Good Wife

Anyone who enjoys good historical thriller books will want to pick up Jane A. Adams’ fifth novel in the bestselling Henry Johnstone series, The Good Wife. The setting is 1929 England, and Detective Chief Inspector Henry Johnstone and his partner, Sergeant Mickey Hitchens investigate the murder of Martha Mason, the well respected and much-liked wife of Surgeon Dr. Clive Mason. The couple was enjoying a day at the races with friends, and Martha left the group briefly to greet an old friend she recognized in the crowd, only to disappear. She was found murdered in an empty horsebox.

Adams has obviously done her research and the historical aspects seem to be true to form as to the time period. She is an excellent writer and storyteller, and readers will actually feel that they are living in the time. The characters are also believable and well developed; readers will feel like they know them and that they are real people. However, people sometimes appear as something they are not, and that seems to be happening throughout the novel. There is an air of suspense throughout, and it starts at the beginning and continues through to the dénouement. The storyline is fascinating, and will keep readers on the edge throughout.

Adams has created an excellent series that is worth reading. Readers of The Good Wife will want to pick up the previous novels, although this one can be read as a standalone.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.