychological thrillers.
The Husband gave me American Psycho vibes with a twist. So many twists that I absolutely loved. Such a thrilling story. A definite recommend
Another good book by Daniel Hurst. Gripped from the beginning although you find out the killer early on I still enjoyed the rest of the book. Suspense and intrigue kept me reading as I like the style of Daniel’s writing. I hope there’s a sequel.
fast, easy read. however it lacks any thriller aspect for me, we find everything out early on and then its just the characters trying to figure it out after that which was dry. I'd rather not know and be surprised. Probably would've been better having just the wife's POV instead of both.
.As a fan of psychological thrillers I was very pleased with The Husband. Just when you think you've figured it out, new complexities arise, keeping the pace thrilling until the end.
Book Review: The Husband by Daniel Hurst
Daniel Hurst's The Husband is a masterful psychological thriller that keeps readers on edge from the first page to the shocking finale. With its intriguing premise—what if the man you love is hiding a sinister past?—the novel delivers a pulse-pounding journey filled with suspense, misdirection, and emotional tension.
Plot Overview
The story centers on the seemingly perfect life of the protagonist and her husband, Lachlan. Married for over two decades, they share a loving relationship, two children, and an idyllic life—until a whispered suspicion from her best friend cracks the veneer of her perfect marriage. Lachlan’s proximity to two unsolved murder cases, one in his childhood village and another near their current home, plants seeds of doubt that quickly grow into a life-threatening nightmare.
As the protagonist digs deeper into Lachlan’s past, the setting shifts to the remote Scottish Highlands, where chilling secrets come to light. The plot is layered with twists and turns, leaving readers guessing who can be trusted and who might be a killer.
Strengths
Gripping Suspense
Hurst masterfully builds tension throughout the novel, keeping readers questioning Lachlan’s innocence while introducing red herrings and subtle clues. The pacing is relentless, with every chapter ending in a way that compels you to keep reading.
Setting as a Character
The eerie and isolated Scottish Highlands play a significant role in heightening the story’s tension. Hurst’s vivid descriptions of the landscape create a haunting atmosphere, underscoring the protagonist’s growing sense of danger.
Complex Characters
Lachlan is a fascinating character—a blend of charm and mystery that keeps both the protagonist and readers unsure of his true nature. The protagonist’s internal conflict, torn between her love for her husband and her mounting suspicions, is portrayed with raw emotional depth.
Twists and Reveals
As secrets unravel, the plot takes unexpected turns that upend the reader’s assumptions. The final twist is particularly satisfying, tying together threads in a way that feels both surprising and inevitable.
Weaknesses
Supporting Characters
While the main characters are well-drawn, some supporting figures, such as the best friend who sparks the initial doubt, could benefit from more development to enhance their role in the story.
Predictability in Moments
Some seasoned thriller readers might anticipate a few twists, particularly regarding Lachlan’s behavior, though the overall execution remains engaging.
Themes
Trust and Betrayal: The novel explores how trust is the foundation of any relationship and the devastating effects when that trust is shaken.
The Past's Influence on the Present: The story underscores how unresolved secrets can resurface in unexpected and dangerous ways.
Maternal Instincts: The protagonist’s drive to protect her children amplifies the tension and adds an emotional layer to the stakes.
Final Thoughts
The Husband is a thrilling psychological drama that expertly balances emotional depth with edge-of-your-seat suspense. Daniel Hurst crafts a compelling tale of doubt, deception, and danger that will leave readers questioning how well they truly know the people closest to them. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, T.M. Logan, and domestic thrillers with high emotional stakes.
Rating: 4.5/5
A chilling, twist-filled thriller that’s impossible to put down. Prepare for a sleepless night with this one!
This is my first read from Daniel Hurst, this psychological thriller is told in a duel perspective of a married couple Lachlan & Jenny.
Lachlan is from a small costal village in Scotland, who escaped after a tragic death of a young classmate of his, Paisley. Very secretive about his past, his wife Jenny and daughter Bonnie decide they want to learn more about Paisley, the town Lachlan grew up in and begin to ask questions Lachlan isn’t ready for.
As psychological thrillers go, this plot was straight to the point, and much of the story was told within the first few chapters.
It was a very quick read, with small twist and turns throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!
What a good book!! This one had me hooked from page one! I could t put it down. I loved the writing style of this book. I lived the characters and they had great chemistry.
The husband is another fast paced psychological thriller by Daniel Hurst who is one of my favourite authors. I was interested right from the beginning and I wanted to read non-stop. I hope there’s a sequel.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
The Husband by Daniel Hurst is a captivating psychological thriller that kept me glued to the pages. The suspense builds relentlessly as we delve into the mind of a seemingly perfect husband, only to discover dark secrets beneath the surface. The twists are sharp and unexpected, and I found myself second-guessing everything. Hurst has a talent for keeping readers on edge, and this book is no exception. If you love a gripping tale of deception and tension, this one’s a must-read.
This is such a good book!! I love the suspense and mystery of it, making you wonder who is actually dangerous and if the husband is actually a killer or not? It was thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat while reading, I love it!!
Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!
I always enjoy Hursts books and this was another winner for me! His writing style is so engaging that you end up finishing his books in one sitting and The Husband was no exception!
From the first page you were hooked on the story and the suspense was absolutely brilliant throughout the entirety of the book. The close calls had you biting your nails and holding your breath to see if he'd finally get caught.
The only negative i have to share is that i think the main character Lachlan lacked quite a bit of depth and character development.
Overall i think this was a great read, short and thrilling, it keeps you on your toes, the perfect book for a night in!
Interesting idea for the plot but as the ‘reveal’ happened straight away there was no suspense throughout. I also didn’t like the writing in first person.
Possible spoilers
Unfortunately I do not think I will be finishing this book. The plot is a bit confusing, as Jenny seems to adore her husband even though he seems to be lacking any kind of personality at all. There’s also a part in the book where Lachlan mentions being chilly , but on the next page mentions how it’s not cold at all since it’s still summer and the air is warm. I’m also confused because the crime he originally commits seems to be a “in the heat of the moment” crime but he then goes on to do it again, or threaten to do it again anytime he is rejected by someone. Jenny is also not the most likable character. She drones on and on about seemingly nothing more often than not. I love a good thriller and will definitely check out some of Daniel Hursts other books but this one to me just didn’t hit the mark. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read and leave my honest review.
The Husband was one of the darkest and twisted books I've read in a long time. Daniel Hurst once again shows you never really know someone completely, even the ones closest to us.
Jenny and Lachlan seem to be the ideal married couple. Nice home, two kids, good jobs, etc. So what suddenly goes awry and sends them all into a tailspin? Deep dark secrets are the main catalyst, but also the feeling of being invincible and getting away with something. But karma does indeed catch up here and takes the reader on a roller-coaster of a ride not stopping until the end.
The easy writing style of Hurst enables the reader to fly through the pages and reach the climax. The story is told through both Jenny and Lachlan's point of view allowing us to get into their heads and see their thoughts and inner turmoils. This was a really great read and I can't wait for Daniel's next as he seems to get darker with each new novel.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy
This was one heck of a page-turner! I didn’t expect all the twists and turns. My heart was beating wildly at times. I sacrificed sleep because I couldn’t put it down! I love a good psychological thriller! Will definitely read more by this authors! This book will shock readers. Just when they think they have things figured out, there is so much more deviousness that is hidden between these pages. An absolute page turner of a book that is a roller coaster ride until the end.
After struggling with a few books not holding my interest, I knew Daniel Hurst would deliver. An unsolved true crime documentary sets things in motion for a an ordinary family's visit to the Scottish village of the crime. This was a quick read . Knowing who the killer was added to the suspense of what would happen next. It certainly held my interest from start to finish